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“Cannabis use may not lead to reductions in motivation” says new study

4 years ago
in International
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Cannabis leaf on a white background

Cannabis leaf on a white background

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A new study has found that cannabis use by teenagers does not reduce their motivation – going against a popular #stoner sloth belief about long-term cannabis use.

Published this week in the Journal of the International Neuropsychological Society, the study monitored 401 teenagers for two and a half years. The teenagers were all aged 14 – 17 and met with researchers five times throughout the study. 

During three of these visits, researchers from Florida International University assessed the children’s motivation using two questionnaires. These included the Apathy Evaluation Scale and the Motivation and Engagement Scale. Researchers also asked the teenagers to report their levels of cannabis use, which increased “significantly” on average over the duration of the study.

After collecting data from participants, researchers in the study found that there was a link between cannabis use, greater disengagement, lower planning and lower valuing of school. However, they later discounted the link between cannabis use and greater disengagement after controlling for factors like age, alcohol use, sex, depression and nicotine use. 

In other words, the teenagers did not lose any motivation from smoking cannabis (though they did start to value school slightly less). Cannabis also didn’t make the teenagers apathetic or less engaged. 

In this study, researchers were looking for a connection between cannabis use and ‘amotivational syndrome’. Amotivational syndrome is a condition characterised by apathy, avolition, memory disturbances and an inability to concentrate. They didn’t find that connection, however, noting instead that an increase in cannabis use in adolescents “did not predict changes in motivation.” 

Despite significant increases in levels of cannabis use in our sample, change in cannabis use did not predict changes in motivation, which suggests that cannabis use may not lead to reductions in motivation over time.

Although their findings are interesting, researchers note that further research is required to understand why cannabis use is connected with valuing school less. The study also didn’t consider social factors (like whether the link between cannabis and valuing school can be explained by family, friendly and personal hardships that lead teenagers to use more cannabis and prioritise school less). 

Ultimately, this research goes a long way towards disproving stereotypes about cannabis users (though cannabis use is obviously still dangerous for teenagers).

Tags: Research
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Karie Cornell

Karie Cornell

Based in Victoria, Karie's passionate about pro-cannabis legislation in Australia. She's joined Pondering Pot to share and bring awareness to the latest cannabis news across Australia.

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Comments 2

  1. Aaron Lee Hopkins says:
    4 years ago

    If it’s ok to do this type of research on young adolescents, then shouldn’t grown adults be able to enjoy this awesome plant at their own will.
    “COME ON AUSTRALIA IT’S TIME WE COME OUT OF THE SHADOW’S”

    Reply
  2. Aaron Lee Hopkins says:
    4 years ago

    What a great study about the long term use of cannabis. But how can you legaly examine 14 to 17 year Olds on this matter ? Aren’t you supposed to be at least 18 to be legally allowed medicinal cannabis ? And how can that age group be tested for long term use, unless only a couple of years is classed long term. Thanks.

    Reply

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Pondering Pot does not recommend that anyone uses cannabis for medical or adult use purposes unless consulted by a medical professional. Cannabis is a drug and may have negative side effects. Please consult with your doctor to find out if cannabis is right for you.

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