Can Cannabis Help with Studying?

Being in college has become synonymous with experimenting with psychoactive substances, and cannabis is undoubtedly the most popular. Even for graduate students, cannabis has proven to be an essential companion for many reasons. One of them is that it helps them study, as well as relax from academic stress.

A 2020 study revealed that nearly half of college students in the United States admitted to using cannabis in the past year. While it is not certain whether the increase in cannabis consumption was driven by the pandemic, the most notable finding is that it helped reduce alcohol consumption.

“The pandemic seems to have turned marijuana into an alternative way to escape the monotony of isolation,” explained Nora Volkow, director of the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA). “It made life more boring, more stressful. So, if drugs allow you to experience this completely different state of mind, I wonder if that would be a factor leading people to use them.”

The study, titled "Monitoring the Future", was funded by the NIDA (National Institute on Drug Abuse) and analyzed drug use among college and non-college students since 1980, focusing on the age group of 19 to 22 years. Researchers found that 44% of college students admitted to using cannabis in 2020; a drastic increase from the 38% reported in 2015. They also noted an increase in "daily or near-daily" use.

While the study did not examine the reasons behind the increase in consumption rates, one could hypothesize that students are turning to cannabis instead of alcohol or other dangerous "study drugs" to cope with the stress of academic life, study better, and relax safely.

Many people doubt the use of cannabis as a study aid. Its users are stereotyped as lazy, leading to the misconception that it does not contribute to productivity. However, cannabis can actually help with concentration and even enhance creativity, improving performance in various activities, including studying or working.

How to Use Cannabis to Aid in Studying?

It is important to emphasize the importance of selecting the correct strain and dosage when using cannabis as a study aid. Make sure to choose a strain you are already familiar with and that helps you stay focused before starting a long study session.

A controlled dose is always recommended for optimal concentration. For this reason, low-dose edibles (less than 10 mg, depending on your tolerance), microdosing, or vaporization are great methods that can help with your studies.

If you tend to get anxious before an important test, you may consider using CBD or a CBD-dominant strain. Studies show that this cannabinoid helps reduce anxiety, as well as increase alertness and concentration at low doses.

Enhanced Reasoning Skills

There is no doubt that certain cannabis strains can enhance creativity. Studies show that cannabis is effective in allowing unconscious thoughts, as well as vague ideas that do not occur concretely when sober, to surface while under the influence of the drug.

Therefore, it is not surprising that cannabis is widely used by artists and creatives before a creative session or brainstorming. It is even used by writers to combat creative block, and inspiration for a thesis or article can arise after just a few puffs. Additionally, it can help facilitate great idea exchanges with others — even better when it comes to group projects.

Stress Reduction

Any student can confirm that college life itself is extremely stressful and hectic. Students inevitably experience varying levels of stress, with the added pressure of completing the course. This often hinders relaxation and sleep. And the irony is that you need a good night's sleep to be mentally at your best the next day.

Having cannabis near your bed can be very helpful in reducing stress and aiding sleep. In this case, you will want some indica varieties to help relax and fall asleep.

Conclusion

If you live in a location where cannabis is legal and want to learn more about how marijuana can help you study better, you can visit the nearest dispensary — as long as you are of legal age. A knowledgeable budtender can provide you with great recommendations on the most suitable strains and products to aid in your studies.

However, using cannabis as a study aid may not be for everyone, as some prefer to study sober or with caffeine. But it is definitely much safer compared to ADHD medications like Adderall. These are also widely used as study aids, despite the dangers and risks. Due to the lack of research on the best use of cannabis by students, there are anecdotal reports, so it is best to experiment and see what works best for you.

Content Originally Published by El Planteo