Can cannabis help studying?

In the contemporary world, entering the University has become synonymous with the “future”, at the same time that one can also live the first experiences with substances. Cannabis is undoubtedly the most popular. It is a fact that the use of the plant among university students is on the rise, sometimes even surpassing tobacco and alcohol. Many college students have chosen cannabis as a substitute for other drugs, which were once popular with devastating side effects. 

For obvious plant-related studies and reasons, this switch is not surprising. Whereas cannabis has been proven to combat academic stress, helping to relax, improve creativity, promote better sleep and elevate peer interactions and relationships. Even more importantly, the realization that cannabis is a much safer choice than alcohol was a crucial point in the success of quitting other substances. Even smoking the night before or a few hours before, most students can attend classes without any problem. 

While it is unclear whether the rise in cannabis use has been driven by the pandemic or the plethora of safe information in recent years, the 'Monitoring the Future' study looked at drug use among college and non-college students in the United States of America ( USA) since 1980, focusing on the 19-22 age group. It was then discovered that 44% of college students admitted to using cannabis in 2020, an increase of 38% since 2015. There was also an increase in daily or near-daily use, which rose from 5% to 8% in five years. 

But, as in all sectors of our civil society, cannabis carries a stigma, surrounded by prejudice, consumers were stereotyped as eternal lazy. Many still doubt the full potential that the plant has, suggesting that its use does not make it productive. For advocates, students and patient teachers of medicinal use, these arguments are unfair, outdated and of no use, except to stigmatize the user.

Cannabis has unique effects on each of us.

Before stating, in fact, whether or not cannabis helps in academic performance, it is always important to remember that the effects of the plant are not “universal”. In fact, they are almost exclusive effects and each person, after each specific method of use, can have very different perceptions about its benefits (or harm). Adult use is responsible and therefore informed use. 

There is no doubt that some cannabis chemotypes increase creativity, sensitivity, sharpen perceptions, and there are also reports of improved focus after use, but it must be borne in mind that this depends a lot on tolerance and experience of each one. Studies show that cannabis is effective in allowing unconscious thoughts, as well as initial ideas, to emerge and synthesize after use. Cannabis-induced stress relief may have a bearing on these after-effects, as well as calmer and more eloquent decision-making. 

With this, we can make connections with other beneficial effects when studying, such as reducing stress before a test, which can often hinder relaxation and adequate sleep. The irony is that you need to sleep well to be at your best mental performance the next day. In that case, taking cannabis oil the day before can be extremely helpful in reducing stress, body tension and helping you sleep.  

Whatever the method of use, as research progresses, more negative stigmas around the plant are left in the past and more discoveries about how, when and why to use it light the way for responsible and safe use.

However, it is worth noting that using the plant as a study aid may not be for everyone, as there will always be those who prefer to do it sober, or with caffeine. But it is definitely much safer, compared to drugs with disastrous side effects, which are also widely used as auxiliaries, despite the dangers and risks. Due to your endocannabinoid system and the paucity of cannabis research and academics, the evidence is still relative, so find what works best for you.
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Marcel Lyra is a centhusiastic communicator of cannabis culture in Brazil, with training in the industry and the science of the plant, having acted as a representative and in the reception of a cannabis association. In the area of ​​communication, he has already been part of audiovisual productions, also as a writer and broadcaster. An activist in favor of the legalization of cannabis, Marcel Lyra is now a journalist at Revista Ganja and a columnist for Cannareporter, helping to demystify the negative image surrounding the plant, always in favor of anti-prohibitionism.