Call them ‘potheads’ or ‘stoners’, and the age-old trope makes you expect them to not care either way. Plenty of negative movie tropes run wild against cannabis users. The main one is their apparent poor academic orientation. Simply put, we hear in media that most weed users don’t like to study. This couldn’t be further from the truth however. With growing acceptance of cannabis culture, it becomes evident that plenty of college students both study and smoke up.
By the time most students reach, college, they have at least some awareness or exposure to cannabis. While most don’t start using cannabis until college, the newfound freedom is what beckons them in the first place. Curious and much more laid back, these young students often end up facing a new dilemma by the time mid-terms arrive. This is the question of whether or not to use cannabis while studying.
The science isn’t settled on the matter of study-while-high, with conflicting research
Because studying generally is a task that demands most of the user’s cognition, focus remains paramount. Most studying, regardless of subject or level, boils down to memorization, conceptualization and connections. That means that students mainly link concepts and associations, and memorize details. This entire process could easily get disturbed by noise, anxiety, mood or discomfort. That may also be why many students avoid listening to energetic music while trying to focus.
However, numerous studies on the subject of cannabis on focus yield mixed results. While most agree the main effect of weed is relaxation, this could lead to laziness and lethargy. Conversely, cannabis also causes bouts of mood swings and anxiety in some, which also may harm the studying process. This is the reason driving while high is also inadvisable.
The consensus is that individual results may vary, and self-exploration may come in handy
Because every person’s physiological constitution is unique, no golden rule exists with cannabis. What may completely inebriate and overwhelm one user may just be imperceptible to another. That’s why dosages in marijuana matter so much, as it is too easy to take too much at a time. And this is precisely why trying out some hash right before a test might be a huge mistake.
Instead of this, experts suggest experimenting and figuring out your body’s ideal amount during casual study time. By understanding what amount is tolerable, and what the limit beyond which concentration drops, the risks drop. A user can safely take just enough to improve their mood, and not enough that taking class becomes challenging. Furthermore, the COVID-19 pandemic may have also lowered the stakes.
With most classes online, it is surprisingly easy to be a full-time student and regular cannabis user
Back before the pandemic (over a lifetime ago, it seems!), the main concerns with smoking up before a class were very real. The pungent, herbal scent that clings to one’s breath and clothes was bad enough, due to stigma and prejudice. And also due to the fact that recreational cannabis remains federally illegal in the US, and few states permit its use. Secondly, smoking up too much and tripping in front of the whole class sounds like a nightmare.
With the convenience of online settings, smoking carefully considered amounts shouldn’t be a problem. Even if you consume too much, you can always save face behind your screen. And more importantly, online classes mean you study online too. Use this wisdom and you’re set to confidently study now, perhaps even with a side of enjoyment!