Cannabis, motivation, and life satisfaction in an internet sample
Sara Smucker Barnwell, Mitch Earleywine, Rand R. Wilcox
Substance Abuse Treatment Prevention and Policy January 12, 2006 DOI: 10.1186/1747-597x-1-2 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Cross-sectional study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 487 |
| Population | Daily cannabis users (7 days/week) and never-users |
| Topics | Cannabis |
| Keywords | Normality Abstinence Clinical psychology Cannabis dependence Sample material Life satisfaction |
| Citations | 69 |
| Key findings | Daily cannabis use does not impair motivation, and its small association with lower subjective wellbeing is likely due to medical symptoms rather than cannabis consumption. |
Abstract
Although little evidence supports cannabis-induced amotivational syndrome, sources continue to assert that the drug saps motivation 1, which may guide current prohibitions. Few studies report low motivation in chronic users; another reveals that they have higher subjective wellbeing. To assess differences in motivation and subjective wellbeing, we used a large sample (N = 487) and strict definitions of cannabis use (7 days/week) and abstinence (never). Standard statistical techniques showed no differences. Robust statistical methods controlling for heteroscedasticity, non-normality and extreme values found no differences in motivation but a small difference in subjective wellbeing. Medical users of cannabis reporting health problems tended to account for a significant portion of subjective wellbeing differences, suggesting that illness decreased wellbeing. All p-values were above p = .05. Thus, daily use of cannabis does not impair motivation. Its impact on subjective wellbeing is small and may actually reflect lower wellbeing due to medical symptoms rather than actual consumption of the plant.