A new study shows that cannabis is highly effective in diminishing the emotional pain that comes with social rejection and loneliness.
“Those who smoked marijuana relatively frequently felt less threatened than those who smoked it less frequently, or not at all…’Humans have a fundamental need to belong,” the researchers note. ‘Hurt feelings motivate us to fix our relationships and re-establish social connection.’”
The components of the study were simple. The researchers evaluated the emotional wellbeing of 5,631 Americans – a mixture of cannabis users and nonusers. Participants’ feelings of self-worth were assessed. The results: cannabis users felt less lonely and more emotionally secure than nonusers.
Humans innately need to connect and feel accepted by others. This study highlights how those with social anxiety may use cannabis to heal and reestablish relationships.
Read the full study published in SAGE’s Social Psychology & Personal Science entitled “Can Marijuana Reduce Social Pain?”
Photo by Helena Lopes on Unsplash