Yo, check it out fam! People be sippin’ on that alcohol for all sorts of reasons, like to chill out, have a good time, kick it with their crew, avoid some pain, experiment, or just rebel a bit. Alcohol been around for ages, used in religious ceremonies, medical treatments, and all kinds of other situations. But what about weed, yo? What’s the deal with that? Well, there’s some data out there, and it kinda varies depending on how old you are.
With weed getting legalized up in Canada and more than half of the US, it’s become more acceptable. Like over 85% of folks think it should be legal in some way or another, and even the feds are starting to recognize its health benefits.
So this article from Psychology Today dropped some knowledge on us about why people smoke weed. They pulled data from four different studies to figure out why folks are lighting up, and they found some interesting stuff. These studies mostly rely on surveys and info collected from other sources to get an idea of what the average weed user is like.
Age plays a big part in why people smoke. College freshmen are making decisions based on their limited life experiences and social scenes. One study checked out why college students start using weed in the first place.
“The most common reasons include having fun, fitting in, trying new things, boosting social interactions, fighting boredom, and just chilling out.”
Social acceptance is a big deal at this age, ya feel me? When you’re finally out there on your own, you gotta find a way to connect with others. If peeps around you are smoking weed, you might feel more inclined to join in and be part of the crew.
After college is where most weed users hang out. Another study took a look at this group to see why they’re lighting up. Not surprisingly, there’s a bunch of different reasons for smoking weed than the college-aged crowd. Here are the top 10 reasons these folks are hitting the green:
1. Relaxation
2. Feeling good
3. Medical uses
4. Inspiration
5. Seeing things in a new light
6. Dealing with depression and anxiety
7. Escaping worries
8. Enjoying movies or music
9. Getting better sleep
10. Fighting boredom
Just like with alcohol, the top reason is to have a good time. But unlike alcohol, tons of folks are using weed for medical reasons too, treating stuff like chronic pain, cancer, seizures, anxiety, and more.
Dealing with stress and anxiety is lower down on the list than with alcohol. But sometimes using substances to take a break from tough times can be helpful. A little hit from a vape or a gummy bear can take the edge off after a rough day. But if you find yourself relying on it too much or overdoing it, it might be time to check yourself.
The researchers in the study said, “Most users are pretty aware of their habits and will change things up if they see it becoming a problem.” So stay woke and know when to pump the brakes if needed!
Yo, for real tho, one big reason folks be smokin weed is stress relief. Life be crazy out here and sometimes you just need to chill and relax.