New Research Suggests Cannabis Use May Enhance Empathy, Study Finds
In recent years, cannabis has gained popularity for its potential therapeutic benefits in treating anxiety, promoting sleep, and enhancing creativity. However, a new study published in the Journal of Neuroscience Research suggests that cannabis use may also have a surprising effect on empathy.
The study, conducted by researchers at the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, examined the connection between cannabis use and empathy in a group of 85 regular cannabis users and 51 nonusers. Participants were asked to complete a test that measures empathy, and brain imaging was used to analyze the activity in a region of the brain associated with empathy.
The results were intriguing. Cannabis users scored higher on the test that assessed emotional comprehension, indicating a greater ability to understand another person’s emotional state. In addition, the brain imaging showed that cannabis users had greater connectivity in areas associated with emotional and empathy-related regions.
Víctor Olalde-Mathie, one of the authors of the study and a neuroscientist, explained that he was motivated to explore the link between cannabis and empathic ability due to the lack of research on tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the principal psychoactive constituent of cannabis. Olalde-Mathie hypothesized that cannabis users might demonstrate higher empathy because of the anxiety-mediating effects of cannabis. When individuals are less anxious, their physiological and autonomic responses are not as heightened, allowing them to use their resources more effectively.
While research on cannabis and empathy is limited, a study published in 2022 on cannabis and pro-social behaviors also suggests potential positive effects of cannabis. The study involved 146 college students who had varying amounts of THC in their urine. They filled out a questionnaire that measured pro-social behaviors, empathy, and morality. The results indicated that people who use cannabis tend to have an enhanced sense of care for others and are motivated to engage in the world in a benign and selfless way.
However, it is important to note that results of empathy research can vary depending on the methodology used. A 2016 report found that empathic processing was impaired in cannabis users compared to nonusers when using a technique called “event-related potential” to assess participants’ responses to stimuli. This suggests that individual and situational differences may play a significant role in how individuals react to cannabis.
Carrie Cuttler, a psychology professor at Washington State University, cautions that the recent research only shows an association between cannabis use and empathy and does not prove cause and effect. It is possible that individuals who are more empathetic to begin with are more likely to use cannabis, or there may be other factors such as personality traits or differences in lived experiences that drive people to use cannabis and also exhibit higher empathy.
In conclusion, the recent research on cannabis and empathy provides intriguing insights into the potential effects of cannabis use on empathy. While the findings suggest a positive association between cannabis use and empathy, further research is needed to establish a definitive causal relationship. As with any substance, individual reactions may vary, and it is important to consider personal factors and circumstances when assessing the impact of cannabis on empathy.
