Dec 05, 2021 12:00:00

How Does Cannabis Use Affect College Students' Academic Performance?

In recent years, the trend to legalize cannabis is progressing in the United States, and the use of cannabis as a non-medical use or as a favorite item has been lifted in each state. In a 2020 survey , cannabis use among college students reached the highest rate since the 1980s, but the question 'What is the impact of cannabis use on college students?' Was asked by Jason Kilmer of the University of Washington School of Medicine. Associate professors explain.

How does smoking marijuana affect academic performance? Two researchers explain how it can alter more than just moods
https://theconversation.com/how-does-smoking-marijuana-affect-academic-performance-two-researchers-explain-how-it-can-alter-more-than-just-moods-168158

A 2007 study reported that people use cannabis to get high, feel uplifted, build social connections, and deal with specific emotions and moods. .. Also, a study of young people in the early days of the coronavirus pandemic showed a gradual decrease in the use of cannabis to celebrate something, and instead to use cannabis to deal with boredom. It has been shown to have increased slightly. However, Kilmer and colleagues point out that seeking a high mood and uplifting feeling is still the main motivation for using cannabis.

Eighteen states have already legalized the use of cannabis for non-medical and recreational purposes in the United States, especially for college students over the age of 21. According to Monitoring the Future , a survey of drug use in the United States, 43-44% of college students said they had used cannabis in the past year in a 2020 survey. Looking at the graph below, we can see that the percentage of college students using cannabis in 2020 is the highest since the 1980s. On the other hand, only 25% of college students have taken cannabis in the past month, and at least three-quarters of college students do not take cannabis frequently.

While working at university, Kilmer and his colleagues often hear students say that cannabis is 'safe,' 'natural,' and 'just a weed.' However, the cannabis

potential for risk is there to be pointed out are, 'cannabis is completely harmless for humans,' It is not possible to assert that.

In fact, college students is lower GPA higher the frequency of the use of cannabis trend there is, absent from the classroom increases also the number of times that, or to repeat a grade or drop out have found that the higher the percentage. Kilmer and colleagues say there are studies showing that cannabis use can reduce attention and memory, which may be the reason for the poor academic performance of college students who use cannabis.

On the other hand, research results have also been reported that if you stop using cannabis, your cognitive ability will recover, but it may take up to 28 days for your cognitive ability to recover. The authors of the Guidelines for Low-Risk Cannabis Use, published in August 2021, stated that people who experience cognitive problems with cannabis use should either discontinue use or significantly reduce their frequency and concentration of cannabis. I concluded that I should consider it.

Also, in conversations with college students who use cannabis, Kilmer et al. Have heard that 'If you do not use cannabis, you will not be able to sit still, and you will not feel calm or anxious.' These students may feel that 'the use of cannabis has helped', but unfortunately these anxieties and restlessness can be symptoms of cannabis withdrawal and are actually withdrawal by taking cannabis. It seems that the symptoms may have just subsided. 'We don't know of any studies that show the academic or educational benefits of using cannabis,' Kilmer and colleagues said, saying that there is no evidence that cannabis use can improve academic performance.

Kilmer and colleagues point out that the concentration of

tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) , which is a source of euphoria, is high in cannabis products whose sales are increasing rapidly due to the legalization of cannabis. Generally, 'high potency' cannabis has a THC concentration of 10% or higher, but studies analyzing cannabis products sold in Washington show that cannabis flowers for smoking have a THC concentration of 20. In addition to the results that it exceeds%, there is also a research result that other concentrates such as oil generally have a THC concentration of more than 60% (PDF file).

The use of such high-efficiency cannabis is associated with risks such as cannabis use disorders and deterioration of mental health. Kilmer colleagues, young are particularly vulnerable to cannabis (weak), a plurality of studies have stated that indicates the possibility of leaving a variety harm the use of cannabis.