Never mind stereotypical stoner humor, cannabis consumers have been shown to be more intelligent than their non-consuming counterparts. And that applies especially to women. According to a new study, women who smoke weed have higher IQs than those who don’t.
Researchers from the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health looked at 800 female cannabis consumers, analyzing data on their intelligence, smoking habits, lifestyle, and schooling level. They found that the majority of female cannabis consumers had higher IQs than the general public, and were 50 percent more intelligent than the average woman — meaning that, the smarter the woman, the more likely she is to smoke pot.
However, though the data proved a correlation between women with higher IQs and cannabis consumption, it didn’t point to why this correlation exists.
Some scientists believe that smarter people might be more open to new experiences, such as new modes of thought and consciousness that cannabis can provide. People who have higher IQs might seek out different or more diverse kinds of mental stimulation. The more cerebral someone is, the more likely they may want to explore the mind in different ways.
And moreover, because cannabis is safe to use and you can’t overdose from it, a smart or cautious drug consumer might also be drawn to the plant.
This isn’t the first time science has shown a connection between intelligence and one’s proclivity toward cannabis. According to a study from the British Medical Journal, people with higher childhood IQs are more likely to use cannabis by the time they turn 30.
Meanwhile, another study from University College London found that middle-schoolers who excelled at school had a higher chance of drinking alcohol and smoking weed when they got to high school, but that they were less likely to smoke cigarettes. However, if a minor were to smoke weed, it could have effects on their performance in school, or on their cognitive development. While a number of children use cannabis for otherwise life-threatening diseases like epilepsy, and have since excelled with the use of products like high-CBD cannabis oil, the average teenager should consider their emotional maturity before altering their minds.
That said, cannabis is known to be a catalyst for new ideas and creativity. No wonder women with high IQs are drawn to cannabis, as it can help maximize and enhance all the activity that’s already happening in their heads.
