How cannabis affects men and women differently
How cannabis affects men and women differently; Cannabis enthusiasts have long noticed some differences between the smoking habits of men and women on average, but those differences have mostly been considered socio-cultural, or even somewhat illusionary, largely due to the lack of in-depth research.
However, those differences might have deeper roots than we think; ones that go to the cores of our gender-specific hormonal and neurological structures.
Who consumes more cannabis and why?
As most people might guess, men do. They make three quarters of all cannabis consumers.
This has a lot to do with three major factors in cannabis use; factors which men, on average, are far more susceptible to. First, men are more inclined to taking risks, and that’s not some sexist myth, designed to make them seem cooler; it’s a simple, scientific fact.
“Male sex steroids increase risk-taking behavior and suppress the brain’s reward system, which could explain why males are more likely to try drugs, including cannabis” explains Dr Liana Fattore, Senior Researcher at the National Research Council of Italy, President of the Mediterranean Society of Neuroscience and author of the study “The Modulating Role of Sex and Anabolic-Androgenic Steroid Hormones in Cannabinoid Sensitivity**”**.[1] “This is true for both natural male sex steroids like testosterone and synthetic steroids like nandrolone, “Fattore continued.
Second, men are more influenced by external factors like peer pressure or use and something as simple as cannabis availability. [2] Basically, men tend to say things like “I might as well…” or “why not” more often than women.
Women, on the other hand, are more driven by internal factors, whether that’s something positive like simply being in the mood, or something negative like anxiety. [3]
Third, men usually hang out in circles where cannabis use is more prevalent, [2] and that only makes sense considering the other two factors mentioned above.
However, those differences might have deeper roots than we think; ones that go to the cores of our gender-specific hormonal and neurological structures.
Who consumes more cannabis and why?
As most people might guess, men do. They make three quarters of all cannabis consumers.
This has a lot to do with three major factors in cannabis use; factors which men, on average, are far more susceptible to. First, men are more inclined to taking risks, and that’s not some sexist myth, designed to make them seem cooler; it’s a simple, scientific fact.
“Male sex steroids increase risk-taking behavior and suppress the brain’s reward system, which could explain why males are more likely to try drugs, including cannabis” explains Dr Liana Fattore, Senior Researcher at the National Research Council of Italy, President of the Mediterranean Society of Neuroscience and author of the study “The Modulating Role of Sex and Anabolic-Androgenic Steroid Hormones in Cannabinoid Sensitivity**”**.[1] “This is true for both natural male sex steroids like testosterone and synthetic steroids like nandrolone, “Fattore continued.
Second, men are more influenced by external factors like peer pressure or use and something as simple as cannabis availability. [2] Basically, men tend to say things like “I might as well…” or “why not” more often than women.
Women, on the other hand, are more driven by internal factors, whether that’s something positive like simply being in the mood, or something negative like anxiety. [3]
Third, men usually hang out in circles where cannabis use is more prevalent, [2] and that only makes sense considering the other two factors mentioned above.