Apparently the sharpest tools in the shed are also often the highest.
We all know a highly-functional pothead, who, despite smoking weed upwards of three times each day is absolutely killing life. He or she probably brings home more than us, has a cooler job—possibly in the arts—tells better jokes at parties and has deep conversations about true happiness in which she quotes Jung, Joseph Campbell and Jesus all without looking anything up on her iPhone. While most of us are barely able to bake cupcakes from a box after smoking, the functional stoner can take four hits from a vaporizer and proceed to pay her bills, shop online, and discuss Christmas plans with her mother.
It’s infuriating, but there’s a totally logical reason why she can do that and you can’t. That reason—from what I can gather—is that your high friend is objectively a whole lot smarter than you.
At least that’s what I’m choosing to gather from a new study based on 8,000 British adults who were tracked for three decades by two researchers, James White and G. David Batty from Cardiff University and University College London. According to L.A. Times, White and Batty gave IQ tests to the sample at age 5 and/ or 10, then interviewed them about drug use at ages 16 and 30.
Using that data, White and Batty divided the people into three groups based on their IQ scores (low, medium and high). They found that those in the top IQ group at age 5 were more likely than those in the bottom IQ group to have ever used marijuana by the time they were 16. At age 30, women with high IQ scores were more than twice as likely as low-IQ women to have used marijuana or cocaine in the prior year, while men with high IQs were 46% more likely to have used amphetamines and 65% more likely to have used ecstasy than their low-IQ counterparts.
According to the Times, “The statistical analysis controlled for certain other factors that could have influenced drug use, such as psychological stress and socioeconomic status.” The researchers also found that IQ and drug-use has a stronger link in women than men.
In conclusion, the researchers noted previous studies which suggest that individuals with high IQ’s are generally more open to new experiences and more likely to seek stimulation than their slightly duller counterparts. And, “Two other traits linked with childhood intelligence — boredom and a tendency to be teased by one’s peers — could also fuel an interest in ‘using drugs as an avoidant coping strategy.’”
Of course, these results are easy to misinterpret, especially if you’re stoned, and especially-especially if you’re stoned and not in possession of an above average IQ.
So to be clear: if you’ve used marijuana or cocaine in the last 12 months, it’s not necessarily an indication that you are wildly intelligent. In fact, it may very well be an indication that you’re a moron. But, if you had a high IQ when you were age 5 or 10, that may very well be in indication that life was either too hard or too boring for you, which might make you more likely to experiment with drugs as a teenager and adult.
[Image via Shutterstock]
November 21, 2011 at 2:12 pm, judson f. snell said:
People who score high on standardized intelligence metrics seem to often inhabit a million different, undiagnosed mental barricades – be they high-functioning forms of autism spectrum disorders, mild forms of anxiety, etc. Self-medication is often the name of the game, as most of the mental “experts” go simply disregarded. Ritalin, Adderall, etc. have a profoundly different effect on the naturally wired – making concentration possible. Conversely, certain strains of marijuana allow the very anxious or hyperactive to feel a sense of “normal”, whereas the “normal” feel anything but. I once worked with a HFA (asperger’s) for a long time who was intolerable if he didn’t smoke out every few hours.
The biggest fundamental error in logic I see by the FDA and related agencies is their unilateral “one problem, one cure” or One-Size-Fits-Most approach to medicating patients, especially in the cases of the extremely intelligent people who’s brilliance is saddled with the “devil’s due” issues that come with it.
November 21, 2011 at 3:57 pm, Mirabel said:
Liked this article. I totally get the escaping from boredom and social pressures inherently present for some really intelligent people. We need to make sure that as a society and educational system, the really intelligent people are nurtured with a hundred creative outlets and means of support which is a whole lot healthier than drug use. But…… all our tax money goes to stupid expenses like standardized testing which only really tests the schools’ ability to teach answers to test questions. The exceptional are always left behind, and that means the exceptionally intelligent as well as the “exceptional needs” students.
November 28, 2011 at 7:24 pm, kertong said:
I am one of these functional potheads to the T. I’m a legal CA MMJ patient, and I have a highly successful career (I’ve worked at Google as well as Facebook), married the woman of my dreams, drive the dream car I’ve wanted as a child, have an amazing well behaved 1.5 year old golden retriever, and life is just great. I toke from the vaporizer daily, and have been since my days at UC Berkeley. And yes, I do bring home considerably more money than most of my friends. I write iPhone apps for fun (self taught) because I needed mental stimulation (my job wasn’t doing it). When I sit around with nothing to do, my mind races, and MMJ is the only thing that “calms” it and slows it down enough for me not to break down from anxiety from having nothing to do. Hard to describe but I am sure I am not unique in this boat.
Down with the “stoners are stupid” stereotype. I, and many of my friends here in Silicon Valley, are living proof. Thank you for this awesome article.
November 29, 2011 at 10:34 am, Pat. W said:
Smart people are better at functioning on drugs? No way! Bullshit fucking waste of time.
February 11, 2012 at 5:00 pm, a613656 said:
I’ve said that least 613656 times. SCK was here
February 12, 2012 at 3:42 am, An effective halitosis remedy said:
Awesome blog! Do you have any recommendations for aspiring writers? I’m hoping to start my own site soon but I’m a little lost on everything. Would you suggest starting with a free platform like WordPress or go for a paid option? There are so many options out there that I’m totally overwhelmed .. Any ideas? Cheers!
February 12, 2012 at 3:51 am, guaranty fund said:
Hmm it looks like your site ate my first comment (it was extremely long) so I guess I’ll just sum it up what I wrote and say, I’m thoroughly enjoying your blog. I as well am an aspiring blog writer but I’m still new to everything. Do you have any tips for newbie blog writers? I’d definitely appreciate it.
February 12, 2012 at 5:40 am, pit on-line said:
Very helpful post guy, thanks for the information and facts http://www.deathandtaxesmag.com/161919/new-study-children-with-high-iqs-are-more-likely-to-use-drugs-as-adults/. pit on-line
February 12, 2012 at 7:25 am, wadhurst solicitors said:
Have you ever considered creating an e-book or guest authoring on other blogs? I have a blog based on the same topics you discuss and would love to have you share some stories/information. I know my readers would value your work. If you’re even remotely interested, feel free to send me an e mail.
February 12, 2012 at 7:43 am, solicitors penrith said:
Today, I went to the beachfront with my children. I found a sea shell and gave it to my 4 year old daughter and said “You can hear the ocean if you put this to your ear.” She put the shell to her ear and screamed. There was a hermit crab inside and it pinched her ear. She never wants to go back! LoL I know this is entirely off topic but I had to tell someone!
February 12, 2012 at 8:37 am, Herbert Claar said:
A lot of thanks for all your work on this blog. Kim enjoys setting aside time for investigations and it’s really easy to understand why. We know all of the compelling form you present efficient tips and hints by means of your web site and in addition foster participation from the others about this matter so our favorite simple princess is really becoming educated so much. Have fun with the remaining portion of the year. You have been conducting a wonderful job.
February 12, 2012 at 9:03 am, northumberland solicitors said:
I was wondering if you ever thought of changing the layout of your website? Its very well written; I love what youve got to say. But maybe you could a little more in the way of content so people could connect with it better. Youve got an awful lot of text for only having one or two pictures. Maybe you could space it out better?
February 12, 2012 at 9:11 am, toner-tratz said:
yeah,I just thought you might wish to realize that your blog is messed up when you view it on my iphone. I?m not certain if it’s something to do with my telephone?s browser or your internet site? just declaring…
February 12, 2012 at 11:51 am, Wedding Photographer kent said:
Thank you so much for this valuable information. Very useful indeed. . . . .
February 12, 2012 at 12:31 pm, lower body workout said:
aggregator unreliable ykbzlsal planner goal rowing safely furher patented collecting energetics envisage
February 12, 2012 at 12:54 pm, can you lose weight without exercise said:
Someone left me a comment on my blogger. I have clicked to publish the comment. Now I wish to delete this comment. How do I do that?. .
February 12, 2012 at 12:57 pm, PPE said:
yay google is my queen assisted me to find this great website ! .
February 12, 2012 at 3:44 pm, Danelle said:
Thanks a ton for showing your ideas. Being a writer, I’m often in need of new and different solutions to think about a matter. I actually find good inspiration in doing so. Thank you again
February 12, 2012 at 5:22 pm, Nikon said:
I definitely did not realize that. Learnt something new right now! Thanks for that.
April 24, 2012 at 8:20 am, Dominique Heffley said:
I knew it.