Two studies were conducted to examine how thoughts of death affect cannabis (marijuana) cravings, and if consuming marijuana alleviates those thoughts of death.
42 participants in the first study demonstrated cannabis craving when prompted with thoughts of death, even though there was no change in their conscious negative mood. In the second study of 50 regular marijuana users, results indicate that cannabis served as a buffer and prevented death-related thoughts from entering consciousness, thus acting as a defense mechanism against death anxiety.
This study may have implications regarding the use of cannabis for medical purposes among people with terminal illness.
