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Inspired by Mary Jane? Mechanisms Underlying Enhanced Creativity in Cannabis Users

Popular media has perpetuated the idea that cannabis users are more creative than non-users, and that cannabis use might enhance creativity. While there is some evidence that acute cannabis intoxication may enhance some forms of creative thought, little is known about differences in creativity between sober cannabis users and non-users. In my 3MT talk, I will discuss research I conducted for my Master’s thesis, examining differences in creativity between sober cannabis users and non-users. In my research, I found that sober cannabis users were indeed more creative than non-users, but that this was driven by differences in the personality trait openness to experience. Specifically, cannabis users tended to be more open to experience than non-users, and this openness to experience lead them to not only use cannabis, but to be more creative as well.

[Video coming after event]

Emily LaFrance
Psychology

Emily LaFrance is a third year Ph.D student in the Experimental Psychology program. Emily has earned both her Master’s and Bachelor’s degrees in Psychology from WSU, and has worked under Dr. Carrie Cuttler, conducting health-related research for over four years as both an undergraduate and graduate research assistant. Emily’s current research is focused on elucidating the cognitive and psychosocial impacts of acute and chronic cannabis use.