Cannabis is beneficial to humans
Let’s start withevolutionary theory. Because the affinity for cannabis has been present in humans for at least 12,000 years (about 500 generations), that affinity must have fitness benefits.
The fundamental principle is that traits which persist across many generations must confer fitness advantages, otherwise they would be selected against. Let’s look at the possible benefitts:
1. Direct Physiological Benefits
- Anti-inflammatory effects could reduce chronic inflammation, a major source of disease
- Pain reduction could allow continued functioning despite injury
- Appetite stimulation could promote caloric intake during scarcity
- Sleep enhancement could improve recovery and cognitive function
- Nausea reduction could allow consumption of borderline foods in times of scarcity
2. Reproductive Fitness Benefits
- Stress reduction could improve mate selection and parenting
- Reduced anxiety could facilitate social bonding and mate acquisition
- Pain management during childbirth and recovery
- Enhanced sensory appreciation might improve mate selection
3. Social/Group Fitness Benefits
- Facilitated group bonding and cooperation
- Enhanced empathy and social connection
- Promoted sharing behavior and group cohesion
- Could have aided in development of symbolic thinking and cultural transmission
4. Cognitive Benefits
- Pattern recognition enhancement could aid in hunting and gathering
- Altered consciousness might promote problem-solving and innovation
- Could enhance learning by promoting neural plasticity
- Might aid in processing traumatic experiences
The evolutionary argument is particularly strong because:
- The trait has persisted across approximately 500 generations
- It’s present across diverse human populations
- The receptor system is metabolically costly to maintain
- The effects are specific and complex rather than random
Rather than viewing cannabis use as a modern phenomenon, we should consider it as part of humanity’s evolutionary toolkit, similar to how we now view the fitness benefits of music, dance, or spice consumption.
