Understanding Reasons For Cannabis Use In Physically Active Adults: Evaluation Of Sex Differences

PURPOSE: The present study sought to determine sex differences in physically active adults in relation to how and why they are using cannabis (cannabidiol (CBD) and/or tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)). METHODS: Participants were recruited using email, social media, and word of mouth. Data collected included use of cannabis (CBD and/or THC) and reasons for cannabis use (psychological reasons, social reasons and non-specific reasons). Data were collected using a 36-item questionnaire on a 5-point Likert Scale (Never/Almost Never, Rarely, Sometimes, Often, Always/Almost Always). Differences between men and women were assessed with a Mann-Whitney U nonparametric test. RESULTS: A total of 72 participants completed the questionnaire. All participants were physically active for more than five years, with most participants (42%) engaging in 30-150 minutes of exercise per week. Men (Mean = >300 minutes per week) engaged in significantly more minutes of weekly exercise compared to women (Mean = 30-150 minutes per week) (U = 468, p = 0.029, r = 0.25). There were no differences between men and women regarding psychological reasons, social reasons, or non-specific reasons for consuming CBD. However, there were differences in reasons for THC use. Regarding psychological reasons, men (Mdn: 2.50), compared to women (Mdn: 3.00), were less likely to consume THC to forget their worries (U = 274.0, p = 0.042, r = 0.275). Additionally, men (Mdn: 3.00), compared to women (Mdn: 4.00), were less likely to consume THC because it helped when feeling depressed or nervous (U = 254.0, p = 0.020, r = 0.312), and to forget about their problems (men Mdn: 2.00, women Mdn: 3.00; U = 262.5, p = 0.028, r = 0.294). Social reasons also differed between sexes for THC use such that men (Mdn: 1.00), compared to women (Mdn: 1.00) were less likely to consume THC to fit in with the group they like (U = 310.0, p = 0.027, r = 0.295). Non-specific reasons for cannabis use demonstrated that men (Mdn: 3.00), compared to women (Mdn: 3.00) were less likely to consume THC to increase creativity and originality (U = 257.5, p = 0.023, r = 0.300), and to understand things differently (U = 263.0, p = 0.029, r = 0.292). CONCLUSIONS: The data also suggested that physically active men and women use cannabis for different reasons. Future studies should work to examine if cannabis alters these parameters.