Gemma Speck

And because cannabis can affect short-term memory, as we know, but also motivation and attention, it can sometimes interfere with these key aspects.

Somebody may seem checked out, forgetful, hard to follow, less reliable, less emotionally engaged.

And it's not necessarily because they don't care.

It's because weed is changing how they present in that interaction.

And if that becomes a pattern...

other people, especially loved ones, start to feel a kind of distance that's actually pretty awkward to bring up.

Another issue is that cannabis can sometimes become part of avoidance in relationships more broadly.

If someone uses weed after stress, after moments of loneliness, conflict, boredom, emotional discomfort, it may help them feel better quickly, but it can also make them less likely to reach out, to repair.

explain themselves or sit with difficult emotions alongside other people.

And that is the foundation of deep relationships, romantic or not.

The risk is not just that someone smokes and becomes distant, but that cannabis becomes their preferred way of managing feelings that would otherwise lead them to connect with somebody that they loved.

Like again, it all comes down to this psychological dependency and psychological emotional management of discomfort.

Listen, we can't not mention the positive side.

Cannabis can improve intimacy, especially for people with chronic pain or a lot of stress and anxiety around sex.

I've heard that from some people, you know, it's the only thing that allows them to really feel in the moment comfortable.

with somebody.

It can also be bonding just because it's funny.

You know, two of my best friends smoke weed and play video games together as like a little treat every few months.

And honestly, it sounds like a blast and it sounds like something that really nurtures their relationship.

And honestly, like when I hear about it, I'm like, God, you guys, that sounds really, really fun.