Like staying in and getting stoned with your boyfriend? It means your relationship is much less likely to be a violent one, apparently.
New research says couples who frequently smoke cannabis together are less likely to engage in domestic violence than those who just have an occasional puff.
Researchers at the University of Buffalofollowed 634 married couples for nine years, starting in 1996, to get the results. Couples taking part in the survey completed regular questionnaires on how often they used the drug, as well as noting down any acts of violence from their spouse.
The conclusion was that those who smoked weed three or more times each month reported the lowest level of domestic violence incidents.
‘Marijuana may increase a positive effect, which in turn could reduce the likelihood of conflict and aggression,’ said one of the research team. So getting stoned makes you happier and less likely to start a fight, basically. It might not seem massively surprising – but this is one of the most extensive studies yet.
Hold fire though. We haven’t found a magic cure for domestic violence just yet. There could be other reasons why couples who smoke together are less likely to be violent in the first place.
The lead researcher behind the project, Kenneth Leonard, admits other factors might affect the link: ‘It is possible, for example, that – similar to a drinking partnership – couples who use marijuana together may share similar values and social circles,’ he said, adding that: ‘It is similarity that is responsible for reducing the likelihood of conflict.’
So if you both like getting stoned in front of Family Guy, then you might not actually have that much to fight about in the first place.
Also, the varying levels of cannabis use that weren’t tested – including both a dependence on the drug and withdrawal – might have different effects, too.
But, aside from whether it can prevent instances of domestic violence, can smoking pot with your bloke really make your relationship better in general?
Twnety-six year old Anna skins up regularly with her boyfriend, and says yes, for sure it can. ‘It makes you both laugh hysterically, so all tensions and serious stuff (ie “Why do you keep leaving the toilet seat up also what the fuck is so hard about not peeing all over the floor when you’re drunk ffs”) disappear and you wipe the slate clean,’ she says.
‘And you’re sharing something, an experience, so it brings you closer together – as properly pathetic as that sounds. You’ll also be able to laugh about the stupid shit you said for days afterwards, if you’re anything like me when I’m high.
‘Plus, you can thrash stuff out. Talking about serious issues you both have when you’re stoned is hilarious because you genuinely get to chat about what you really feel, but through the haze of finding everything quite funny/deep. So it gets philosophical and you both start feeling a “connection, man” which makes arguing a lot easier.’
Another bonus is that it makes her fancy him more. ‘Guys are really cute when they're stoned. My boyfriend laughs at his own feet and creates an adorable giggle that makes him sound like a little boy.’
There is one drawback, though. ‘Don't expect to get a good shag afterwards, because you’ll both either be asleep or one of you will not be able to get it up.’
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This article originally appeared on The Debrief.