Why This Study May Not Apply to Everyone
Before you panic and flush your stash, there are a few factors to keep in mind. First, this study’s sample was somewhat limited—it looked exclusively at Australian women who were all mothers. This might not reflect the broader, global population of cannabis users. It also didn’t account for other potential confounding factors, like whether some users were mixing marijuana with other substances, which could significantly impact the findings.
Additionally, the definition of “success” in the study was based on traditional metrics such as income and homeownership, which might feel outdated to today’s generation of digital nomads and unconventional job-hoppers. With the rise of remote work and more flexible lifestyles, living without a white-picket-fence dream doesn’t mean you’re living without success.
The Real Takeaway: Moderation is Key
Ultimately, the research doesn’t spell out an absolute “no” to lighting up post-30—it’s more of a cautious warning. If marijuana is your way of unwinding after a long day, that’s fine. But if you find it consuming more time, money, and motivation than you’d like to admit, it might be time to reassess. The main point here is to prevent overreliance and ensure that your use of marijuana doesn’t become an obstacle to achieving your personal version of success.
As with most things in life, moderation and mindfulness are key. Keep a close eye on your relationship with the plant and make sure that it’s enhancing, not hindering, your quality of life. After all, no matter how much we enjoy our habits, our 30s are often a critical decade for setting the stage for a happier, healthier future. So, ask yourself: are you in control of your choices, or are your choices starting to control you?
