Recent research suggests children with high IQ scores – especially girls – may be more likely to experiment with illegal drugs like cocaine and marijuana when they grow up.
The findings published in the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health are based on the 1970 British Cohort Study, a long term study of nearly 8,000 people. Researchers measured participants’ IQs at the ages of 5 and 10. Information was then gathered on self reported levels of psychological distress and drug use at the age of 16 and again at 30.
The results: By the age of 30, one in three men (35.4%) and one in six women (15.9%) had used marijuana, while 8.6% of men and 3.6% of women had used cocaine, in the previous 12 months. A similar pattern of use was found for the other drugs, with overall drug use twice as common among men as among women.
But when intelligence was factored in, those numbers shot way up.
Men with high IQ scores at age 5 were approx. 50% more likely to have used amphetamines, ecstacy and other drugs as those with low IQ scores. But women were more than twice as likely to have used marijuana and cocaine as those with low IQs!
The findings held when IQ was measured at age 10, and parents’ social status, psychological distress during adolescence, and their socioeconomic status did not affect risks.
“Although most studies have suggested that higher child or adolescent IQ prompts the adoption of a healthy lifestyle as an adult, other studies have linked higher childhood IQ scores to excess alcohol intake and alcohol dependency in adulthood,” write the authors.
While it may seem shocking that intelligent children may have a higher risk of drug use, the authors note that highly intelligent people are more open to new experiences and stimulation, and are often easily bored.
These findings, however, do not mean all smart kids are going to end up using or experimenting with illegal drugs! The study did not take into account how often the participants used illicit drugs within the 6 months prior to reporting. Further research is needed on the topic.
In the meantime, just because you have brainy kids doesn’t mean they’re too smart to be at risk! In fact, it could be just the opposite. So talk to your kids and warn them of the dangers of drugs – it’s never too young to start.
