What Does Weed Do To You Sexually
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What Does Weed Do To You Sexually
Story highlights Some people experience increased anxiety when using marijuana; others find it has the opposite effect Aphrodisiac qualities of cannabis seem to occur only in low to moderate doses, one expert says
Although there's a difference between dependency and enhancement, Annie might have been on to something. Researchers are beginning to study the link between cannabis and sexual desire , with some interesting results. In one recent study, for example, investigators found that men and women who used marijuana daily had about 20% more sex during the previous four weeks than their peers who abstained from the drug.
Although this research didn't show cause and effect, it raises an interesting question: What's the connection between sex and marijuana? I posed this and other questions about sexual desire and pleasure as related to cannabis to some of my colleagues.
Marijuana affects libido in different ways
It's still unclear exactly how marijuana might boost sex drive, but theories abound.
"People who use marijuana may have more sex because they put less pressure on themselves when they are high, so they don't have the same performance anxiety as those who are sober," suggested sex therapist Amanda Pasciucco, who practices in Connecticut, where medical use is legal. "A small amount of marijuana may also help increase your ability to communicate your preferences to your partner."
Sex therapist Lawrence Siegel noted that in particular, delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol -- the cannabinoid THC -- appears to target a part of our brain associated with sexual arousal, at least in females.
"Our body's natural endocannabinoid system is key in regulating things like pleasure, pain, relaxation and homeostasis. When it is activated by the cannabinoids in cannabis, it can leave users feeling relaxed with increased pleasure and decreased pain," explained Peter Barsoom, founder of a company called 1906, which aims to bring cannabis back to the mainstream. "This can lead to increased arousal and make sex even more enjoyable. For others, the reason is the increased pleasurable sensations that can arise with cannabis. This effect can make sex feel even more enjoyable."
Though some people experience increased anxiety when using marijuana, others find that it has the opposite effect. "Every person has a unique makeup both psychologically and physically, and for cannabis to help improve sexuality, you must find the type that works for you," explained sexologist Nick Karras, author of "The Passionate High: A Guide to Using Cannabis For Better Sex and Creativity." "I recommend experimenting with a small amount of indica strains, sativa strains and a hybrid of both to see what works best."
Almost all of the experts I spoke with recommended starting out with a small amount of cannabis and using a specific delivery method. "I definitely recommend smoking or vaping as you're learning how to use cannabis, because you can overshoot with edibles and have an uncomfortable experience," Karras said. Because it's more difficult to control the dose of cannabis in edibles, it could lead to a longer-lasting or unpleasant high.
That said, a growing number of edible products contain carefully dosed amounts of cannabis. One such product, High Love, contains a low dose of cannabis, along with certain herbs, in a chocolate base. "Interestingly, the aphrodisiac qualities of cannabis seem to only occur in low to moderate doses," pointed out its creator, Barsoom. "In high doses, cannabis can have an opposite effect."
The cannabis plant contains roughly 100 cannabinoids, which are its active components. The best-known of these is THC, which is believed to be mainly responsible for cannabis' psychotropic effects, including marijuana's high. But another cannabinoid, CBD, doesn't contribute to euphoria and is legal when used recreationally if it's derived from hemp. CBD derived from either hemp or marijuana is legal in 46 states when used medicinally.
Some products aimed at improving your sex life contain CBD but not THC. These are topical creams, ointments or lubricants that capitalize CBD's apparent anti-inflammatory effects.
For example, a line of CBD-based lubricants called Privy Peach is meant to quell inflammation and increase circulation, which may in turn improve sexual function and arousal in women with problems such as endometriosis and other types of chronic pelvic pain, said its inventor, Kimberly Koehler. Another topical CBD product called Foria Awaken is targeted for women who experience pain during intercourse. Because some women find that the THC in marijuana seems to cause vaginal dryness, CBD-based lubes could also be a way to counteract that side effect.
If you're interested in experimenting with cannabis to see how it affects your sex life, there's one more thing to keep in mind. Although recreational marijuana use is now legal in nine states and medicinal use is legal in 29, you may put yourself at risk if you live elsewhere.
"Until the federal government lifts its ban on marijuana, clinicians like myself are in a double bind," sex therapist Israel Helfand said. "Even if it is legal in the state where we practice, we can face legal and ethical issues if we recommend it or use it ourselves."
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Of course, cannabis isn't a cure-all, and it can't fix many of the root causes of sexual dysfunction or relationship problems. But if you want to experiment legally to see whether it enhances libido and gives your sex life a boost, you may find that marijuana is one more way to spice things up.
"Cannabis has been used as an aphrodisiac in many cultures for centuries. In India, it was used as far back as the seventh century. Its use for sexual health was documented in Chinese texts, amongst Germanic tribes and by many African cultures," Barsoom said. Maybe it's high time to add the American bedroom to the list.
© 2022 Cable News Network. A Warner Bros. Discovery Company. All Rights Reserved. CNN Sans ™ & © 2016 Cable News Network.
Updated 0805 GMT (1605 HKT) June 19, 2018
Ian Kerner is a licensed couples therapist, writer and contributor on the topic of sex for CNN.
(CNN) In the movie "Annie Hall," the titular character likes to smoke a joint at bedtime because, she says, it relaxes her and helps get her in the mood for sex -- even though her boyfriend claims it cheapens the experience.
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The use, availability and distribution of marijuana has always been a hot topic in society. With recent legalization in some states and jurisdictions, marijuana use is becoming more widespread. It has been well documented that marijuana contains within it several hundred chemicals. Of these, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is credited as the chemical responsible for the hallucinations experienced by the user. Producing a variety of effects, users report a range of feelings while under the influence of the drug, varying from happiness and calmness, to paranoia and irritation. This is in addition to the physiological changes such as increased heartbeat, increased blood pressure, eye redness, dry mouth, increased appetite and dizziness.
However, there have been some studies which show that chronic marijuana use may have an effect on sexual desire. This is in addition to the other various physiological and behavioral effects marijuana has. Respondents to a recent study revealed that marijuana use prior to engaging in sexual intercourse intensified the sexual experience through increasing sensitivity and libido. Conversely, other respondents of the same study revealed that marijuana use prior to sex made them lose interest in sex, feel too lethargic for sex and/or feel too self-conscious to enjoy sex. This loss of interest is a common side effect of marijuana use and is known as “Amotivational syndrome.”
One possible explanation for the respondent’s report that marijuana increases sexual intensity is marijuana’s effect on distorting users’ sense of time. This may create an illusion of prolonged arousal and orgasm. Furthermore, there have been multiple studies suggesting that marijuana usage can lead to increased instances of high-risk sexual behavior; partly caused by marijuana’s ability to lower inhibitions, similar to alcohol. These high-risk behaviors can lead to increased chance of sexually transmitted infections. Additionally, one study revealed that the use of marijuana lead to a decreased instance in contraception use that could lead to an increased chance of unwanted pregnancy.
The medicinal uses of marijuana notwithstanding, it has long been thought of as an aphrodisiac. However, as with most aphrodisiacs, results may vary from user to user. Caution should always taken when using marijuana as to not operate heavy machinery or engaging in high-risk behaviors. For help with increasing sexual desire, there are other healthier and safer alternatives which can be discusses with your primary care doctor. If you or someone you know may be interested in increasing your libido or may be suffering from low libido, speak with your doctor today and mention if you use marijuana or any other illicit drugs or medications.
James J. Elist, MD. © Copyright 1982 – 2022
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Posted July 15, 2020
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Reviewed by Gary Drevitch
As of 2020, the large majority of Americans live in states where marijuana—now increasingly called cannabis—can be used legally. It’s completely legal in 11 states and the District of Columbia, and legal for medical use in another 28. It remains totally illegal in only 11 states. It’s also quite popular, estimated to be one of the nation’s most valuable agricultural crops.
But few studies have investigated the widely used drug’s sexual impact. Two recent reports add to this small literature—and confirm most earlier work showing that around two-thirds of lovers say it enhances sex.
University of British Columbia researchers surveyed 216 marijuana users recruited online who said they had used it during lovemaking.
St. Louis University investigators asked 373 women visiting gynecologists for routine care if they used cannabis prior to sex. One-third (127) said they did. They were asked to complete an anonymous survey. Compared with those who abstained from marijuana or used it infrequently, those who regularly used the drug shortly before sex were twice as likely to report deeply satisfying orgasms.
Both of these studies used what researchers call “convenience samples.” The subjects were people who happened to be available. They visited gynecologists or responded to online recruitment efforts, and opted to participate. Results based on convenience samples cannot be called definitive, but they are well within the bounds of social science research. The psychology journals would be mighty thin without studies based on one particular convenience sample—college undergraduates.
The new reports corroborate the handful of other studies on the sexual impact of cannabis:
Why does cannabis usually improve sex? That remains unclear, but German researchers have discovered that orgasm releases the body’s own cannabis-like compounds, endocannabinoids that are associated with pleasure.
Why do some say marijuana ruins sex? Usually because it makes them withdraw into themselves, so they feel less erotically connected to their partners.
I don’t encourage lovers to mix sex and recreational drugs, but many people do—possibly most. The world’s favorite sex drug is alcohol. However, alcohol is also the world’s leading cause of drug-related sexual impairment. As Shakespeare wrote in Macbeth , alcohol “provokes the desire, but takes away the performance.” How true. The first drink is disinhibiting; prospective lovers are easier to coax into bed. But if people of average weight drink more than two beers, cocktails, or glasses of wine in an hour or so, alcohol becomes a central nervous system depressant that interferes with erections in men, sexual responsiveness in women, and orgasm in all genders. And as drinking increases, sex deteriorates even more.
In addition, alcohol is a key risk factor for sexual assault . Recently, the media have spotlighted epidemic levels of rape on college campuses and in the military. They almost always involve alcohol.
Looking at the two drugs’ sexual impact—alcohol often causing problems, marijuana usually improving things—you’d think lovers would have switched from booze to cannabis in droves. But I’ve seen no studies and no media coverage that suggest this is happening.
So, dear readers, I ask you: What’s been your experience mixing sex with cannabis? And with alcohol? Have you or others you know switched any pre-sex drug use from alcohol to marijuana? And if so, what was the result?
Fuss, J. et al. “Masturbation to Orgasm Stimulates the Release of the Endocannabinoid 2-Arachidonoylglycerol in Humans,” Journal of Sexual Medicine (2017) 14:1372.
Lynn, B. et al. “The Relationship Between Marijuana Use Prior to Sex and Sexual Function in Women,” Journal of Sexual Medicine (2017) 14 (Suppl. 1):S105.
Lynn, B. et al. “The Perceived Effects of Marijuana Use Before Sex,” Journal of Sexual Medicine (2017) 14(Suppl. 5):e357.
Sun, A.J. and M.L. Eisenberg. “Association Between Marijuana Use and Sexual Frequency in the United States: A Population-Based Study,” Journal of Sexual Medicine (2017) 14:1342.
Weller, RA and JA Halikas, “Marijuana Use and Sexual Behavior,” Journal of Sex Research (1984) 20:186.
Wiebe, E. and Just, A. “How Cannabis Alters Sexual Experience: A Survey of Men and Women,” Journal of Sexual Medicine (2019) 16:1758.
Michael Castleman, M.A. , is a San Francisco-based journalist. He has written about sexuality for 36 years.
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We all harbor secrets. Some are big and bad; some are small and trivial. Researchers have parsed which truths to tell and which not to.
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