Q&A

Does cannabis heighten or decrease your sex drive?

"I’ve started using marijuana in the bedroom with my partner but before we explore our options further I want to make sure cannabis won’t affect either of our sex drives”

Peter C.


You may have noticed that you’re more “in the mood” since you’ve started using cannabis, or maybe your partner says sex is more enjoyable after they’ve taken marijuana. For many, cannabis is the only thing that gets their sex drive to even show up in the first place. You do not imagine these benefits, and they’re real. There’s now a growing body of research exploring marijuana’s effect on sex, confirming what many already report anecdotally.

In October of 2017, Stanford University conducted a study published in the Journal of Sexual Medicine and billed as the first to “examine the relationship between marijuana use and frequency of sexual intercourse.” This study revealed that regular cannabis users have 20% more sex than non-cannabis users.

The responses of more than 28,000 females and 22,000 males between 24-25 were evaluated. Women who reported daily cannabis use had sex with male partners 7.1 times per month on average, compared to six times a month for non-cannabis users. Men who reported using cannabis daily also reported having sex with women 6.9 times on an average month, compared to 5.6 times for non-users. Researchers also found what they call a “dose-dependent” relationship in which the more cannabis that was consumed, the more sex was reported.

Why would cannabis users possibly have more sex than non-consumers? Does cannabis increase libido? Yes, the endocannabinoid system is involved in female sexual function and can heighten a female’s sexual arousal.

Maybe it’s born out of stoner stereotypes, but it’s been a common misconception for decades that marijuana is detrimental to men’s sex drive. But many studies have shown that the more marijuana people consume, the more sex they have. This holds true for both men and women of all different races, religions, and ethnicities. This doesn’t necessarily mean that men have more sex because they use marijuana – it may be that people who use cannabis are more open to sexual encounters. Cannabis eases stress and anxiety, which are two things that can commonly surround sexual encounters.

There is still strong evidence that marijuana can both help and hurt men’s sexual
performance. These studies aren’t definitive; it’s likely that how marijuana affects performance has more to do with people individually. We know that the endocannabinoid system facilitates sexual systems in the body; we also know that ECS varies from person to person.

We know for sure that marijuana almost certainly lowers sperm count in men. However, how much and how significant this problem is, is hard to determine. It’s important to note that sperm counts have been falling in the western world for four straight decades. It may be suitable for men who use marijuana medically to consult with a urologist.

In terms of women, sexual dysfunction in females is a challenging issue that can cause severe difficulties in relationships. To make matters more complicated, it can be a touchy and embarrassing topic to talk about. Thankfully, research shows that cannabis can improve the sexual experience for women. 43% of women have some sort of sexual dysfunction they’re dealing with. These problems may result from physiological issues like low blood pressure, chronic health conditions, or medications. Whatever the reason for the issue, sexual health and enjoyment are essential to overall health and well-being. We have good news! Cannabis may be able to get your sex life back on track.

There’s a long history of cannabis’s use as an aphrodisiac that goes back thousands of years. In recent times, researchers have begun to study this important use and are finding that, yes, cannabis does improve sex. In one survey, more than two-thirds of respondents said that cannabis increased sexual pleasure and satisfaction. 20% of those surveyed said they used cannabis for sex regularly, and another 20% said it depends on factors like does, strain, and mood.

One big reason that cannabis may help increase arousal in women is by increasing testosterone. High testosterone levels are linked to arousal, and low doses of cannabis compound tetrahydrocannabinol also known as THC have been shown to dramatically spine testosterone, getting the cannabis consumer in the mood for love.

Cannabis also eases anxiety which for many women is linked to sexual disorders. Whether it’s anxiety over sex or just having a hard time letting go of life’s responsibilities during the act, stress can kill your sex life, and cannabis can help. Marijuana can also reduce painful sex. Pain during sex is another big reason for sexual dysfunction in women. Marijuana is known for its excellent pain-relieving properties. Cannabis can also increase sensitivity and pleasure; consumers report that the plant increases sensitivity to pleasurable sensations during sex, including orgasms.

Alyssa C.

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