5 Fun Facts About Cannabis and Sex

 

 

 

source: Leafly
By: Anna Wilcox

"Marijuana engulfs me in sex foam,” said one respondent in Psychology Today’s informal poll. This sentiment is what has given cannabis its aphrodisiac reputation. Yet, when it comes to cannabis and sex, scientific research seems to be at odds with anecdotal experience. An equal number of cannabis consumers argue that cannabis has a negative impact on their sexual experiences and decreases sex drive. So, what’s going on here? Is cannabis an aphrodisiac or a libido depressant?

To get to the bottom of this conundrum, we decided to do a little research. Here are five fun facts we found out about the world’s favorite plant and favorite activity:

1. It All Depends 

The sociology department at the University of California Santa Barbara has stated that while people sometimes feel aroused after consuming cannabis, most of the time they fall somewhere in between. Whether or not someone feels aroused may depend on particular strains or the mood a person is in at the time, though only anecdotal evidence exists to support this argument. However, the informal poll by Psychology Today showed that 67% of respondents felt cannabis enhanced their sex lives. 20% claimed it depended entirely on the circumstances at the time.

2. Cannabis Consumers Have More Sex 

In a 2009 study by the Australian Research Centre in Sex, women who reported frequent cannabis consumption were also more likely to report more than two sexual partners in the previous year. In men, any cannabis consumption was associated with “a doubling of the likelihood of reporting two or more partners.”

3. Just Slow Down 

The same 2009 study found a correlation between orgasming too quickly and frequent cannabis use in men. Those who consumed cannabis regularly were more likely to feel dissatisfied at the length of their sexual performance. To give the guys some credit, however, the UC Santa Barbara study pointed out that cannabis skews a consumer's concept of time. So, what feels like ten minutes may be, in fact, only 30 seconds.

4. A Love-Hate Relationship 

The effects on cannabis and testosterone are highly debated. Certain studies, such as a 2002 study published in the Journal of Clinical Pharmacology, claim that cannabis reduces the level of testosterone in the body. As testosterone is one of the key hormones which triggers desire in both sexes, low levels have a negative effect on libido. This fact has been refuted by members of the health and cannabis communities alike, though more studies than not conclude that frequent cannabis consumption actually does depress testosterone.

5. Watch Out for the "Moobs" 

According to the Mayo Clinic, regular cannabis consumption is one cause of gynecomastia in men. Colloquially known as “moobs,” doctors have long reported a correlation between frequent cannabis consumption and the overdevelopment of male breast tissue. This phenomenon is linked to cannabis’ effect on testosterone.

Further reading

• GYNECOLOGY AND OBSTETRICS & Cannabis studies completed
•  HORMONES & Cannabis studies completed
• Erectile Dysfunction - Cannabis Research A to Z

Video How Weed Affects Sex & Libido

Is Sex on weed better or worse? Does this vary by strain? How does Cannabis interact with Sex Drive (libido)? Does it affect testosterone as some early research suggested....are there different results with men and women to all these questions? Today on Lex's World, in what is certainly a mature-audiences episode, we I try to tackle some of these sexual health questions, as I do get them once in a while.

 The problem is that no answer is 100% accurate...in the sense that not everyone experiences Cannabis & Sex-related symptoms the same way. It is not easily predictable like other drugs. You pretty much have to try it to know what applies to you; though I recommend you try it with a sativa-dominant hybrid strain...Not every person gets horny after they smoke up...not everyone has increased sensitivity and not everyone can perform sexually. There are also affects on Sperm Count that are good to know for heavy and ongoing users.