Despite the fact that cannabis has a variety of advantages, many people may not immediately link it with improved sex. According to research, marijuana can boost sexual desire and happiness, particularly for women.
Cannabis has a lot of advantages for one’s sexual life, and the benefits don’t stop there! Continue reading to learn how cannabis may boost sex drive and how to use it to improve your love life.
Does Marijuana Improve Libido?
Cannabis has an effect on many bodily processes, including one’s sex drive. It does so by interacting with the body’s endocannabinoid system (ECS). The endocannabinoid system is a network of cell receptors and chemicals called endocannabinoids that works in tandem to produce a variety of effects within the body.
Anandamide (AEA) and 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG) are two of the endocannabinoids we’re most familiar with. These chemicals have an impact on a number of other body components, including neurotransmitters and hormones.
Neurotransmitters such as serotonin and dopamine, which control feelings of pleasure, can improve sexual satisfaction. These chemicals are produced by neurons in the nervous system that have a high number of cannabinoid receptors.
Hormones such as testosterone, estrogen, and progesterone are involved in reproduction and sexual desire. Researchers have also discovered a high concentration of cannabinoid receptors in the organs that produce these sex hormones.
Scientists have found that THC, specifically, has a powerful influence over hormonal function.
These organs include the adrenal glands, which produce androgens like testosterone, and the ovaries, which produce estrogen and progesterone. Therefore, endocannabinoids such as AEA and 2-AG have a dual effect on a person’s sex drive.
Cannabinoids from cannabis, such as tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD), have comparable effects. Their molecules are composed of elements that are similar in shape to our natural endocannabinoids, which causes them to activate the same receptors. This capacity to bind with cannabinoid receptors is responsible for cannabis’ medicinal and recreational applications.
Scientists have found that THC, specifically, has a powerful influence over hormonal function. It also affects the levels of neurotransmitters in the brain.
Cannabis and Libido: The Research
Since marijuana has been illegal for the last century, there is a real lack of research into its effects. However, this is steadily beginning to change. Nowadays, more and more studies are emerging that shed light on how this miraculous plant affects the body and mind.
Another topic of interest is how cannabis affects one’s sex drive. Several animal and human studies have been published on the subject recently. These were reviewed by Lynn et al. in a 2019 paper for Sexual Medicine Reviews, which summarizes them all.
Animal Studies
Researchers were carrying out preclinical studies into cannabis and libido as early as 1978. Since then, many have followed suit, and a total of eight studies were included in the review. Reassuringly, most of them had similar findings.
Various studies found that THC stimulated lordosis in female rats and hamsters. Lordosis is a position in which the back is arched downwards, indicating sexual receptivity.
One study also found that the endocannabinoid AEA increased sexual motivation. The authors measured this by the number of times female rats visited males. In contrast, a substance known as SR14171, which blocks endocannabinoids, had the opposite effect.
These results show that both THC and AEA have positive effects on libido.
However, there were some exceptions. In rats, a cannabinoid receptor agonist was found to lessen lordosis. The consequences appeared to be dose- and time-dependent. An endocannabinoid antagonist was discovered in another research to improve sexual activity.
Clearly, more research is necessary before we can understand precisely how the ECS influences libido. However, what seems obvious is that it does have some effect.
Human Studies
The review also included 12 human studies on marijuana and sexual behavior. Due to the plant’s illegal status, the majority of these were self-reported surveys rather than clinical trials. However, the results showed some interesting trends.
In one research, 44 percent of the respondents said that cannabis use “certainly raises sexual desire.” Of these people, half were female. Female respondents were more likely to report increased desire if they used cannabis frequently rather than on a daily or occasional basis.
Another study found that 39% of males and 57% of female respondents reported increased libido after cannabis use. Furthermore, 43% of female respondents reported heightened pleasure.
However, like the animal study we mentioned earlier, these effects appear to be dose-dependent. After one joint, 71% of women reported increased sexual motivation. This figure fell to 49% after four joints or more. Researchers hypothesized that this dose-dependent response is due to marijuana’s sedative effects when consumed in large doses.
Overall, the research suggests that cannabis increases pleasure, sensations, satisfaction, and orgasm intensity.
The researchers also conducted two more studies to see how cannabis use affects sexual pleasure and satisfaction. Overall, the study indicates that cannabis enhances pleasure, feelings, fulfillment, and orgasm intensity. Female cannabis users had 2.13 higher chances of reporting successful orgasms after taking the drug. Just one study found that cannabis use had a negative influence on libido. The survey focused on people suffering from sexual dysfunction rather than healthy individuals. The participants reported inhibited orgasm, excitement, and desire.
Again, more research is necessary to ascertain exactly how marijuana affects libido in humans. However, with numerous places now legalizing cannabis, we may well see more of this in the near future.
Could Cannabis Improve One’s Sex Life?
According to current study, cannabis may improve a person’s sex life in low doses, but too much can cause sleep to be the only bedroom activity of interest.
Using marijuana to enhance sexual enjoyment may also depend on the specific strain that you choose. Generally speaking, sativa strains tend to have more energizing effects than indicas, which are more sedating.
This disparity in effects implies that sativas are better for activities like endurance and attention. Some strains popular among consumers for improving sexual performance include Sour Diesel and Green Crack. Users claim that both of these marijuana varieties can keep them going all night long.
And while most of the research we have mentioned focused on THC, CBD is also worth mentioning. CBD has been found to help treat a variety of ailments, including chronic pain. So, if someone is experiencing pain during sex, it may provide them some comfort. CBD also has anti-anxiety effects, which means it might help people relax before getting physical.
CBD could be a good compromise for anyone wanting to use cannabis to enhance sex without the intoxicating effects.
CBD oil is a dietary supplement containing natural CBD, which has been shown in studies to help with anxiety, inflammation, and other health conditions. It can be taken by mouth or applied directly under the tongue. Another option is CBD-infused lubricant. These products are safe to use during sex and may make the encounter more pleasant and pleasurable. Making your own CBD lube is an option if money is an issue!
Final Thoughts
It seems that cannabis can indeed improve libido, especially for women. However, most of the existing evidence is anecdotal, and full-scale clinical trials are yet to take place.
If a person decides to consume marijuana before sex, they’ll need to be mindful of the dose. Take too much, and it could have a negative effect on libido. As with many good things in life, less is more when it comes to sex and cannabis.