Cannabis and sex

Marijuana use is commonly thought to enhance sexual pleasure.[1][2] There is limited scientific research on the effects of marijuana and sex, however, and it is not well understood. The lack of research is in part due to U.S. drug policies centered on prohibition.[3] In addition, the effects are difficult to study because sexual arousal and functioning are in themselves extremely complex and differ among individuals.[3] Moreover, marijuana affects people differently. As a result, it is challenging to study. Men and women report greater sexual pleasure after having consumed marijuana, but there is no direct scientific evidence of the effects on the physiological components of the sexual response cycle when using the drug.[1]

Research

Research of the effects of marijuana and sex on humans is so far limited to self-report studies.[4] This type of study has disadvantages because it requires people to accurately remember how much they consumed and its effects, while researchers have no way to verify responses.[3] In these studies, the majority of men and women who consumed marijuana prior to sex reported they experienced greater pleasure than without it.[1][2] Researchers believe this reported increase in sexual pleasure with marijuana is likely a result of the drug’s effects on the senses. In particular, it commonly makes users feel more relaxed.[1]

There is some research that suggests the amount of marijuana consumed affects the experience. In one study, 59% of users thought that sexual pleasure was enhanced after smoking one joint. Less than half (39%), however, thought that consuming more than one joint provided further enhancement.[1] In addition, large doses of marijuana have been used as a sexual depressant in India.[5][2]

It is not clear if marijuana consumption affects the quality of orgasms. Just over half of male consumers and a lower percentage of female consumers reported that it enhanced their orgasms.[1] In a small study published in 1979 of 84 graduate students, the majority of which were men, those who reported being “experienced smokers” believed that it increased the intensity of an orgasm and should be considered an aphrodisiac.[6] A number of more recent studies do suggest orgasms are improved with marijuana use, however.[7][8]

Studies on marijuana consumption’s effects on sex have shown little other significant physical improvements. Masters and Johnson completed a five year long study in 1979, with a sample size of 800 men and 500 women whose ages ranged between 18 and 30 years old. In this study, men reported no improvements in maintaining erections or an increase of penile firmness. Women reported no increase of vaginal lubrication.[1][2]

A more recent study in 2017 in the Journal of Sexual Medicine, looked at data from the large nationally representative National Survey of Family Growth and included more than 28,000 women and nearly 23,000 men. It reviewed survey responses on how frequently they had consumed marijuana and had sex in the four weeks prior to the survey. It found that women who consumed cannabis daily had an average of 7.1 sexual encounters in the previous four weeks compared to 6 for those who never consumed it. Men who consumed marijuana daily reported having sex 6.9 times on average compared to 5.6 times in those men who never consumed it.[9]

There has also been some evidence of negative effects on marijuana use on sex. Some studies show a correlation between chronic marijuana use and reduced testosterone levels in men.[4] Furthermore, it has been found that heavy use of marijuana decreases the sperm count of healthy men. This reduction in sperm count can be reversed.[5] Chronic use of marijuana is also linked to a decrease in sexual performance, while increasing sexual arousal.[4]

Products

There are a variety of cannabis-infused sex products, such as lubricants and massage oils containing CBD and THC.[10]

References
  1. McKay, A. (Spring 2005). "Sexuality and substance use: The impact of tobacco, alcohol, and selected recreational drugs on sexual function". Canadian Journal of Human Sexuality. 14(1–2): 47–56 – via EBSCO.
  2. Powell, David J.; Fuller, Robert W. (1983-10-01). "Marijuana and Sex: Strange Bedpartners". Journal of Psychoactive Drugs. 15 (4): 269–280. doi:10.1080/02791072.1983.10471964. ISSN 0279-1072. PMID 6317833.
  3. Jacoby, Sarah. "How Does Cannabis Actually Affect Sex?". SELF. Retrieved 2019-12-03.
  4. Frohmader, Karla S.; Pitchers, Kyle K.; Balfour, Margaret E.; Coolen, Lique M. (June 2010). "Mixing pleasures: Review of the effects of drugs on sex behavior in humans and animal models". Hormones and Behavior. 58 (1): 149–162. doi:10.1016/j.yhbeh.2009.11.009. ISSN 0018-506X.
  5. Cohen, Sidney (January 1982). "Cannabis and Sex: Multifaceted Paradoxes". Journal of Psychoactive Drugs. 14 (1–2): 55–58. doi:10.1080/02791072.1982.10471910. ISSN 0279-1072.
  6. Dawley, Harold H.; Baxter, Addison S.; Winstead, Daniel K.; Gay, James R. (1979). "An attitude survey of the effects of marijuana on sexual enjoyment". Journal of Clinical Psychology. 35 (1): 212–217. doi:10.1002/1097-4679(197901)35:13.0.CO;2-K. ISSN 1097-4679.
  7. Oppenheim, Maya (April 12, 2019). "Cannabis could improve orgasms for women, study finds". The Independent. Retrieved April 28, 2019.
  8. "Times are Changing | So is Cannabis Use". February 18, 2018.
  9. Sun, Andrew J.; Eisenberg, Michael L. (2017-11-01). "Association Between Marijuana Use and Sexual Frequency in the United States: A Population-Based Study". The Journal of Sexual Medicine. 14 (11): 1342–1347. doi:10.1016/j.jsxm.2017.09.005. ISSN 1743-6095. PMID 29110804.
  10. Horn, Tina (April 19, 2019). "Sex and the Stoner". Rolling Stone. Retrieved April 28, 2019.
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