Marijuana and Sex: Hot and Steamy Connection Explained

The relationship between marijuana and sex goes a long way and is not as charming as you might think. While some stories portray sensual symbiosis, others may argue that weed can crush your libido like a sledgehammer. 

The truth is that marijuana can heat and cool both women and men. So then, is it an aphrodisiac or a mood breaker?

Keep on reading, and you’ll find out the pros and cons of marijuana use in the sweet game of sexuality. 

A Short History of Cannabis and Sex

The medical use of cannabis has a comprehensive historical record; its aphrodisiac traits are there too.

• According to research, the positive effects of marijuana on the sexual behavior of women were well known in ancient Mesopotamia. It was used during childbirth and for treating menstrual problems. 
• The first records of rectal cannabis preparations can be found in ancient Assyrian manuscripts.
• In ancient Egypt, cannabis was mixed with honey and introduced vaginally to relieve cramps. This is where we find the first written records of the relationship between marijuana and sex drive. In addition, hemp seeds were initially used to influence fertility in men.
• In China, cannabis was used for menstrual difficulties and postpartum problems. African men used it for erectile dysfunction (ED).
• In the 17th and 18th centuries, doctors mixed pulverized cannabis with other herbs to produce combined drugs.  
• In Central Europe, in the 19th century, tinctures with cannabis were widely used for breast swelling, menstrual problems, and childbirth difficulties. 
• According to Psychology Today, the first modern medical evidence of the impact of marijuana on sexual function dates from the 1970s. Since then, numerous studies have tried to answer the question: is marijuana a stimulant or not? However, most studies are self-reported, observational, and limited due to the subjectiveness of the questioned participants.

To assess marijuana effects on sex, we have to consider both medical and experiential aspects of the herb.

Marijuana Effects on the Body During Sex

It is a well-known fact that the chemicals in marijuana plants have significant physiological actions. Cannabinoids bind to endocannabinoid receptors and interfere with their main function — homeostasis maintenance. 

Both THC and CBD affect our whole organism, thus regulating numerous biochemical reactions. Sometimes it results in the pleasure of being “high,” or it can just have a therapeutic purpose. Overuse, on the other hand, is more likely to induce the negative effects of weed.

The connection between weed and sex can be explained by its pharmacological traits.

Blood Flow

By acting on cannabinoid receptors in blood vessels, cannabinoids induce peripheral vasodilatation. This means that more blood flows into different organs, such as the lungs, the glands, or the brain. 

The mucous membranes on sexual organs get more blood, which stimulates their metabolism and boosts their function. 

The drop in blood pressure is followed by an increased heart rate. Meanwhile, your heart is pumping all the oxygen your lungs can get into your body. This stimulates the senses as well as tactile perception.

Basically, while having sex on weed, your body is more attuned to external influences than in regular cases. You can get a similar effect using CBD for sex too.

The Brain

Cannabinoids act on various brain structures and interfere with sex hormones and neurotransmitters. Marijuana’s effects on the brain can both aid sexuality or destimulate it.

Weed increases dopamine and serotonin levels, which introduce the sense of pleasure or even happiness. Additionally, this causes altered sensory perception, such as touch, smell, and taste. 

Marijuana acts on inhibition functions, therefore relieving stress and anxiety. This also causes peripheral muscles to relax while the dilated blood vessels pump oxygen into them.

Physiologically, indulging in sex while high can be relaxing and enjoyable, with lower inhibitions and attuned senses.

Cannabinoids also have anti-inflammatory properties, which are experienced as pain relief. This is why in some countries in Eastern Europe, people used to take marijuana to facilitate the first-night sexual experience of women.

Hormones

THC affects the brain and glands, which regulate certain functionalities, and significantly influence sexuality.

It has been reported that, in regular users, THC decreases total cortisol levels. This stress hormone is associated with a higher state of alertness and agility. Does marijuana affect sex drive? Yes, with the use of marijuana, the sex drive can be inhibited too! 

Additionally, THC can sometimes elevate cortisol levels in infrequent cannabis users, hence inducing a state of anxiety.

THC briefly inhibits thyroid hormone secretion. In heavy users, this reveals a dose-dependent mechanism. Meaning, the more you smoke weed, the more you are likely to gain weight, experience fatigue, or libido decrease.

Chemicals in marijuana act on sexual hormones differently. Light marijuana use (once a week) is not associated with any consequences. However, as reports state, smoking pot heavily (six times a week) can lower testosterone levels and sperm count by 30% in men. 

In women, it causes vaginal dryness and irregularity in menstrual cycles.

The hormonal connection between marijuana and sex is still not crystal clear. Overall, the available data states that cannabinoids cause hormone levels to fluctuate, affecting reproduction and your sex life in different ways.

The Effects of Marijuana on Sexuality

In contrast to physiology, sexuality is a more complex part of an individual. It fuses biological and psychological factors and is expressed through emotions, thoughts, and behaviors towards others. 

Humans can be sexually attracted to a person’s looks, emotions, attitudes, or actions.

Although a subjective category, data shows that having sex while high on weed can be an entrancing experience.

Desire

According to a 2017 population-based study, public marijuana use is associated with increased sexual frequency in both men and women. 

After the assessment of more than 50,000 people, the authors concluded that among the consumers of marijuana, sex drive increased significantly.

Another study from the Journal of Sexual Medicine confirms that marijuana can increase libido. Researchers state that compared to non-users, cannabis users are twice as likely to have more than two sexual partners a year. 

Nevertheless, men were also more likely to have difficulties in reaching an orgasm.

Arousal

Sexual excitement is primarily a hormonal factor but can be influenced by psychoneural activity. Sex and weed have a love-hate relationship sometimes. Research shows evidence that cannabis can both induce and decrease sexual potency. Additionally, the two sexes express precisely the opposite arousal effects on weed.

Women

Based on one Saint Louis University study, MUBS (marijuana use before sex) increased the sex drive in 60% of women. Moreover, it helped reduce the pain during sex in of 77% women. 

The most recent 2020 study published in the Sexual Medicine journal suggests that frequent marijuana users have better sexual health, especially regarding sexual desire, satisfaction, arousal, and orgasms.

However, when turned on while high, women tend to experience common vaginal dryness. This unfortunate event can present a problem in the initial contact. Still, it can be overcome with the right amount of tender foreplay. 

With the right amount of lubrication, this intense arousal can endure during the entire intercourse. For this purpose, even a 100% legal hemp CBD lube could do the trick.

Men

Marijuana plays a different role when it comes to men. On the one hand, weed can increase the sex drive. On the other hand, studies show that a significant number of men have trouble maintaining arousal during sex.

In contrast to women, arousal in men is enhanced by the above-mentioned effects of marijuana. In most cases, during intercourse, the overall penile blood flow decreases. These effects remain until the high wears off. 

The connection between marijuana and ED has long been an issue. However, the exact mechanism for this is unknown. It is usually associated with declining testosterone levels. Some authors conclude that this is a dose-dependent effect. 

The bottom line is that stoned sex can present a challenge for men.

Sensuality

The mystical traits of weed are considered to be the most valuable by most people. This is an effect primarily achieved by the ability of THC to alter the senses. 

Studies show that enhanced visual, auditory, and tactile experiences enhance the ongoing sexual act, i.e., orgasm, masturbation, or desire. In surveys, people who enjoy marijuana and sex describe the high as “transcendent” or “spiritual.”

Intimacy

Although an aphrodisiac for women and a sexual appetite booster for men, marijuana can adversely affect closeness and intimacy in couples.

Intimacy is a deep sense of connection with somebody both on an intellectual and physical level. According to research, the enhancement of libido and sensuality is associated with more hedonistic effects of sexual contact, neglecting the aspects of personal attachment in the process.

Additionally, some cases reported increased intimacy levels in mature couples, which is associated with a sense of relaxation.

Highgasm

When it comes to smoking weed and having sex, the results of one survey on men and women show 52.3% of participants use cannabis to alter their sexual experience. What’s more, 65.7% report an increased intensity of orgasms after smoking pot. 

Women

A study on women’s sexual health from 2019, which followed 373 female participants, revealed that those who smoked marijuana before intercourse were two times more likely to achieve an orgasm than in a non-consuming group. 

This evidence validly shows that among the participating women, 68.5% had more pleasurable sex while marijuana-high. Among them, 60.6% noticed an increase in sexual desire, and 52.8% reported an increase in satisfying orgasms.

Men

According to the Journal of Sexual Medicine research, orgasm in men is experienced quite differently. 

Men who practiced sex and marijuana smoking were four times less likely to achieve a climax than the non-smoking group. Furthermore, marijuana users were three times more likely to orgasm too quickly and two times more likely to finish too slowly than the abstinents. 

In general, both men and women are more sexually inhibited by marijuana in the long run. Chronic use potentiates adverse hormonal effects and impacts physiology. But occasionally, treating yourself with the sweet cannabis-infused sexual stimuli can rarely go wrong. 

The Right Dosage

Choosing the best pot out there is certainly important. However, there are side effects of weed that need to be considered.

Both the positive and negative effects of weed are dose-dependent. Sometimes, one puff makes the difference between being stoned and being sexually blissed. 

High doses of THC can cause a series of sexually unwanted events, such as nausea, headache, anxiety, paranoia, or sexual depersonalization.

Some sources advocating the pros of marijuana use and sex advise us to keep lower doses in mind. To use pot as a potential sexual medicine, we need just the amount to get our blood, brain, and senses going.

Marijuana and Sex Frequency

The relationship between these two changes with time; you might say that they mature together.

In light cannabis users, the achieved effect is mainly an occasional increase in sensuality. However, in heavy users, the long-term effects of weed are more likely to be displayed.

According to a few sources, chronic marijuana use is consistent with behavioral problems in relationships, including aggressive behavior and mood changes. This leads to sexual and emotional detachment and creates the need for high marijuana doses.  

With frequent users, the sexual side effects of weed include low energy and libido. This is associated with the pot’s effect on testosterone and pituitary hormones. 

Other adverse effects include low desire, erectile dysfunction, and orgasm irregularities in men. Women tend to have progesterone variations, which are expressed as menstrual problems and could lead to depression.

In predisposed people, heavy marijuana use can onset panic, fears, memory decline, and even psychotic episodes.

Choosing the Right Strain for Sex

Does weed make sex better? Yes, and no, since everybody reacts to cannabinoids differently. Nevertheless, there are certain aspects of physiological actions that can be attributed to the potency of the marijuana strain. 

That said, there are three distinct variations of cannabis plants — Cannabis Sativa, Cannabis Indica, and Cannabis Ruderalis. The first two are more common and more popular. 

Sativa produces a “head high,” making you more alert, inspired, and cerebrally driven. Indica has more body-relaxation effects and is used more to soothe pain and ease stress. Nevertheless, hybrids can display more potent, combined effects.

In correlation to that, some strains cater to sex more than others. In general, Sativa-derived ones could be considered the best strains for male arousal, while women react better to Indica. Still, as sources on smoking weed and sex claim, the reactions are mostly individual.

The perfect combination for sex would imply infrequent use to avoid the chronic impact on testosterone for men and less estrogen-inhibiting THC products for women.

Sativa Strains for Sex

Asian Fantasy — Famous for its fruity flavor, this strain has energetic and relaxing properties. Asian Fantasy is considered an arousing weed.

Sweeties — This Sativa-dominant strain is known for its arousing effect. It produces euphoria and relaxation. Therefore, it’s most often used for low libido and anxiety improvement.  

Green Crack — When it comes to sex on marijuana, this Sativa strain can unleash your basic instinct. Green Crack is great for libido, potency and could intensify an orgasm. The best part: you can repeat it again and again.

Potent Hybrids

Sour Dream — Although somewhat hard to find, this hybrid first calms and then arouses. Sour Dream can also potentiate euphoria, and even laughter, so it is the right choice for spicing up the intimacy.

Purple Princess — It enhances creativity, energy, and euphoria. This strain can give you an exhilarating night in the sack and is considered one of the best strains for female arousal and orgasm.

Indica Strains for Sex

Yumbolt — Having sex while high on this Indica strain can help you orgasm and sleep afterward (due to its calming effects).

Hindu Skunk — It relaxes slowly and prolongs the intercourse, keeping your undivided attention on the partner. Hindu Skunk is an excellent choice for lazy-day intimacy.

Chocolate Chunk — It is an easing, soft-acting strain with a sweet and nutty flavor.

Grandaddy Purple — It is a potent Indica strain. It alleviates pain, eases stress, relieves anxiety, and energizes. Grandaddy Purple can be great for sexual desire but without the unnecessary euphoria.  

Sexxpot — This is probably the best weed for sex. It is a low-THC, high-CBD strain that relaxes the body while introducing desire and sensuality. It takes the edge off and introduces you to the state of sweet delight. 

Sexxpot promises satisfaction in the form of total relaxation, long sex duration, and smooth sleep.

Selecting the Right Product

Deciding on the right product is essential. However, not all lovers out there enjoy smoking weed. Fortunately, today’s market has a variety of accessories and products for various user needs.

In a weed dispensary, you can find a spread of: 

• Vapes and inhalants that contain cannabis-derived active principles; 
• Oils and tinctures, which contain a concentrated amount of THC, and should be dosed lightly;
• Edibles, becoming more popular by the minute, such as mints, brownies, chocolates, cakes, and other culinary delicacies.

Other Cannabis-Infused Sex Aids

Marijuana can be sexually helpful in more than one way. Besides eating or smoking weed while having sex, you can also try using:

• Topical products, which intensify the scenes peripherally; 
• Suppositories and vaginal tablets, which have been out there for years now, and are used primarily for pain relief;
• Weed lubes or even hemp CBD lubes used to treat vaginal dryness;
• Marijuana tampons with relaxing and protective properties.

The combination of sex products and cannabis shows promises of desire, arousal, sensuality, intimacy, and potential orgasms.

Final (Sexy) Thoughts  

It is true — marijuana enhances sexuality. However, frequent use can lead to unwanted side effects and can even cause sexual dysfunction.

Therefore, if you are about to indulge in a unique sexual adventure, do so wisely. With the proper strain pick and an adequate product selection, you can find yourself in a highly tantric experience. 

FAQs

About the Author

Dusan Goljic, Pharm.D.

I think in milligrams every day; how much is enough, and what amounts can cure you or hurt you. My morning dose of caffeine gives me focus. And for the rest of the day, I think about herbal remedies, medical devices, supplements, nutrients, and heavy medication. By day, I work with drugs behind the counter. By night, I think about apostrophe misplacements. By day, I try to explain substances to others, and by night, I explain complex sentence structures to myself. I am a pharmacist and a writer.

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