You may have heard the long-standing idea that cannabis lowers sex drive. A 2018 study published in The Journal of Sexual Medicine reported findings that run counter to that assumption. This article summarizes what a few studies have reported about cannabis and libido. It’s a summary of research — not medical advice or a health claim — and findings in this area are still limited and not conclusive.
Dispelling Old Myths About Sex & Cannabis
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In the study, a team from Stanford University in California’s Urology Department analyzed 28,176 women’s and 22,943 men’s survey responses from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. According to the results, there was a 20 percent increase in sexual activity from regular cannabis users. Furthermore, they found that this increase was found in all demographics and have stated that cannabis “use is independently associated with increased sexual frequency and does not appear to impair sexual function.”
Prior Use Before Sex
In the same journal another study was published with the goal to “to determine if marijuana use before sex affects the sexual experience, by how much, and which domains of sexual function are affected.” In this study, 133 sexually active women were given questions to discover demographics, sexual function, and cannabis use. The cannabis users were then asked how they felt cannabis affected things like sex drive, sexual experience, orgasm, lubrication, and pain. Out of all 133 women, it was found that 29 percent used cannabis before sex. 68 percent of cannabis users said that cannabis had a clear improvement in sexual activities. The remaining 32 percent believed that using cannabis had no impact or did not have an improvement in sex.
Increased Libido
Of the women in the prior study that responded favorably to cannabis use increasing their pleasure from sex, 72 percent believed that it worked every time, 24 percent believed it only worked sometimes, and 4 percent believed it made the experience slightly less pleasurable. Although an overwhelming 92 percent of them believed that it made their orgasms more intense and has led to an increased sex drive.
It should be noted that these findings have been shown to be dose dependent. In another study of 12 human and 8 animal studies tested the effect of cannabinoids and female sexual function. It was shown that larger doses actually reduce the sex drive, and this is thought to happen due to the various sedative effects of cannabis. Whereas lower doses were more helpful to produce superior sexual results and experiences.
Cannabis for Better Sex
Taken together, these studies report an association between cannabis use and aspects of the sexual experience, rather than the negative effect older conventions assumed. It’s worth remembering the research is limited and not conclusive, and we’re not making any health claims. If you live in a state where cannabis is legal, you can use our dispensary finder to find a location near you.
Taken together, these studies report an association between cannabis use and aspects of the sexual experience, rather than the negative effect older conventions assumed. It’s worth remembering the research is limited and not conclusive, and we’re not making any health claims. If you live in a state where cannabis is legal, you can use our dispensary finder to find a location near you.
Research on cannabis and sex is far from conclusive, though some studies have reported a positive association. Individual experiences vary, and none of this is a health claim. If you’re of legal age and in a place where these products are legal, whether to use them is a personal choice — and if you have questions about our hemp-derived products, reach out anytime.
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. For adults 21+.
