Science Suggests Cannabis Can Improve Your Sex Life – Does It Really Work?

It’s something that most cannabis consumers know but can’t explain – it just makes sex better. For years, it might have seemed like just a bunch of talk, but now there’s science and data to back up the claims that cannabis can improve your sex life. It may not be for everyone, but if you’re open to the idea, then cannabis could be a great way to restore intimacy and increase sexual satisfaction in your relationship.

Science Confirms That Cannabis Can Improve Your Sex Life

Here at MyCannabis, we’ve been talking a lot lately about the endocannabinoid system (ECS) and how it plays an integral role in most of our everyday functions – including reproductive health. Knowing this, it shouldn’t be a far grasp that cannabinoids like THC and CBD could have huge potential for improving the quality of your sexual experiences.

There are three factors to how cannabis affects us in the bedroom – the ECS’s role in regulating hormone production, added blood flow to the genital region increases sensation and lubrication, and overall reduced anxiety, which allows for a more relaxed and enjoyable experience.

Let’s break each of these down with the science that backs them up, shall we?

Cannabis, The Endocannabinoid System, and Our Hormones

First off, we need to look at how the ECS and our hormones work together to regulate our reproductive system. As you know, our bodies produce endocannabinoids that send signals for certain hormones to be released in response to different stimuli – and introducing external cannabinoids like THC or CBD can change the signals those receptors are sending.

Interestingly, one study found that endocannabinoids AG and AEA are elevated in the pituitary at points in the menstrual cycle when estrogen levels are higher. There is also evidence that introducing THC can either suppress or stimulate the release of certain sex and reproductive hormones.

Right now, the research and data can’t decide whether cannabis is an aphrodisiac that stimulates arousal or a potential libido killer – but we do know that the ECS plays a bigger role in sexual wellness than we currently understand.

Using Cannabis Increases Sensation and Enhances Orgasms

While the research on how ECS and hormones are far from conclusive, there is evidence, both anecdotal and factual, that backs up claims of increased sensation and, for women, increased or enhanced orgasms.

According to Alex Capano, the medical director of Ananda hemp, CBD increases blood flow around CB receptors – which are plentiful in the reproductive organs and tissues. This leads to increased lubrication and sensitivity to touch, which in turn can lead to a more pleasurable experience overall.

A 2023 study published in the Journal of Cannabis Research¹ surveyed people on the influence of cannabis on their sexual functioning and satisfaction. Their survey found that 70% said they had increased desire and orgasm intensity after introducing cannabis.

Another study published in Sexual Medicine² back in 2019 found that women who used cannabis before sex reported increased sex drive, improved orgasms, and less pain.

THC and CBD Reduce Anxiety, Making Intimacy More Enjoyable

Another way that both science and personal accounts can confirm cannabis makes sex better is well-known and under-considered. Both THC and CBD have the potential to reduce anxiety, which makes any encounter feel less stressful, overwhelming, and, in general, relaxing.

For those who have trouble with intimacy due to anxiety, feelings of inadequacy, or similar thoughts and feelings, cannabis may be a way to push past that barrier to better sex.

“Cannabis enables us to relax and focus on intimacy faster,” Mason of Oregon’s Smoke Honest told Yahoo Life. “It stops any other thoughts from distracting from the intimacy of sex. It prevents overthinking and encourages relaxation. It accentuates every bit of feeling and touch, whether sexual or just intimate touching.”

Are There Side Effects or Down Sides to Using Cannabis to Improve Your Sex Life?

We’ve already explained that science isn’t sure whether chronic cannabis use will turn short-term increased sex drive into long-term loss of desire – but that’s not the only thing to keep in mind when considering cannabis to enhance your sex life. There are some effects of cannabis that may hurt your experience rather than help it if you’re not careful when selecting cultivars.

For example, high THC strains and sativa dominant strains may increase anxiety and cause paranoia rather than helping you feel calm and relaxed. It’s also possible that regular, frequent cannabis use can lower sperm count in men and cause irregularities in women’s menstrual cycle.

However, if you find a strain that helps you settle into that perfect relaxed headspace, it might have the power to breathe new life into your most intimate relationship.

Study Reference:

^{1. Moser, A., Ballard, S. M., Jensen, J., & Averett, P. (2023). The influence of cannabis on sexual functioning and satisfaction. Journal of Cannabis Research, 5, Article 2. https://doi.org/10.1186/s42238-022-00169-2}

^{2. Sun, A. J., & Eisenberg, M. L. (2017). Association between marijuana use and sexual frequency in the United States: A population-based study. Journal of Sexual Medicine, 14(11), 1342–1347. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsxm.2017.09.005}