Cannabis and sex

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Marijuana use is commonly thought to enhance sexual pleasure. [1] [2] However, there is limited scientific research on the relationship between marijuana and sex. The lack of research on the topic 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]

Contents

Research

As of 2010, research on the effects of marijuana and sex on humans is 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, leaving researchers 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 the 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]

Some research suggests the amount of marijuana consumed affects one's sexual experience. In one study, 59% of users thought sexual pleasure was enhanced after smoking one joint. However, less than half (39%) thought that consuming more than one joint provided any further enhancement [1] and 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 as over half of male consumers, as well as a lower percentage of female consumers, reported that it enhanced their orgasms. [1] In a small study published in 1979, 84 graduate students, the majority of whom were men and identified as "experienced smokers" believed that it increased the intensity of an orgasm and should be considered an aphrodisiac. [6] Additionally, there are recent studies that do suggest that orgasms are improved with marijuana use. [7] [8]

Studies on marijuana consumption’s effects on sex have shown few 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 in penile firmness. Women reported no increase of vaginal lubrication. [1] [2]

A 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 6.9 sexual encounters on average compared to 5.6 in those men who never consumed it. [9]

There has also been some evidence of the negative effects of marijuana use during sex. Some studies show a correlation between chronic marijuana use and reduced testosterone levels in men. [4] 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] Habitual use of marijuana is also linked to decreased sexual performance, while increasing sexual arousal. [4]

Psychotropic mechanism

The effects of Cannabis begin as a chemical process in the brain in which the neural communication network becomes altered. THC's chemical structure is similar to the brain chemical anandamide, which is responsible for sending chemical messages between neurons throughout the nervous system. [10] The brain areas that are affected influence memory, pleasure, thinking, concentration, movement, coordination, and sensory and time perception. These areas include the amygdala, hippocampus, basal ganglia, and prefrontal cortex. Within those areas are cannabinoid receptors that makeup a part of the Endocannabinoid system. [11]

Such effects within the nervous system may vary among individuals. However, Cannabis will influence experiences in sexual pleasure and memory in distinctive ways. Studies have been conducted observing differences between male and female neuropsychological functioning. While the results have shown little significant differences, limited studies have been conducted for very small sample sizes. [12]

Sexual pleasure

A study published in March 2019 observing women using cannabis prior to sex and their sexual function measured outcomes of satisfaction in sexual domains of drive, orgasm, lubrication, dyspareunia, sexual experience and the frequency of marijuana use on satisfaction. [13] The results of the study show women who used cannabis prior to having sex had higher odds of satisfactory orgasms and an increased sex drive. Women having frequent marijuana use had higher odds of satisfactory orgasms, regardless of use prior to sex or not. Such results show that cannabis shares a relationship to increased sexual satisfaction positively, and such results can be considered to further research to develop treatment for female sexual dysfunction. Another study had a large portion of participants report having increased desire and sexual satisfaction using cannabis before sex or using cannabis for sex. In contrast, some reported the experience being worse than usual. [14] Overall reports, show the rewards of reaching orgasm quicker and better sensations when having sex under the influence of cannabis.

Memory

The orbitofrontal cortex and hippocampus help with the formation of new memories, and cannabinoid receptors are found in these areas as well. Thus, cannabis will affect abilities regarding memory and learning for individuals. While using cannabis to enhance sexual experience and satisfaction, there are other areas that cannabis will influence regarding perception and sensation. [12] Studies conducted observe neurocognitive behavior of individuals under the influence of cannabis and the relationship of cannabis with risky behavior.

Cannabis can have more negative effects when it comes to learning and memory. A user will show lower spans of attention, concentration, and abstract reasoning. [12] Neurocognitive functioning becomes impaired due to the use of cannabis, and the user loses the ability to recall or learn effectively while under the influence. This can hinder one's responses to the surrounding environment and decision-making, leading to the individual's inability to remember details accurately or their perception of time becomes distorted. While such results are studied, the neurocognitive domains remain to be inconsistent in results when observing neurocognitive behavior of users. One study observed the risky-behavior (classify what are risky behaviors) of individuals who use cannabis. [15] The findings of the study revealed that adolescents who use cannabis are more likely to voluntarily engage in unprotected sex repeatedly, while the participants who never used cannabis or started to use cannabis after adolescence were less likely to have unprotected sex.

Products

There are a variety of cannabis-infused sex products, such as lubricants and massage oils containing CBD and THC. [16]

Related Research Articles

In psychology, libido is psychic drive or energy, usually conceived of as sexual in nature, but sometimes conceived of as including other forms of desire. The term libido was originally developed by Sigmund Freud, the pioneering originator of psychoanalysis. With direct reference to Plato's Eros, the term initially referred only to specific sexual desire, later expanded to the concept of a universal psychic energy that drives all instincts and whose great reservoir is the id. The libido - in its abstract core differentiated partly according to it's synthesising, partly to its analytical aspect called life- and death-drive - thus becomes the source of all natural forms of expression: the behaviour of sexuality as well as striving for social commitment, skin pleasure, food, knowledge and victory in the areas of species- and self-preservation.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Orgasm</span> Intense physical sensation of sexual release

Orgasm or sexual climax is the sudden release of accumulated sexual excitement during the sexual response cycle, characterized by intense sexual pleasure resulting in rhythmic, involuntary muscular contractions in the pelvic region. Orgasms are controlled by the involuntary or autonomic nervous system and experienced by both males and females; the body's response includes muscular spasms, a general euphoric sensation, and, frequently, body movements and vocalizations. The period after orgasm is typically a relaxing experience, after the release of the neurohormones oxytocin and prolactin, as well as endorphins.

An aphrodisiac is a substance alleged to increase libido, sexual desire, sexual attraction, sexual pleasure, or sexual behavior. These substances range from a variety of plants, spices, and foods to synthetic chemicals. Natural aphrodisiacs, such as cannabis or cocaine, are classified into plant-based and non-plant-based substances. Synthetic aphrodisiacs include MDMA and methamphetamine. Aphrodisiacs can be classified by their type of effects. Aphrodisiacs that contain hallucinogenic properties, such as bufotenin, have psychological effects that can increase sexual desire and sexual pleasure. Aphrodisiacs that have smooth muscle relaxing properties, such as yohimbine, have physiological effects that can affect hormone concentrations and increase blood flow.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Foreplay</span> Intimate acts that create sexual arousal

Foreplay is a set of emotionally and physically intimate acts between one or more people meant to create sexual arousal and desire for sexual activity. Although foreplay is typically understood as physical sexual activity, nonphysical activities, such as mental or verbal acts, may in some contexts be foreplay. This is typically the reason why foreplay tends to be an ambiguous term and means different things to different people. It can consist of various sexual practices such as kissing, sexual touching, removing clothes, oral sex, manual sex, sexual games, and role playing.

Anorgasmia is a type of sexual dysfunction in which a person cannot achieve orgasm despite adequate sexual stimulation. Anorgasmia is far more common in females than in males and is especially rare in younger men. The problem is greater in women who are post-menopausal. In males, it is most closely associated with delayed ejaculation. Anorgasmia can often cause sexual frustration.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sexual stimulation</span> Anything that causes a sexual response

Sexual stimulation is anything that leads to sexual arousal or orgasm. This thing can be physical or of other senses, and is known as a stimulus.

Sexual dysfunction is difficulty experienced by an individual or partners during any stage of normal sexual activity, including physical pleasure, desire, preference, arousal, or orgasm. The World Health Organization defines sexual dysfunction as a "person's inability to participate in a sexual relationship as they would wish". This definition is broad and is subject to many interpretations. A diagnosis of sexual dysfunction under the DSM-5 requires a person to feel extreme distress and interpersonal strain for a minimum of six months. Sexual dysfunction can have a profound impact on an individual's perceived quality of sexual life. The term sexual disorder may not only refer to physical sexual dysfunction, but to paraphilias as well; this is sometimes termed disorder of sexual preference.

A fake orgasm occurs when a person pretends to have an orgasm without actually experiencing one. It usually involves simulating or acting out behaviors typically associated with orgasm, such as body movements, vocal sounds, and sequences of intensification followed by apparent release. It can also include giving verbal indications that orgasm occurred.

Sexual medicine or psychosexual medicine as defined by Masters and Johnsons in their classic Textbook of Sexual Medicine, is "that branch of medicine that focuses on the evaluation and treatment of sexual disorders, which have a high prevalence rate." Examples of disorders treated with sexual medicine are erectile dysfunction, hypogonadism, and prostate cancer. Sexual medicine often uses a multidisciplinary approach involving physicians, mental health professionals, social workers, and sex therapists. Sexual medicine physicians often approach treatment with medicine and surgery, while sex therapists often focus on behavioral treatments.

Female sexual arousal disorder (FSAD) is a disorder characterized by a persistent or recurrent inability to attain sexual arousal or to maintain arousal until the completion of a sexual activity. The diagnosis can also refer to an inadequate lubrication-swelling response normally present during arousal and sexual activity. The condition should be distinguished from a general loss of interest in sexual activity and from other sexual dysfunctions, such as the orgasmic disorder (anorgasmia) and hypoactive sexual desire disorder, which is characterized as a lack or absence of sexual fantasies and desire for sexual activity for some period of time.

Pillow talk is the relaxed, intimate conversation that can occur between sexual partners after sexual activity, usually accompanied by cuddling, caresses, kissing, and other physical intimacy. It is associated with honesty, sexual afterglow, and bonding, and is distinguished from dirty talk which sometimes forms part of foreplay and of sexual act.

Sex and drugs refers to the influence of substances on sexual function and experience. Sex and drugs date back to ancient humans and have been interlocked throughout human history. Sexual performance is known as the execution of the act of sex and the quality of sexual activity. This includes elements such as libido, sexual function, sensation . Drugs are termed as any chemical substance that produces a physiological and or psychological change in an organism. Drugs categorized as psychoactive drugs, antihypertensive drugs, antihistamines, cancer treatment, and hormone medication have a significant impact on sexual performance. Various drugs result in different effects, both positive and negative. Negative effects may include low libido, erection issues, vaginal dryness and anorgasmia. Positive effects usually address these issues, overall enhancing sexual performance and contributing to a more enjoyable sexual experience. It is crucial to know that the impact of drugs on sexual performance varies among individuals, especially among different genders.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Effects of pornography</span> Influence of pornography on an individual and their intimate relationships

Pornography has been defined as any material in varying forms, including texts, video, photos or audio that is consumed for sexual satisfaction and arousal of an individual or partnership. The effects of pornography on individuals or their intimate relationships have been a subject of research.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Alcohol and sex</span>

Alcohol and sex deals with the effects of the consumption of alcohol on sexual behavior. The effects of alcohol are balanced between its suppressive effects on sexual physiology, which will decrease sexual activity, and its suppression of sexual inhibitions. A large portion of sexual assaults involve alcohol consumption by the perpetrator, victim, or both.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cannabis use disorder</span> Continued use of cannabis despite clinically significant impairment

Cannabis use disorder (CUD), also known as cannabis addiction or marijuana addiction, is a psychiatric disorder defined in the fifth revision of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) and ICD-10 as the continued use of cannabis despite clinically significant impairment.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sexual arousal</span> Physiological and psychological changes in preparation for sexual intercourse

Sexual arousal describes the physiological and psychological responses in preparation for sexual intercourse or when exposed to sexual stimuli. A number of physiological responses occur in the body and mind as preparation for sexual intercourse, and continue during intercourse. Male arousal will lead to an erection, and in female arousal, the body's response is engorged sexual tissues such as nipples, clitoris, vaginal walls, and vaginal lubrication.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cindy Meston</span> Canadian-American clinical psychologist

Cindy Meston is a Canadian-American clinical psychologist well-known for her research on the psychophysiology of female sexual arousal. She is a Full Professor of Clinical Psychology at the University of Texas at Austin, Director of the Female Sexual Psychophysiology Laboratory, and author of Why Women Have Sex. In 2016, the BBC, London, England named Meston one of the 100 most influential and inspirational women in the world.

The orgasm gap or pleasure gap is the disparity in sexual satisfaction—specifically the unequal frequency in achieving orgasm during sexual encounters—between heterosexual men and women. Across every demographic that has been studied, women report the lowest frequency of reaching orgasm during sexual encounters with men. Researchers believe that multiple causes contribute to the orgasm gap. Orgasm gap researcher Laurie Mintz argues that the primary reason for this form of gender inequality is due to "our cultural ignorance of the clitoris" and that it is commonplace to "mislabel women's genitals by the one part that gives men, but not women, reliable orgasms."

Angela Denise Bryan is a social psychologist known for her research on HIV/STD prevention, healthy eating habits, and use of legalized cannabis. She is Professor of Psychology and Neuroscience at the University of Colorado Boulder where she co-directs the Center for Health and Neuroscience, Genes, and Environment.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Drugs and sexual consent</span>

Drugs and sexual consent is a topic that discusses the impacts of drugs on sexual activity that lead to changes in sexual consent. Sexual consent is the voluntary agreement to engage in sexual activity, which is essential in preventing sexual violence. Consent can be communicated verbally or nonverbally and should be freely offered. However, drug use, particularly psychoactive drugs that alter mental processes, can affect people’s decision-making and consent communication ability, potentially impacting the autonomous aspect of sexual consent.

References

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  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)35:1<212::AID-JCLP2270350135>3.0.CO;2-K. ISSN   1097-4679. PMID   422726.
  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. ↑ Abuse, National Institute on Drug. "How does marijuana produce its effects?". National Institute on Drug Abuse. Retrieved 2021-11-12.
  11. ↑ Lu, Hui-Chen; Mackie, Ken (2016-04-01). "An Introduction to the Endogenous Cannabinoid System". Biological Psychiatry. 79 (7): 516–525. doi:10.1016/j.biopsych.2015.07.028. ISSN   0006-3223. PMC   4789136 . PMID   26698193.
  12. 1 2 3 Crane, Natania A.; Schuster, Randi Melissa; Fusar-Poli, Paolo; Gonzalez, Raul (2013-06-01). "Effects of Cannabis on Neurocognitive Functioning: Recent Advances, Neurodevelopmental Influences, and Sex Differences". Neuropsychology Review. 23 (2): 117–137. doi:10.1007/s11065-012-9222-1. ISSN   1573-6660. PMC   3593817 . PMID   23129391.
  13. ↑ Lynn, Becky K.; López, Julia D.; Miller, Collin; Thompson, Judy; Campian, E. Cristian (June 2019). "The Relationship between Marijuana Use Prior to Sex and Sexual Function in Women". Sexual Medicine. 7 (2): 192–197. doi:10.1016/j.esxm.2019.01.003. PMC   6522945 . PMID   30833225.
  14. ↑ Wiebe, Ellen; Just, Alanna (November 2019). "How Cannabis Alters Sexual Experience: A Survey of Men and Women". The Journal of Sexual Medicine. 16 (11): 1758–1762. doi:10.1016/j.jsxm.2019.07.023. PMID   31447385. S2CID   201752371.
  15. ↑ Agrawal, Arpana; Few, Lauren; Nelson, Elliot C.; Deutsch, Arielle; Grant, Julia D.; Bucholz, Kathleen K.; Madden, Pamela A. F.; Heath, Andrew C.; Lynskey, Michael T. (2016). "Adolescent cannabis use and repeated voluntary unprotected sex in women". Addiction. 111 (11): 2012–2020. doi:10.1111/add.13490. ISSN   1360-0443. PMC   5056799 . PMID   27317963.
  16. ↑ Horn, Tina (April 19, 2019). "Sex and the Stoner". Rolling Stone . Retrieved April 28, 2019.
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