Sex is pretty friggin awesome. So is cannabis.
It’s about time someone wrote about the combination.
Let’s Start With an Ethics Statement
This is not an endorsement of non-sober sex. Ideally, sex shouldn’t involve any type of intoxication, particularly when it’s with a stranger — both parties should be fully in control of themselves and their decision-making.
Instead, think of this as an exploration of the medicinal and erotic potential of one of nature’s greatest gifts: the cannabis plant.
Good? Good.
Now: CBD and Sex
There are plenty of reasons CBD has made its way into the realm of sexual pleasure. For many people who deal with recurring sexual pain — from causes like IUD removal to inflammation and endometriosis — CBD seems like a natural thing to try.
Why? Because it’s got an excellent track record of helping with things like migraines. It may reduce inflammation and help with back pain. And yes, ladies, it has shown promise in helping with menstrual cramps.
While it’s available in several different forms, CBD has now hit the market as bedroom-specific products:
- Lube
- Oral sprays
- Edibles
- Massage oil/lotion
CBD may help with common problems like easing stress or anxiety around sex, including performance anxiety. Additionally, using it can help set a sexy mood and add some excitement to your sexual ventures.
Lubrication is an interesting place to start. Our reproductive organs and sexual tissues are loaded with cannabinoid receptors, and CBD lubricant could possibly stimulate blood flow and increase sensitivity, which could cause your own built-in lubrication to increase.
There are a number of conditions that can complicate sex. One is Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, which leads to acute muscle spasms and joint subluxations. CBD can force muscles to relax, leading to more fluid movements and far more enjoyable sex.
For some, orgasms can be more intense with CBD. For others, it helps them get in the mood in the first place by reducing problems like anxiety, which can distract and lead to worrying instead of being in the moment.
Perhaps the most powerful trick of CBD is its ability to calm the mind. During sex, this makes it easier to orgasm, which can be helpful when you’re stuck in your head and can’t seem to loosen up — relaxation is where it all starts.
And because CBD isn’t intoxicating, you can enjoy all of these benefits with a crystal-clear mind.
The Neurotransmitter Behind CBD
A lot of the mood-boosting effects of CBD are thanks to a neurotransmitter called anandamide, which is released in greater quantities with CBD.
What exactly does anandamide transmit? In a word, bliss. It’s closely related to oxytocin, otherwise known as the “cuddle hormone,” and leads to better sexual experiences. CBD helps boost the natural production of these neurotransmitters and endorphins.
If you’re going to use CBD before sex, take your tincture, edible, or other means of ingestion between 30 and 60 minutes before intercourse to let it set in.
Healthy Skepticism
As always, it’s worth noting that research on CBD’s role in our sex lives is in its infancy. More research needs to be done to discover what’s happening, what’s not happening, and what more could be happening.
Using CBD as a topical application during sex is fairly uncharted territory, and some doctors believe that THC is the more interesting compound to study.
THC and Sex
CBD can’t help that it’s a relative newcomer to the party. THC has been studied far longer, and we know substantially more about its effects on sex.
There are four stages of sexuality: the first is libido, followed by arousal, which leads to orgasm, topped off by satisfaction. THC can help with all four of these stages. It does so in many of the same ways its straight-edge cousin, CBD, helps: by relaxing, calming inhibitions, minimizing distractions, and improving focus.
According to the New York Times, while concrete evidence is still in the works, there’s plenty of anecdotal evidence suggesting that the proper dosage of THC can intensify both orgasms and sex drive. Cannabis can do this by both heightening overall senses and reducing problems like pain, insomnia, and anxiety that harm sexual desire.
Both men and women report the effects of cannabis on sex. Hell, even Carl Sagan — famed astrophysicist and national treasure — noted that cannabis gives sex an extra boost.
THC, Libido, and Menopause
One of THC’s greatest apparent benefits is its ability to boost libido among women. Dr. Becky K. Lynn, who works at Evora Women’s Health in St. Louis and is an expert in sexual medicine and menopause, says that her patients often tell her that despite having low libido, using marijuana helps them orgasm without a problem.
Dr. Lynn also teaches at Saint Louis University’s School of Medicine, where she published a 2019 study on cannabis use among women. Among the 373 women in the survey, 34% reported having consumed marijuana prior to having sex, and the majority reported higher sex drive, better orgasms, and improved pain metrics. This is in line with another online survey of over 200 cannabis users, 74% of whom reported higher sexual satisfaction with THC.
Additionally, menopause symptoms like vaginal dryness, insomnia, night sweats, and hot flashes can lower libido. THC can help alleviate these symptoms.
The Story for Men
For men, results can be mixed. Some men report better sex with marijuana, and others report problems. These problems can include lower libido, impotence, inability to orgasm, or premature ejaculation. Regular marijuana use can also lead to lower sperm count.
The best way to test marijuana’s effects is to start with a small dose and gradually increase. Cannabis is not known for severe or dangerous side effects, but doing this will help you avoid problems like paranoia, dry mouth, confusion, or other side effects while helping you dial in your optimum dose.
You can even start with a minimal dose, such as a 1 mg tincture of THC, and work your way up bit by bit. Often, doses that are too high can decrease libido and make orgasms more difficult.
CBD and THC for Sex
Both CBD and THC show enormous promise to help make sex better. To find your optimum dose, start small and work your way up very slowly, paying attention to how your body responds. Try starting with tinctures, which put cannabinoids in your bloodstream quickly and efficiently.
