Cannabis has so many health benefits, it’s sometimes hard to keep track of them all. Compounds found in marijuana and hemp have been linked to healthier hearts, reduced symptoms of chronic pain, improved sleep, and lower stress.
What may surprise you is that these compounds might also help with more than just your general health. They might also be able to – drumroll please – improve your sex life!
Sexuality is a tricky topic and scientists still don’t totally understand what makes people tick and why. With that said, there is some strong evidence to support using cannabis products to amp up your time in the bedroom.
So, without further ado, here is a breakdown of why you should give cannabis a try the next time you’re feeling frisky.
How Does Cannabis Interact with My Body?
Before we go any further, let’s get the basics out of the way. Cannabis plants produce two different strains – hemp and marijuana. Hemp is usually grown for its fiber, oil, and other industrial products. Marijuana is most commonly harvested for its psychoactive properties.
Each type of cannabis plant produces over 100 chemical compounds known as “cannabinoids.” These cannabinoids, when ingested, interact with the body in different ways. The two most well-known cannabinoids are CBD (cannabidiol) and THC (tetrahydrocannabinol).
THC is best known for its ability to give its user a euphoric “high” feeling. THC is found in the highest concentration in marijuana plants. While THC may also provide positive health benefits, it is illegal in many states due to its mind-altering effects.
CBD has been shown to act as an anti-inflammatory agent, pain suppressor, mood enhancer, etc. CBD does not have any psychoactive properties and has no-known negative side-effects. When extracted from hemp, CBD is legal nation-wide.
When ingested, both of these chemical compounds – along with all of the other 100+ cannabinoids found in cannabis plants – work alongside the body’s endocannabinoid system to help your body maintain balance. By interacting with receptors throughout your body, CBD and THC can help regulate your neurotransmitters, pain receptors, serotonin levels, and so much more. All of these side effects make cannabinoids a great addition to your bedtime routine!
THC and Sex
Marijuana has been used by humans for thousands of years – often as an aphrodisiac. THC can improve your mood, slow down your perception of time, and stimulate your senses. When used before sex, THC can help put you in the mood and dramatically improve your libido, arousal, and overall satisfaction.
According to this 2019 article on THC, sex, and women published in the journal Sexual Medicine, “In our study, the majority of women who used marijuana before sex reported positive sexual effects in the domains of overall sexual satisfaction, desire, orgasm, and improvement in sexual pain but not in lubrication.”
The article continues to state that, “Women who used marijuana before sex and those who used more frequently were more than twice as likely to report satisfactory orgasms as those who did not use marijuana before sex or used infrequently.” Studies on THC and sexuality with primarily male respondents also show similar positive responses.
Copy and paste this link into your browser for the full article: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6522945/
Unfortunately, THC has developed some negative press over the years due to its effects on fertility and libido. Research is continually being done to determine the pros and cons of THC and how it affects its users. When it comes down to it, though, THC affects everyone in different ways. There’s no way to know for sure how this compound will affect you and your sex life before you give it a try.
CBD and Sex
CBD is one of the most well-known cannabinoids produced by cannabis plants. While it is found in both marijuana and hemp plants, it is most often extracted from hemp. This is because hemp naturally produces very little THC – making CBD from hemp legal across the U.S. Nationwide legality makes CBD much more accessible to the average consumer than its cousin THC.
Unlike THC, CBD does not cause any psychoactive side-effects. Instead, CBD works on a deeper physical level to reduce pain and inflammation and decrease levels of stress and anxiety. This can go a long way to improving your bedroom encounters! Less stress and anxiety can help you feel more confident and at ease during your rendezvous, while reduced pain and inflammation can help you and your partner feel safe and comfortable.
THC and CBD – A Winning Combination!
CBD and THC can both offer increased stimulation, more pleasure, and a more comfortable sexual experience. Individually they can improve your sex life in their own unique ways; but when used together, these compounds can open up a whole new world for you and your partner!
One of the biggest complaints people have about THC is that it is simply too strong. When taken in high doses, THC may make you too “high” to function at your best. It can also make you more anxious – putting a serious dampener on the mood. Conversely, when taken by itself, CBD has a more muted effect than THC. It can help you feel physically and mentally comfortable, but it won’t provide you with any mind-altering effects; which, if we’re being honest with ourselves, is a pretty big selling point.
Thankfully, taking CBD and THC together may enable you to feel the best of both worlds! CBD has been shown to counteract THC’s negative mental effects while still allowing you to enjoy an altered frame of mind. While THC is helping you get into the right frame of mind, CBD will work its magic by reducing pain and inflammation – so you can enjoy your encounter to the fullest!
What Are the Best Ways to Take THC and CBD?
From vape additives and tinctures to edibles and creams – there are methods of taking CBD and THC available for anyone! But with so much to choose from, how do you know what’s best?
For fast-acting effects, you should use a vape additive or tincture. Both of these methods allow your body to quickly and efficiently absorb a large percentage of the available cannabinoids. Those who vape often report feeling effects in a matter of seconds, while those who use tinctures can feel a difference in just a few minutes.
For targeted or longer-lasting effects, try an edible or topical ointment. Cannabis edibles take a while to kick in, but once they do, the positive effects usually last much longer than with other methods. If you need pain or inflammation relief in one particular area, try using a cannabis ointment or lubricant.
THC, CBD, or Both?
Whether you are looking for a physical experience, a mental experience, or a combination of the two, there are options out there for everyone. Cannabis affects everyone differently, depending on your size, weight, and personal preferences. It is up to you and your partner to experiment and find what works perfectly for you. Of course, always be sure to check with your physician before using a new product.
References
Lynn, B. K., López, J. D., Miller, C., Thompson, J., & Campian, E. C. (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
Klein, C., Hill, M. N., Chang, S. C., Hillard, C. J., & Gorzalka, B. B. (2012). Circulating endocannabinoid concentrations and sexual arousal in women. The journal of sexual medicine, 9(6), 1588–1601. doi:10.1111/j.1743-6109.2012.02708.x
Nagarkatti, P., Pandey, R., Rieder, S. A., Hegde, V. L., & Nagarkatti, M. (2009). Cannabinoids as novel anti-inflammatory drugs. Future Medicinal Chemistry, 1(7), 1333–1349. http://doi.org/10.4155/fmc.09.93
Fine, P. G., & Rosenfeld, M. J. (2013). The endocannabinoid system, cannabinoids, and pain. Rambam Maimonides medical journal, 4(4), e0022. doi:10.5041/RMMJ.10129
Blessing, E. M., Steenkamp, M. M., Manzanares, J., & Marmar, C. R. (2015). Cannabidiol as a Potential Treatment for Anxiety Disorders. Neurotherapeutics, 12(4), 825–836. http://doi.org/10.1007/s13311-015-0387-1
Lu, H. C., & Mackie, K. (2015). An Introduction to the Endogenous Cannabinoid System. Biological psychiatry, 79(7), 516–525. doi:10.1016/j.biopsych.2015.07.028
Zou, S., & Kumar, U. (2018). Cannabinoid Receptors and the Endocannabinoid System: Signaling and Function in the Central Nervous System. International journal of molecular sciences, 19(3), 833. doi:10.3390/ijms19030833
Zuardi, A.W. (2008). Cannabidiol: from an inactive cannabinoid to a drug with wide spectrum of action. Rev Bras Psiquiatr, 30(3), 271-280. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18833429
Richard Guaman received a Bachelors of Science in Nutrition and Exercise Science from CUNY Queens College and is a certified personal trainer and health coach. Richard uses his experience and expertise in nutrition, exercise, and improving overall quality of life in conjunction with his extensive researching skills to write our blog articles. As an advocate for CBD use, he supplements it in his daily life in order to recover from his training sessions and to help him stay focused with his busy schedule.
