What are some common health issues that men face where cannabis has shown potential as a treatment?
Cancer: Men experience approximately a 1 in 2 lifetime risk of developing cancer, which is higher than the 1 in 3 risk women face. Additionally, men are more likely to die from cancer compared to their female counterparts. Cannabis may help with palliative care for these patients, particularly in reducing symptoms like pain or inflammation. THC and CBD may also help with chemo-induced nausea and vomiting, where other antiemetics might fail.
Alcohol and Opioid Use: Men generally consume alcohol at higher rates than women. Excessive alcohol intake is linked to liver disease, esophageal cancer, colorectal cancer, and other complications. The terpene beta-caryophyllene found in cannabis has anti-inflammatory properties and is an analgesic, so it may aid with pain and reduce cravings for alcohol. Also, individuals may use cannabis to assist in tapering off opioid medications and to lessen the pain associated with the withdrawal process.
Tobacco Use: Historically, men are more likely to smoke tobacco, contributing to an increased risk for lung cancer. Some studies suggest that certain terpenes in cannabis, such as beta-caryophyllene, may help reduce cravings for tobacco and assist in smoking cessation. Pinene may help mental clarity and respiratory health as a bronchodilator.
Gout: Gout is more common in men due to naturally elevated uric acid levels. Strains high in myrcene are noted to have pain-relieving properties that may help alleviate symptoms of gout.
Mental Health: Men are at risk for mental health issues like anxiety and depression. Terpenes such as limonene and linalool have been studied for their potential to provide relief from these conditions. Limonene is an uplifting terpene that may help with depression, anxiety, and stress, while linalool may help with mental health via its anticonvulsant properties. Additionally, too much THC may cause worsening anxiety and heightened states of alertness, and chronic high-dose THC can negatively affect REM (deep) sleep cycles.
The right product for your health concerns will have the right balance between THC and CBD, as well as an overall terpene content that is suitable for your needs.
How does cannabis affect testosterone or other hormones important for men’s health, such as growth hormones or cortisol levels?
Research regarding the impact of cannabis on testosterone levels has yielded mixed results. Some studies have shown negligible changes, while others indicate potential effects based on usage frequency.
Testosterone Levels: A study conducted by Gundersen et al. in 2015 examined the effects of cannabis on testosterone levels among a cohort of 1,215 Danish men. The study found that self-reported marijuana smokers had testosterone levels that were 7% higher than non-users. However, the authors cautioned about potential overlap due to cigarette smoking in the cohort.
In 2017, Thistle et al. studied 1,577 American men using data from the 2011 to 2012 National Health and Nutrition Survey. The researchers found no difference in testosterone levels between those who have ever consumed marijuana and those who have never consumed it. However, testosterone levels decreased with longer time since the last use, suggesting that recent use affects testosterone more than how often someone uses it. The study highlights the need for more research to clarify the effects of cannabis on testosterone levels.
Growth Hormones: THC may downregulate growth hormone levels. However, CBD has an inverse effect on cannabinoid receptors, complicating this relationship further.
Cortisol Levels: Cannabis can act both as an anxiolytic (reduces anxiety) and anxiogenic (increases anxiety) substance, affecting cortisol levels in different ways. Some studies suggest that cortisol levels can decrease after cannabis use, while inhalation of linalool has been shown to reduce cortisol levels in sleep-deprived models.
Endocrine Health: Chronic cannabis use may contribute to some endocrine disorders, but certain cannabinoids show promise in managing conditions such as diabetes.
In conclusion, while the use of cannabis in managing various health issues shows potential, it’s essential to approach its use thoughtfully and in consultation with healthcare providers. Further research is necessary to clarify its effects on hormones and other health aspects in men. Always consider your health factors when exploring cannabis as a treatment option.
What does the current research suggest for cannabis use for men’s sexual health?
The endocannabinoid system plays a significant role in everyone’s reproductive and urinary systems, featuring the CB1 and CB2 receptors found in the smooth muscle of the corpus cavernosum, as well as in the human seminal vesicle. There are multiple effects associated with activating the CB1 and CB2 receptors, including the release of serotonin and dopamine, which may correlate with sexual response and behavior. In a literature review of the self-reported effects of cannabis use, 51.3% of subjects self-reported increased sexual arousal with cannabis use, and 73.5% reported increased sexual pleasure.
However, while some studies show cannabis enhancing sexual experiences, there are also concerns about its effects on male fertility. Research indicates that cannabis use may negatively impact sperm motility and quantity, as well as pose potential risks for testicular cancer, making it essential to approach its use with mindfulness regarding these implications.
Some men experience a decline in testosterone levels as they age. Is there any research suggesting that cannabis affects testosterone production or overall hormonal balance in men?
Studies on men’s testosterone levels show mixed results for cannabis consumers vs. non-consumers. “The impact of cannabis use on male sexual function: A 10-year, single-center experience” is a study that found testosterone higher testosterone in Canadian cannabis users, while Thistle Et Al. study on 1,577 American men using data from the 2011 to 2012 National Health and Nutrition Survey found no difference between those who have ever and never consumed cannabis.
Overall, with hormonal balance, there is conclusive evidence that cannabis will affect receptor expression. “The effects of cannabis and cannabinoids on the endocrine system” discusses the known impacts of cannabis on thyroid, adrenal, and gonadal function in addition to glucose control, lipids, and bone metabolism, including reduced sperm counts and function, lower thyroid hormone levels with acute use, blunting of stress response with chronic use, increased risk of prediabetes but lower risk of diabetes, suggested improvement of high-density lipoproteins and triglycerides, and slight increase in fracture risk.
Is there any evidence that cannabis or its compounds could be used to promote hair growth or prevent hair loss in men?
Proposed mechanisms suggest CBD may promote hair growth by binding to scalp receptors. On the other hand, THC may reduce unwanted hair growth, as shown in a 2007 study indicating that CB1 agonists may manage excessive hair while CB1 antagonists could help with hair loss.
Effects can be dose-dependent; too much CBD may lead to hair loss, and further research is needed to determine the optimal dosage for hair growth.
Mental health issues such as depression and anxiety are often overlooked in men. How can cannabis be used to help manage symptoms of depression or anxiety?
Relief of negative mood is an influential motive for users of cannabis, as discussed in Medical cannabis and mental health: A guided systematic review. This review discusses that across nine studies, seven of them showed an improvement in mood in cannabis for therapeutic purposes (CTP) users. Research has shown that cannabis can help prevent major depressive episodes in patients who experience social pain, also known as rejection, exclusion, and loss.
Cannabis has both anxiolytic and anxiogenic effects, meaning that it can both reduce anxiety and increase anxiety. This effect has been shown to be dose-dependent and is dependent on the amount of THC vs. CBD and the concentration of the various terpenes and other cannabinoids found in cannabis. Additionally, it depends on the individual’s tolerance. Each type of cannabis cultivar can have very distinct effects.
What are some of the biggest myths or misconceptions about cannabis and its effects on men’s health?
The biggest misconception about cannabis is that it is completely benign in the human body. Your body will change when you consume it in some way, as our bodies contain receptors that form the Endocannabinoid system. The various receptors of the endocannabinoid system have many roles throughout the whole body, which opens a realm of possibilities for the person who wants to incorporate cannabis into their daily lifestyle. It can have unexpected effects on the body, such as improved metabolism, reduced body inflammation, decreased sperm motility, or short-term memory loss. With the correct dosage and type of cannabis, cannabis can be life changing.
What are the best practices for men who want to incorporate cannabis into their daily health routines while minimizing risks and maximizing benefits?
Everyone should start by evaluating what goals they’d like to achieve with cannabis in their routine. Are they looking to consume to improve their mood, relieve pain, improve sleep, or appetite? Once this assessment is made, learning how it may affect you is important. New consumers should start with a low dosage and gradually increase it, regardless of the method of consumption.
Remember that cannabis is highly individualized, meaning that the strain, dose, or method that works for one person may not work for the next. Keeping a journal, noting the cultivar of cannabis, the terpenes, and the THC and CBD content, is important to document your cannabis journey and its effects on your body.
Resources
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- Payne, Kelly S., et al. “Cannabis and Male Fertility: A Systematic Review.” 2019. Journal of Urology, vol. 202, no. 4, WoltersKluwer, Oct. 2019, pp. 674–681, doi:10.1097/JU.0000000000000248.
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- Capodice, Jillian L, and Steven A Kaplan. “The endocannabinoid system, cannabis, and cannabidiol: Implications in urology and men’s health.” Current urology vol. 15,2 (2021): 95-100. doi:10.1097/CU9.0000000000000023
- Telek, Andrea et al. “Inhibition of human hair follicle growth by endo- and exocannabinoids.” FASEB journal : official publication of the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology vol. 21,13 (2007): 3534-41. doi:10.1096/fj.06-7689com
- Shiff, Benjamin et al. “The impact of cannabis use on male sexual function: A 10-year, single-center experience.” Canadian Urological Association journal = Journal de l’Association des urologues du Canada vol. 15,12 (2021): E652-E657. doi:10.5489/cuaj.7185
