The conversation around cannabis is evolving, highlighting its potential benefits for sexual wellness goals. Research suggests that cannabis may enhance sexual health by addressing issues like low libido and sexual dysfunction. By interacting with the endocannabinoid system, cannabis may help reduce anxiety, boost hormones such as testosterone and oxytocin, and enhance sensory experiences. Understanding the distinct roles of THC and CBD allows individuals to optimize their use for improved intimacy. We asked Dr. Faith Long, an Ethos pharmacist, how cannabis could wholistically play into someone’s sexual health and routine.
Are there any scientifically supported benefits of cannabis for sexual health?
Yes! There have been many studies demonstrating the beneficial role of cannabis for sexual health. Maintaining sexual health is a multifaceted endeavor, influenced by an interplay of physical, psychological, and emotional factors. Similarly, the mechanism in which cannabis enhances sexual health is also multifaceted, which offers a more holistic approach to improving one’s sexual well-being.
Can cannabis help with conditions like low libido or sexual dysfunction? If so, how?
Cannabis may improve conditions like sexual dysfunction and low libido. The benefits of cannabis in improving sexual health manifest through various mechanisms, including anxiety, mood, sensory perception, sex hormones, and physical barriers to sex.
The endocannabinoid system maintains numerous homeostatic mechanisms, including the regulation of stress, mood, and sexual function. In the brain, cannabis activates the CB1 receptor, leading to the release of dopamine, which increases sexual desire and arousal.
Cannabinoids increase the release of the sex hormone testosterone, which increase libido in both men and women. Elevated testosterone triggers epinephrine (adrenaline) release, further enhancing arousal and excitement during sexual activity. Oxytocin – the “love hormone” – is released during sexual stimulation and orgasm and functions to enhance emotional intimacy, deepen feelings of love, and increase sexual desire. Cannabis accelerates the rate of oxytocin release thereby creating a greater release of oxytocin into the bloodstream, which intensifies the effects of oxytocin.1
In summary, cannabis can help boost libido and improve sexual function by increasing key hormones and neurotransmitters like dopamine, testosterone, and oxytocin, which enhance desire, arousal, and emotional connection during sex.
Are there any differences between the effects of THC and CBD on sexual health?
THC and CBD interact with the endocannabinoid system in distinct ways, leading to different effects on sexual health.
THC is psychoactive, meaning it crosses the blood-brain barrier and activates the CB1 receptors in the brain. This interaction is responsible for producing the euphoric, mood elevating, and behavioral effects associated with cannabis, which can help someone feel more engaged, relaxed, and connected during sex. THC also produces dopamine release, enhancing arousal, sexual motivation, and sensory perception, which improves the sexual experience for many individuals.1-4
CBD on the other hand, is non-psychotropic and helps to reduce anxiety, which can benefit those with sexual dysfunction linked to anxiety. It’s strong anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties can alleviate pain and discomfort that would otherwise interfere with sexual activity.1,2,5 The anti-inflammatory action of CBD also improves circulation increases blood flow to the erogenous areas, leading to enhanced nerve sensitivity and improved arousal.1,5
The other key difference between these cannabinoids is the dose sensitivity. THC is highly dose-dependent, meaning that effects can differ significantly depending on the dosage, while the effects of CBD are more consistent across different doses. When using cannabis for sexual health, the dose of THC is especially important to consider as higher THC doses may impair sexual functioning and potentially lead to reduced libido or delayed orgasm.1,2,5
Are there any specific medical conditions, such as anxiety, chronic pain, or menopause, where cannabis may improve sexual wellness?
Several medical conditions may create barriers to sexual health and function, and cannabis may help improve sexual wellness by addressing these challenges.
Mental health disorders like anxiety and PTSD can negatively affect sexual health, often making sexual activity feel overwhelming or triggering due to vulnerability or past trauma. Cannabis may help by reducing anxiety and providing a distraction from negative thoughts, enabling individuals to feel more relaxed and present during sex, which can enhance sexual desire.1,5
People who suffer from chronic pain may find participating in sexual activity to be uncomfortable, painful, or even impossible due to limited flexibility or mobility. Beyond physical limitations, chronic pain can be emotionally draining and fatiguing, further complicating efforts to maintain sexual wellness. Cannabis may provide effective relief from various types of pain—musculoskeletal, neuropathic, visceral, and psychogenic—while also serving as a distraction from the discomfort, addressing both the physical and mental challenges of chronic pain. Cannabis induces relaxation of smooth muscles, making sexual activity more comfortable for both men and women dealing with pain. The anti-inflammatory properties of cannabis help reduce inflammation-related pain and improve circulation, increasing blood flow to erogenous areas. Increasing blood flow to the erogenous nerves and muscles increases female arousal, improves male erections, and increases genital sensitivity in men and women.1,3
Menopausal and postmenopausal women have a notably high prevalence of sexual dysfunction. During menopause, estrogen production ceases, leading to various symptoms that can negatively impact a woman’s sexual health. Low levels of estrogen can cause vaginal dryness, increased anxiety, mood changes, hot flashes, decreased libido, anorgasmia, and overall discomfort.6 Cannabis enhances the levels of testosterone and estrogen in the bloodstream, helping diminish the symptoms associated with reduced estrogen in menopausal and postmenopausal women. By helping restore balanced hormone levels, easing pain and discomfort, and reduce anxiety, cannabis provides a well-rounded approach to overcoming many challenges to sexual wellness during and after menopause.
For individuals with mental health issues, such as anxiety or depression, can cannabis potentially improve sexual experiences or, conversely, complicate them?
As previously discussed, cannabis can serve as a distraction from the daily stresses of life and reduces anxiety overall, giving it the potential to improve the sexual experience for people dealing with anxiety or PTSD. The euphoric and calming effects of cannabis can improve depressive symptoms and enable individuals with depression to feel more social, comfortable, and open to sexual activities.1 Several studies have demonstrated that cannabis can heighten sexual motivation, enhance pleasure during sex, and help stabilize mood, helping individuals with depression feel more engaged, emotionally connected, and satisfied during their sexual experiences.2,3,5
One of the most significant ways cannabis can benefit individuals with mental health issues is by alleviating the side effects of medications used to manage anxiety or depression. Antidepressants are very commonly prescribed for both anxiety and depression and are notorious for their side effect profiles, particularly the negative impact on sexual functioning. Antidepressants can disrupt the balance of sex hormones resulting in weight gain, reduced sexual desire, lowered libido, erectile dysfunction, and anorgasmia. Adding cannabis to an antidepressant regimen, or replacing antidepressants with regular cannabis therapy, can help to reverse these side effects or avoid them altogether.1
There are some potential challenges when individuals with anxiety or depression use cannabis for sexual wellness. Although anxiety and depression are amongst the most common reasons for using cannabis medicinally, everyone’s endocannabinoid system is unique, just like each individual is. As a result, while many users experience relief, some may find that certain forms or strains of cannabis can exacerbate their symptoms of anxiety or depression.2
Are there any risks associated with overconsumption of cannabis in relation to sexual wellness?
How might cannabis interact with other medications that someone might be taking for sexual health issues?
If cannabis is used alongside medications used for sexual dysfunction or erectile dysfunction, cannabis may worsen some of the side effects associated with these medications. These medications work by causing vasodilation and smooth muscle relaxation, which can result in hypotension (a drop in blood pressure). Given that cannabis can also cause changes in blood pressure, there is potential for more severe hypotension if used with medications that someone might be taking for sexual dysfunction. Visual disturbances are another common side effect of these medications, which cannabis may also exacerbate.
What advice do you have for individuals who are considering using cannabis to improve their sexual health or wellness?
My advice to anyone considering using cannabis to improve their sexual health would be to first understand how cannabis effects them in general. I’d encourage them to ask themselves questions like, “Do I feel relaxed, calm, and comfortable after consuming cannabis? Does cannabis ever make me feel anxious? Fatigued or Lethargic?” or “Do different cannabis strains or product types affect me differently? If so, how?”
After spending some time reflecting on their experiences with cannabis, I’d then suggest they identify the specific sexual health concerns they are experiencing, such as anxiety or depression, low libido, chronic pain, difficulty with arousal, changes in sex hormones, etc. After determining the specific challenges negatively impacting their sexual health, I’d encourage them to set personalized goals they hope to achieve with using cannabis to improve sexual functioning.
One major thing to consider is speaking with your doctor to help understand the underlying causes of your sexual dysfunction. Also, speaking with medical professionals within the cannabis industry can help explain how cannabis affects your body and can help individuals choose the right cannabis product for their needs, increasing the likelihood of successfully improving their sexual health with cannabis.
Regardless of the product chosen, my advice would be to start with a low dose and observe how your body responds. Doses should be increased slowly and carefully, again observing the effects with each increased dose.
How can someone determine if cannabis is a good option for addressing their sexual health concerns, and when should they consult a healthcare professional?
Any tips for consumers to feel more comfortable talking about cannabis and their sexual health concerns with healthcare professionals?
Cannabis and Sex
References
- Caplan B. The Doctor-Approved Cannabis Handbook: Reverse Disease, Treat Pain, and Enhance Your Wellness with Medical Marijuana and CBD. Dallas, TX: BenBella Books, Inc; 2023.
- Wiebe E, Just A. How cannabis alters sexual experience: A survey of men and women. J Sex Med. 2019 Nov;16(11):1758-1762. doi: 10.1016/j.jsxm.2019.07.023. Epub 2019 Aug 22. PMID: 31447385.
- Androvicova R, Horacek J, Stark T, et al. Endocannabinoid system in sexual motivational processes: is it a novel therapeutic horizon? Pharmacol Res. 2017;115:200–208. doi: 10.1016/j.phrs.2016.11.021.
- Lissitsa D, Hovers M, Shamuilova M, et al. Update on cannabis in human sexuality. Psychopharmacology (Berl). 2024 Sep;241(9):1721-1730. doi: 10.1007/s00213-024-06643-4. Epub 2024 Jul 8. PMID: 38977465; PMCID: PMC11339138
- Moser A, Ballard SM, Jensen J, Averett P. The influence of cannabis on sexual functioning and satisfaction. J Cannabis Res. 2023;5(1):2. Published 2023 Jan 20. doi:10.1186/s42238-022-00169-2
- Fisher JS, Rezk A, Nwefo E, Masterson J, Ramasamy R. Sexual health in the elderly population. Curr Sex Health Rep. 2020;12(4):381-388. doi:10.1007/s11930-020-00278-0
- Lynn B, Gee A, Zhang L, Pfaus JG. Effects of cannabinoids on female sexual function. Sex Med Rev. 2020 Jan;8(1):18-27. doi: 10.1016/j.sxmr.2019.07.004. Epub 2019 Sep 12. PMID: 31521567
