Female Sexuality and Medical Marijuana (Cannabis)
Female Sexuality and Medical Marijuana (Cannabis)
Summary: There is limited Scientific research regarding the effects of marijuana on female sexual function. As best I can tell from available studies, there are far more positive than negative results.
The Relationship between Marijuana Use Prior to Sex and Sexual Function in Women.
“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. 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 it infrequently.” https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6522945/
Marijuana probably works through a variety of mechanisms. There are cannabinoid receptors in the brain that regulate gonadotrophin-releasing hormone and oxytocin release, both of which play a role in normal sexual functioning. Marijuana has been shown to affect testosterone levels, which play a role in sex drive.
Female sexual function is regulated by hormones and by neurotransmitters, such as dopamine and serotonin. Activation of cannabinoid receptors has been shown to enhance release and durability of dopamine, which may be another pathway by which marijuana affects sexual function. Cannabinoid receptors have also been localized in other areas of the brain that control sexual function. Serum levels of endocannabinoids have been correlated with both subjective and objective measures of arousal.
Any use of marijuana resulted in the majority of women perceiving improvement in the overall sexual experience, including sex drive and orgasm. Women who tend to have pain with sex have noted less pain.
The Endocannabinoid System is a key component in regulating pleasure, pain, and relaxation. When activated by the use of THC in marijuana, users feel relaxed with increased pleasure. “Interestingly, the aphrodisiac qualities of cannabis seem to occur only at low to moderate doses”.
“Cannabis has been used as an aphrodisiac in many cultures for centuries. In India, it was used as far back as the seventh century. Its use for sexual health was documented in Chinese texts, amongst Germanic tribes, and by many African cultures.”
https://www.cnn.com/2018/06/19/health/marijuana-sex-kerner
“Several studies have evaluated the effects of marijuana on libido, and it seems that changes in desire may be dose-dependent,” the review’s authors wrote. “Studies support that lower doses improve desire but higher doses either lower desire or do not affect desire at all.”
Although there’s a growing body of research that suggests consuming marijuana can lead to heightened libido and better orgasms, quality studies are limited because of legal restrictions. “When evaluating sexual pleasure, most studies show that marijuana has a positive effect,” they concluded. “Marijuana use with sex has also been associated with prolonging orgasm or improving the quality of orgasm.”
https://www.marijuanamoment.net/lower-doses-of-marijuana-may-be-more-effective-for-improving-libido-review-finds/
Written by Charlie Booras, MD on February 24, 2021
