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Marijuana use is commonly thought to enhance sexual pleasure.[1][2] However, there is limited scientific research on the relationship between marijuana and sex. The lack of research on the topic is, in part, due to U.S. drug policies centred on prohibition.[3] In addition, the effects are difficult to study because sexual arousal and functioning are, in themselves, extremely complex and differ among individuals.[3] Moreover, marijuana affects people differently. As a result, it is challenging to study. Men and women report greater sexual pleasure after having consumed marijuana, but there is no direct scientific evidence of the effects on the physiological components of the sexual response cycle when using the drug.[1]
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As of 2010, research on the effects of marijuana and sex on humans is limited to self-report studies.[4] This type of study has disadvantages because it requires people to accurately remember how much they consumed and its effects, leaving researchers no way to verify responses.[3] In these studies, the majority of men and women who consumed marijuana prior to sex reported they experienced greater pleasure than without it.[1][2] Researchers believe this reported increase in sexual pleasure with marijuana is likely a result of the drug’s effects on the senses. In particular, it commonly makes users feel more relaxed.[1]
Some research suggests the amount of marijuana consumed affects one's sexual experience. In one study, 59% of users thought sexual pleasure was enhanced after smoking one joint. However, less than half (39%) thought that consuming more than one joint provided any further enhancement[1] and large doses of marijuana have been used as a sexual depressant in India.[5][2]
It is not clear if marijuana consumption affects the quality of orgasms, as over half of male consumers, as well as a lower percentage of female consumers, reported that it enhanced their orgasms.[1] In a small study published in 1979, 84 graduate students, the majority of whom were men and identified as "experienced smokers", believed that it increased the intensity of an orgasm and should be considered an aphrodisiac.[6] Additionally, there are recent studies that do suggest that orgasms are improved with marijuana use.[7][8]
Studies on marijuana consumption’s effects on sex have shown few other significant physical improvements. Masters and Johnson completed a five-year-long study in 1979 with a sample size of 800 men and 500 women whose ages ranged between 18 and 30 years old. In this study, men reported no improvements in maintaining erections or an increase in penile firmness. Women reported no increase of vaginal lubrication.[1][2]
A study in 2017 in the Journal of Sexual Medicine looked at data from the large, nationally representative National Survey of Family Growth and included more than 28,000 women and nearly 23,000 men. It reviewed survey responses on how frequently they had consumed marijuana and had sex in the four weeks prior to the survey. It found that women who consumed cannabis daily had an average of 7.1 sexual encounters in the previous four weeks compared to 6 for those who never consumed it. Men who consumed marijuana daily reported having 6.9 sexual encounters on average compared to 5.6 in those men who never consumed it.[9]
There has also been some evidence of the negative effects of marijuana use during sex. Some studies show a correlation between chronic marijuana use and reduced testosterone levels in men.[4] It has been found that heavy use of marijuana decreases the sperm count of healthy men; this reduction in sperm count can be reversed.[5] Habitual use of marijuana is also linked to decreased sexual performance while increasing sexual arousal.[4]
The effects of Cannabis begin as a chemical process in the brain in which the neural communication network becomes altered. THC's chemical structure is similar to the brain chemical anandamide, which is responsible for sending chemical messages between neurons throughout the nervous system.[10] The brain areas that are affected influence memory, pleasure, thinking, concentration, movement, coordination, and sensory and time perception. These areas include the amygdala, hippocampus, basal ganglia, and prefrontal cortex. Within those areas are cannabinoid receptors that make up a part of the Endocannabinoid system.[11]
Such effects within the nervous system may vary among individuals. However, Cannabis will influence experiences of sexual pleasure and memory in distinctive ways. Studies have been conducted observing differences between male and female neuropsychological functioning. While the results have shown little significant differences, limited studies have been undertaken for very small sample sizes.[12]
Sexual pleasure
A study published in March 2019 observing women using cannabis prior to sex and their sexual function measured outcomes of satisfaction in sexual domains of drive, orgasm, lubrication, dyspareunia, sexual experience and the frequency of marijuana use on satisfaction.[13] The results of the study show women who used cannabis prior to having sex had higher odds of satisfactory orgasms and an increased sex drive. Women having frequent marijuana use had higher odds of satisfactory orgasms, regardless of whether they used prior to sex or not. Such results show that cannabis shares a relationship to increased sexual satisfaction positively, and such results can be considered to research further to develop treatment for female sexual dysfunction. In another study, a large portion of participants reported having increased desire and sexual satisfaction using cannabis before sex or using cannabis for sex. In contrast, some reported the experience being worse than usual.[14] Overall reports, show the rewards of reaching orgasm quicker and better sensations when having sex under the influence of cannabis.
Memory
The orbitofrontal cortex and hippocampus help with the formation of new memories, and cannabinoid receptors are found in these areas as well. Thus, cannabis will affect abilities regarding memory and learning for individuals. While using cannabis to enhance sexual experience and satisfaction, there are other areas that cannabis will influence regarding perception and sensation.[12] Studies conducted observe neurocognitive behaviour of individuals under the influence of cannabis and the relationship between cannabis with risky behaviour.
Cannabis can have more negative effects when it comes to learning and memory. A user will show lower spans of attention, concentration, and abstract reasoning.[12] Neurocognitive functioning becomes impaired due to the use of cannabis, and the user loses the ability to recall or learn effectively while under the influence. This can hinder one's responses to the surrounding environment and decision-making, leading to the individual's inability to remember details accurately or their perception of time becomes distorted. While such results are studied, the neurocognitive domains remain to be inconsistent in results when observing neurocognitive behaviour of users. One study observed the risky-behaviour (classify what are risky behaviors) of individuals who use cannabis.[15] The findings of the study revealed that adolescents who use cannabis are more likely to voluntarily engage in unprotected sex repeatedly, while the participants who never used cannabis or started to use cannabis after adolescence were less likely to have unprotected sex.
There are a variety of cannabis-infused sex products, such as lubricants and massage oils containing CBD and THC.[16]
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