Cannabis & Sex

What does cannabis really mean for sex? Most TV and movie portrayals would have it seem like sex after a doob or mixing cannabis with alcohol before sex is no biggie, but how much do we really understand about the way our bodies interact with cannabis and the role that may play in our sex lives?

LEGALITY

Legality Not all parts of the plant are strictly illegal in India. While the seeds and leaves are legal (thus allowing bhang to float quite freely in our markets), the flowers or fruiting buds that make up ‘ganja’ and the resin that makes up ‘charas’ or hash, are considered illegal. With widespread stigma associated with cannabis and its consumption, there are simply  too many obstacles to overcome in the pursuit of ethical science. This includes legal barriers in obtaining cannabis, verifying its quality, accessing research grants and funding, building an uncompromised and unbiased sample, receiving honest responses and accounting for placebo effects and interactions with other substances.

What do we know about consuming edibles or smoking weed/hash could affect people’s sexual performance, well-being and communication? Based on research conducted in countries like US and Canada, here’s what we do know.

ANXIETY

cannabis and Anxiety While pop culture sometimes makes cannabis out to be almost aphrodisiacal in nature, no research has concretely confirmed these effects or properties. Cannabis has been documented for having positive effects on anxiety, thus allowing people to play more, try newer things, feel more in touch with their sexualities and express their libidos.

A 2018 study by Cutler and Spradlin collected data from a tracker app built for users of medical marijuana, and users reported a significant reduction in their physiological symptoms of stress, anxiety and depression. A reduction in anxiety levels or alleviation of depressive symptoms can also help people experience better connections with their bodies, better connection with their erections, improved blood circulation for vaginal discharge and several other factors that make it easier for people to engage in sexual contact and play.

PAIN RELIEF

Cannabis and pain relief The main components of cannabis that engage with our nervous systems are THC and CBD. CBD has been studied for its possible impacts on pain perception and inflammation. It is linked with an increase in serotonin levels, which is a neurotransmitter known to improve mood and alleviate pain.

 Cannabis also happens to be a vasodilator, which is an improvement in blood circulation experienced through a dilation in blood vessels. This could lead to improved erections, better lubrication during sex and reduced cramps. Cannabis has also been linked with a reduction in symptoms of menopause, allowing people to experience their libidos with lesser hot flashes.

JUDGEMENT

Cannabis and Judgment Since the science behind cannabis's impacts remains largely anecdotal, we cannot definitively link the substance with any patterns in judgment. While small doses of cannabis have helped people communicate more openly, feel less anxious or tense about their thoughts or their environment, larger amounts have also left people feeling uneasy, paranoid, nauseated and drowsy.

In small quantities, it might open you up to new acts, new positions and put you in the mood for sex that is more sensual or rougher than usual. It may heighten your sensitivities and change the feeling of your orgasms. Alternatively if the doob is too strong or the edible hits too fast, it might even make you feel uneasy and tense, potentially making you feel like you’re in a risky environment.

CONSENT

Cannabis and consent Before mixing cannabis with sex, it might be nice to try combining them on your own in the safety of your own space. If you’re wondering what cannabis and alcohol feel like together, try it out safely in situations where you feel safe and in control. Explore what solo sex feels like and manage your expectations during partnered play. It might help you set boundaries with your partners and explicitly ask for what you’re looking for or hoping for from your play time with them.

SEMEN

Cannabis and semen A Danish study in 2015 that examined the relationship between cannabis and semen was able to report a 29% drop in semen count in people who smoked more than once per week with a 55% drop in semen count in people who smoked cannabis more than once a week and combined it with other recreational drugs.

It is worth considering that cannabis is often smoked as part of a mixture with tobacco and may even be combined with alcohol or other drugs. For as long as these factors are not studied in more depth together, it is difficult to conclusively say that cannabis is the reason for that drop in semen count.

CONCLUSION

Conclusion Without designing ethical tests and creating a larger culture of acceptance and normalisation among the population, it will always be difficult to choose a fair sample and obtain responses that can be separated from bias and placebo effects. The only way to tell if cannabis is actually beneficial for our mental health and sexualities is by legalising the substance, promoting research, and encouraging a culture of safe and informed exploration.