Study: Women who use cannabis more often are more sexually fulfilled

Does cannabis enhance your sex life? Is there any truth to this? behind the many testimonials ?

While scientists are still trying to determine the exact relationship between cannabis and sex, a growing body of evidence suggests that the link may indeed be real. A recent study, which surveyed female cannabis users about their sexual experiences, found that more frequent cannabis use was associated with increased arousal, more intense orgasms, and greater overall sexual satisfaction.

«Our findings show that increased frequency of cannabis use is associated with improved sexual function and is linked to greater satisfaction, orgasm, and sexual desire,» according to the study published last week in the magazine Sexual Medicine.

To reach its conclusions, the team surveyed 452 women who responded to an invitation distributed at a U.S. chain of cannabis dispensaries. The researchers asked the participants about their cannabis use, and each completed a Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) survey, a questionnaire designed to assess sexual function over the past four weeks. The survey assesses six specific areas, including desire, arousal, lubrication, orgasm, satisfaction, and pain.

«To our knowledge,» the authors wrote, «this study is the first to use a validated questionnaire to assess the association between female sexual function and aspects of cannabis use, including frequency, the type of cannabis used, and reasons for use.»

In general, a higher FSFI score indicates better sexual function, while a lower score indicates sexual dysfunction. By comparing the frequency of cannabis use with each participant’s FSFI score, the researchers determined that more frequent use was associated with lower rates of sexual dysfunction.

«For each additional level of cannabis use intensity (in terms of number of times per week),» the report states, «the odds of reporting female sexual dysfunction decreased by 21%.»

Women who used cannabis more frequently had higher FSFI scores overall, indicating better sexual experiences on the whole. More regular users also had higher scores on specific FSFI subdimensions, indicating greater arousal or better orgasms, although not all of these differences reached the threshold for statistical significance.

Another weak association showed that women who used cannabis frequently reported lower levels of pain related to sex.

«When stratified by frequency of use (≥3 times per week vs. <3 times per week), those who used it more frequently had higher overall FSFI scores and higher scores on FSFI subdomains, except for pain,» the study states.

However, the study does not provide much insight into which cannabis-based products might enhance sexual activity.

«Our study found no association between the chemovar of cannabis (for example, THC versus CBD (dominant), the reason for cannabis use, and female sexual function.» «Neither the method of use nor the type of cannabis used had an impact on sexual function.»

The researchers said that a number of mechanisms could explain the overall results, such as the body’s endocannabinoid system being directly involved in female sexual function or cannabis enhancing sexual experience by reducing anxiety.

«Since many patients use cannabis to reduce anxiety,» the report states, «it is possible that reducing anxiety associated with sexual intercourse could enhance sexual experiences and lead to improved satisfaction, orgasm, and desire. Similarly, THC can alter the perception of time, which may prolong feelings of sexual pleasure. Finally, CB1, a cannabinoid receptor, has been found in serotonergic neurons that release the neurotransmitter serotonin, which plays a role in female sexual function; thus, CB1 activation may lead to enhanced sexual function.»

«The mechanism underlying these findings needs to be clarified,» the authors noted in their report, «as does whether acute or chronic cannabis use has an impact on sexual function.» While the endocannabinoid system represents a viable target for cannabis-based therapy for female sexual dysfunction—a finding that would require future prospective studies—any such therapy must take into account the potential negative consequences of cannabis use.”