Does using cannabis lead to more sex?

Although the scientific literature on the subject is still in its infancy, many consumers report that the Cannabis is a natural aphrodisiac.

A study published today in the Journal of Sexual Medicine suggests that cannabis users have sex more often than those who do not use it. But it is unclear whether cannabis is the cause or the effect.

Researchers compiled data from 50,000 Americans who have regularly participated in the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s national survey since 2002.

«We tracked how often they smoke (monthly, weekly, daily) and how often they had sex over the past month,» explains Dr. Michael Eisenberg, a urologist at Stanford University Medical Center and the study’s author.

«Our results were compared to those of non-users, and people who use it daily have about 20% more sexual encounters. So over the course of a year, they have about 20 more sexual encounters.».

Women who used cannabis daily had sex an average of 7.1 times per month, while men who used cannabis daily had sex an average of 6.9 times per month. Women who did not use cannabis had sex 6 times per month, while men who did not use cannabis had sex an average of 5.6 times per month.

And even after controlling for potential confounding factors (use of other drugs such as alcohol or cocaine, age, religion, family situation, etc.), the link between cannabis and sex remained.

«This pattern held true for just about every group we studied,» according to Dr. Eisenberg. «The more cannabis people smoked, the more sex they seemed to have.».

However, that does not mean that cannabis is responsible for this increased libido. «In some studies, we’ve seen that cannabis users have more sex, but this seemed to stem from a personality type that’s more willing to try new things or seeks thrills,» explains Mitch Earleywine, a psychologist at the University at Albany.

Another possible explanation could be that weed seems to enhance physical sensations Overall. «People enjoy the moment more anyway,» says Earleywine. «They enjoy food more, find things funny more easily, so it wouldn’t be surprising if they enjoyed sex more, too.».

But is cannabis good for sex? The answers are mixed. Recent research suggests that cannabis might cause some erectile difficulties in men.

«Recent studies have found cannabinoid receptors in the penis, and laboratory experiments show an inhibitory response,» explains Dr. Rany Shamloul, a researcher at The Ottawa Hospital. «The results were essentially mixed. Cannabis can increase libido in the brain, but it can also decrease erectile function in the penis.».

And among women, the dry mouth It can also be found on other mucous membranes.

The only conclusion we can draw from all this is that cannabis users are using it more.