New Research Confirms Why Cannabis Can Help You Have Better Sex
Sex can sometimes be stressful for both men and women. Being more relaxed can always help improve things. Image Credit: By coka on shutterstock
Sex in real life is different than sex in the movies. Not only does it happen much less frequently, it also tends to be much less satisfying (sadly, most people do not experience thunderous orgasms after ten seconds of eye contact and a little making out). There’s no shortage of “solutions” to this deeply vexing problem — but it might surprise you that one of them could be cannabis.
On the surface, the explanation for cannabis’ sex-boosting power seems simple: it’s been proven to help you relax, and being relaxed during sex has obvious benefits. But the reason why it helps you relax is a little more complicated, and it’s because of the plant’s cannabinoids.
The cannabis plant has over a hundred cannabinoids, which are naturally occurring compounds that interact with your body’s endocannabinoid system (a network of cells that helps regulate mood, appetite, and other body functions). CBD is the cannabinoid that’s captured the world’s attention recently, but the most famous one is THC.
Both of them can help you relax, according to recent studies. For example, researchers from the University of Illinois and the University of Chicago have confirmed that “THC at low doses reduced stress,” according to Emma Childs, one of the study’s co-authors. This means a small amount of cannabis — whether eaten, smoked, or applied via other methods — can help prevent stress from interfering with your sex life.
So if you want to be really relaxed prior to sex, does this mean you should consume large quantities of cannabis? Not exactly: the study also found that high doses of THC can actually produce the exact opposite effect.
CBD has also been shown to help you relax, though it lacks the psychoactive properties of THC. A study led by scientists from New York University found that CBD could reduce fear, stress, and anxiety, all of which are well-known to depress the libido. Unlike THC, there was no indication that CBD caused any negative side effects at higher dosages.
As these studies show, cannabis can be a highly useful treatment for people whose sexual function is impaired by the stresses and anxieties of their daily lives. It’s not the “new Viagra,” but it does have the potential to make sex more pleasurable for millions of people who struggle to get in the mood.
While sex-focused cannabis research is still in its early stages, the available evidence makes a convincing case that consuming cannabis could be an easy (and enjoyable) way to enhance your sexual experience.
