Weed Aphrodisiac: Does Cannabis Make You Horny?

People throughout history have believed that some foods increase sexual appetites: chilis or curries to arouse heated passion, foods that resemble sexual organs such as oysters, or exotic foods like cocoa.  But - what if something you are already into (that would be cannabis, of course) could help increase your sexual appetite? How about a weed aphrodisiac?

Cannabis consumers for decades have reported that weed helps them get their sexy game on, but is there any truth to that? Can weed make you horny? Let’s dig in.

There have been a few small studies that have taken a look at weed’s effect as an aphrodisiac, and the results are all over the map. A 2017 study published in The Journal of Sexual Medicine looking at a large cohort whose average age for both men and women was 29 years old found, “Marijuana use is independently associated with increased sexual frequency and does not appear to impair sexual function.”

While a “positive association between marijuana use and sexual frequency is seen in men and women across all demographic groups, the effects of marijuana use on sexual function warrant further study.”

Fair enough. So, let’s take a look at a couple of studies from Canada conducted in 2003 and 2008. In 2003, researchers asked 104 adults in Toronto if weed increased their libido. One quarter said “often or always,” 40 percent said “sometimes,” and one-third it “seldom or never” enhanced their libido. As for enhancing sex, the results were split right down the middle, 50/50.

How cannabis affects a person's sexual wellness can vary from person to person. photo credit

For the 2008 study, Canadian researchers asked 41 adults if weed enhanced their sex life, and about half said that weed boosted their libidos, increased their sensitivity to touch and enhanced erotic pleasure. The other half said it did not.

While there aren’t many rigorous studies on the topic, what we can take from the above is that for about half of consumers, weed can make you horny. For the other half, not so much.

If we take a look at Delta-9 specifically, according to sex therapist Lawrence Siegel, the cannabinoid that gets you high may target a part of the female brain associated with sexual arousal. One cannabis company founder told CNN, “Our body’s natural endocannabinoid system is key in regulating things like pleasure, pain, relaxation and homeostasis. This can lead to increased arousal and make sex more enjoyable.”

If you’re thinking about weed aphrodisiacs, you’re probably also wondering, with so many strains to choose from, which ones could make you horny? Suffice it to say, the research on this is nil, so the evidence is purely anecdotal.

As with most cannabis-related topics, more research is needed. photo credit

That being said, there are a few strains that seem to come up repeatedly, including the sativa-dominant Trainwreck to get you in a sexy mental place, the indica-leaning Birthday Cake to enhance bodily sensations, strains abundant with the relaxing terpene linalool like L.A. Confidential, and anxiety calming kush strains like Skywalker OG.

Well, that depends. Rumor has it that the couple that blazes together stays together, and who doesn’t love a “highgasm?” Cannabis can be a pastime that couples can bond over, just like any other shared passion like cooking or rock climbing, for example. 

Many people report that cannabis enhances their pleasure by making them more sensitive to touch. Cannabis may also create pathways for more intimacy before, during, and after the sexual act. However, this does seem to be dose-dependent.

As long as all the people involved are comfortable, sex and cannabis can be a pleasurable experience.photo credit

A mouse study from 40 years ago found that mice that received large doses of THC had a drastic rise in testosterone levels that plummeted only 20 minutes later. Mice that received a minimal dose maintained that testosterone level for several hours, intimating that light to moderate cannabis use may enhance the sexual experience.

However, one big caveat: for women of all ages, testosterone (women have it, too) has not been shown to increase sexual desire and satisfaction. However, female cannabis consumers who deal with pelvic pain (such as endometriosis) may have a more positive sexual experience.

There is research that suggests that individuals who consume weed daily have an increased risk of sexually transmissible infections. Fortunately, these are poorly designed studies drawing an arbitrary association between marijuana usage and the number of sexual partners. 

It’s 2022 and we are past shaming individuals, especially women, about the number of their sexual partners. However, having more sexual partners will statistically increase your risk of sexually transmissible infections just like driving more increases your risk of a traffic accident. 

Each person responds differently to different substances - some will lose a lot of inhibition with alcohol and others will have a drop in their inhibition from dancing. If you’re new to weed it’s a good idea to experiment in a safe environment to see how your sexual inhibitions respond.

According to WebMD, a placebo is anything that seems to be a “real” treatment but isn’t. In short, if you believe it’s working — it is.

If you believe that marijuana is pleasurable and helps you enjoy everyday activities such as watching TV, working out, or yes, having sex, then it’s very likely that you will think of weed as an aphrodisiac and your sexual experience will be enhanced.

The pendulum could also swing the other way. If you find sex to be anxiety-inducing and nerve-wracking, but you consume cannabis to relax and relieve stress, weed could act as an aphrodisiac and help you ease into the sexual experience with less anxiety.

Sex is an activity for both the mind and the body. If cannabis can act as a lubricant — so to speak — then an aphrodisiac it is. Hence why sex therapists and physicians prescribe medical marijuana for their patients to help with bedroom trouble.

Sexologist Nick Karras, author of “The Passionate High: A Guide to Using Cannabis for Better Sex and Creativity” says, “Every person has a unique makeup both psychologically and physically, and for cannabis to help improve sexuality, you must find the type that works for you.”

Maybe a weed aphrodisiac isn’t so elusive after all.

The reality is, your high is your high, and how you experience sex after consuming will be personal to you. Make sure that you practice clear communication and enthusiastic consent, both which may be the sexiest aphrodisiacs of them all. 

Photo Credit: Davids Kokainis (license)