Can Marijuana Increase Sexual Desire?

As marijuana achieves decriminalization, more and more people are using it to treat their mental and physical conditions with less side effects than their former medicine. This can be anything from cancer to anxiety and depression, as well as PTSD, muscle spasms, seizures, chronic pain, and loss of appetite caused by other medications that are not so easily replaced. As we move forward, we'll be discussing the argument of how THC benefits your sex drive and libido, and the differences between CBD products and THC products.

THC vs. CBD

The marijuana plant contains roughly 100 cannabinoids, which are its active components. The best-known of these is THC, which is believed to be responsible for cannabis' psychotropic effects, the high you feel if you smoke it. But another cannabinoid, CBD, doesn't contribute to euphoria and is completely legal. Some products aimed at improving your sex life contain CBD, but not THC. These are usually topicals or lubricants that boast about CBD's anti-inflammatory properties and how much it could help discomfort during intercourse.

For example, a line of CBD-based lubricants called Knob Polish is meant to prevent inflammation and increase circulation, which may in turn improve sexual function and arousal in women with problems such as endometriosis and any other types of chronic pelvic pain. Another topical CBD product called Foria Awaken is targeted for women who experience pain during intercourse. Because some women find that the THC in marijuana seems to cause vaginal dryness, CBD-based lubes could also be a way to counteract that side effect!

Not Too Much - Delivery and Dose

Almost all of the experts recommend starting out with a small amount of cannabis and using a specific delivery method. I definitely recommend smoking or vaping as you're learning how to use cannabis, because it's more difficult to control the dose of cannabis in edibles, and it could lead to a longer-lasting or unpleasant high. That said, a growing number of edible products contain carefully dosed amounts of cannabis. One example High Love, contains a low dose of cannabis in a chocolate base.

Though some people experience increased anxiety when using marijuana, others find that it has the opposite effect. "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," explained sexologist Nick Karras, author of "The Passionate High: A Guide to Using Cannabis For Better Sex and Creativity." "I recommend experimenting with a small amount of indica strains, sativa strains and a hybrid of both to see what works best."

Legality - The Grey Area

If you're interested in experimenting with cannabis to see how it affects your sex life, there's one more thing to keep in mind. Although recreational marijuana use is now legal in nine states and medicinal use is legal in 29, you may put yourself at risk if you live elsewhere. "Until the federal government lifts its ban on marijuana, clinicians like myself are in a double bind," sex therapist Israel Helfand said. "Even if it is legal in the state where we practice, we can face legal and ethical issues if we recommend it or use it ourselves."

Of course, cannabis isn't a cure-all, and it can't fix many of the root causes of sexual dysfunction or relationship problems. But if you want to experiment legally to see whether it enhances libido and gives your sex life a boost, you may find that marijuana is one more way to spice things up. Cannabis has been used as an aphrodisiac in many cultures for centuries. In India, it was used as far back as the seventh century. Its use for sexual health was documented in Chinese texts, among Germanic tribes and by many African cultures. Maybe it's high time to add the American bedroom to the list.

GiGi V | Posted on October 26 2018