As many of us discovered in college, after smoking a joint and proceeding to get it on underneath a Grateful Dead tapestry, weed can make you horny. This isn’t a new discovery, research suggests that people in Ancient Rome and India used cannabis as an aphrodisiac. Today, in the new era of marijuana, we are beginning to understand how and why weed makes you horny, as well as safe ways to consume.
The Physical
“Cannabis can enhance sexual pleasure and help people who have sexual difficulties,” says Harvard cannabis specialist Jordan Tishler MD. “Cannabis can stimulate libido (in people who are at least receptive), it can enhance arousal in both women and men, and it can increase the intensity and frequency of orgasm.” One theory as to why cannabis enhances orgasms is that it’s a vasodilator, meaning that it increases blood flow to the region.
Cannabis can also offer pain relief. As many as 75 percent of women will experience pain during sex, so weed, consumed orally, through inhalation, or applied topically to the vaginal mucus membranes can reduce pain, therefore making sex much more attractive.
The Mental
One reason why you may be ready to bone after sharing a joint is because THC lowers inhibitions. This is a reminder to always discuss consent before lighting up and getting it on, but if you’re wanting sex but feeling too shy to ask for it, cannabis can help with that. “For some people, cannabis can help them get in touch with their body, become more attentive to their physical sensations, and therefore, they’re aroused and able to feel more sensual,” says Julie Holland, MD psychiatrist and author of Good Chemistry: The Science of Connection from Soul to Psychedelics. “Other times, people get anxious, or wrapped up in their thoughts and can’t fully open themselves up to a sexual experience.”
Cannabis can certainly calm anxiety, but it also does wonders for people with PTSD (in this case, especially stemming from sexual assault) that gets in the way of happy sex. PTSD is one of the many conditions medical marijuana treats, because it can pause flashbacks and help you stay fully in the moment — not back in the bad place.
The Emotional
The biggest sex organ isn’t in between your legs; it’s your brain. In addition to providing mental benefits, cannabis can increase emotional intimacy, which plays a major role in sexual satisfaction. “Perhaps most important, [cannabis] increases oxytocin release which increases the feelings of intimacy and satisfaction,” says Dr. Tishler.
This can make you more comfortable with yourself and be useful in masturbation as well as partnered sex. One study suggests that cannabis can lower your negative bias, and basically see the glass (or pipe) half full instead of half empty. It’s hard to feel horny when you’re stuck in a bad mood and mentally reviewing all of your partner’s flaws. Cannabis could help remind you why you’re with them in the first place, and initiate sex for the intimacy and shared pleasure.
What’s best for me?
There is no one-size-fits all method to use cannabis, especially when paired with something as personal as sex. If smoking a joint gets you in the mood, keep on rolling. Some prefer the body high of edibles, but since they usually take one to two hours to kick in, and last longer, be careful about taking too much. Start with 5mg or 2.5mg depending on your tolerance. Inhalation methods such as smoking or vaping are handy because of their quick onset time; think of it as a quickie for a quickie. “Typically two to four puffs on a flower machine will land you in the sweet spot,” Dr. Tishler says. If you are brand new to cannabis or want to avoid a psychoactive effect, use topicals, such as a pleasure oil, lube, or suppository. When it comes to sex, topicals only work on areas with mucus membrames, such as the vagina or anus, so people with penises will have to get creative. Start low, go slow, discuss consent, and relax and enjoy the satisfaction.
