Cannabis has been hailed as a treatment or cure for everything from anxiety to cancer. The cannabis industry is continuously growing and along with scientific support for its many uses, it’s on track to be one of the most financially lucrative industries in the United States and abroad. Many have questioned whether the plant, in addition to its countless other benefits, can be used as an aphrodisiac. Studies show medical marijuana may be the next best thing for enhancing our sex lives. With Valentine’s Day around the corner, read on to see how medical marijuana can spice up your sex life.
THE LOVE DRUG
Cannabis has a long history of being used in a variety of cultures as medication and as a marital aid. Tracing back as far as 700AD, practitioners of tantric sex in India incorporated marijuana into their acrobatics. In the 1930s, it’s found that a mixture of cannabis and lamb fat was used by young Russian brides to reduce the discomfort of losing their virginity. In recent years cannabis has been dubbed “the love drug” by consumers and companies alike claiming it can enhance sex drive and increase pleasure. It’s easy to find products like cannabis infused lube and even specific strains or vape pens for this purpose.
Well known vaporizer brand Dosist carries two vape pens called Arouse and Passion. According to the California brand, the “Passion” pen is meant to heighten the sexual experience. “This formula delivers a euphoric feeling designed to increase sensuality and heighten your sexual experience.” Arouse by Dosist is meant to help the user feel aroused and naturally enhance excitement.
THEORIES ON HOW MARIJUANA AFFECTS LIBIDO
There are a variety of theories on how marijuana affects sex drive. Some suggest it has to do with anxiety relief, while others look to the brain’s response to explain how cannabis affects libido. “People who use marijuana may have more sex because they put less pressure on themselves when they are high, so they don’t have the same performance anxiety as those who are sober,” suggested sex therapist Amanda Pasciucco, who practices in Connecticut. “A small amount of marijuana may also help increase your ability to communicate your preferences to your partner.”
Other researchers turn to scientific explanations for why and how it’s possible for marijuana to be an aphrodisiac. “Our body’s natural endocannabinoid system is key in regulating things like pleasure, pain, relaxation and homeostasis. When it is activated by the cannabinoids in cannabis, it can leave users feeling relaxed with increased pleasure and decreased pain,” explained Peter Barsoom, founder of a company called 1906, which aims to bring cannabis back to the mainstream. “This can lead to increased arousal and make sex even more enjoyable. For others, the reason is the increased pleasurable sensations that can arise with cannabis. This effect can make sex feel even more enjoyable.”
FINDING YOUR SWEET SPOT
Although there’s overwhelming support for these theories, it’s important to remember that cannabis—like other medications— can affect people differently. What’s good for one person may not be good for another. Researchers recommend experimenting with different dosage levels to find the one that’s perfect for you. They also recommend skipping the edibles since the potency can be way too high for your desired effect.
For those who still want to get jiggy in the sheets without feeling high, there are CBD products aimed at improving your sex life that don’t contain THC. For example, there’s a line of CBD-based personal lubricants called Privy Peach and it is meant to quell inflammation and increase circulation, which may in turn improve sexual function and arousal in women with problems like endometriosis and other types of chronic pelvic pain, according to its inventor, Kimberly Koehler. It’s all a matter of trial and error. Find what works for you and stick with it. Who knows? Maybe you’ll work it out just in time for Valentine’s Day. Now, go forth and get laid!
