Stanford Study: Cannabis Increases Sexual Pleasure for Men and Women
Researchers from Stanford University in California conducted field trials and found that cannabis enhances the pleasure men and women experience during sex.
The Effect of Cannabis Depends on Frequency of Use
The study involved 325 adult men with an average age of 47. Volunteers purchased cannabinoid products from licensed stores, used them, and answered researchers’ questions. The analysis showed that, compared to those who rarely used cannabinoids, volunteers who used cannabis at least six times a week:
- Experienced stronger orgasms
- Rated their sexual satisfaction higher
- Achieved longer-lasting erections
Experiments with women, whose average age was 39, produced similar results. Compared to women who used cannabis once or twice a week, those who consumed cannabinoids at least three times a week:
- Felt stronger sexual desire
- Became aroused more quickly
- Had more pleasurable orgasms
- Reported greater satisfaction from lovemaking
Cannabis Doesn’t Always Have a Positive Effect
Other studies support Stanford’s findings but also show that cannabis affects people differently. Some users are unable to have sex while under the influence, while others can’t imagine intimacy without it. According to several surveys, cannabis:
- Improves the quality of sex for 66-67% of people
- Decreases sexual enjoyment for 5-12% of users
Why Cannabis Affects Sexual Experience Differently
The mixed reviews about cannabis’s impact on sex may be due to three factors:
- Different cannabinoid dosages
- Varieties of the cannabis plant
- The user’s mood
It’s clear that a high dose of THC won’t inspire sexual feats, and feelings of sadness or melancholy before using cannabis can interfere with intimacy. Information about cannabis strains suggests that indica is preferable. One respondent interviewed by Dr. Michael Castleman said that sativa strains are not suitable for sex because they scatter attention, while indica heightens sensations, relaxes the body, and helps focus on one activity.