Rolling in the sheets: can weed improve your sex life?
We’re always looking for a blazing passion during sex, but what happens when something else is blazing too? Honey Wyatt explores how cannabis can enhance your sex life, and the different ways to use weed for better sex.
It’s called dope for a reason – cannabis is renowned for making its consumers chilled, and, well, dopey. Recent years have seen the mainstreamification of weed as studies reveal its potential to soothe a plethora of medical conditions, from chronic pain to anxiety.
And its benefits don’t stop there – it turns out that its components (cannabinoids THC and CBD) could also boost your sex life, helping to improve relaxation and sensitivity (if that’s what you’re going for).
A 2023 study found that both men and women reported having an increased sexual desire and more intense orgasms after using cannabis – both during partnered sex and when masturbating. More than two thirds of participants noticed that their sense of taste and touch heightened after using cannabis.
The study even suggested more studies need to be done to see whether cannabis could be used to treat sexual dysfunctions in women (which we all know needs bucket loads more of research).
But why is it that cannabis has such an impact on our sex lives? What’s it really doing if not making us silly and sleepy?
How does marijuana influence sex?
Our anatomy holds the key to why cannabis has such an impact on us, explains Katie Enright, founder of cannabis sexual wellness company Lavinia. “Cannabis interacts with the endocannabinoid receptors within our bodies, increasing blood flow, enhancing sensations, increasing relaxation, and heightening arousal,” she explains.
Increasing blood flow to the erogenous zones not only improves sensitivity, and therefore your sensations during sex, but can also make it easier to orgasm. “Many users report heightened sensitivity and a more intense experience overall when incorporating cannabis into their sex lives, while some may even experience longer and more intense orgasms,” she says.
“Cannabis increases blood flow, enhances sensations, increases relaxation, and heightens arousal”
Women’s bodies are particularly receptive to the effect of cannabinoids, Kate Tikhomirova, clinical obstetrician and co-founder of sexual wellness company Quanna, tells Sextras.
“When it comes to the ladies, there's this receptor called TRPA1 hanging out in the clitoris. And guess what? CBD can light that baby up like a Christmas tree.
“When activated, TRPA1 goes into overdrive, pumping out nitric oxide, which equals more blood flow down there. Translation? Increased sensitivity and, let's just say, a little extra oomph in the pleasure department.
“And since CBD's also known for its stress-busting and pain-relieving powers, it's like a triple threat for your sex life. Less anxiety, less discomfort, and more pleasure.”
You might have already experienced this if you’ve smoked or hit a bong before getting down to business. This is the case for 23 year old Ellie*, who used to smoke with a partner before having sex to relax.
“When I was dating my first boyfriend, we would smoke together and have sex and sometimes when you get nervous, you don’t realise but you’re clenching and it can be a bit painful,” she tells me. “So we would smoke to relax me, and then sex would be much more enjoyable because I was relaxed and it wouldn’t be painful for him to go in.”
How to use cannabis for better sex
While we’re not necessarily (ahem) endorsing using cannabis during sex, as cannabis is decriminalised or legalised in more and more countries across the world, our options for using it to boost our sex life continue to grow.
There are the more obvious routes to getting high, like smoking or taking edibles. With these comes a delicate balance between being just high enough and getting too high.
“I think there’s a threshold. I really enjoy getting high, but there’s a point where if you’re too high I don’t want anyone to be touching me in that way or the motion is too much,” Ellie continues.
“It’s never been that bad but it’s just been like I get too high, end up having sex and I’m like ‘Eurgh stop, this feels horrible’.” Because of the potential negative side effects of weed, like paranoia and anxiety, sometimes it’s best to avoid mixing it with weed.
For others, weed isn’t conducive to sex at all. When asked whether weed enhances his sex life, Noah*, 23, says: “Not really, I think that sometimes it makes it so that when you close your eyes you forget what you’re doing and where you are.”
But there are ways to reap the benefits of cannabis without having to ingest it.
“Many times when I talk about sex and cannabis, people imagine smoking a joint,” Enright says. “But the truth of the matter is that there are so many more options when it comes to cannabis and pleasure.”
California-based Lavinia offers a cannabis lube (containing THC and CBD), which claims to improve your chances of having multiple orgasms. “From using a THC lube, like Lavinia’s oh.hi or oh.hello, to chewing our before-sex gummies, there are numerous ways to heighten arousal and start living life to the climax,” comments Enright.
Meanwhile, UK-based Quanna has its own cannabis-infused lube. “Our top pick for introducing CBD into the bedroom is Oomf water-based CBD lubricant by Quanna,” Tikhomirova says. “Enriched with premium-grade CBD, the infuse works wonders by enhancing sensation and promoting pelvic relaxation, ultimately enriching the overall experience.”
If none of these is for you, there are other ways of incorporating weed in the bedroom. “Whether it's CBD gummies or a CBD-infused beverage, there are options aplenty to set the mood before you and your partner hit the sheets,” Tikhomirova explains. “Ultimately, it's all about exploring what works best for you both and enhancing your intimate moments solo or together.”
Read more: So, you have vaginal dryness?
And that’s just the thing: weed has plenty of benefits if used in the right way, but no one knows your body better than you. Maybe you struggle with relaxing before bed and want something to take the edge off of that – whether that’s by smoking or using lube, edibles, gummies or drinks. Or maybe, you know you get too relaxed or anxious when using weed and would rather not lower your inhibitions in sexual situations.
As Tikhomirova says, it’s all about exploring what works for you and your partner and going forth to roll in the sheets, whatever that looks like for you. Weed or no weed.
*names have been changed