Whether partnered or solo, physical sexual expression provides more than just opportunities for pleasure: a good sex life can boost immune function, mood and libido. For folks who enjoy cannabis, smoking and getting down may seem to go hand in hand — but others see the bedroom as a bad place for potential negative reactions to cannabis. Today, having sex on cannabis is more accessible than ever, allowing curious lovers a spectrum of ways to engage with cannabis, their partners, and themselves.
History
Throughout history, people across the globe utilized cannabis in sexual contexts. Ancient Egyptians rubbed a mixture of honey and weed on women’s vulvas in order to ease birthing and menstrual pain. They also recorded that hemp seeds could help make men more fertile.
The Romans also enjoyed mixing psychoactive herbs and sex, though they saw cannabis overconsumption as a hindrance to male sexual potency.
In India, cannabis was a staple of religious practices since 2000 BCE. The rise of the Tantric religious movement influenced Hinduism and Buddhism and perpetuated the sacred significance of burning cannabis. Rather than seeing weed as a potential aphrodisiac, those participating in tantric ceremonies used weed to transcend to a divine plain of consciousness. The high was believed to connect partners with each other and the oneness of mind, body and spirit. Cannabis remained a fixture of tantrism, often mixed with yoga and purported to help maintain stamina during sexual rituals.
Archaeologists found hemp seed in the graves of Viking priestesses dedicated to the Norse love goddess Freya. Researchers believe that Vikings held erotic love ceremonies in hemp fields to honor Freya, speculating that these people believed cannabis to have love-generating powers.
European’s used cannabis to relieve jaundice and cure low libido though —similar to the Romans — they believed excess consumption induced male sterility. Cannabis was a staple in herbalist shops until 1484 when Pope Vincent VII banned cannabis and began the Spanish Inquisition.
For thousands of years, people paired cannabis and sex together, with mixed conclusions on whether it hurts or helps. With the help of today’s medical understanding, let’s take a look at the physiological effects of cannabis and how it can influence sexual intimacy.
Physiological Effects of Cannabis
The schedule one listing of cannabis makes conducting research extremely challenging. A lot of the current understanding of weed’s interaction with the mammalian endocannabinoid system comes from animal studies. More research is needed to definitively know the exact interactions of cannabinoids on the body, brain, and sexual processes.
Cannabis contains about 160 cannabinoids — active compounds like THC or CBD that interact with endocannabinoid receptors within the body. The endocannabinoid system is one of the largest and most important systems involved in maintaining homeostasis in the body. This is because endocannabinoids — cannabinoid compounds produced within the body — and their receptors exist in the nervous system, immune system and almost all organs. Endocannabinoids like anandamide are essential to perceiving pleasure. Anandamide is sometimes referred to as the bliss molecule and is often linked with states of flow like a runner’s high, practicing yoga or during sex.
When people consume cannabis the cannabinoids bind to the endocannabinoid receptors and produce the “high” feeling. Different cannabinoids produce different effects: for example, THC produces psychoactive responses whereas CBD does not.
The endocannabinoid system plays a crucial role in pleasure, perception of time, memory, motor control and feelings of fear or anxiety. For better or worse, these are all crucial variables involved in a physical sexual encounter.
Some research draws a correlation between cannabis use and biological males’ sexual dysfunction. THC can affect the endocannabinoid receptors in the penis’ erectile tissue, presenting as difficulties maintaining an erection or reaching orgasm. There is also some research pointing towards excessive cannabis use and lowered sperm count, though more research is necessary for a correlative conclusion.
For biological females, cannabis can cause difficulties with vaginal moisture. Some strains, particularly ones high in THC, can cause dryness in mucosal membranes — commonly referred to as cottonmouth. Some people with vaginas report a similar “cotton vagina” experience, where the vaginal mucosa dries and they have difficulties producing natural vaginal lubrication. Levels of vaginal wetness differ across people regardless of their consumption of cannabis — a substance that also produces a spectrum of experiences.
Though these studies highlight some of the potential physiologically negative effects of pairing cannabis and sex together, cannabis can both anecdotally and empirically enhance sexual experiences.
Benefits of Having Sex on Cannabis
There is a reason sex and cannabis remain linked across culture and history. The endocannabinoid system plays a part in sexual motivation. This could point to why some people report feeling especially sexual while consuming cannabis. Smoking a joint with your partner or alone while in a sensual frame of mind can help enhance sensations of touch as well as take people out of their anxious minds and into their bodies.
Cannabis can increase sensations leading people to report more intense orgasms during sexual explorations involving weed.
According to the CDC’s national survey of family growth, people using cannabis daily have more sex than those who abstain completely. This correlation maintained across ages, races and socioeconomic statuses, however only cis, heterosexual couples were surveyed. A conclusive and empirical understanding of the benefits of having sex on cannabis is unattainable with the current legal limitations surrounding research.
Anecdotally, cannabis can help partners feel more connected. Sometimes the stress of daily life can make it challenging to shift into a mood fit for sexual exploration. Cannabis can help bring partners out of their separate headspaces and into a metaphysical union. The benefits of having sex on cannabis inspire more and more people to try it out themselves.
Integrating Cannabis into the Bedroom
When looking to integrate cannabis in the bedroom it is important to take into account comfortability and previous experience. A starting point for some is a cannabis-infused lubricant. Especially for people with vaginas, THC-infused lubricants allow direct application of THC on a mucosal membrane. This membrane can absorb the vasodilating THC and draw more blood and sensation to the area. Unlike other methods of consumption, people can use THC lube without worrying about the psychoactive effects. When pairing weed and sex it is helpful to use lube of any kind to avoid vaginal dryness and discomfort.
In the same vein, CBD products can help lower anxiety and relax muscles without getting people high. Sex can be an incredibly emotionally loaded experience, especially for people with trauma. When the body tenses from anxiety it is more challenging to reach orgasm or maintain arousal. For partnered sex, fears of performance learned shame, and other insecurities can take people out of the connective moment. Cannabis can help people shed their worries and tap into the present.
For people anxious about getting too high, strains with higher CBD levels provide a psychoactive experience less likely to raise anxiety. Higher CBD strains are also thought to heighten sensations of touch.
For cannabis users wanting to tap into weed’s psychoactive possibilities, there are many strains that can help them find the experience they’re looking for. People want different things out of sexual experiences and luckily, there are a plethora of strains to choose from. Some people find sativa helpful for long-lasting energy and stamina while others prefer the more relaxed experience of indica. When in doubt, start slow and listen to your body and your partner. When having sex on cannabis some people prefer smoking or vaping compared to eating edibles. The method of cannabinoid absorption for edibles takes much longer and can be unpredictable.
Everyone is a unique individual with novel sexual and physiological baselines. Cannabis does different things for different people and research is inconclusive. While some research shows a correlation between weed and erectile dysfunction, other studies describe cannabis as a tool to combat erectile dysfunction. While some people get high and feel intense discomfort others are provided relief and heightened appreciation for sensation and their partners. More research in this area will hopefully bring more answers, but in the meantime informed curiosity and enthusiastic consent can make having sex on cannabis a connective and empowering experience.
Psychonaut Thoughts
What do you think about having sex on cannabis? Everyone is different and we would love to hear your thoughts in the comments below. If you enjoy content exploring psychedelia and sex make sure you subscribe to our newsletter below.
