If you’re looking to take your sex life up a notch, you may want to start by getting high.
That’s right. According to hundreds of consumers, cannabis can produce “increased physical sensations and overall emotional experience” in the bedroom, and infuses your intimate moments with “dreamy” vibes. Consumers report a range of effects including better orgasms, increased blood flow to the genitals, heightened sexual desire, and a “tingly” sensation from using cannabis and/or CBD products before intercourse.
Multiple cannabis companies have picked up on the trend, creating their own lines of marijuana and CBD sex products, including CBD arousal oil, sex-enhancing tinctures, and “weed lube.”
Tara Wells, Founder of the California-based cannabis delivery service Ganja Goddess, says she believes the relaxation that comes with being high is the primary reason canna-sex products are so popular.
“The key to increased pleasure during sex is relaxation,” Wells told GreenState. “Using cannabis or hemp-based CBD at the right dose relaxes your body and liberates your emotions. It holds the keys to various locks stored away inside of us, and when opened, it can ease pain, increase sensation and enhance sexual pleasure.”
But where’s the proof?
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Valentine’s Day is just around the corner, so, in the interest of saving you and your partner from a disappointing day, we took that question to an expert.
According to Cannabis Clinician Dr. Leigh Vinocur, evidence for this phenomena is scarce. Since the FDA does not regulate sex products, most “research” on the subject is anecdotal, and instead of being reported in scientific journals, it’s upvoted on Reddit.
She did, however, say that THC and CBD react to a part of the brain associated with pleasure and reward called the endocannabinoid system. So, theoretically, getting high could stimulate arousal.
“We know that sexual arousal and function has to do with both the brain and the body,” Vinocur told GreenState. “For women, especially, there is generally a big psychological association with sex – it is very much about the connection and what’s going on in their heads. So, I believe the effects of cannabis on sex are more psychological than anything else – and that can be very helpful.”
Vinocur said one psychological change that could affect sexual performance is decreased anxiety.
“For a lot of people, the stress and worry of today’s world can affect their ability to orgasm or enjoy sex,” Vinocur said. “If you find cannabis takes away your anxiety and pushes bad memories far away, I’m sure it can help.”
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Another way Vinocur said cannabis may help with sex is by mitigating any pain the handicapped and those with chronic illnesses may experience during intercourse. Cannabis is used as an alternative pain-reliever by many people with chronic illnesses, but should be used with extreme caution at first and, if possible, in consultation with a medical professional.
When it comes to serious sexual disorders, though, Vinocur said cannabis shouldn’t be your go-to remedy.
While it’s theoretically possible for THC and CBD to enhance sexual pleasure, performance issues such as erectile dysfunction or intense sexual anxiety should be brought to the attention of a doctor before you slather up in weed-lube.
Likewise, those who find they become anxious after smoking or have any other adverse reaction to THC should steer clear of cannabis sex products.
“If you have any kind of sexual dysfunction, you should get checked by a doctor to be sure there’s not a physiological reason for it,” Vinocur said. “Then, if you want to experiment with it but are not used to using cannabis products, you might want to make sure you react well in private before you try it with a partner.”
Elissa Esher is Assistant Editor at GreenState. Her work has also appeared in The Boston Guardian, Brooklyn Paper, Religion Unplugged, and Iridescent Women. Send inquiries and tips to elli.esher@hearst.com.