Sensual music, massage oil, and erotic talk aren't the only things that can help to turn up the heat in the bedroom, with a team of Spanish researchers hypothesizing that marijuana consumption could ignite new realms of sexual pleasure.

The investigative effort [1], conducted by researchers from the University of Almeria, involved surveying a small group of people about their sex lives. Study subjects—all of whom were aged 18-30—were either cannabis users, alcohol consumers, or neither. Once all 274 responses were in, the Spanish group discovered that people who only enjoyed cannabis experienced heightened orgasms and increased arousal levels than the survey respondents who only consumed alcohol or nothing at all.

Arousal and Orgasms Higher in Cannabis Consumers Than Non-users

To conduct their study, 89 male and 185 female volunteers were invited to provide their self-reported experiences after using cannabis, alcohol, or neither. Diabetes patients, users of other substances, and people with depression were denied access to participate in the study. All 274 participants answered survey questions on their age, cannabis and alcohol consumption, education level, sexual function, and sexual orientation.

The feedback revealed that while cannabis boosted overall arousal and orgasm-related pleasure, sexual desire did not necessarily increase post-consumption, nor did it increase compared to non-users.It should be noted that the study was somewhat limited.

Due to the small scale of the investigation, the study authors pointed out that the results "should be interpreted cautiously." Additionally, the Spanish university group touched upon the fact that the survey was short-term, and all answers were self-reported. With that being said, each study subject's assessment and honesty are two factors that may have potentially skewed the results.

Previous Studies Delivered Similar Insights Into Cannabis' Impact on Sex Life 

Other researchers will surely be pleased to learn of the University of Almeria's study. After all, many research teams have also studied the subject, with similar results.For example, a study featured in the Journal of Sexual Medicine [2] linked an active sex life to frequent cannabis use last year. Internal medicine physician Dr. Jordan Tishler drew up these findings.

He concluded after assessing data of almost 60,000 people that was pulled from the National Survey of Family Growth.Tishler, who also serves as the president of the Association of Cannabis Specialists, previously divulged to Insider reporters that he is often plagued with queries from patients who want to learn about incorporating cannabis into their sex lives.

According to the physician, most of his curious patients complain about anxiety, low arousal, diminished sex drive, painful penetration, and struggles to achieve orgasm.

More research published in the Journal of Sex Medicine in 2020 suggested that "increasing frequency of cannabis use is associated with improved sexual function and increased satisfaction, orgasm, and sexual desire."Close analysis of online results from 452 females led to these findings.

All women chose to opt-in for a Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) survey after receiving an invitation while visiting specific cannabis retail dispensaries. The survey assessed sexual behavior over the last four weeks by scoring six particular points of interest: arousal, desire, lubrication, orgasm, pain, and satisfaction.

"To our knowledge, this study is the first to use a validated questionnaire to assess the association between female sexual function and aspects of cannabis use including frequency, chemovar, and indication," wrote the study authors. [3]Typically, higher FSFI scores illustrate improved sexual function, whereas scores on the lower side tell of sexual dysfunction.

Regarding comparing cannabis consumption to each study subject's FSFI score, the educators noticed that more regular consumption contributed to reduced rates of sexual dysfunction."For each additional step of cannabis use intensity (i.e., times per week), the odds of reporting female sexual dysfunction declined by 21%," the report noted.

Sexual Function is Impacted by Cannabinoids and Neurotransmitters

To contemplate cannabis' potential for improving intimate moments in the sack, we must first consider the science behind the theories. To do this, it's essential to acknowledge how cannabis works inside the human body. In simple terms, the plant's active chemical compounds, A.K.A. "cannabinoids," indirectly and directly trigger cannabinoid receptors inside the body's endocannabinoid system (E.C.S.).There are two primary cannabinoid receptors found inside the E.C.S. – CB1, and CB2. In terms of sexual function, we will focus on CB1, a presynaptic receptor that inhibits neurotransmitter release once activated.

 A study published in The Journal of Sexual Medicine, titled "Pathways of sexual desire," [4] found that dopamine plays an essential role in sexual functioning. Why is this important? Because the CB1 receptor influences dopamine transmission.

New research from Michele Baggio [5] goes one step further. The economist, who works at the University of Connecticut, recognizes a genuinely staggering finding –approving medical cannabis laws triggered a rise in birth rates. Alongside study co-authors Alberto Chong and David Simon, she inspected three different datasets. They learned that the birth rate rose by approximately four births per quarter for every 10,000 women of fertile age. The findings were outlined in a working paper [6] featured in the National Bureau of Economic Research. 

Conclusion 

There is currently no lack of anecdotal evidence pointing to the sex life-enhancing effects of cannabis. Take the results of a 1979 study [7] published in the Journal of Clinical Psychology, for example.

Most of the 84 grad students who participated in the study felt that cannabis consumption improved their sexual encounters by heightening sensitivity to touch, encouraging feelings of relaxation, and putting them on a happy high. On the other hand, just the so-called "experienced smokers" praised the plant as a natural aphrodisiac capable of boosting orgasm intensity.

As we see more places worldwide adopt/consider adopting cannabis reform measures—Europe is one of them—an increased number of people will likely start raving about their dope bedroom moments. Then again, considering everything, good sex depends on a person's taste.

Written and Published by Bethan Bee Rose in Weed World Magazine Issue 157 

Featured Image: Pexels

Image 1: Pexels 

References

1 https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9032/10/1/71/htm

2 https://www.jsm.jsexmed.org/article/S1743-6095(17)31417-0/abstract

3 https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2050116120300866

4 https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1743609515325510

5 https://econ.uconn.edu/person/michele-baggio/

6 https://www.nber.org/papers/w25208

7 https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/1097-