While cannabis is often celebrated as a natural aphrodisiac suitable for chem-sex, there has been very little scientific evidence to back that claim up. Until now.
Last week, a groundbreaking study into the impacts of cannabis on the sexual experiences of women was published by the Journal of Sexual Medicine.
Lead by researchers from Stanford University Medical Center, the study compared 452 women’s cannabis habits to their Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) score. FSFI scores are calculated from a questionnaire which measures a woman’s sexual experience in six areas over the past four weeks. Those areas include desire, arousal, lubrication, orgasm, pain and satisfaction. Naturally, a lower FSFI score indicates sexual dysfunction.
Using these results, researchers found that women’s FSFI scores increased with their cannabis use. For each time cannabis was consumed, the odds of reporting decreased FSFI scored dropped by 21%.
Our results demonstrate that increasing frequency of cannabis use is associated with improved sexual desire, arousal, orgasm and overall satisfaction.
Despite these findings, the study wasn’t able to determine which cannabis products are best for better sex. While participants used both THC (psychoactive) and CBD (not psychoactive) dominant cannabis, neither component was found to be more effective than the other. It also didn’t matter how participants consumed cannabis – as the study found no differences between the sexual experiences of women who inhaled, vaped or ate cannabis.
When asked why cannabis causes better sex, researchers had two possible theories.
Previous studies have suggested a link between female sexual function and the body’s endocannabinoid system (ie. how you digest cannabis). Alternatively, cannabis has been shown to decrease anxiety – which researchers argue would increase a woman’s enjoyment of sex.
These theories are also consistent with previous research into cannabis and sex. In a study conducted last year by East Carolina University, researchers found that students who used cannabis for sex were able to increase their sexual functioning and satisfaction.
While the world of sex and cannabis is interesting, our scientific understanding is still developing. Researchers hope that this study will prompt more research into cannabis as a treatment for sexual dysfunction.
To read about other studies into sex and cannabis, click here.