In an April 1st, 2022, NY times article Christina Caron wondered if there was research on cannabis and sex. This reminded me of the late astronomer, Carl Sagan, who wrote that pot enhanced his experience of food, particularly potatoes, as well as music and sex and inspired some of his intellectual work.
Like many folks my spouse and I have developed a variety of intimacy rituals over our 54-year relationship. One of our consistent intimacy rituals is what my spouse labeled “parlor chat” where we sit in our living room. We listen to music that we have an emotional connection to, stuff from the 60’s and 70’s. We talk about music, memories and whatever else comes to mind while sipping on some wine and adding a little cannabis tincture or one inhalation via a water pipe. We have found the addition of cannabis enhances our senses and alleviates some of the symptoms that inhibit desire, like anxiety, or the aches and creaky joint pains of being in our 70’s.
In a 2019 study, Dr Becky Lynn from Saint Louis University School of Medicine, published a study on “The Relationship between Marijuana Use Prior to Sex and Sexual Function in Women”. She interviewed 373 women about cannabis at an obstetrics and gynecology clinic in Missouri of the 373 women surveyed 34 percent reported having used marijuana before sexual activity and most of them said it resulted in an increased sex drive, improved orgasm, and decreased pain. Marijuana appears to improve satisfaction with orgasm.
Additionally, an online survey of more than 200 women and men who use cannabis found that nearly 60 percent said cannabis increased their desire for sex; almost 74 percent reported increased sexual satisfaction.
If you and your partner are new to cannabis follow the advice of Dr. Peter Grinspoon, a primary-care doctor at Massachusetts General Hospital Chelsea HealthCare Center and a medical-cannabis consultant, who advises a “teeny bit” in a tincture — in some cases as little as 1 milligram of THC, the main psychoactive ingredient in weed — before slowly working your way up.
In a review of limited studies many participants found that cannabis helped them relax, heightened their sensitivity to touch, and increased intensity of feelings, thus enhancing their sexual experience. And others found that like too much alcohol cannabis interfered by making them sleepy and less focused or had no effect on their sexual experience.
Adding a judicious amount of cannabis into your intimacy rituals may be something to consider. Remember to start with a low dose and gradually increase the amounts.
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