Weed Makes Sex More Satisfying: Study On Marijuana And Sex Drive In Women

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Women who use marijuana before sex report higher overall sexual satisfaction, according to a 2019 study published in the Journal of Sexual Medicine.

In particular, it tracked the effects of using marijuana and sex drive, orgasm, lubrication, dyspareunia (painful intercourse), as well as overall sexual enjoyment.

Studying weed and female libido

The main goal of the study, conducted at Saint Louis University School of Medicine, was to find out how women perceived their sexual experiences after using cannabis.

Women above the age of 18 years presenting for routine gynecologic care were asked to complete a confidential survey.

A total of 373 women completed the sexual health survey over the course of one year.

• Approximately 53% of women reported they were not marijuana users.

• Among the marijuana users, 34% reported they used marijuana before sex and 17% said they did not.

How does marijuana affect female sexual function?

Cannabinoid receptors in the brain are believed to interact with neurotransmitters and sex hormones that regulate sexual behavior.

Endocannabinoids are natural cannabis-like substances produced in the human body. They are known to regulate sexual function. Marijuana is very similar in structure to endocannabinoids.

A modified version of the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI), a validated tool for the evaluation of sexual function, was used for the study.

Does marijuana affect sex drive in women?

The main findings on weed on the female libido from the study are shared below.

• Roughly 61% of women who used marijuana before sex reported an increase in sex drive.

• Among the women who used marijuana before sex, almost 69% stated that their overall sexual experience was more pleasurable.

• 53 % of female cannabis users who took marijuana before sex reported more satisfying orgasms.

• Women who use marijuana before sex were 2 times more likely to experience satisfactory orgasms compared to women who do not use marijuana before sex.

• Women with frequent marijuana use (several times every day to once a week) were twice as likely to experience satisfactory orgasms compared to infrequent marijuana users (once to several times a year).

• The majority of participants reported no change in lubrication with marijuana use.

How does cannabis use lead to better sexual experiences?

The study suggests marijuana improves sexual function in women in a variety of ways:

• Lowering stress and anxiety.
• Slowing the perception of time and prolonging pleasurable sensations.
• Lowering sexual inhibitions and increasing confidence and willingness to experiment.
• Heightening the sensations of touch, taste, sight, smell, and hearing.
• Interacting with sex hormones and neurotransmitters in the brain, such as serotonin and dopamine, that are involved in female sexual function.

What did the study conclude?

The study concluded that the majority of women who use marijuana before sex experience a positive effect in terms of overall sexual satisfaction, desire, orgasm, and reduced pain with sex. However, the findings showed no effect on lubrication.

Frequent users of cannabis before sex have a substantially higher chance of experiencing satisfactory orgasms compared to non-users and infrequent users.

What are some of the limitations of the study?

The study relied on participants’ memory of sexual experiences. It did not evaluate the responses in the context of relationships. The co-use of other drugs like psilocybin, also known as “magic mushrooms,” was not addressed. The timing or quantity of marijuana use before sex was also not reported.

Finally, the survey did not specifically question whether the women used marijuana before sex because they believed it would improve their experience (which could be a bias).

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