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Most people wouldn't assume that cannabis is the secret to helping men become regular Don Juans in the bedroom, but it may be time to think again. For years, male cannabis consumers have sworn that the herb helps increase sexual stamina and enhance sexual sensation and now research is starting to back those claims up. Here's what consumers need to know.
The HelloMD Study
HelloMD recently conducted a survey of over 1,400 cannabis users. The survey results showed men and women reporting that cannabis had helped enhance their sex lives and increase their sexual desire. What's more, our study isn't the only one of its kind. In fact, a 2012 survey conducted by the University of Kansas Medical School also revealed that marijuana enhanced sexual desire and performance in respondents.
While doctors aren't sure exactly how cannabis manages to do this, they do know that it promotes the release of oxytocin, the "bonding hormone" that makes us feel closer to our sexual partners. Because of this, marijuana has often been classified as a sexual stimulant, and consumers have been taking advantage of it for years to help them perform better in the bedroom and enjoy sex more.
Traditional Medicine and Cannabis
Despite what two broad-reaching surveys have found, traditional medical literature doesn't always back these claims up. In the past, studies have found that cannabis can harm sexual function, even going so far as to cause erectile dysfunction (ED) or deplete testosterone levels in men. Even modern-day doctors like Rany Shamloul, Ph.D., have conducted more recent (2011) studies and reviews that claim to prove a positive link between the use of marijuana and the occurrence of ED.
While the medical evidence may seem convincing, cannabis doctors are urging consumers to avoid jumping to conclusions about the proof these studies offer that cannabis harms sexual function. These doctors state that traditional studies that look at male sexual performance and cannabis are poorly structured and in need of a more updated approach. Unfortunately, these doctors also acknowledge that it may take quite some time before American universities and other medical establishments begin researching sex and cannabis in earnest.
The Future of Cannabis and Sexuality
While traditional medicine may be lagging behind on this issue, doctors like HelloMD's own Chief Medical Officer, Perry Solomon, M.D., are forging ahead and prescribing cannabis to men struggling with ED, decreased libido or difficulty achieving orgasm. In the words of Dr. Solomon, "The way I see it, why not try cannabis? There are side effects to Viagra and zero side effects to cannabis when dosed properly."
While cannabis may be helpful in the bedroom in small doses, Solomon advocates being careful about how much consumers use. Too much marijuana can leave men feeling classically "stoned" and rob them of their desire to have sex at all. To avoid this, Solomon advocates that consumers use a vape pen about five minutes before sex in order to time the effects of the marijuana with sexual activity. Additionally, Solomon recommends using a strain of marijuana that contains less than 14 percent THC and ensuring that male users consume marijuana slowly, to avoid taking too much.
Interestingly, female marijuana consumers don't need to be as careful about dose as their male counterparts. While men may risk a decrease in sexual performance or desire with too much marijuana, women are relatively tolerant to virtually any dose.
While further research is needed to bring cannabis into the mainstream as a way to enhance male sexual performance and treat conditions like ED and premature orgasm, doctors like Perry Solomon believe deeply in the treatment and are looking forward to seeing it prescribed more often to patients.
