(Dimitri Bang/Unsplash)
It’s
just sex for goodness’ sake! We were all given the body parts to
perform and pleasure, and we are all physiologically programmed by our
brains to not only “want to do it” but also to “need to do it” to ensure
procreation. Sex may be one of the physical functions, whether alone or
with a fellow human, that is performed most frequently in a lifetime —
it is certainly one of the things we think most about.
Psychologists have determined that women
think about sex about 19 times per day or once every 50 minutes, while
men think of sex every 28 minutes or about 27 times per day.
All this thinking about sex, but is it
really contributing to action? Like the cannabis plant itself, sex is
equal parts loved and stigmatized. I set out to separate the myths from
facts to understand the science of cannabis and its physiological and
psychological effects, if any, on sexual appetite, performance and
experience.
Anxiety Is the Key
Good ol’ anxiety is and has always been
the biggest sexual buzz kill. To confirm that, I asked 200 random men
and women two questions: What feeling does anxiety cause, and does
anxiety affect your sexuality and/or performance? Never has a “cause”
had more of an effect: All questioned had experienced some of these
known symptoms: panic, decrease in libido, depression, headaches, upset
stomach, irritability, nausea, loss of interest, insomnia, a sense of
impending doom, headaches, social isolation, fatigue and muscle tension.
The physical side effects of anxiety cause the body to go into a
defensive mode, which not surprisingly, adversely affects blood flow.
For men, this leads to erectile dysfunction and performance issues; for
women, it can cause vaginal dryness.
I turned to the professionals to assist and put some proverbial meat on the cannabis and sexuality bone.
The Science
It’s raining with nearly 100 percent
humidity in Panama City when I meet with Dr. Sandra Carrillo, one of
Latin America’s leading cannabis clinicians. She is also a
well-respected academic and co-founder of Medicanna, a global medical
cannabis advisory organization. Dr. Carrillo provided a 101 primer on
the developing science surrounding cannabis and human sexuality.
“Cannabinoids interact with the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis in
the brain. This axis controls hormones and neurotransmitters that affect
sexual behavior. Unfortunately, limited studies are with rats not
humans.
That said, CB1 receptors in the hypothalamus appear to cause the
release of hormones and oxytocin, and activation of the CB1 receptor
appears to enhance this release. This has important roles in sexual
function for both men and women.”
I listened with amazement and fascination
as Dr. Carrillo continued. “In males, this release affects testosterone
levels. In females, hormones and neuro-transmitters such as dopamine
combine.
Cannabinoid receptors in other areas of the brain (including
the hypothalamus, prefrontal cortex, amygdala and hippocampus) also
affect sexual function. Cannabinoids themselves have been correlated
with measures of arousal increase due to in part and the slowing of the
perception of time, which can prolong feelings of pleasure. There is
also anecdotal support that cannabinoids can lower sexual inhibitions,
increase the willingness to experience, and enhance sensations of touch,
smell, sight, taste and hearing.”
Dr. Lumír Hanuš is a Czech analytic
chemist and leading authority in the field of cannabis research.
Dr.
Hanuš, along with William Devane, isolated and discovered “anandamide,”
an essential cannabinoid receptor in 1992 and is now the namesake of
Lumír Labs in Jerusalem.
He is presently conducting research on
endometriosis, one of the most painful and common reproductive system
issues, with the goal of creating a cannabinoid based solution, after
discovering the female reproductive system contains the second highest source of cannabinoid receptors in the human body outside of the brain
At CannX, one of the world’s leading
cannabis science and medical conferences, recently held in Tel Aviv, Dr.
Hanus explained that “endo-cannabinoid receptors in the human body are
there not by mistake or chance, but for a reason.” He
continued, “It often takes years to find a reason, but objectively, the
activation of these receptors should have many benefits. It’s logical
that activating this system should by definition, enhance areas of
female sexuality.”
Mara Gordon specializes in the
development of cannabis extract treatment protocols for seriously ill
patients and is the founder of Zelda Therapeutics and Aunt Zelda’s. She
has a global reputation, which increased further as a result of her on
screen involvement in Ricky Lake’s recent Netflix documentary, Weed The People. Mara’s brilliance is only exceeded by her passion.
In a recent sit-down, I asked Mara, other
than in the context of life-threatening illness, if the issue of the
sex and cannabis ever arose with patients.
“Cannabis is a vasodilator which means
that it increases blood flow when ingested or applied. It goes without
saying the importance of healthy blood flow in human sexuality. Cannabis
also relaxes soft tissues and increases vaginal lubrication.
Consumption in moderate amounts prior to intercourse can relieve stress
and pain that often interferes with sexual pleasure. For older women,
using a topical vaginal product is often the difference between a
painful experience and a pleasurable one”.
Recent Studies and Surveys
Surprisingly, there are very few studies
to date on the subject. Two recent research papers were published that
evidenced positive findings with pre-performance cannabis use and
sexuality.
“The Relationship between Marijuana Use Prior to Sex and
Sexual Function in Women” was published by Becky Lynn, MD., Elevier,
Inc., on behalf of the Society for Sexual Medicine.
It determined that
sexual drive, satisfaction, orgasm and overall experience was enhanced
and that cannabis doubled the likelihood of a satisfactory orgasm.
A survey organized by Eaze and Lioness,
a maker of vibrators, focused primarily on orgasms and determined that
the time to reach orgasm was 25 percent less for up to 71 percent of
respondents; more satisfying orgasms were reported by up to 79 percent;
more orgasms were experienced for up to 79 percent; and duration of
orgasm increased for up to 46 percent.
Finally, a study released on September 19 in Scientific Reports,
entitled “Characterization and Localization of of the Endocannabinoid
System Components in the Adult Human Testes,” demonstrated that
endocannabinoid receptors are also found in the human testes and sperm,
suggesting that cannabinoids could also play a significant role in male
sexuality.
L.A. Weekly Survey
With the assistance of Potguide, L.A. Weekly
conducted its own survey last month in an attempt to obtain additional
evidentiary data. Results were consistent with and expanded upon recent
findings:
Use: 54 percent of respondents consumed prior to any type of intimacy;
Timing: 89 percent consumed prior to sexual intercourse;
Satisfied: 47 percent had a more rewarding experience;
Relaxed: 61 percent came to the bedroom more relaxed;
Intensity: 47 percent expressed greater intensity during the session;
Better performance: 34 percent perceived that they performed better;
Orgasm: 40 percent had a better and/or longer orgasm.
While the medical establishment jury is
still out due to the dearth of clinical studies and data, the available
anecdotal, empirical and evidentiary data are promising. However one
deals with anxiety and other human conditions, cannabis has shown to
have extraordinary positive physical and psychological effects.
Big pharma, watch your back. Mother Nature may have an even better little blue pill.
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