These days, it seems that we can find a way to infuse just about everything with cannabis. Definitely food and tinctures, and of course lotion and beauty products. Did you know that we even infuse lube with cannabis? After my own experience exploring a variety of these infusions, I began to wonder…is there any research regarding what cannabis can do to your libido? 

The effects of cannabis are a very personal experience for everyone. With research studies on the recreational effect of cannabis being few and far between, the waters of knowledge remain a bit murky - statistically speaking. 

STUDYING SEX AND STONERS

A questionnaire-based study done regarding cannabis and its effects on sex and libido showed this same kind of variation - it’s all very personal. However, there is one thing to note. Overall, most of the people polled said that, in some way, cannabis had a positive effect on their sexual experience. This means the possibility for cannabis to be used as a treatment for low libido as we age is there. 

In the article Aging & Sex Drive, the authors talk about how aging is often met with a lower sex drive. This seems to just be a fact of nature, and because the effects of cannabis can vary so much from person to person, gathering data on things like cannabis’ effects on sex drive can be notably hard to do. No strain will affect two people the same. Regardless, there are some studies that suggest there is a place for cannabinoids in the bedroom. This Healthline article cites studies that suggest there are benefits to cannabinoid use for those struggling with erectile dysfunction, physical pain, dryness and low sex drive.

I was lucky enough to get in touch with a fellow mother in the interest of having an open conversation about how cannabis can affect one’s sex life. Here’s what she (anonymously) shared.

Can It Pump You Up?

For those who menstruate, our libido is very much influenced by where we are at in our cycle.  “I noticed that my libido changes just based on what cycle stage I’m at,” this mother shared.  “When I'm at a point in my cycle where I’m really edgy and not in the mood for anything fun, smoking or dosing a tincture allows me to feel so much more relaxed at the end of the day. Unwinding is crucial when it comes to libido.” 

This share was something I completely understood. The struggle to keep up with a sexually physical relationship when every hormone in your body doesn’t want to is real. As a parent, sometimes you are completely drained at the end of the day, and putting physical energy into a romantic relationship is the last thing you want to do. 

“I don't know if it's a libido thing as much as it is a stress thing,” she continued. “Cannabis lowers my stress levels, which in turn can make it feel like my libido has returned, despite all odds.” 

This particular point she mentioned really gets me. It’s like the chicken and the egg. Did stress cause low libido, or did low libido make you stressed? Nothing can better ruin the few quiet moments you get with your partner like crippling anxiety! Cannabis seems to be a good answer for flipping the switch and allowing you to be more present and in the moment with the person you love.

It's All in the Lube

As I mentioned earlier, there are a whole host of different types of cannabinoid-infused products, many of which are specifically marketed for sexual use. Are any of them worth it? For me and many other women, less is more. Fewer, simpler ingredients are the best to use in the more sensitive regions of a female body. I personally prefer infused coconut oil, and I have heard good things about Zendo. 

“We would use this oil for massage, and then inevitably use it as a lube as our intimacy progressed. It was a nice option because it was so non-irritating. It’s also really smooth and the THC content helps with blood flow.” Increased blood flow means the answer to the question that headlined the previous section is yes - cannabis can pump you up. Great to know!

The Pains of Motherhood

Towards the end of our conversation, our anonymous mother mentioned having chronic pain, a fact of life she has dealt with since giving birth to her children.

Boy, if that didn’t strike a nerve with me! Having two children myself, and having done extended nursing with my youngest, I know all too well what motherhood can do to your body - specifically in the pelvic region.

“The primary reason I started using cannabis was for pain relief,” she said. “Chronic pain doesn't just pause when you want to be intimate, so I use cannabis to help get myself in a good headspace. That way instead of being so distracted by my pain, I feel soothed and am able to be more open with my husband. It’s almost as though cannabis opens up an enhanced channel of connectivity for us. When we finally get a chance to talk or even to just look into each other’s eyes, cannabis makes that connection feel so much deeper in a short amount of time.”

So, in the interest of gathering more anecdotal evidence, please do tell: how does cannabis affect your sex life?