Research: Association Between Cannabis Use and Sexual Frequency

There's been a multitude of newer studies that have proven the reefer madness thoughts of the past in regards to cannabis causing issues with decreased libido are exactly what many of us thought from the onset – Propaganda. Most consumers that have used cannabis have found that the current studies that peer into the plant's ability to increase sexual function are very accurate when compared to personal experience. One of the researchers from the Stanford study had quite a bit to say to CNN regarding this, "Usually, people assume the more frequently you smoke, the worse it could be when it came to sex, but in fact, we learned the opposite was true," Dr. Eisenberg told them.

Eisenberg also said past research on human and rodent models has shown that marijuana use may generally increase arousal. However, studies have also shown that too much marijuana use can decrease sperm count, and while men may want to have sex more, orgasm may be a challenge.

"It can have a different impact on different people," said Joseph Palmer, an associate professor in the Department of Population Health at New York University, who is not connected with the current study but also gave input to CNN on this subject.

He thought it was a "cool epidemiological paper" that "did the best it could with the data," but it did have limitations. "It's unclear from the data if people had marijuana in their system before or during sex," Palamar said. Someone could smoke in the morning but not have sex until the evening, when it wouldn't be in their system any more, for example. He added he'd like to see a study that could show more of a direct effect on frequency.

One thing I've found from personal experience is that the below research carries much more merit than Professor Palmer may give it. This is just one of multiple newer studies that show the correlation between cannabis use and an increased 'love life'.

Association Between Marijuana Use and Sexual Frequency in the United States: A Population-Based Study

Andrew J. Sun, MD1 Michael L. Eisenberg, MD

Background

Marijuana use is increasingly prevalent in the United States. Effects of marijuana use on sexual function are unclear, with contradictory reports of enhancement and detriment existing.

Aim

To elucidate whether a relation between marijuana use and sexual frequency exists using a nationally representative sample of reproductive-age men and women.

Methods

We analyzed data from cycle 6 (2002), cycle 7 (2006–2010), and continuous survey (2011–2015) administrations of the National Survey of Family Growth, a nationally representative cross-sectional survey. We used a multivariable model, controlling for demographic, socioeconomic, and anthropographic characteristics, to evaluate whether a relationship between marijuana use and sexual frequency exists.

Outcomes

Sexual frequency within the 4 weeks preceding survey administration related to marijuana use and frequency in the year preceding survey administration.

Results

The results of 28,176 women (average age = 29.9 years) and 22,943 men (average age = 29.5) were analyzed. More than 60% of men and women were Caucasian, and 76.1% of men and 80.4% of women reported at least a high school education. After adjustment, female monthly (incidence rate ratio [IRR] = 1.34, 95% CI = 1.07–1.68, P = .012), weekly (IRR = 1.36, 95% CI = 1.15–1.60, P < .001), and daily (IRR = 1.16, 95% CI = 1.01–1.32, P = .035) marijuana users had significantly higher sexual frequency compared with never users. Male weekly (IRR = 1.22, 95% CI = 1.06–1.41, P = .006) and daily (IRR = 1.36, 95% CI = 1.21–1.53, P < .001) users had significantly higher sexual frequency compared with never users. An overall trend for men (IRR = 1.08, 95% CI = 1.05–1.11, P < .001) and women (IRR = 1.07, 95% CI = 1.04–1.10, P < .001) was identified showing that higher marijuana use was associated with increased coital frequency.

Clinical Implications

Marijuana use is independently associated with increased sexual frequency and does not appear to impair sexual function.

Strengths and Limitations

Our study used a large well-controlled cohort and clearly defined end points to describe a novel association between marijuana use and sexual frequency. However, survey responses were self-reported and represent participants only at a specific point in time. Participants who did not answer questions related to marijuana use and sexual frequency were excluded.

Conclusion

A positive association between marijuana use and sexual frequency is seen in men and women across all demographic groups. Although reassuring, the effects of marijuana use on sexual function warrant further study.

Sun AJ, Eisenberg ML. Association Between Marijuana Use and Sexual Frequency in the United States: A Population-Based Study. J Sex Med 2017;14:1342–1347.
Read the whole research article: DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsxm.2017.09.005

-Mike Robinson, Founder, GCRC