Here’s How Weed Use Can Improve Your Sex Life

Cannabis and sex have long been combined by the stoned and horny. Thanks to cannabis legalization, we now know more than ever about the science that explains why having sex high feels so good — it's because our bodies have an endogenous cannabinoid system built in. Our endogenous cannabinoid system, which is named after the cannabis plant, is an important physiologic system in the body which phytocannabinoids in the cannabis plant, such as THC and CBD, bind to, producing a myriad of experiences. THC, short for Tetrahydrocannabinol, is the phytocannabinoid responsible for the high cannabis is known for.

These effects — enhanced senses, lowered inhibitions, and decreased inflammation — can make sex much more enjoyable. While cannabis is a safe substance, too much or the wrong method of intake can produce anxiety, which is detrimental to sex. To ensure that you have the best stoned sex possible, we spoke to experts to discuss the science behind weed and sex and how to curate the best possible experience for you.

How Cannabis (and THC) Can Help Sex-Induced Anxiety

Stress is one of the most common conditions medical marijuana is prescribed for. CBD has been shown to relieve anxiety, as has THC in low doses. However, high amounts of THC can produce anxiety. What is considered a large amount varies from person to person depending on your tolerance and metabolism. For some people 10mg is too much, others can easily consume 100mg and feel fine. If you get anxious and trapped in your mind during sex, cannabis strains high in CBD can sometimes help.

"When you have too much THC and your CB1 receptor is open too much, if you take THC, it blocks the receptor and doesn't let the THC continue to speak to that receptor," says Lakisha Jenkins, a traditional naturopath, registered herbalist, and an expert in the endogenous cannabinoid system. So while it's not an immediate antidote to a cannabis high, it can slow it down, offer the anti-anxiety properties of CBD (another phytocannabinoid called Cannabidiol that's quite trendy these days), and prevent you from getting higher. Sex is more enjoyable when we're not burdened with worries.

Hemp CBD products and CBD isolate (extracted CBD with no THC) are increasingly available in non-legal states. While they are better than nothing, CBD works best with a little THC, even at very small amounts. "CBD only speaks to one of the cannabinoid receptors. In order for it to speak to both of the receptors [in the body], you need to have THC,". Our body has two main types of cannabinoid receptors, CB1 (which mainly binds with THC) and CB2 (which mainly binds with CBD). "You’re not getting the full efficacy if you’re using a CBD isolate as opposed to a full spectrum product," Jenkins explains. Use full-spectrum (CBD made with all the other compounds cannabis naturally produces) whenever possible in conjunction with your local laws.

How Weed Can Make Sex More Creative

If you're feeling in a rut sexually, or feel too lazy to have sex even though you want to, cannabis can help. THC is activating, which is why it can cause anxiety if you take too much, but when taken at the right levels for your tolerance, it can help us focus, get active, and burst with creativity. These effects are why researchers are looking into cannabis as an ADD/ADHD treatment.

Sex and relationship coach and CannaSexual creator Ashley Manta got into cannabis during grad school, and it's now a regular part of her sex life. She says it helps her keep sex creative. "Cannabis can really help you think outside the box. When you’re looking at a problem and you can’t figure it out, it helps you come at it from a new direction," Manta shares. This creative problem solving can help you try new things in bed such as a kink or sex toy rather than fall back in your usual routine (and is why so many artists adore cannabis).

The Plant Enhances the Senses

Cannabis heightens the senses: television shows become more interesting, a sunset looks more beautiful than ever, and your favorite music takes on new meaning. Your sense of touch is also enhanced with cannabis, by lowering pain and inflammation, which makes sex feel out of this world. Everything from a shoulder rub to an orgasm is amplified under the influence of cannabis.

While smoking or vaping cannabis can absolutely make sex next-level, if you're really looking to enhance your sense of feeling, Jenkins suggests edibles or a cannabis tincture. Edibles take up two hours to kick in (though sublingual tinctures start working sooner) and last generally for up to five to six hours compared to the two to three hours from inhalation. So, if you want a maximum body high for a sex marathon, give edibles a chance. Many people aren't fans because they can be quite intense when over-consumed.

Everyone's tolerance is different, and it ebbs and flows with time. Start with 5mg or lower to follow the safe dosing guidelines. If you want more after two hours, have another 5mg. Edible dosing depends largely on tolerance levels. Someone who consumes daily or medicinally can be comfortable with up to 100mg, but the guidelines state new users should begin with 5mg or less. When dosed gradually — and the user is paying attention to how they’re feeling — edibles can be amazing for sex.

Pot Can Offer Pain Relief During Sex

Three out of four people with vulvas have experienced pain during sex. Cannabis is a known pain reliever, and especially when applied topically to the vulva, with products such as Foria Pleasure, can reduce pain by decreasing inflammation, and increase pleasure and sensation by encouraging blood flow. Topicals are non-psychoactive. "You’re getting all of the positive attributes of the cannabinoids, but topicals bypass the liver, so you’re not feeling that psychoactivity. You’re just feeling the body relaxing," Jenkins says.

Anal and vaginal suppositories are also excellent tools to make penetrative sex more comfortable. Cannabis topicals don't work on penises, though. "The mucous membranes and the way that they absorb things in the rectum and vulva are completely different," Jenkins explains. People with penises can use an anal suppository and reap the benefits during sex even if they aren't having receptive anal sex. Of course, if you want a high, you can couple topicals with other methods of intake, which also reduce pain. Jenkins points out that in today's world of cannabis you can even get strains with cannabinoid profiles created for pain management in legal states.

Cannabis Helps Us Connect With Our Partner

Cannabis, when dosed correctly with a strain, dosage, consumption method right for you, can help us open up, both in conversation and in bed, to our partners in ways we typically hold back on. "Your inhibitions are lowered, your feel-good endorphins are activated, your cognizant function is on high alert, chances are you’re going to share with your partner and that is going to bring you closer," Jenkins explains. A connection is crucial for good sex, and isn't reserved for long-term relationships. Even in casual hook,-ups we'll have better sex if we feel comfortable and connect with the person we're with.

Manta says that the ritual of sharing cannabis brings her closer to partners and makes sex better. One can take out the flower, grind it, and roll it into a joint to share. Manta will even blow cannabis smoke into her lover's lips to get them high. "You’re slowing down, you’re taking the time, you’re enjoying the experience. You’re not just rushing to get to the next part," Manta adds. While in a shared altered state, you can become freer, less self-conscious, and willing to try new things as a pair.

Mary Jane is Great for Masturbation

Who says you need a partner? Masturbation is sex, and adding marijuana to your sensual self-care routine can potentially be one of the most effective ways to enjoy the plant's erotic properties. For Manta, stoned masturbation offers testing grounds. "I use masturbation to figure out which product is going to be best for sexy times with partners," she says, noting that masturbation is part of her self-love, and not just for learning new strains for dates.

With cannabis, all of the same effects apply to masturbation. Lighting up calms us down and encourages creativity. It helps us be present so we can focus on ourselves. Topicals relieve pain — and not just in our genital region. If we expand masturbation to include all erotic touch, we can use cannabis topicals for a pain-relieving massage, just as we can use inhalation and edibles to open up to ourselves. "You’re opening up that cognitive function and those feel-good emotions. Maybe there are some things that you need to rectify within your own heart and self," Jenkins says. "There’s no better way than to use the endogenous cannabinoid system and get in touch with you. Literally and figuratively."

Read more stories about cannabis and sex:

• 13 Common Sex Dreams and What They Actually Mean

• 12 CBD Tinctures, Gummies, and Drinks That Help Calm Anxiety

• How to Clean Your Sex Toys Without Damaging Them, According to Experts

Now, watch us taste test four flavored lubes:

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