Skip to main content
Key Specialties
Cardiology Diabetology Endocrinology Gastroenterology Geriatrics and Gerontology Gynecology and Obstetrics Hematology Infectious Disease Internal Medicine Nephrology Neurology Oncology Pediatrics Respiratory Medicine Rheumatology Surgery
Congress Coverage
2024 ACC Congress 2023 ESMO Congress 2023 EASD Congress 2023 ERS Congress 2023 ESC Congress
Clinical Collections
Advances in Alzheimer’s

At a glance: The ONWARDS insulin icodec trials

A round-up of the ONWARDS phase 3 clinical trials evaluating the novel weekly insulin icodec in people with diabetes.
ADVANCED SEARCH
Log in
Top
Current Sexual Health Reports
Published in: Current Sexual Health Reports 3/2017

01-09-2017 | Current Controversies (P Kleinplatz and C Moser, Section Editors)

Cannabis and Sexuality

Author: Richard Balon

Published in: Current Sexual Health Reports | Issue 3/2017

Login to get access

Abstract

Purpose of the Review

The purpose of this study is to review the impact of cannabis use on sexual functioning.

Recent Findings

The effects of cannabis on human sexuality have been known for centuries and explored for decades. The aphrodisiac effect of acute cannabis use has been frequently promoted, while the negative effect of its chronic use, especially in higher doses, has been less recognized and appreciated. The mechanism of cannabis effect on sexual functioning is not well understood, though results of some studies suggest a possible and controversial endocrinological explanation such as lowering of testosterone levels.

Summary

Cannabis has bidirectional effect on sexual functioning. Low and acute doses of cannabis may enhance sexual human sexual functioning, e.g., sexual desire and enjoyment/satisfaction in some subjects. On the other hand, chronic use of higher doses of cannabis may lead to negative effect on sexual functioning such as lack of interest, erectile dysfunction, and inhibited orgasm. Studies of cannabis effect on human sexuality in cannabis users and healthy volunteers which would implement a double-blind design and use valid and reliable instruments are urgently needed in view of expanded use of cannabis/marijuana due to its legalization and medicalization.
Literature
1.
• Koff WC. Marijuana and sexual activity. J Sex Res. 1974;10:194–204. One of the first systematic studies of the relationship between cannabis/marijuana and sexual functioning demonstrating its effect on sexual desire and enjoyment. CrossRefPubMed
2.
3.
Halikas J, Weller R, Morse C. Effects of regular marijuana use on sexual performance. J Psychoactive Drugs. 1982;14:59–70.CrossRefPubMed
4.
Weller RA, Halikas JA. Marijuana use and sexual behavior. J Sex Res. 1984;20:186–93.CrossRef
5.
Gorzalka BB, Hill MN, Chang SCH. Male-female differences in the effects of cannabinoids on sexual behavior and gonadal hormone function. Horm Behav. 2010;58:91–9.CrossRefPubMed
6.
7.
• Chopra GS, Jandu BS. Psychoclinical effects of long-term marijuana use in 275 Indian chronic users. A comparative assessment of effects in Indian and USA users. Ann N Y Acad Sci. 1976;282:95–108. This study findings illustrate the initial stimulating effect of cannabis on sexual functioning (e.g., orgasmic experience) and the negative impact of chronic cannabis use. CrossRefPubMed
8.
Johnson SD, Phelps D, Cottler LB. The association of sexual dysfunction and substance use among a community epidemiological sample. Arch Sex Behav. 2004;33:55–63.CrossRefPubMed
9.
Aversa A, Rossi F, Francomano D, Brizziches R, Bertone C, Santiemma V, et al. Early endothelial dysfunction as a marker of vasculogenic erectile dysfunction in young habitual cannabis users. Int J Impot Res. 2008;20:566–73.PubMed
10.
Smith AMA, Ferris JA, Simpson JM, Shelley J, Pitts MK, Richters J. Cannabis use and sexual health. J Sex Med. 2010;7:787–93.CrossRefPubMed
11.
Androvicova R, Horacek J, Stark T, Drago F, Micale V. Endocannabinoid system in sexual motivational processes: is it a novel therapeutic horizon? Pharmacol Res. 2017;115:200–8.CrossRefPubMed
12.
•• Kolodny RC, Masters WH, Kolodner RM, Toro G. Depression of plasma testosterone levels after chronic intensive marihuana use. New Engl J Med. 1974;290:872–4. This is the first study that demonstrated lowering of testosterone due to cannabis use. CrossRefPubMed
13.
•• Cohen S. The 94-day cannabis study. Ann N Y Acad Sci. 1976;282:211–20. Another study demonstrating lowering of testosterone due to cannabis use and its increase after cannabis was stopped. CrossRefPubMed
14.
• Mendelson JH, Kuehnle J, Elingboe J, Babor TF. Plasma testosterone levels before, during and after chronic marijuana smoking. N Engl J Med. 1974;291:1051–5. This study did not replicate the lowering effect of cannabis on testosterone levels, though its design did not allow to fully disprove it. CrossRefPubMed
15.
• Dalterio S, Bartke A, Mayfield D. Delta9-tetrahydrocannabinol increase plasma testosterone concentrations in mice. Science. 1981;213(4507):581–3. This study demonstrated acute increase of testosterone after THC administration in mice, followed by testosterone decrease after higher doses of THC. CrossRefPubMed
16.
17.
Buffum J. Pharmacosexology: the effects of drugs on sexual function. A review. J Psychoactive Drugs. 1982;14:5–44.CrossRefPubMed
18.
Cone EJ, Johnson RE, Moore JD, Roache JD. Acute effects of smoking marijuana on hormones, subjective effects and performance in male human subjects. Pharmacol Biochem Behav. 1986;24:1749–54.CrossRefPubMed
19.
Block RI, Farinpour R, Schlechte JA. Effects of chronic marijuana use on testosterone, luteinizing hormone, follicle stimulating hormone, prolactin and cortisol in men and women. Drug Alcohol Depend. 1991;28:121–8.CrossRefPubMed
20.
Gorzalka BB, Morrish AC, Hill MN. Endocannabinoid modulation of male rat sexual behavior. Psychopharmacology. 2008;198:479–86.CrossRefPubMed
Metadata
Title
Cannabis and Sexuality
Author
Richard Balon
Publication date
01-09-2017
Publisher
Springer US
Published in
Current Sexual Health Reports / Issue 3/2017
Print ISSN: 1548-3584
Electronic ISSN: 1548-3592
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11930-017-0112-7

Other articles of this Issue 3/2017

Current Sexual Health Reports 3/2017 Go to the issue

Male and Female Surgical Interventions (A Burnett and C Carson, Section Editors)

Pros and Cons of Ectopic IPP Reservoir Placement

Variations in Orientation, Identity, Addiction, and Compulsion (E Coleman and J Vencill, Section Editor)

Non-binary/Genderqueer Identities: a Critical Review of the Literature

Male and Female Surgical Interventions (A Burnett and C Carson, Section Editors)

Tunical Incision Techniques for Peyronie’s Disease

Variations in Orientation, Identity, Addiction, and Compulsion (E Coleman and J Vencill, Section Editor)

Transgender Health Care in the U.S. Military and Veterans Health Administration Facilities

Integrating the Psychosocial (B McCarthy, R Segraves and A Clayton, Section Editors)

Recent Findings on Women’s Motives for Engaging in Sexual Activity

Integrating the Psychosocial (B McCarthy, R Segraves and A Clayton, Section Editors)

A Review of Psychosocial and Interpersonal Determinants of Sexuality in Older Adulthood