Enhancing Women's Sexuality (Or how to dose for a steamy evening with your lover or yourself)

Since the 1970s and decades before, women have used cannabis is an aphrodisiac. Studies have postulated that the body’s endocannabinoid system is directly involved in female sexual function—2-AG, an endocannabinoid, is released in humans after orgasm—and anecdotal evidence has consistently shown that women who use cannabis report better sexual experiences, including more intimacy and better orgasms.

Earlier this year, results from a validated questionnaire (instead of interviews used in previous research on the subject) were published in a report in the journal Sexual Medicine which asked women who use marijuana about their sexual experiences. The study found that more frequent cannabis use was associated with stronger orgasms, heightened arousal and greater sexual satisfaction.

Results from the study, which analyzed online survey results from 452 women who responded through invitations at cannabis dispensaries, demonstrate “that increasing frequency of cannabis use is associated with improved sexual function and is associated with increased satisfaction, orgasm, and sexual desire.”

The researchers, who included members of the Stanford Medical Center’s urology department and the medical director of the Victory Rejuvenation Center, said that as far as they know, this is the first study using a validated questionnaire “to assess the association between female sexual function and aspects of cannabis use including frequency, chemovar (THC vs. CBD dominant) and indication.”

Respondents filled out a Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) survey designed to assess cannabis use and sexual function over four weeks, scoring six specific domains: desire, arousal, lubrication, orgasm, satisfaction and pain. Women who used cannabis more frequently had higher FSFI scores in general, indicating better sexual experiences overall, but they did not find an association between cannabis chemovar, reason for cannabis use, and female sexual function, and neither the method of consumption nor the type of cannabis consumed impacted sexual function.

It’s also possible that cannabis could be improving sex by reducing anxiety. “As many patients use cannabis to reduce anxiety,” the report says, “it is possible that a reduction in anxiety associated with a sexual encounter could improve experiences and lead to improved satisfaction, orgasm, and desire. Similarly, THC can alter the perception of time which may prolong the feelings of sexual pleasure. Finally, CB1, a cannabinoid receptor, has been found in serotonergic neurons that secretes the neurotransmitter serotonin, which plays a role in female sexual function thus activation of CB1 may lead to increased sexual function.”

Dosing is also a factor, the study shows. “Several studies have evaluated the effects of marijuana on libido, and it seems that changes in desire may be dose dependent,” the authors wrote. “Studies support that lower doses improve desire but higher doses either lower desire or do not affect desire at all.”

According to Dr. Sarah Mann, founder of the Mindful Medicine Clinic in Barrington, IL, cannabis may also enhance emotional bonding and release inhibition. “Many feel the improved perception of sex is related to increased emotional bonding between partners. Couples can relax despite a background of financial stressors, demanding children, and workplace drama,” she wrote. “Cannabis is thought to improve sexual function simply by improving anxiety. Cannabis can relieve performance anxiety as it helps people get out of their heads and back into their bodies. On the flip side, too much or the wrong chemovar can lead to a lack of motivation or oversedation, where people may lose the desire for sex.”

Our advice on how to dose for a steamy evening with your lover or yourself?

Smoking flower: Effects come on in less than three minutes and can last anywhere from one to three hours. 

Vaping:  Effects come on in less than three minutes and lasts one to three hours. One of our favorite’s is dosist’s Arouse, a product crafted specifically for its aphrodisiac purposes.

Edibles: Lioness, a woman-owned vibrator company that uses technology to track orgasms, partnered with Eaze last year on their Let’s Toke About Sex data report, which noted that “THC edibles appear to have the most significant impact on orgasm length and frequency.” We like Kikoko’s caffeine-free, THC-rich Sensuali-Tea. Edibles can take anywhere from a half hour to two hours to kick in so if you’re a planner, consume edibles a good hour or two before a sexual encounter.

Tinctures: Oil and alcohol-based tinctures and Full Extract Cannabis Oil (FECO sometimes known as RSO) can take effect in 30-45 minutes and last four to six hours. Unlike edibles, they will produce a consistent and predictable effect. 

Lubes: Lubes can relax the blood vessels which support arousal and enhance sensation. But beware: mucus membranes of the vagina can readily absorb THC, so make sure the dose of cannabinoids is low. We like Foria’s Pleasure Within THC oil.