Forget Cigarettes After Sex…
Could cannabis use really be linked to improved sexual function in young adults?
Yes! At least, according to a new study conducted in Spain, which linked smoking the odd spliff to better orgasms…
Though alcohol and cannabis use is prevalent in society, there’s limited knowledge on the effect of these drugs on our sex lives. Previous research attempting to unravel any links has been contradictory, finding both benefits and disadvantages with cannabis use. So, researchers from the University of Almeria, Spain, decided to take a fresh look for themselves.
In an observational study of 274 participants aged 18-30, a combined higher risk of cannabis consumption and moderate risk of alcohol use was linked to increased desire, arousal, and orgasm – an effect often associated with decreased anxiety and shame around sex.
The researchers point to a number of limitations in their study – including the relatively small number of participants – and highlight a number of areas that demand more research. They say the relationship between anxiety, cannabis use, and sexual function deserves further investigation, and, perhaps more importantly, they note that the long term consequences of use should be studied more closely.
- P Roman et al., Healthcare 10, 71 (2022). DOI: 10.3390/healthcare10010071
By the time I finished my degree in Microbiology I had come to one conclusion – I did not want to work in a lab. Instead, I decided to move to the south of Spain to teach English. After two brilliant years, I realized that I missed science, and what I really enjoyed was communicating scientific ideas – whether that be to four-year-olds or mature professionals. On returning to England I landed a role in science writing and found it combined my passions perfectly. Now at Texere, I get to hone these skills every day by writing about the latest research in an exciting, creative way.
