Does Weed Affect Testosterone? What the Research Says

The research on weed and testosterone is mixed: one large US study (NHANES 2011-2016) found slightly higher testosterone in men who use THC, while heavy, frequent use has been linked to lower libido, erectile problems and lower sperm counts. In other words, there's no simple "weed raises" or "weed lowers" testosterone answer, and how often you use seems to matter. It's a topic getting more and more attention from scientists and from anyone curious about how cannabis affects the body.

Cannabis, with active compounds like tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD), has been the subject of plenty of studies looking at how it affects different parts of how the human body works, including hormone production.

What is testosterone?

Testosterone, a key male sex hormone, plays a central role in a range of biological functions, from developing secondary sex characteristics to regulating mood and energy.

As cannabis legalization and acceptance spread around the world, there's more interest in understanding how using it affects hormonal health, especially when it comes to testosterone.

Some studies have suggested possible links between weed use and changes in testosterone levels, but the findings have been mixed and often contradictory.

A study on weed and testosterone

A recent study based on data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), a US survey run between 2011 and 2016, shed some light on the link between cannabis use and testosterone levels in men.

The study, which included 5,146 male participants, turned up some interesting findings on how cannabis may influence testosterone production.

Of the men in the survey, 3,027 had used cannabis at least once in their lives. Among them, nearly half (49.3%) were classified as regular THC users. THC is the main psychoactive compound in cannabis.

Does weed lower testosterone or raise it?

The researchers spotted a notable pattern: a modest but significant increase in testosterone levels among regular THC users compared with men who didn't use cannabis regularly.

The bump wasn't the same at every level of use, though. It was most pronounced among men who used cannabis two or three times a month, who showed significantly higher testosterone than non-users.

The results suggest that THC use is associated with small but noticeable increases in testosterone levels in men.

That increase tended to shrink as cannabis use got more frequent, but testosterone levels still stayed higher in regular users than in men who didn't use cannabis at all.

Adverse effects of weed on testosterone and sex

Cannabis, widely celebrated for its recreational and medicinal effects, can also take a toll on your sex life, especially for frequent users.

Sexual side effects of weed can show up as low energy and low libido, possibly linked to its effects on testosterone and pituitary hormones.

What about men?

In men, frequent cannabis use has been associated with low sex drive, erectile dysfunction and trouble reaching orgasm. Women, for their part, may see shifts in progesterone and, in some cases, estrogen levels, which can show up as menstrual problems and depression.

Heavy, long-term use can make these adverse effects worse and has been linked to other mental health problems, like panic, fear, memory problems and even psychotic episodes.

Compulsive cannabis use has also been linked to low sperm counts in men and menstrual irregularities in women.

Weed and testosterone: what about CBD?

It's worth pointing out that cannabidiol (CBD), a compound found in some cannabis strains, may act differently from tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the best-known psychoactive compound.

That said, more research is needed to fully understand how CBD and other cannabinoids may affect sexual function.

Bottom line: weed can be a plus for some people when it comes to relaxation and pleasure, but keep in mind the possible downsides for your sexual health, especially with frequent, long-term use.

If you're having sexual problems you think are tied to cannabis use, consider talking to a healthcare professional for proper guidance and support.