Does Weed Cause Erectile Dysfunction? Cannabis and Men's Sexual Health

The research is mixed, but it leans toward caution: several studies link regular cannabis use to roughly double the odds of erectile dysfunction (ED), while low doses may boost desire and ease the performance anxiety that often drives ED. In other words, weed can help or hurt a man's sex life, and dose seems to make a big difference. Scientists and the public alike have been debating cannabis and men's sexual health for years.

From the upsides, like a higher sex drive, to the downsides, like erectile dysfunction, researchers have looked at many angles of this complicated relationship between cannabis and male sexual function.

Weed and sex: what is erectile dysfunction?

Cannabis is widely used and has a range of health benefits, so it's no surprise people want to know how it affects sexual performance in men. Here we dig into the connection between cannabis use and erectile dysfunction (ED).

ED, the inability to get or keep an erection firm enough for sex, is a common condition that can take a toll on a man's self-esteem and sex life. It becomes more common with age, but it isn't considered a normal part of getting older, and it can be a sign of underlying health problems like heart disease or diabetes.

Recent research has explored the link between ED and various psychoactive substances, like alcohol.

So where does cannabis fit in?

Cannabis, made up of the flowers, leaves and stems of the Cannabis sativa plant, contains cannabinoids like THC and CBD that interact with the body's endocannabinoid system. That system, built around CB1 and CB2 receptors, plays a key role in keeping the body in balance, regulating things like sleep, mood and inflammation.

Cannabinoids from the plant can bind to those receptors and set off a range of responses in the body and brain. THC, the compound behind the high, can change mood and sensory perception, while CBD may have pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory properties.

How can cannabis affect ED?

Below we take a closer look at that relationship, weighing both the possible benefits and the risks of cannabis for men's sexual health.

How weed affects erectile function is up for debate because, like plenty of medications, it can have both therapeutic effects and unwanted side effects on male sexual function.

So far, the science has been contradictory: some studies suggest cannabis may improve aspects of male sexuality, while others point the other way.

Before thinking about cannabis as a treatment for ED, it's important to understand the pros and cons of using it in the bedroom. Here are some of the positive and negative effects associated with using cannabinoids to address ED.

The possible upsides of cannabis for men's sexual health

1. Less damage from high cholesterol: Preliminary studies suggest cannabis may help reduce cholesterol buildup and blood vessel damage. Since high cholesterol is a risk factor for ED, that could in theory help prevent or slow it down.
2. The endocannabinoid system connection: Cannabinoid receptors are found in brain areas that control sexual function, and endocannabinoid levels rise during arousal. Some researchers speculate that plant cannabinoids acting on those receptors could help regulate sexual function and possibly enhance arousal, but more studies are needed to back that up.
3. Higher libido: Some research suggests cannabis, especially at low doses, may boost sex drive. One survey, for example, found that cannabis users had sex more often than non-users. High doses, however, can do the opposite.
4. Anxiety relief: Cannabis compounds are known for easing anxiety, promoting relaxation and lifting mood. That could help guys dealing with performance anxiety and stress in bed, a common factor in ED.

These possible benefits are promising, but they need to be weighed person by person. Talk to a doctor before using cannabis to address erectile dysfunction.

The downsides: how cannabis may hurt erectile function

Cannabis use has been linked to a higher risk of erectile dysfunction, the most common sexual problem in men. A 2019 analysis of the research found that men who use cannabis were roughly twice as likely to have ED as men who don't.

One proposed mechanism involves cannabinoids binding to receptors in the hypothalamus, the brain region that regulates erections and male sexual behavior. THC, the main active compound in weed, may also interfere with the brain signals involved in getting an erection.

More studies on the downsides of weed for men

Animal and human research also points to a possible peripheral effect: cannabis compounds binding to cannabinoid receptors in the erectile tissue itself could contribute to ED. More research is needed to confirm this and to find out whether cannabis-related ED depends on the dose.

A 2010 study found a link between daily cannabis use and trouble reaching orgasm in men, along with higher rates of premature ejaculation, possibly because of the heightened sensitivity weed can bring on.

Cannabis can also scramble your senses, bringing on euphoria followed by a dip in desire as drowsiness and slower reactions kick in.

On top of that, it can raise blood pressure and heart rate, which increases the risk of ED, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).