Episode 332: How Cannabis Affects Sex

A lot of people consume cannabis prior to sexual activity. But how exactly does cannabis affect sex, and what do you need to know about it? In today’s show, we’re going to dive into what the research says about how cannabis affects men’s and women’s sexual function and performance, the problems with a lot of the research on sex and cannabis, why cannabis affects different people in different ways, how the sexual effects of marijuana and CBD compare, and more. My guest today is Ashley Manta, an award-winning sex educator and certified sexologist. She has become a sought-after authority on mindfully combining sex and cannabis as part of her CannaSexual brand, which has also expanded to include psychedelics. She is co-author of the book The CBD Solution: Sex. Some of the specific topics we discuss in this episode include: What is the endocannabinoid system, and what is its purpose is in the body? What are the most common sexual effects of cannabis use? How does cannabis affect male and female sexual function? Why is there so much individual variability in the effects of cannabis on the body? How are CBD and THC similar or different in terms of sexual effects? You can check out Ashley’s website to learn more about her work. Got a sex question? Send me a podcast voicemail to have it answered on a future episode at speakpipe.com/sexandpsychology. *** Thank you to our sponsors!  Are you looking for a space that celebrates diverse perspectives, explores new frontiers and brings all of your favorite people together?  The Annual Sexological Conference hosted by Sexual Health Alliance is where sexuality leaders gather. Get your ticket to be inspired, educated, and empowered. Head over to SexualHealthAlliance.com, select the Annual Sexological Conference page and save your spot today! The Kinsey Institute at Indiana University has been a trusted source for scientific knowledge and research on critical issues in sexuality, gender, and reproduction for over 75 years. Learn about more research and upcoming events at kinseyinstitute.org or look for them on social media @kinseyinstitute. *** Want to learn more about Sex and Psychology? Click here for previous articles or follow the blog on Facebook, Twitter, or Reddit to receive updates. You can also follow Dr. Lehmiller on YouTube and Instagram. Listen and stream all episodes on Apple, Spotify, Google, or Amazon. Subscribe to automatically receive new episodes and please rate and review the podcast! Credits: Precision Podcasting (Podcast editing) and Shutterstock/Florian (Music). Image created with Canva; photos used with permission of guest.