Skip to main content
Erschienen in: Current Sexual Health Reports 3/2017

10.07.2017 | Current Controversies (P Kleinplatz and C Moser, Section Editors)

Cannabis and Sexuality

verfasst von: Richard Balon

Erschienen in: Current Sexual Health Reports | Ausgabe 3/2017

Einloggen, um Zugang zu erhalten

Abstract

Purpose of the Review

The purpose of this study is to review the impact of cannabis use on sexual functioning.

Recent Findings

The effects of cannabis on human sexuality have been known for centuries and explored for decades. The aphrodisiac effect of acute cannabis use has been frequently promoted, while the negative effect of its chronic use, especially in higher doses, has been less recognized and appreciated. The mechanism of cannabis effect on sexual functioning is not well understood, though results of some studies suggest a possible and controversial endocrinological explanation such as lowering of testosterone levels.

Summary

Cannabis has bidirectional effect on sexual functioning. Low and acute doses of cannabis may enhance sexual human sexual functioning, e.g., sexual desire and enjoyment/satisfaction in some subjects. On the other hand, chronic use of higher doses of cannabis may lead to negative effect on sexual functioning such as lack of interest, erectile dysfunction, and inhibited orgasm. Studies of cannabis effect on human sexuality in cannabis users and healthy volunteers which would implement a double-blind design and use valid and reliable instruments are urgently needed in view of expanded use of cannabis/marijuana due to its legalization and medicalization.
Literatur
1.
Zurück zum Zitat • Koff WC. Marijuana and sexual activity. J Sex Res. 1974;10:194–204. One of the first systematic studies of the relationship between cannabis/marijuana and sexual functioning demonstrating its effect on sexual desire and enjoyment. CrossRefPubMed • Koff WC. Marijuana and sexual activity. J Sex Res. 1974;10:194–204. One of the first systematic studies of the relationship between cannabis/marijuana and sexual functioning demonstrating its effect on sexual desire and enjoyment. CrossRefPubMed
2.
3.
Zurück zum Zitat Halikas J, Weller R, Morse C. Effects of regular marijuana use on sexual performance. J Psychoactive Drugs. 1982;14:59–70.CrossRefPubMed Halikas J, Weller R, Morse C. Effects of regular marijuana use on sexual performance. J Psychoactive Drugs. 1982;14:59–70.CrossRefPubMed
4.
Zurück zum Zitat Weller RA, Halikas JA. Marijuana use and sexual behavior. J Sex Res. 1984;20:186–93.CrossRef Weller RA, Halikas JA. Marijuana use and sexual behavior. J Sex Res. 1984;20:186–93.CrossRef
5.
Zurück zum Zitat Gorzalka BB, Hill MN, Chang SCH. Male-female differences in the effects of cannabinoids on sexual behavior and gonadal hormone function. Horm Behav. 2010;58:91–9.CrossRefPubMed Gorzalka BB, Hill MN, Chang SCH. Male-female differences in the effects of cannabinoids on sexual behavior and gonadal hormone function. Horm Behav. 2010;58:91–9.CrossRefPubMed
7.
Zurück zum Zitat • Chopra GS, Jandu BS. Psychoclinical effects of long-term marijuana use in 275 Indian chronic users. A comparative assessment of effects in Indian and USA users. Ann N Y Acad Sci. 1976;282:95–108. This study findings illustrate the initial stimulating effect of cannabis on sexual functioning (e.g., orgasmic experience) and the negative impact of chronic cannabis use. CrossRefPubMed • Chopra GS, Jandu BS. Psychoclinical effects of long-term marijuana use in 275 Indian chronic users. A comparative assessment of effects in Indian and USA users. Ann N Y Acad Sci. 1976;282:95–108. This study findings illustrate the initial stimulating effect of cannabis on sexual functioning (e.g., orgasmic experience) and the negative impact of chronic cannabis use. CrossRefPubMed
8.
Zurück zum Zitat Johnson SD, Phelps D, Cottler LB. The association of sexual dysfunction and substance use among a community epidemiological sample. Arch Sex Behav. 2004;33:55–63.CrossRefPubMed Johnson SD, Phelps D, Cottler LB. The association of sexual dysfunction and substance use among a community epidemiological sample. Arch Sex Behav. 2004;33:55–63.CrossRefPubMed
9.
Zurück zum Zitat Aversa A, Rossi F, Francomano D, Brizziches R, Bertone C, Santiemma V, et al. Early endothelial dysfunction as a marker of vasculogenic erectile dysfunction in young habitual cannabis users. Int J Impot Res. 2008;20:566–73.PubMed Aversa A, Rossi F, Francomano D, Brizziches R, Bertone C, Santiemma V, et al. Early endothelial dysfunction as a marker of vasculogenic erectile dysfunction in young habitual cannabis users. Int J Impot Res. 2008;20:566–73.PubMed
10.
Zurück zum Zitat Smith AMA, Ferris JA, Simpson JM, Shelley J, Pitts MK, Richters J. Cannabis use and sexual health. J Sex Med. 2010;7:787–93.CrossRefPubMed Smith AMA, Ferris JA, Simpson JM, Shelley J, Pitts MK, Richters J. Cannabis use and sexual health. J Sex Med. 2010;7:787–93.CrossRefPubMed
11.
Zurück zum Zitat Androvicova R, Horacek J, Stark T, Drago F, Micale V. Endocannabinoid system in sexual motivational processes: is it a novel therapeutic horizon? Pharmacol Res. 2017;115:200–8.CrossRefPubMed Androvicova R, Horacek J, Stark T, Drago F, Micale V. Endocannabinoid system in sexual motivational processes: is it a novel therapeutic horizon? Pharmacol Res. 2017;115:200–8.CrossRefPubMed
12.
Zurück zum Zitat •• Kolodny RC, Masters WH, Kolodner RM, Toro G. Depression of plasma testosterone levels after chronic intensive marihuana use. New Engl J Med. 1974;290:872–4. This is the first study that demonstrated lowering of testosterone due to cannabis use. CrossRefPubMed •• Kolodny RC, Masters WH, Kolodner RM, Toro G. Depression of plasma testosterone levels after chronic intensive marihuana use. New Engl J Med. 1974;290:872–4. This is the first study that demonstrated lowering of testosterone due to cannabis use. CrossRefPubMed
13.
Zurück zum Zitat •• Cohen S. The 94-day cannabis study. Ann N Y Acad Sci. 1976;282:211–20. Another study demonstrating lowering of testosterone due to cannabis use and its increase after cannabis was stopped. CrossRefPubMed •• Cohen S. The 94-day cannabis study. Ann N Y Acad Sci. 1976;282:211–20. Another study demonstrating lowering of testosterone due to cannabis use and its increase after cannabis was stopped. CrossRefPubMed
14.
Zurück zum Zitat • Mendelson JH, Kuehnle J, Elingboe J, Babor TF. Plasma testosterone levels before, during and after chronic marijuana smoking. N Engl J Med. 1974;291:1051–5. This study did not replicate the lowering effect of cannabis on testosterone levels, though its design did not allow to fully disprove it. CrossRefPubMed • Mendelson JH, Kuehnle J, Elingboe J, Babor TF. Plasma testosterone levels before, during and after chronic marijuana smoking. N Engl J Med. 1974;291:1051–5. This study did not replicate the lowering effect of cannabis on testosterone levels, though its design did not allow to fully disprove it. CrossRefPubMed
15.
Zurück zum Zitat • Dalterio S, Bartke A, Mayfield D. Delta9-tetrahydrocannabinol increase plasma testosterone concentrations in mice. Science. 1981;213(4507):581–3. This study demonstrated acute increase of testosterone after THC administration in mice, followed by testosterone decrease after higher doses of THC. CrossRefPubMed • Dalterio S, Bartke A, Mayfield D. Delta9-tetrahydrocannabinol increase plasma testosterone concentrations in mice. Science. 1981;213(4507):581–3. This study demonstrated acute increase of testosterone after THC administration in mice, followed by testosterone decrease after higher doses of THC. CrossRefPubMed
17.
Zurück zum Zitat Buffum J. Pharmacosexology: the effects of drugs on sexual function. A review. J Psychoactive Drugs. 1982;14:5–44.CrossRefPubMed Buffum J. Pharmacosexology: the effects of drugs on sexual function. A review. J Psychoactive Drugs. 1982;14:5–44.CrossRefPubMed
18.
Zurück zum Zitat Cone EJ, Johnson RE, Moore JD, Roache JD. Acute effects of smoking marijuana on hormones, subjective effects and performance in male human subjects. Pharmacol Biochem Behav. 1986;24:1749–54.CrossRefPubMed Cone EJ, Johnson RE, Moore JD, Roache JD. Acute effects of smoking marijuana on hormones, subjective effects and performance in male human subjects. Pharmacol Biochem Behav. 1986;24:1749–54.CrossRefPubMed
19.
Zurück zum Zitat Block RI, Farinpour R, Schlechte JA. Effects of chronic marijuana use on testosterone, luteinizing hormone, follicle stimulating hormone, prolactin and cortisol in men and women. Drug Alcohol Depend. 1991;28:121–8.CrossRefPubMed Block RI, Farinpour R, Schlechte JA. Effects of chronic marijuana use on testosterone, luteinizing hormone, follicle stimulating hormone, prolactin and cortisol in men and women. Drug Alcohol Depend. 1991;28:121–8.CrossRefPubMed
20.
Zurück zum Zitat Gorzalka BB, Morrish AC, Hill MN. Endocannabinoid modulation of male rat sexual behavior. Psychopharmacology. 2008;198:479–86.CrossRefPubMed Gorzalka BB, Morrish AC, Hill MN. Endocannabinoid modulation of male rat sexual behavior. Psychopharmacology. 2008;198:479–86.CrossRefPubMed
Metadaten
Titel
Cannabis and Sexuality
verfasst von
Richard Balon
Publikationsdatum
10.07.2017
Verlag
Springer US
Erschienen in
Current Sexual Health Reports / Ausgabe 3/2017
Print ISSN: 1548-3584
Elektronische ISSN: 1548-3592
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11930-017-0112-7

Weitere Artikel der Ausgabe 3/2017

Current Sexual Health Reports 3/2017 Zur Ausgabe

Current Controversies (P Kleinplatz and C Moser, Section Editors)

Health Disparities Among Kinky Sex Practitioners

Variations in Orientation, Identity, Addiction, and Compulsion (E Coleman and J Vencill, Section Editor)

Non-binary/Genderqueer Identities: a Critical Review of the Literature

Male and Female Surgical Interventions (A Burnett and C Carson, Section Editors)

Pros and Cons of Ectopic IPP Reservoir Placement

Integrating the Psychosocial (B McCarthy, R Segraves and A Clayton, Section Editors)

A Review of Psychosocial and Interpersonal Determinants of Sexuality in Older Adulthood

Integrating the Psychosocial (B McCarthy, R Segraves and A Clayton, Section Editors)

Estimates and Correlates of Engagement in Consensually Non-Monogamous Relationships

Integrating the Psychosocial (B McCarthy, R Segraves and A Clayton, Section Editors)

Sexual Problems and Distress in Lesbian Women

Adjuvante Immuntherapie verlängert Leben bei RCC

25.04.2024 Nierenkarzinom Nachrichten

Nun gibt es auch Resultate zum Gesamtüberleben: Eine adjuvante Pembrolizumab-Therapie konnte in einer Phase-3-Studie das Leben von Menschen mit Nierenzellkarzinom deutlich verlängern. Die Sterberate war im Vergleich zu Placebo um 38% geringer.

Bei Senioren mit Prostatakarzinom auf Anämie achten!

24.04.2024 DGIM 2024 Nachrichten

Patienten, die zur Behandlung ihres Prostatakarzinoms eine Androgendeprivationstherapie erhalten, entwickeln nicht selten eine Anämie. Wer ältere Patienten internistisch mitbetreut, sollte auf diese Nebenwirkung achten.

Stufenschema weist Prostatakarzinom zuverlässig nach

22.04.2024 Prostatakarzinom Nachrichten

Erst PSA-Test, dann Kallikrein-Score, schließlich MRT und Biopsie – ein vierstufiges Screening-Schema kann die Zahl der unnötigen Prostatabiopsien erheblich reduzieren: Die Hälfte der Männer, die in einer finnischen Studie eine Biopsie benötigten, hatte einen hochgradigen Tumor.

Harnwegsinfektprophylaxe: Es geht auch ohne Antibiotika

20.04.2024 EAU 2024 Kongressbericht

Beim chronischen Harnwegsinfekt bei Frauen wird bisher meist eine Antibiotikaprophylaxe eingesetzt. Angesichts der zunehmenden Antibiotikaresistenz erweist sich das Antiseptikum Methenamin-Hippurat als vielversprechende Alternative, so die Auswertung einer randomisierten kontrollierten Studie.

Update Urologie

Bestellen Sie unseren Fach-Newsletter und bleiben Sie gut informiert.