For some people, cannabis and sex is a match made in heaven. For others, the combination is to be avoided at all costs. And not to generalize or anything, but generally speaking women are the people in the first category and men are the second.
Of course, as with anything to do with weed, we’re all different. Everyone reacts differently to the various active ingredients in cannabis, and factors like dosing, consumption method and where you are when you take it can make a difference, too.
But actually, there’s a fair bit of research that indicates that sex can seriously improve sexual experiences - especially for women. Sex can help you get out of your head and into your body, ease anxiety, increase orgasm intensity, and boost creativity. Sounds like fun, right? Definitely better than sloppy drunk sex.
One recent survey found that of women who consumed cannabis before sex, 68.5% said that their overall sexual experience was more pleasurable, 60% noticed an increased sex drive, and 53% had more satisfying orgasms. And to top it off, the study found that women who used cannabis were more than double as likely to have a satisfying orgasm than those who didn't.
So how does it work? It all comes down to the endocannabinoid system, a vast network of receptors, chemicals and enzymes in the human body that regulates key functions such as appetite, sleep, mood, pain regulation, and - surprise! - sexual function. Research is still underway to understand exactly how this all works when it comes to sex, but it has already been established that there's an especially high concentration of ECS receptors in the female reproductive system - so it's no wonder that weed and sex go so nicely together for women in particular.
The common denominator in most cannabis use is how it creates feelings of relaxation and wellbeing. This is most likely caused by two key compounds in the plant: THC and CBD. When it comes to sex, the euphoric high associated with THC helps to slow things down, and to intensify feelings of sexual pleasure. And CBD is known to help reduce stress and anxiety - which is great for the libido. Terpenes are also believed to play a role here, though at this point the research is still in its infancy.
But the female body is complex - so it’s not just a matter of smoking up and getting down. Here are a few tips to help make sure that having sex high is something you’ll wanna do over and over - and not avoid for years to come (pun intended).
1. Do your homework
If you’ve got a big night in with your lover planned, find out what type of weed does it for you ahead of time. Stoner wisdom in the past has held that sativa strains are more uplifting and thus better for getting down and dirty, but these days we know that it’s more likely the combination of cannabinoids and terpenes that make the difference. Try out a few of the options available to you and see what gets you in the mood.
A word to the wise - edibles are probably not the best choice here. If you get the dosing wrong and end up having a more intense experience than you were expecting you’re likely to totally kill the vibe.
2. Pump some tunes
This should go without saying, but let’s go ahead and say it anyway. Music is better with weed. Sex is better with weed. So the combination is… yep. Just do it. Which music, you ask? Whatever does it for you. If you’re not sure what kind of music is going to fit your stoned sex vibe, there are dozens of sexy playlists on Spotify to give you some inspiration. Spark a spliff, have a listen, and build something that works for you.
Or if you’re lazy stoned, just pick someone else’s playlist and get to it. No one’s judging.
3. Don’t forget the lube
Apparently the whole cotton vagina thing (yep, like cotton mouth but downstairs) is something of an urban myth, but dehydration from cannabis is real, and it affects various different parts of the body.
Luckily, this is easy to deal with - lube is your friend. The truth is, weed or no weed, it’s never a bad idea to have a tube tucked away in the nightstand in case your mind, your partner and your lady parts aren’t completely in sync.
Even better - depending on where you live there are a number of cannabis-infused lubrication products for women that you can try out to further take advantage of the cannabinoid receptors in the female reproductive organs. Just make sure that you use something water based rather than oil based, as some oils can disrupt the delicate balance of the vulva (and leave some nasty stains on your sheets).
Having said this, don’t confuse dehydration with not-enough-foreplay. Just like movies, food and music, foreplay is better when you’re stoned - so take it slow and give yourself a chance to get nice and wet.
And of course, remember…
4. It’s okay to laugh!
As well as being beautiful and intimate and satisfying, sex is funny! And also sometimes gross. Which is also funny! And the great thing about sex while high on weed is that the giggles are that much closer to the surface, and you’re more likely to have a laugh and move on with it than getting all weird and closing up.
Having said this, make sure your partner is in on the joke, and doesn’t feel like you’re laughing at them. Nothing like getting insecure to turn a sex-fest into a sulk-fest.
5. Let your creative juices flow
Cannabis is awesome for creativity - many artists swear by it for making music, writing, painting… the list goes on. But it doesn’t end with art. Getting high can boost your creativity in communication, be it verbal or physical. So when it comes to having sex high, getting creative is another one of the happy side effects. Try out new positions. Tell your partner what you feel like. Wear something fun. Do something new with that toy he got you for Valentine’s Day last year.
Stoned sex is about creativity, connection, and expression. It’s about making intentional choices for your body and your sexuality. And enjoying them, with a smile!
