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It’s no secret that cannabis comes with plenty of potential benefits that can help our lives and relationships. As more people grow to accept the plant, we’re gradually unlocking its full potential as it relates to our wellness.

We know how specific compounds can affect our bodies and minds, and how we can best take advantage to enhance our day-to-day lives. With the rise of recreational cannabis, there are many products that give us energy, enable relaxation and sleep, relieve pain or tension, and help us socialize.

So, what about cannabis and sex?

How exactly can we use products from a dispensary to enhance the more intimate elements of our lives? Many cannabis lovers will already attest to the potential benefits when it comes to sex and arousal, but research is still somewhat limited.

As we approach Valentine’s Day, let’s take a closer look at the relationship between cannabis and arousal. And offer some recommendations for the next time you stop into your favorite Provincetown dispensary.

Cannabis and Sex: The Big Picture

Combining cannabis and sex is nothing new. Just as folks have used cannabis to help navigate other facets of their lives, we’ve also seen that unique connection between the plant and the more intimate facets.

Looking at some of the broader effects of cannabis can help paint a picture of how the plant can affect sex.

For many, cannabis helps to release stress and tension. It helps us to let go, and that lack of inhibition can make it easier to connect with a partner during sex. Our bodies have a built-in endocannabinoid system, which helps us regulate feelings like pleasure, pain, and relaxation. So, it makes sense that a bit of Mary Jane can impact intimacy.

Being in the moment and focusing on the bond with your partner might feel a bit easier with the effects of cannabis. Sex can be anxiety-inducing for some, so the right amount of cannabis or specific cannabinoids might make sexual intimacy a little less daunting.

Cannabis is also known to increase physical sensation, likely because of the amount of cannabinoid receptors in our skin. Sex is already meant to be a pleasurable experience, so enhancing sensitivity may increase arousal.

Cannabis, Arousal, and Ongoing Research

For many who’ve used cannabis, these conclusions may not be surprising. Even as restrictive legislation has limited research on the topic, we can see studies spanning back to the ‘70s all the way to the present day, affirming that cannabis consumers attest to its benefits in the bedroom.

While research is still limited, we’re starting to get a clearer picture as to why cannabis can have positive effects on sex and arousal.

On a base level, we’re learning that cannabinoid receptors are highly concentrated in areas of the brain that control sexual function. And endocannabinoids may play a crucial role in the sexual response cycle.

As experts continue to research the topic further, there appears to be a relationship in both men and women between cannabis use and the following:

• Prolonged intercourse
• Improved orgasm quality
• Increased sexual satisfaction

Other studies observe less favorable associations, like the potential link between cannabis and erectile dysfunction and reduction in testosterone levels. This makes it a bit tougher to draw definite conclusions.

All to say, we’ve still got a lot to learn regarding how cannabis and sex work together. But that doesn’t have to stop you from trying out cannabis as a means to higher arousal for yourself!

Incorporating Cannabis into Your Sex Life

If you’re looking to introduce cannabis into your more intimate endeavors, there are a few factors to consider:

Dosage

When it comes to some of the more or less favorable elements of cannabis and its effects on arousal, dosage is key. Research has shown that lower doses of cannabis tend to be linked to heightened sexual desire and enjoyment. And higher doses may lead to a decrease in those same elements.

While you may already know your own tolerance and limits, starting low and slow is key to finding that sweet spot.

Strain, Cannabinoids, and Terpenes

If you’re looking to add cannabis to your sex life, think through what specific effects you’re after before you pay the dispensary a visit. Cannabis is a complex plant, with numerous compounds and attributes that influence how we respond to it after consuming.

Strains: Experimenting with specific strains could be a good place to start. It’s important to note that there is far more to cannabis than sativa, indica, and hybrid categorization. Focusing on strains that deliver the right balance of sedation and stimulation is a helpful starting point. While a dispensary will likely have more information on strains and their effects, it never hurts to research ahead of time.

Cannabinoids: Look a bit deeper at the effects you’re after and the specific compounds in whatever strain or product you’re trying. THC at low and moderate doses can be great for stress relief, but too much of it may have the opposite effect. Other cannabinoids like CBD, either on its own or combined with THC, may be worth trying out for its potential to balance out some of the more stimulating psychoactive effects.

Terpenes: Trying products with specific terpenes (the aroma and flavor compounds in cannabis) could be worthwhile. Think about the role of scent and setting a mood: Those more citrusy, floral, or piney aromas may feel a bit more sexy than a diesel-heavy or skunky strain. Like cannabinoids, we’re finding that specific terpenes can promote specific effects. Terpenes like limonene, beta-caryophyllene, pinene, and myrcene are often associated with stress and pain relief, and these may be a solid place to start.

Any budtender should also be able to assist with these specifics if you’re unsure of which products contain specific compounds.

Cannabis Product Types

Go to any Massachusetts dispensary and you’ll generally be greeted with an overwhelming variety of options. Each cannabis product comes with its own pros and cons if you’re looking to increase arousal.

Smoking and Vaping: Inhalable products take effect pretty quickly and can last anywhere from one to three hours. This could make flower and vapes a solid choice to better control dosage since you’ll have a solid baseline in a short amount of time. Extracts in vaporizers tend to have concentrated cannabinoids and terpenes, which could help give you the specific experience you’re after.

Edibles: Edibles can take anywhere from 30 minutes to two hours to take effect. This might be a good choice if you’re already familiar with specific edible products, their dosage, and their effects. Many edible products are also made with precise cannabinoid ratios or terpenes to encourage specific effects. Quality edible products should also be easy to dose. The kicker is the turnaround time — you’ll have to plan ahead. And if you’re left with less or more effects than anticipated, you’ll need to wait for a redose to hit or for the effects to ease up.

Tinctures: Tinctures are similar to edibles, though they absorb into the bloodstream through the mouth rather than the stomach. Tinctures tend to take effect quicker than edibles and may be a bit more predictable. These can also hit pretty hard so be sure to be mindful of your dose.

Lubricants and Topicals: Many sex-specific cannabis products come in this form. These products won’t produce a psychoactive effect on the brain like other consumption methods, but they can help support arousal and sensation by relaxing blood vessels and mucus membranes. Even using a topical on other parts of your body could help you to be more relaxed, effectively making sex more enjoyable and increasing arousal.

Shop Cannabis for Sex

When it comes to understanding the full potential of cannabis, we’re still in the early stages. Sure, we know more than ever before, but one of the best ways to explore how cannabis can contribute to your sex life is by trying it out yourself.

We all have different relationships with cannabis and sex, so it makes sense that what works for one cannabis consumer may not work as well for another.

You’re bound to find a variety of great cannabis products that can help you enhance arousal, but consider one of these options available at our dispensary on Cape Cod as a jumping-off point:

Treeworks Jungle Drops – Blueberry Entourage

Packed with five cannabinoids (THC, CBD, CBG, CBN, and CBC), this offering from Jungle Drops packs a major punch.

It leans on the entourage effect, which deems that your experience can be more well-rounded with a wider array of the plant’s compounds. These cannabinoids work together to create harmony between the body and mind.

CommCan Blue Apricot Sherbet Flower

The balanced but mellowing effects of Blue Apricot Sherbet are a great way to get in the mood.

The enticing aroma and flavor hits you with notes of blueberry, citrus, and apricots, perfectly complementing the intimate moments. This strain is also fairly chill when it comes to THC, so you won’t get an intense high with moderate use.

Dime Industries Lemon Pound Cake Disposable Vape

This all-in-one vape is ready to go, complete with ample amounts of CBD and CBN that nicely balance out the THC.

The terpenes like caryophyllene, limonene, and myrcene might also help to up that arousal, blending energy and stimulation with more calming, relaxing attributes.

Avexia Harmony Balm

While this topical is more suited for targeted pain relief, using a product like Avexia’s Harmony Balm will absolutely help you embrace a sense of ease as your body begins to relax.

If you have specific areas of your body that tend to bother you during sex or physical activities, this balm could be all you need to enjoy the moment.