Cannabis and Sexual Behavior

This chapter explores the association between cannabis and sexual behavior. It also investigates the relationship between cocaine, methamphetamine, heroin, and sexual behavior. Cannabis is a drug widely believed to enhance sexual desire. Many researchers have shown that cannabis use in low doses is associated with positive effects in men and women. These positive effects include prolonged duration of intercourse, improvement in the quality of the orgasm, and increased sexual satisfaction. With respect to high doses, cannabis is associated with erectile dysfunction, sterility, and reduction in testosterone levels. In addition, cannabis use is linked with less condom use, and results in higher risk of getting sexually transmitted diseases. The mechanisms underlying the positive effects of cannabis on sexual behavior have been researched, and these include disinhibited behavior, slowing of the temporal perception, anxiolytic effects, combination of cannabis and alcohol or other substances, and expectancy effects.