The Relationship Between Sex and Cannabis

For many cannabis fans, nothing helps enhance an experience like a quick hit or two before your favorite activities. Music sounds a little better, food tastes more flavorful, movies are more engrossing and everything just seems a little brighter and shinier once that pre-roll kicks in.

But what about sex? How does cannabis affect sex and can it be used to help take your sex life to the next level?

According to award-winning sexologist, author and founder of CannaSexual, Ashley Manta, cannabis is not a cure-all, but a tool that can help get you there.

"Much like music is a tool, much like a nice bed and comfortable surroundings, lingerie is a tool. None of these things in isolation is going to magically make your sex life awesome," Manta recently told DaySavers. "But these things, intentionally combined, can help you get closer to where you want to be."

Manta says that cannabis can be a great way to further enhance your sex life, helping to “inject a new variable” or aid with physical discomfort or “mental chatter” and allow you to focus more on your body or your partner’s body.

But how?

Using scientific studies, our own survey results and our interview with Manta, DaySavers presents the following guide to sex and cannabis.

Is Cannabis an Aphrodisiac? Will Weed Make you Horny?

Defined as a substance that increases sexual arousal or performance, there are many people who swear that cannabis ranks among oysters and chocolates as ways to help get in the mood. But does weed make you horny?

The truth is, there is not a lot of scientific research on the subject, making it, well, somewhat subjective. For example, a 2017 study of 50,000 survey respondents from the Journal of Sexual Medicine found that across all demographic groups, cannabis use correlated with participants having more sex. Another survey from 2019 found that in women specifically, most of the survey participants reported increases in sex drive.

DaySavers found similar results in the 2025 Sex and Cannabis Survey we recently sent to our subscriber base. Though not a scientific survey, 76% of respondents said that cannabis influences their ability to get in the mood.

But again, beyond a handful of self-reported surveys there is little actual science to back up any of the studies, and Manta says that the truth is just "not that easy." Arousal is a “complex, multifaceted process” and what gets someone in the mood varies from person to person.

"It's not an on/off switch," she says. "It's not like if I'm having a bad day, I'm going to smoke a joint and suddenly be really horny. That's just not how arousal works."

But Manta does say that for some, cannabis can absolutely work as an aphrodisiac, while for others, it may distract them, but that in the long run is not really the point.

"You, as the sexual being, need to be really attuned to what brings you closer to being aroused and enjoying sex, and what gets you farther away,” she says. “Because no matter how good the weed is, if you are stressed and insecure and you haven't eaten and you've under slept and all of those things; I don't care how good it is, it's not going to suddenly make you into a sex monster."

How THC Can Help Female Arousal

But while cannabis is not necessarily an aphrodisiac, it does have properties that can absolutely enhance the sexual experience, especially for people with vulvas, says Manta.

That’s because THC is a vasodilator, a substance that relaxes and widens blood vessels, allowing for increased blood flow. It’s why your eyes get bloodshot when you’re high. But vasodilators can also lead to things feeling more sensitive, both on skin and in other areas.

Manta says use of a cannabis topical or suppository can be a "game-changer," particularly for those looking to try anal sex, because of the way it can “smooth out” discomfort.

"It sensitizes the nerves in a pleasure-based way," she says. "It decreases discomfort because it helps the muscles relax. It helps reduce swelling and inflammation, but it does not numb.”

In fact, Manta says she “swears by” her cannabis suppositories and named them among her favorite cannabis products for use during sexy time.

Is Sex Better When High?

Our survey results confirmed what many of us already know: cannabis can make sex better. In fact, more than 90.3% of our respondents said cannabis positively affects their sexual experiences with 58.3% saying "very positively."

But it’s not just our survey. Multiple other studies have found the same thing, with cannabis both heightening sensitivity and enhancing orgasm for both sexes. A 2019 study in the Journal of Sexual Medicine found that most respondents found sex better when they used cannabis, with only 10% saying it was worse. Nearly 75% reported an increased sensitivity to touch and 65.7% reported more intense orgasms. For many, this is likely because as a vasodilator, cannabis can make your skin more sensitive to touch. In fact, nearly 80% of respondents to our survey said just that.

"It is going to heighten your sensations. It is going to make your skin more sensitive," agrees Manta. "It might bring online erogenous zones that aren't otherwise not super accessible to you."

Additionally, nearly 70% said they could relax more during sex, which Manta says is one of the best things cannabis can help with when it comes to one’s sex life. Manta says cannabis can help us let go of the “shame and bullshit” that surrounds our sexual desires and can allow us to be more honest with ourselves about what we like and what we want for our sexual experiences. In fact, 82.5% of our survey respondents agreed that cannabis helps reduce anxiety related to intimacy or sex.

For many people, cannabis can be used as an alternative to other mind-altering substances to enhance the sexual experience. Manta says that compared to alcohol, for example, cannabis allows users to be more present for the experience, since alcohol can slow down your motor skills, distract from body awareness and even slow down cognitive processing, so even things like dirty talk can become more difficult.

"I think it is an embodying substance versus a dissociative substance," she says of cannabis, compared to alcohol. “You know, they used to give you alcohol before they performed surgery on you without anesthesia. What does that tell you?"

What Strain is Best During Sex?

While a popular question, Manta says this one misses the point.

Not only are strain names not all that accurate or telling when it comes to cannabis (the properties of each strain vary from farm to farm, let alone state to state), the entire idea of indica vs sativa has been called into question, particularly after the cross breeding and unknown origin of strains from the underground era, as well as the desire to ramp up potencies in the legal one.

"The right question is 'how do you want to feel?'" says Manta. "And how do you figure out what makes you feel that way?"

Manta says better things to look for are terpene and cannabinoid percentages, in order to find what is right for you. She also recommends not simply going for the highest THC percentage when you are planning for an evening of intimacy.

"We live in a time where people want these like 28%, 32% strains, and when it comes to sex, I think that's a terrible idea," she says. “But like 10%, 15%, even up to like 18% THC is plenty for sexy fun times."

The science also agrees, with a 2024 study published in Psychopharmacology noting that "lower doses of cannabis to be linked to heightened sexual desire and enjoyment, whereas higher doses may lead to a decrease in sexual desire and performance."

"So, keep your percentages low," says Manta. "I like to have a little bit more of a CBD percentage, if not 1:1. Even a 5:2 is great, something where the CBD is present and also the other minor cannabinoids." Here she describes the entourage effect, the theory that various compounds in cannabis work together to create unique effects and benefits. Manta says that for energetic sex, look for something higher in THCv. For a more relaxed session, look for strains high in CBN or CBG.

After that, turn to the terpene content. For example, Manta says that for her, she does well with strains high in terpinolene, like Jack strains, while Diesel strains that are high in myrcene make her anxious and lead to experiences that are less fun.

The most important thing is to experiment and find what you like and what works best for your needs. Make a note of the smells and tastes of your cannabis and what the effects are in your body and your mind, and then look to strains with similar terpene profiles to replicate the effects you enjoy.

Ways to Use Cannabis During Sex

While a go-to for many, Manta says that smoking may not be the best way to incorporate cannabis into your sex life.

Topicals, for example, can absolutely help enhance the experience, especially for people with vulvas because the exposed mucous membranes absorb the product better than the penis can because it is covered with skin. The vasodilation properties of cannabis help bring more blood flow to the area, so the tissue is more supple. For many, it adds to pleasure while reducing discomfort. Many companies also make topicals designed just for this purpose.

But when using topicals, Manta says it is important to remember that the products do not work immediately, like smoking does and that you need to think of it more like a marinade than a lube.

"They need time to absorb and to do what they're going to do," she says. "You can't just put it on and go. That is, that is not how topicals work."

Manta recommends using topicals as part of foreplay, which she says is an often overlooked aspect of sex since it can take vulva-owners an average of 20 minutes to get aroused enough to fully enjoy sex. Manta says that women can apply it themselves – but be sure to get it over all the "nooks and crannies" - or to have a partner rub it on their hands and then on you. But either way, she says that users should wait 20 minutes for the product to be effective and recommends taking that time for other pleasurable experiences, like dancing or just making out, even eye-gazing or playing with things like feathers or other items that simply feel good.

"There's so many things you can do with that 20 minutes while you're waiting," she says. "That is going to get you closer to pleasure."

Potential Down Sides of Mixing Cannabis and Sex

While there are some studies that show that cannabis use can affect arousal, particularly in some men, the numbers are generally low compared to those pointing to the upside.

In our survey, which is not broken out by gender, 61.7% of respondents said cannabis made it easier to sustain arousal during sex and fewer than 13% said that they have ever experienced delayed arousal due to cannabis consumption.

According to the International Society for Sexual Medicine, if THC combines with cannabinoid receptors in the penis, it can disrupt blood flow in the penis and potentially cause erectile dysfunction. It also notes that "marijuana may make men too relaxed to have a firm erection."

However, there is no conclusive evidence linking cannabis to erectile dysfunction.

Manta says the primary side effect that using cannabis before sex can bring on is one common to smokers at any time: dry mouth.

"It's really important to hydrate and use mints and things like that to make sure that your mouth is moisturized," she says, adding that the same property can affect genitals as well, so she always encourages people to use lube.

Manta also noted the possibility of overconsumption, which can put a user into an uncomfortable head space, make them anxious or sleepy. Manta says she always suggests going with a lower dose before sex to stay on "the pleasant side of the line."

Are Edibles Good for Sex?

For folks who are not interested in smoking or topicals, Manta says edibles are a great option for many people.

However, she did note that edibles can be “tricky” to effectively dose and often take much longer to take effect than smoking or topical usage.

"I would consider that to be more of an advanced move because you have to wait the full hour, two hours, sometimes 3 hours," she says. "Maybe not the best if you have date night."

Getting Started with Cannabis and Sex

So where to begin?

Manta says the best place to begin when combining cannabis with sex is while you are alone, so that you know what to expect when you are with a partner.

"You don’t have to worry about anyone but you," she says of using cannabis during masturbation. "You can be really attuned to your own body’s responses and see ‘how does this make me feel?’

She says after consuming to begin with "rigorous self-inquiry," asking yourself if you like the feeling and if it’s a way you’d like to feel in a sexual context.

"For some people using cannabis, especially in an intoxicating way – smoking, edibles – is going to put them in a very unpleasant headspace that is not at all conducive to pleasure," she says. "And for other people, they really could benefit from something that will sort of help their noisy mind quiet down so that they can access pleasure."

Once moving to what Manta calls a “partnered space,” she recommends a conversation about how each person feels, what cannabis products they will be using, and of course boundaries and consent.

She says that when alone, she can jump "right to ritual," be it grinding and rolling a pre-roll or popping an edible, and to try and make it a "thoughtful endeavor" rather than "grabbing a random joint that you happen to find under a couch cushion."

The Importance of Consent When Using Cannabis During Sex

Finally, as touched on above, the most important topic when it comes to cannabis and sex is consent. Because it is an intoxicating substance, it is important to have these discussions before getting cannabis involved.

"I'm not a lawyer, and I don't play one on TV, but I can tell you as a former victim advocate and Rape Crisis counselor, that you cannot legally give consent when you are intoxicated," Manta says. "So that means if you were going to be consuming cannabis in an intoxicating form, smoking, edibles, etcetera, you need to be having consent conversations before you consume."

Manta says it is important to talk with your partner about what you like and what you don’t, as well as how they can tell if you are having a good time or not, and what to do if things start to go sideways. She says it is important to remember that consent can be withdrawn at any time if cannabis begins to put them in a head space they don’t want to be in.

Manta says to always make sure you are with someone who will respect your boundaries and help you find a blanket or some water if things get too intense, instead of trying to push you into a sexual situation you may feel uncomfortable with or into trying something you don’t actually want to try.

"I think it's really important to be very mindful about who you allow yourself to be in that kind of vulnerable space with," she says.

But after that, just experiment. Like anything else with sex, cannabis use is an individual choice and will affect everyone differently, so take it slow, try new things and find what you like, whether it’s a dab before foreplay, a topical to enhance pleasure or a suppository to help take the edge off.

And then, well, enjoy yourself.

For more information on the intersection of sex and cannabis, check out Ashley Manta’s website, CannaSexual or read her book, "Merry Jane’s The CBD Solution: Sex: How Cannabis, CBD, and Other Plant Allies Can Improve Your Everyday Life."