Best Cannabis Strains for Male Arousal (2022 List) | Weed & Sex
Table of contents
- A Question as Old as Time
- Can Cannabis Boost Male Arousal?
- Studies About Sex and Cannabis
- How to Choose the Best Cannabis Strain for Male Arousal
- Four Terpenes to Increase Male Sexual Desire and Arousal
- Beta-caryophyllene
- Beta-myrcene
- Limonene
- Alpha-pinene
- Is There a Single Cannabis Product That Can Improve Arousal for Men?
A Question as Old as Time
Since the beginning of time, most guys have shared a common desire — to maintain peak sexual performance. From outlandish ancient tricks to the little blue pills of modern society, most males are willing to at least entertain ideas that may provide a boost in sexual arousal and/or performance. With more research currently being conducted around sexual health than ever before and the fact that two out of every three US adults now have access to legal cannabis, it should come as no surprise that a lot of men are asking for the best cannabis strains for male arousal. Researchers tend to agree that there is typically a positive relationship between sex and cannabis use, but as we will discuss, it isn’t as cut and dry as asking for a specific strain.
Can Cannabis Boost Male Arousal?
In short, data suggests that there’s a good chance that cannabis can boost male arousal and even sexual frequency. That said, let’s explore the results of the studies and unravel some of the myths.
Society and media tend to erroneously portray males as always being ready for sex, however, most guys would agree that this simply isn’t the case. Sure, hormonal changes that occur during puberty can certainly make some men seem as though they can’t think of anything other than sex but considering the cultural and societal expectations and sexually-charged media that men — and women — are constantly exposed to, men are often led to believe that if they don’t fit the mold of a “typical horny guy”, then others may view them as not normal or something is wrong with them.
Given this along with the ever-evolving pace of work, life, family, friends, hobbies, and responsibilities, more men than ever before are finding their interest in sex or ability to become aroused has taken an involuntary back seat. In fact, HealthyMale.org states that “men over the age of 30 are more likely to be dealing with personal and professional stress which may lead to erectile dysfunction. [3]”
If you’ve ever found yourself in a sexual setting where you may be physically aroused, but your mind was elsewhere, like work or personal stress, you may be experiencing what experts often refer to as arousal non-concordance. While this isn’t always the reason behind the inability to sync your physical state of arousal with your mental state, it should be noted that arousal non-concordance is considered by experts to be a completely normal thing from time to time and with proper steps, is manageable.
Considering sex is as much of a mental exercise in pleasure as it is physical, many canna-consumers have recognized that cannabis can serve as a tool for those of us who need a little help tapping into the mental side of pleasure and arousal. For those asking if cannabis can boost male arousal, sexual pleasure, or even general interest in sex, we turn to the data from numerous studies, all of which tend to suggest that, yes, in general, cannabis may have a positive impact on various features of sexuality.
Studies About Sex and Cannabis
For generations, human sexuality has been an area of interest for researchers. As more adults also garner access to legal cannabis and regulatory hurdles fall, so has cannabis become a hot topic amongst scientists. Let’s look at some of the findings behind male arousal and cannabis use.
A study published in the Journal of Sexual Medicine sought to determine a correlation between cannabis use and sexual frequency. After gathering data from over 51,000 US adults — nearly 23,000 of which identified as male — researchers reported that “[cannabis] use is independently associated with increased sexual frequency and does not appear to impair sexual function. [5]”
Another study published in the Journal of the International Society for Sexual Medicine, surveyed 325 men to determine if there is a correlation between cannabis use characteristics and sexual function in men [6]. Using the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) metric to quantify their findings more accurately, data from the study suggests that an increase in cannabis use in males is associated with an increase in male sexual function.
The Canadian Urological Association Journal published a study in 2021 that gathered data over a ten-year period of 7,809 males to determine if cannabis use affected male sexual function. Much like the aforementioned study, researchers not only suggested that male cannabis users experienced more frequent sex, but that cannabis did not appear to impact serum testosterone concentrations and “was not associated with clinically significant deleterious effects on male sexual parameters. [7]”
How to Choose the Best Cannabis Strain for Male Arousal
While many canna-consumers think of cannabinoids like THC and CBD being the compounds solely responsible for the effects of cannabis, current research suggests that other compounds found in cannabis like terpenes and flavonoids also play a role in the user experience. This is often referred to as the entourage effect.
If we consider also, that the trend of using colloquial strain names is largely on its way out as it only served as a marketing tool for dispensaries and growers to distinguish between different plants, asking for a strain or even comparing indicas and sativas doesn’t give the user a true picture of what they’re actually consuming. This, coupled with compositional variability from plant to plant means it is close to impossible to feasibly determine the exact concentration of cannabinoids and terpenes in most cannabis products.
So, if not colloquial strain names, how should one be selecting the product that’s best for them — by looking at the whole picture. Asking your dispensary for a terpene analysis alongside a certificate of analysis (COA) will give you a much better idea of not only what you’re consuming but will give you the ability to repeat positive experiences and avoid undesirable ones, based on the contents of your product. If this feels intimidating or time consuming, don’t worry — it doesn’t have to be if you review our guide to asking for a terpene analysis!
Four Terpenes to Increase Male Sexual Desire and Arousal
With over 400 terpenes currently known to be produced by cannabis, it can feel a little overwhelming to decide where to begin your search for a product that can help in the bedroom. That’s why we’ve created this short-list of four terpenes to look for in your next cannabis product.
Beta-caryophyllene
For many guys, aches and pains associated with growing older, hobbies, sports, or medical conditions can quickly put a damper getting aroused. The terpene, beta-caryophyllene has shown evidence of not only amplifying the effects of the cannabinoid CBD but can also aid in pain relief due to its anti-inflammatory effects.
Beta-myrcene
For many men, life can feel like a constant rush and unfortunately, this oftentimes carries over into the bedroom as well. An important, but often overlooked aspect of male arousal is the sense of touch. That’s why finding a cannabis product that includes the terpene beta-myrcene can help increase tactile sensations, which in turn, can lead to extended foreplay, the feeling of a deeper connection with your partner, and amplified sensory inputs from touching and being touched. A bonus of beta-myrcene is that it is also reported to enhance the effects of the cannabinoid, THC.
Limonene
Have you ever felt like each time you accomplish something on your to-do list, you add two new tasks? If this describes your lifestyle, the idea of mustering the energy for anything more than dinner and your favorite show at the end of the day may feel like a joke at times, especially if it is something that can be as energy intensive as sex. For these guys, checking out a cannabis product that is dominant in the terpene limonene may be able to provide the additional boost you need for those late-day sexual escapades. This terpene, which is known for its pleasant citrus-like scent, has shown to be a brightening stimulant which can help counteract some of the sedative effects of THC.
Alpha-pinene
Perhaps lack of energy isn’t the factor standing between you and sexual arousal, but instead, you simply feel a diminished mental connection towards sex. Remember, just because society has told us that guys are always ready for sex, doesn’t mean it is true. If this describes your sentiment towards sex, you’re not alone! Fortunately, data produced by studies of the terpene alpha-pinene suggest that it can increase, or in your case, re-sync, the mental feelings of being connected, with the physical. Additionally, alpha-pinene can increase overall feelings of sociability, which can lead to a more fulfilling mental side of sexuality, thus facilitating intimacy and arousal.
Is There a Single Cannabis Product That Can Improve Arousal for Men?
Although a list of terpenes aimed at improving your sexual desire is great, you may have trouble finding a single product that contains all of these terpenes — until now. Thanks to recent advances in cannabis-infusion technology, cannabis consumers can now tailor-fit their cannabis product to better align with their goals. Brands like Koan offer several precisely and consistently dosed blends of their single-serving cordials, shifting the landscape for consumers to allow for the choice of mood. In terms of arousal and sexuality, Koan’s Love Cordial is an excellent option that contains accurately dosed cannabinoids as well as each of the terpenes described earlier, lowering barriers to intimacy, deepening connections, and increasing tactile sensations.
If you’re good to go in the sex department, but perhaps are just seeking a creative boost to break through a spell of writer’s block or channel you’re inner muse, ask your dispensary for their Create Cordial. Looking for something lighter to find that sense of mental homeostasis? Ask for the Balance Cordial. If your dispensary continues to sell out before you can get your hands on them, you can also order Koan Cordials online for home delivery (California residents only).
Be it reconnecting with your sense of arousal, your sense of wonder, or simply searching for a social booster, Koan’s assortment of blends relinquish the power of choosing your own moment back into the hands of the consumer.
This article is for informational purposes only and not to be used as medical advice. Please speak with a medical professional before making any changes to your diet, medications, or daily routine. These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
References:
- https://www.thecentersquare.com/national/two-thirds-of-americans-have-access-to-medical-marijuana-one-fourth-have-access-to-recreational/article_f1bb840e-5e52-11ea-8e10-87e05c777253.html
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8631840/
- https://www.healthymale.org.au/news/how-do-stress-and-anxiety-affect-sexual-performance-and-erectile-dysfunction
- https://www.mindbodygreen.com/articles/arousal-non-concordance-physical-mental-arousal-dont-align#:~:text=If%20you’ve%20ever%20had,ve%20experienced%20arousal%20non%2Dconcordance.
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29110804/
- https://www.smoa.jsexmed.org/article/S2050-1161(20)30078-7/fulltext
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8631840/
