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Indica or Sativa for Arousal: Best Cannabis Strains for Sex 2022
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Using Cannabis to Improve Your Sex Life
Considering the daily distractions and stressors that most of us experience on a day-to-day basis, it shouldn’t be shocking to discover that many sexually active individuals find themselves too tired, anxious, stressed, or burned out to muster up much enthusiasm for sex. However, many cannabis users are now utilizing this versatile plant for its potential benefits under the sheets. Given that 2 out of 3 Americans have access to legal cannabis, many canna-consumers are asking the question: can cannabis improve my sex life? To which many are responding with a resounding — yet anecdotal — “Yes! Cannabis makes my sex life so much better!”
Should I Use an Indica or Sativa for Sex?
If you find yourself asking which is the better option for sex, sativas or indicas, you’re not alone. The concept of sativa strains and indica strains date back generations, but recent studies have shed light on the actual reality of this antiquated nomenclature. Ultimately, basing your cannabis purchase on colloquial marketing jargon like indica or sativa isn’t the best approach if you’re trying to improve your sex life — or improve any aspect of your well-being for that matter.
These terms were once used as a method to identify the effects that a certain strain may cause, but as we have further unraveled the science of cannabis, we now understand that indica and sativa along with strain names are nothing more than colloquial marketing terms that allow dispensaries and growers the ability to distinguish between various genetic varieties.
Things like genetic drift, genetic degradation, and variable growing conditions, are just a few reasons that labeling cannabis based on sativa or indica isn’t an accurate approach. As scientists have revealed, the other constituents of the cannabis plant like terpenes and minor cannabinoids, play an equally important role in your experience. That’s why it is vital to understand and ask for a terpene analysis each time you’re purchasing a new cannabis product. As we will discuss in the next section, studies suggest that terpenes in your cannabis likely play a role in sexual arousal, stress reduction, and the euphoria of intimate encounters.
Terpenes for Sexual Arousal and Intimacy
As we explain in our guide to understanding terpenes, these compounds, which are found not only in cannabis but in most other plants as well, have shown that they can influence the effects of cannabinoids like THC and CBD. But is this the case when it comes to individuals seeking a boost in libido, arousal, or ability to orgasm? As many studies suggest, some of the prevalent terps found in cannabis can lead to what many users describe as a positive boost in their overall sex life. Now that you know the importance of terpenes when searching for a cannabis product, let’s explore some of the specific terps that can help rekindle that spark in the bedroom.
Limonene
The terpene limonene has been reported to provide mood-boosting effects . If you’re someone who constantly has busy thoughts running through your head, you’re also probably aware of the negative impact they can have when you want to focus on intimacy between your partner(s) or yourself. In a study conducted by the International Society for the Study of Women’s Sexual Health, researchers reported that, “the majority of [cannabis] users before sex reported a better overall sexual experience, an increase in sex drive, a more pleasurable orgasm, and a decrease in pain”[3]. If you experience frequent stress or if you’re feeling a little blue, perhaps asking your budtender for a cannabis product that is high in limonene could be the pick-me-up that you need to get back into the mood.
Linalool
Much like the issues presented by life’s erratic nature, another byproduct of having too much on your plate is the ever dreadful feeling of stress. Not only can stress result in the inability to focus on tasks at hand, but it can also lead to instances of depression in some individuals, oftentimes resulting in a diminished interest in sex. The terpene linalool has shown evidence of antidepressant effects in a study published in the Journal of Ethnopharmacology. Finding a cannabis product that is high in linalool may help curb those racing thoughts and help you enter a state of calm, allowing you to become fully immersed in your sexual endeavors.
Beta-Caryophyllene (BCP)
It can be frustrating to find yourself mentally ready for a sexual escapade, but physically, your joints or muscles ache from work, sports, or other activities. This could likely be due to inflammation, which can be the result of numerous things, genetics included. If achy muscles or joints are giving your sex life the cold shoulder, it may be worthwhile to search for a cannabis product that has a high concentration of beta-caryophyllene. This terpene produces effects similar to humulene such as anti-inflammatory action. It also has the added benefit of amplifying CBD and happens to bind directly to CB2 receptor sites, making it not only useful, but unique as well.
Top Five Cannabis Strains for Sex
As discussed earlier, strain names are not accurate measures of how your cannabis will affect you, but they can provide a starting point. If you find that a certain strain delivers the effects you’re searching for, it is worthwhile to have a conversation with your budtender to discuss the ideal terpene profile of that product. Arming yourself with this information will give you the ability to search for products that allow you to repeat the experience in the future, especially as brands continue to recognize the value of terpene composition. Based on our terpene suggestions above, here are the top five cannabis strains for sex.
| Strain/Variety | Dominant Terpene |
| Banana OG | Limonene |
| Black Cherry Soda | Limonene |
| Zkittlez | Linalool |
| Amnesia Haze | Linalool/Limonene/Humulene |
| Deathstar | Humulene |
The Takeaway
If you’re stressing over which cannabis product, terpene profile, or cannabinoid composition will benefit your sex life or lead to a boost in libido, then you may be sweating details that don’t make a significant impact in the long run. More important than the variety or strain that you opt to consume, should be the consideration of the quality and contents of your product.
With the composition of most cannabis products varying wildly, even from batch to batch, it is difficult for canna-consumers to repeat positive experiences or avoid undesirable ones. Thanks to advances in cannabis-infusion technology, brands like Koan Cordials are giving users the ability to not only choose their moment but repeat their experiences. This is made possible by Koan’s precision dosing with laboratory accuracy. With this, there’s no more wondering if “this one is as potent as the last one”, as users can rest assured — and verify through third-party testing results made available from Koan — that their convenient, single-serving cannabis cordials maintain the same dosages of cannabinoids and terpenes from batch to batch.
If you find that your local dispensary is sold out, Koan Cordials can be ordered online for home delivery as well (California residents only). For those who are looking for a product specifically crafted to stimulate their intimate side, be sure to check out Koan’s Love Cordial. This cordial is designed to lower barriers to intimacy, enhance sensuality, increase tactile sensation, and support arousal. Be it a solo adventure or with a partner, Koan’s Love Cordial facilitates an overall deeper sense of pleasure from start to finish.
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.politico.com/news/2020/11/04/1-in-3-americans-lives-where-recreational-marijuana-legal-434004
- 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.isswshmeeting.org/isswsh2017-abstract?abstract_id=93
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0378874112004953#f0020
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2785529/
