A new study of hundreds of people conducted by North Carolina researchers found that women who smoked marijuana before sex or masturbated had better orgasms during intercourse.
The study suggests the drug relaxes women and increases their desire, meaning the recreational drug could treat sexual dysfunction.
The relaxation is thought to be due to THC, the best-known cannabinoid or active ingredient in the cannabis plant. The study involved both men and women and more than 70 per cent of the participants reported higher sexual satisfaction after using marijuana.
The researchers wrote in the study published in the Journal of Cannabis Research:
Overall, cannabis use has a positive effect on perceived sexual efficacy and satisfaction for individuals, regardless of gender or age, and cannabis may help reduce gender disparities in sexual pleasure.
The study was conducted by scientists from East Carolina University and North Carolina State University.
It was aimed at understanding the effects of cannabis on sexual performance and satisfaction. The study said:
While more than 90 per cent of men usually experience orgasm during sex, less than 50 per cent of women regularly experience orgasm during intercourse and only six per cent always experience orgasm during sex.
The study also found that marijuana enhances touch, taste and smell, senses that can make or break sex.
Another finding was that the acute organism, when under the influence, only occurred when cannabis was used intentionally before sex. Wrote the researchers:
These findings may be due to the psychological assumption that using cannabis will increase pleasure due to the aphrodisiac perception of cannabis rather than the true physiological effects.
However, the relaxation effects of cannabis may contribute to or decrease desire which may contribute to increased sexual performance and satisfaction.