Does Weed Make Sex Feel Better? [2024 Cannabis Data]

In this research, you will better understand how cannabis affects sex drive, pleasure, orgasms, and more to answer the question: Does weed make sex feel better?

People love getting stoned, and they love having sex, so why not do both at the same time? Does getting high make sex feel better?

The answer is a bit complicated. Marijuana can enhance all sorts of physical sensations – especially sex. But there’s more to it than simply feeling better.

Our research breaks down the foremost studies and surveys on how pot affects sex drive, pleasure, orgasms, and more.

Table of Contents

Here are some ***high*-lights from our research:**

One study found that people who smoke weed often have more sex per month than those who have never used cannabis.
Over two-thirds (68.5%) of people in one study said their sex was more pleasurable when they used marijuana beforehand.
More women take marijuana edibles to get high than men do.
Marijuana users, on average, have more sex drive and sex life satisfaction than non-users.
Smoking marijuana more than once a week is associated with a 28% lower sperm concentration and 29% lower sperm count.

Is Sex Better When You’re High?

Weed can enhance all your sensations, relax you, and make your sexual experience all-around more pleasurable. But it can also make you anxious or too distracted to get naughty.

A majority of people say that weed makes sex better, at least sometimes. Here’s a look at the data.

Cannabis can increase sensation, reduce anxiety, and encourage bonding with your partner. Cannabis receptors exist throughout the body, allowing the high to improve sexual sensation. (Embarc, 2021)¹
Cannabis not only induces deep relaxation of mind and body but also stimulates creative thoughts and energies that can increase pleasure. (Herb, 2021)²
34% of women in one study reported using marijuana before sex. (Sexual Medicine, 2019)³

One study had participants rate their sex while high on cannabis: (The Journal of Sexual Medicine, 2019)⁴
- 52.3% said they had used weed to enhance sex.
- 38.7% said sex was better after using cannabis.
- 16.0% said it was better in some ways and worse in others.
- 24.5% said it was sometimes better.
- 4.7% said it was worse.

In one study, participants described sexual functions with and without marijuana use: (Sexual Medicine, 2019)³
- Marijuana users before sex
  - Sexual life satisfaction – 70.1%
  - Satisfying sex drive – 71.7%
  - Satisfying orgasm – 67.7%
  - Increased lubrication – 74.0%
  - Reduced dyspareunia – 15.7%
- Non-Marijuana users before sex
  - Sexual life satisfaction – 61.2%
  - Satisfying sex drive – 59.2%
  - Satisfying orgasm – 53.1%
  - Increased lubrication – 69.4%
  - Reduced dyspareunia – 20.4%

The science isn’t definitive yet, but there are several potential upsides and downsides to using cannabis for sex: (The Cannigma, 2019)⁵
- Potential pros:
  - Increased sexual enjoyment
  - Better and more satisfying orgasms
  - Higher chance of achieving orgasm
  - Increased sex drive
  - People who smoke cannabis tend to have more sex
  - Ability to stay present and focused on sensations
- Potential cons:
  - Uncertainty about the effect of THC on testosterone production
  - Possibility of erectile dysfunction
  - Possibility of lowering sperm count & fertility concerns

How Does Weed Affect Someone’s Sex Life?

Being high can improve sex, but how does it affect a person’s sex life? Do they have more or less sex drive?

Studies show that overall satisfaction is higher among marijuana users. Here’s a look at the data.

73.8% of participants in one study reported higher sexual satisfaction with marijuana use. (The Journal of Sexual Medicine, 2019)⁴

In one study, participants reported the following sexual effects after using cannabis: (Psychology and Sexuality, 2018)⁶
- Sexual attractiveness (Self)
  - Less attractive – 18.2%
  - No difference – 56.5%
  - More attractive – 25.3%
- Sexual attractiveness (Others)
  - Less attractive – 12.9%
  - No difference – 60.1%
  - More attractive – 27.0%
- Sexual desire
  - Less desire – 16.8%
  - No difference – 51.6%
  - More desire – 31.6%
- Body sensitivity (to touch)
  - Less sensitive – 9.8%
  - No difference – 41.1%
  - More sensitive – 49.1%
- Sex organ sensitivity (to touch)
  - Less sensitive – 10.0%
  - No difference – 47.3%
  - More sensitive – 42.7%
- Intimate encounter
  - No – 34.8%
  - Yes – 65.2%
- Sexual encounter
  - No – 25.3%
  - Yes – 74.7%

If you want to dive deeper into how drugs affect someone’s life, check out our research study here.

In another study, some participants said marijuana acted as an icebreaker for meeting people. The taboo nature of weed appeared to facilitate sexual interactions. (Archives on Sexual Behavior, 2018)⁷
- “When I’d go on a date, if it went well, I’d be like, “Want to come back to my place and smoke weed?” That’s a great transition into the intimacy of being at my house. “Let’s do something a little bit taboo together.” And then it’s like you’re sharing a sensation that’s a little bit forbidden. Also, maybe just the fact of it being illegal and you have to do it privately…it seems kind of exclusive. It feels more intimate.“
- “I was probably thinking that this (marijuana) might increase the chances that we are going to have sex. This would be fun, and we’re already sort of in this intimate experience anyway…in my room in college smoking weed.“

One study measured the self-reported effects of marijuana on sexual encounters, with the following results: (Psychology and Sexuality, 2018)⁶
- Increased sexual outgoingness
  - No – 54.1%
  - Yes – 45.9%
- Increased sexual intensity
  - No – 38.2%
  - Yes – 61.8%
- Length of sexual interaction
  - Shorter amount of time – 14.5%
  - No difference – 49.1%
  - Longer amount of time – 36.4%
- Sexual enjoyment
  - Less enjoyment – 9.8%
  - No difference – 36.7%
  - More enjoyment – 53.5%
- Orgasm Intensity
  - Less intense – 12.1%
  - No difference – 43.0%
  - More enjoyment – 44.9%
- Length/frequency of orgasm
  - No/no difference – 70.4%
  - Yes – 29.6%
- Sexual dysfunction
  - No – 78.7%
  - Yes – 21.3%
- Attracted to partner if sober
  - No – 22.8%
  - Yes – 77.2%
- Regret having sex
  - No – 92.8%
  - Yes – 7.2%

Weed Can Lead to More Sex and More Satisfaction

As science begins to explore legal marijuana use, some interesting trends are coming to light. Frequent marijuana users seem to report having sex more often and having healthier sex lives.

These studies show the correlation between marijuana use and sexual satisfaction.

One study analyzed marijuana use and sexual frequency. They found that marijuana users had sex more frequently in the past month than those who didn’t use marijuana. (The Journal of Sexual Medicine, 2017)⁸
- 2002
  - Men
    - Never – 5.6 sexual activities in the past month, average.
    - <1 time per month – 5.5
    - Monthly – 5.1
    - Weekly – 5.6
    - Daily – 6.9
  - Women
    - Never – 6.4 sexual activities in the past month, average.
    - <1 time per month – 6.2
    - Monthly – 6.5
    - Weekly – 8.8
    - Daily – 7.6
- 2006
  - Men
    - Never – 5.3 sexual activities in the past month, average.
      <1 time per month – 5.7
    - Monthly – 6.2
    - Weekly – 6.7
    - Daily – 6.3
  - Women
    - Never – 6.0 sexual activities in the past month, average.
    - <1 time per month – 5.8
    - Monthly – 7.6
    - Weekly – 7.1
    - Daily – 7.6
- 2011
  - Men
    - Never – 5.9 sexual activities in the past month, average.
    - <1 time per month – 5.0
    - Monthly – 6.7
    - Weekly – 5.3
    - Daily – 7.0
  - Women
    - Never – 5.8 sexual activities in the past month, average.
    - <1 time per month – 6.2
    - Monthly – 7.8
    - Weekly – 7.9
    - Daily – 6.9
- 2013
  - Men
    - Never – 5.7 sexual activities in the past month, average.
    - <1 time per month – 5.8
    - Monthly – 5.1
    - Weekly – 6.4
    - Daily – 7.2
  - Women
    - Never – 5.8 sexual activities in the past month, average.
    - <1 time per month – 6.0
    - Monthly – 5.0
    - Weekly – 5.7
    - Daily – 6.7
- Total
  - Men
    - Never – 5.6 sexual activities in the past month, average.
    - <1 time per month – 5.5
    - Monthly – 5.7
    - Weekly – 6.0
    - Daily – 6.9
  - Women
    - Never – 6.0 sexual activities in the past month, average.
    - <1 time per month – 6.0
    - Monthly – 6.7
    - Weekly – 7.3
    - Daily – 7.1
The previous study found that daily marijuana users had roughly 20% more sex than those who had never used marijuana. (Best Life, 2019)⁹

One study compared overall sexual health satisfaction between frequent and infrequent marijuana users: (Sexual Medicine, 2019)³
- Frequent marijuana users
  - Sexual life satisfaction – 72.6%
  - Satisfying sex drive – 67.9%
  - Satisfying orgasm – 71.4%
  - Increased lubrication – 75.0%
  - Reduced dyspareunia – 14.3%
- Infrequent marijuana users
  - Sexual life satisfaction – 65.1%
  - Satisfying sex drive – 70.9%
  - Satisfying orgasm – 58.1%
  - Increased lubrication – 69.8%
  - Reduced dyspareunia – 20.9%

What’s the Most Popular Way to Use Cannabis?

You could probably guess the most popular way to use weed is to light up a joint or rip a bong, but you might be surprised at what else is popular.

These numbers show marijuana usage trends by gender.

Women in one study reported using cannabis in the following ways: (Sexual Medicine, 2020a)¹⁰
- Smoking flower – 46.7%
- Edibles – 11.1%
- Other – 4.9%
- Smoking concentrates – 5.3%
- Tincture or oils – 15.3%
- Vaping – 16.2%

Men in one study reported using cannabis in the following ways: (Sexual Medicine, 2020b)¹¹
- Smoking flower – 53.5%
- Edibles – 6.5%
- Smoking concentrates or extracts – 8.6%
- Tincture or oils – 8.6%
- Unknown – 1.2%
- Vaping – 17.5%
- Other – 4.0%

How Does Weed Affect Sex?

We touched on the ways marijuana impacts sex, and now we’re going to get into the dirty details.

Studies of marijuana users show interesting effects on sex drive, pleasure, orgasms, and stamina. Here’s what they found.

Sex Drive
- One study found that of participants who used marijuana before sex, 60.6% of them had an increase in sex drive. (Sexual Medicine, 2019)³
- In another study, 58.9% of participants said weed increased their desire for sex. (The Journal of Sexual Medicine, 2019)⁴
- A different study found that both men and women said they wanted to have more sex after the first time they had sex while high. (Archives of Sexual Behavior, 2018)⁷

Sexual Pleasure
- 69.8% of people in one study said weed helped them relax more during sex. (The Journal of Sexual Medicine, 2019)⁴
  - 50.5% of people in the same study said they were able to focus better.
  - 74.3% said they had more sensitivity to touch.
- Over two-thirds (68.5%) of people in one study said their sex was more pleasurable when they used marijuana beforehand. (Sexual Medicine, 2019)³
- A man in one study gave the following testimony about marijuana and sexual sensitivity: (Archives of Sexual Behavior, 2018)⁷
  - “with marijuana, it’s intensified. Any little touch is more arousing. The body sensations, particularly on sexual organs—it’s more of an intense sensation. I’d say everything just feels more sensitive…it’s more intense. Even just foreplay and touching and holding each other is more pleasurable. So they are opposites.“

Orgasms
- 65.7% of people in one study reported increased intensity in orgasms when using marijuana before sex. (The Journal of Sexual Medicine, 2019)⁴
- 52.8% of participants in one study said using marijuana before sex led to more satisfying orgasms. (Sexual Medicine, 2019)³
- Some men and women said their orgasms were longer, “magnified,” or more intense. (Archives of Sexual Behavior, 2018)⁷
  - “The orgasm’s more intense (on marijuana). I can feel it more. I’m also not in my head thinking about anything else. So I’m able to be mindful of everything that’s happening, and nothing intrudes.“
  - “When I’m high, it seems like my orgasms are magnified at least by five times. Much more intense. Hot and cold flashes.“
  - “With marijuana, it’s like, ‘Okay, let’s enjoy the moment. Let’s live in the moment.’“
- While orgasms are generally more intense on cannabis, some females said they couldn’t focus well enough to achieve orgasm. (Archives of Sexual Behavior, 2018)⁷

Sexual Stamina
- One study found that weed can cause “spacing out” that might lead a male to last longer during sex. (Archives of Sexual Behavior, 2018)⁷
  - One woman said, “It’s better being high—the sex, but it’s less time. I like it to be longer but still feel great about it.“
  - Another participant said that overall, sex lasted longer because foreplay lasted longer – not intercourse.
- Marijuana may help guys last longer during sex, but it’s also possible it simply alters their perception of time. (Playboy, 2015)¹²

Weed and Women’s Sex Lives

Weed and sex are somewhat different experiences for men and women, so some studies choose to analyze them separately.

When it comes to women, these data points show how marijuana impacts their sex lives.

One study used a Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) score to record women’s sexual function with frequent or infrequent marijuana use. A higher score means better sexual function: (Sexual Medicine, 2020a)¹⁰
- Cannabis users with the frequency of 2 or fewer times per week
  - Desire score – 3.5
  - Arousal score – 4.3
  - Lubrication score – 4.9
  - Orgasm score – 4.6
  - Satisfaction score – 4.39
  - Pain score – 5.06
  - Total Score – 26.7
- Cannabis users with the frequency of 3 or more times per week
  - Desire score – 3.8
  - Arousal score – 4.8
  - Lubrication score – 5.2
  - Orgasm score – 5.0
  - Satisfaction score – 4.79
  - Pain score – 5.30
  - Total Score – 28.9
Some women say that they don’t get as wet when they’re high; this issue was also brought up by males. (Archives of Sexual Behavior, 2018)⁷
- “I think I don’t get as naturally lubricated when I smoke…and I don’t think I’ve ever orgasmed after smoking weed and having sex.“
- “Sometimes, when we’ve been smoking more marijuana, it’s harder for her to get wet. It’s like the same thing as getting dry mouth, but down there.“
- Women who used marijuana before sex had 2.13 higher odds of having a satisfactory orgasm during sex than women who didn’t use marijuana. (Sexual Medicine, 2019)³

One study asked women about the positive aspects of marijuana use on sexual activity: (Sexual Medicine, 2019)³
- Sexual Experience
  - “A lot” – 33.9%
  - “A moderate amount” – 45.8%
  - “A little” – 15.3%
  - “Not at all” – 5.1%
- Sex Drive
  - “A lot” – 37.5%
  - “A moderate amount” – 62.5%
  - “A little” – 0.0%
  - “Not at all” – 0.0%
- Orgasms
  - “A lot” – 43.6%
  - “A moderate amount” – 56.4%
  - “A little” – 0.0%
  - “Not at all” – 0.0%
- Reduced Dyspareunia (genital pain after sex)
  - “A lot” – 41.7%
  - “A moderate amount” – 58.3%
  - “A little” – 0.0%
  - “Not at all” – 0.0%
- Increased Lubrication
  - “A lot” – 53.1%
  - “A moderate amount” – 0.0%
  - “A little” – 46.9%
  - “Not at all” – 0.0%

Weed and Men’s Sex Lives

Men have different sexual concerns than women do, so weed impacts them in different ways.

Here’s what modern science has to say about the effects of marijuana on a man’s sex life.

One study used average International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) scores to measure how weed affects a man’s sexual function. A higher score means better sexual ability. (Sexual Medicine, 2020b)¹¹
- Cannabis users with the frequency of 2 or fewer times per week
  - Erectile domain – 25.74
  - Orgasm domain – 8.12
  - Sexual desire domain – 8.31
  - Intercourse satisfaction domain – 11.31
  - Overall satisfaction domain – 7.05
  - Erectile dysfunction – 13
  - Overall score – 60.52
- Cannabis users with the frequency of 3 or more times per week
  - Erectile domain – 27.32
  - Orgasm domain – 9.08
  - Sexual desire domain – 8.43
  - Intercourse satisfaction domain – 12.42
  - Overall satisfaction domain – 8.11
  - Erectile dysfunction – 50
  - Overall score – 65.36

Smoking marijuana more than once a week was associated with a 28% lower sperm concentration and 29% lower sperm count. (American Journal of Epidemiology, 2015)¹³
Using marijuana more than once a week in conjunction with other drugs reduced participants’ sperm concentration by 52% and sperm count by 55%. (American Journal of Epidemiology, 2015)¹³
A 2019 study found that the overall prevalence of erectile dysfunction in marijuana users was 69.1%. (American Journal of Men’s Health, 2019)¹⁴
- Cannabis users were almost four times more likely to have ED than non-cannabis users.

Conclusion

Weed affects everyone a little differently, and sex is also a completely unique experience for each individual. A majority of people think that weed makes sex better, but a significant number of people disagree.

On the positive side, cannabis can increase sensitivity and sensation. It relaxes a person, which can make orgasms easier and more intense. On the negative side, it can distract people from sex.

It can also contribute to erectile dysfunction for men and similar problems for women. Marijuana affects everyone differently, so listening to your body and mind while under the influence is important.

Natural intoxicants like weed can increase the pleasure and sensation of a sexual encounter, and most people have positive experiences with it. If you’re curious, try it in small doses first and see how you feel.

Take it at your own pace, and have fun!

For more interesting sex studies and statistics, head over to our guide here.

Footnotes

Embarc, 2021. An article on how and why getting high on marijuana makes sexual activity more pleasurable.
Herb, 2021. An article on the scientific reasons explaining why weed can make sex feel better.
Sexual Medicine, 2019. A study on the impact of marijuana use prior to sex in 373 American women.
The Journal of Sexual Medicine, 2019. A study on how cannabis alters sexual experiences using data from 216 Canadian men and women.
The Cannigma, 2019. A medically-reviewed article on how cannabis affects sex drive and sexual sensation.
Psychology and Sexuality, 2018. A study of self-reported effects of alcohol, marijuana, and ecstasy in 679 young adult nightlife attendees.
Archives of Sexual Behavior, 2018. A study on the sexual experiences of 24 Americans aged 18 to 35 under the influence of alcohol or marijuana.
The Journal of Sexual Medicine, 2017. A study of 51,119 American men and women to determine the relationship between marijuana use and sexual frequency.
Best Life, 2019. An article analyzing 12 different ways that marijuana use can affect a person’s sex life.
Sexual Medicine, 2020a. A study on the effect of cannabis on sexual function in 452 American women.
Sexual Medicine, 2020b. A study on the effect of cannabis on sexual function in 325 American men.
Playboy, 2015. An article on the effect of marijuana on male sexual stamina citing input from Dr. Justin Lehmiller.
American Journal of Epidemiology, 2015. A study on the association between marijuana use and male semen quality and hormone balance in 1,215 healthy young males.
American Journal of Men’s Health, 2019. A study on the relationship between cannabis use and erectile dysfunction in 3,395 healthy American men.

Here are some high-lights from our research: