Cannabis comes from the leaves, stems, seeds, and flowers of the Cannabis sativa hemp plant. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse Trusted Source, cannabis’s main chemical is delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). It also has over 100 related chemicals known as cannabinoids.
Cannabis is smoked in hand-rolled cigarettes (joints) or inhaled through pipes (bongs). Some people make cannabis tea or mix it into baked goods such as cookies, brownies, and candy. Cannabis is often associated with side effects that may affect sexual health, including erectile dysfunction (ED). ED is the inability to get and keep an erection.
A common condition, it may lead to stress and relationship issues. If ED happens now and then, there’s often no need for concern. If it’s frequent, it may be a symptom of another health condition. In that case, treating the other condition may resolve ED. Read on to learn more about the connection between cannabis and ED.
Effects of cannabis
Short-term effects of cannabis include:
- altered senses
- altered sense of time
- mood changes
- impaired movements
- difficulty thinking
Cannabis also interferes with short-term memoryTrusted Source. Taken over the long term, cannabis may affect brain development and learning, especially for those under 25 years oldTrusted Source. Many states have legalized cannabis for medical use. However, the Food and Drug Administration hasn’t approved cannabis for any medical condition. But there are synthetic THC medications that are approved for some medical conditions. Conditions eligible for medical cannabis vary by state, and may include:
Cannabis also interferes with short-term memoryTrusted Source. Taken over the long term, cannabis may affect brain development and learning, especially for those under 25 years oldTrusted Source. Many states have legalized cannabis for medical use. However, the Food and Drug Administration hasn’t approved cannabis for any medical condition. But there are synthetic THC medications that are approved for some medical conditions.
Conditions eligible for medical cannabis vary by state, and may include:
- cancer
- glaucoma
- HIV and AIDS
- hepatitis C
- pain
- wasting diseases, such as cachexia
- nausea
- seizures and epilepsy
- post-traumatic stress disorder
- amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, otherwise known as Lou Gehrig’s disease
- multiple sclerosis
- Alzheimer’s disease
Medical cannabis isn’t approved for ED. Some states allow marijuana use for conditions not on the approved list, if your doctor identifies them as debilitating.
Cannabis has a reputation of giving users a feeling of euphoria. Some users report moods that may improve sexual experiences, such as:
- elevated mood
- increased sexual desire
- increased arousal
High cholesterol is a risk factor for ED. A study published in Clinical and Developmental Immunology found that cannabis may help reduce tissue buildup and damage caused by high cholesterol. However, the study was conducted on mice, not humans, so more research is needed.
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