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Insights on Libido and Pleasure

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In the “Ask Well” column, there’s been chatter about treatments for low libido in women. After that, a bunch of folks started wondering if cannabis might just be one of those potential remedies.

Now, this isn’t just a random question. The U.S. House of Representatives just passed a bill decriminalizing marijuana on a federal level. Marijuana, the most commonly used federally illegal drug, is now allowed for medical use in 37 states and for adult use in 18. According to a 2020 survey, about 18% of Americans over 12 had tried it in the past year, and over 67% are all for legalization, based on various polls.

To dive deeper into the connection between cannabis and sexuality, we reached out to some experts, including a gynecologist who’s been studying marijuana use in women.

Here’s the bottom line: It’s tough to say for sure if cannabis will boost sexual desire or enhance one’s sex life. But, there’s plenty of stories out there suggesting that the right dose of cannabis can make women’s sexual experiences more fulfilling and increase their libido. Part of this might be because cannabis can heighten the senses and ease symptoms like anxiety, insomnia, and pain that can put a damper on desire. It might also have some positive effects for men, but there are some potential downsides women should be aware of. So, what’s the research saying?

For ages, both men and women have reported that cannabis changes their sexual experience. Way back in 1971, the astronomer Carl Sagan, a regular toker himself, wrote that cannabis “enhances the enjoyment of sex” and gives an “exquisite sensitivity.”

But, research on cannabis and libido is kinda thin, partly because of the challenges in funding studies on a federally illegal substance in the U.S. Most of the research leans on survey data, which can be biased towards folks who already use cannabis and doesn’t necessarily represent the general population. Plus, these surveys don’t give the full picture on dosage, how it’s taken, or when.

Despite these hurdles, the limited evidence suggests that marijuana seems to enhance the sexual experience for many women who already partake.

Dr. Becky K. Lynn, a sexual medicine and menopause expert and founder of Evora Women’s Health in St. Louis, has had patients come to her with low libido complaints. Some have said, “I’ve got low libido. Can you help?” and then mentioned that cannabis helps them climax without a hitch. They also reported a libido boost from using marijuana.

 

Dr. Lynn, who also teaches at Saint Louis University School of Medicine, led a 2019 study surveying 373 women at an OB-GYN clinic in Missouri. Of them, 34% said they’d used marijuana before getting intimate, and most said it led to increased desire, more satisfying orgasms, and less pain.

Other research has found that some women use cannabis to manage menopause symptoms like hot flashes, night sweats, insomnia, and vaginal changes like dryness – all things that can tank libido if left unchecked.

Additionally, an online survey of over 200 women and men cannabis users found that about 60% said cannabis boosted their desire, while nearly 74% reported greater sexual satisfaction. However, this study, done by experts in Canada and published in The Journal of Sexual Medicine, noted that 16% said they saw improvements in some sexual areas but not others, and just under 5% felt their sexual experience was worse.

Research on cannabis use and male sexual function is also sparse and has mixed results. The International Society for Sexual Medicine reports that some men say marijuana improves their performance, while others might experience issues like reduced motivation for sex, erectile dysfunction, trouble climaxing, or premature ejaculation. Plus, cannabis use has been linked to reductions in sperm count, concentration, motility, and viability.

Starting low and going slow is key when it comes to any substance, including cannabis.

If a doctor gives the green light for cannabis use in a legal state, Dr. Peter Grinspoon, a primary care doc at Massachusetts General Hospital and a cannabis medicine expert, advises newbies to start with a “small dose”, sometimes as low as 1 milligram of THC, marijuana’s main psychoactive compound. According to him, in low doses, cannabis might help increase libido, but in high doses, it might not work as well and could even cause anxiety and paranoia. Plus, in high doses, it might inhibit climax, achieving the opposite of what’s desired.

Dr. Lynn agrees that it’s essential to start small and go slow.

The right amount of marijuana can vary from person to person, so it’s crucial to pay attention to how your body responds individually.

Since cannabis can affect judgment, coordination, and reaction times, folks using psychoactive substances before or during intimacy should make sure both they and their partners are in a position to have safe and consensual relations.



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Does Francis Ford Coppola Consume Weed

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His talent created Apocalypse Now, the Godfather movies and now Megalopolis – but does he consume marijuana?

He is a legend in the film industry and directed Apocalypse Now and the Godfather. He burst on onto the scene in the 1960s and 70s and brought in a new generation of movies. Known as one of the greatest directors of all time, he also went on to make a name in the wine industry. Displayed at one of the wineries are some of his five Academy Awards, six Golden Globe Awards, two Palmes d’Or, and his British Academy Film Award (BAFTA). With all the creativity and pressure, does Francis Ford Coppola consume weed?

RELATED: Vinyls and Marijuana Go Together

The 60s and 70s were when weed came out of the closet and from New York to LA creatives, artists, celebrities and every day people tried a little. “Turn on, tune in, drop out” was the counterculture-era phrase popularized by Timothy Leary in 1966. The talented director was able to reflect the past and embrace the new with his film.  It was one of his early successes, Apocalypse Now, which  marijuana burst into the open. There are great clips of Dennis Hopper stoned on set.

Megalopolis could be the last major project film for the director, and it has taken him 40 years to get it made.  His unique approach is again make headlines with the team sharing he has spent hours on end smoking plenty of cannabis while everybody waited.

“I never took any drugs in my life at all except for some grass,” Coppola said. “I found that the effect that the grass would have on me is interesting. One, it would make me extremely focused, so if I was trying to evaluate a script or write a script, I wasn’t thinking of all the things where my feelings were hurt about this or I was worried about that.”

He added, “I’m sure grass affects different people in different ways. For me, I tended to be very focused. If I smoked a joint, I couldn’t fall asleep. I’d want to work. And often, I stayed up all night trying to rewrite a script.”

RELATED: How To Microdose Marijuana

A savoy businessman, he turns his passion into money. His love of wine had made him money with two wineries, his love of beauty and travel has brought him a luxury hotels and his love of cannabis has brought him into the industry. Coppola launched Sana Company in partnership with Humboldt Brothers in 2018 and released the brand known as The Grower’s Series.

 



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Cannabis Can Help Painful Menstrual Cramps

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It can be a miserable time of month – especially for those who suffer extreme pain….but cannabis can help.

It is a fact of life and comes almost like clockwork. Some 60% of woman have mild cramps during their period and about 5% to 15% report period pain that’s so severe that it affects their daily activities. Experts aren’t quite sure why some have more pain others.  Since this is a little research area, some scientist rely on everyone’s body is different. Symptoms include aching, throbbing pain or a feeling of pressure in the abdomen, pain in the hips, lower back and inner thighs along with nausea, dizziness and headaches.  The good news is cannabis can help painful menstrual cramps.

RELATED: Can CBD Help With PMS?

Some simple ways to help reduce the pain is to ensure you have enough rest and avoid caffeine, alcohol and cigarettes. Cannabis is proven to have medical benefits, especially with inflammation and pain relief. Marijuana expands blood vessels which helps reduce cramps, and relieve headaches and other minor pain. It is also fast acting, often quicker than natural or other medicines.

Photo by IRA_EVVA/Getty Images

While edibles and smoking may help, many women are turning to topicals and cannabis suppositories for pain relief. With 50% of the country having access to legal weed, it can be considered a viable option.  While more research needs to be done, anecdotal data indicts it can help and quickly.

Suppositories or cannabis tampons can provide quick pain relief. They take around 15 minutes to work, and directly affect the pelvis muscles and uterus, relaxing the insides and reducing tension. Best to use them right before bed or when you’re going to be laying down for a while. Relax, and be sure to wear something for the sake of your underwear.

Another way is cannabis bath salts. An effective way to combat pain and period cramps is relaxation, which can be facilitated with a nice long bath and some fancy bath salts.  They can provide relief for up to 5 hours but might leave you a little loopy afterwards.

RELATED: The Best Tips To Up Your Intimacy Game While High

A cannabis balm can be used anywhere on the body, including the the site of the cramps.  It is an analgesic, so if the cramps are particularly powerful, add a spoonful of the balm to the insides of your vagina and let it melt. Do this when you have time to let the balm do it’s work.

Studies have shown can also lift moods, and more than just temporarily.  Marijuana can also help minimize mood swings and bring overall mood stability. Cannabis can aid in the regulation of our brain’s neurotransmitters which can help us get better control of our emotions.



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$187,000 pot leadership post opens up to nationwide search

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The continued success of the Bay State’s legal weed business will need a “tough, strategic thinker” to oversee day-to-day administration of the agency in charge of the $7 billion pot industry, according to the Cannabis Control Commission.

The CCC has begun a nationwide job search for its second Executive Director, the person responsible for “administering and enforcing Massachusetts statutes and regulations regarding the state’s marijuana industry and reports to the five Commissioners who are appointed by the governor, state Treasurer, and Attorney General for expertise in public health, public safety, social justice, regulated industries, and corporate management/finance/securities.”

The about $187,000 per year job, according to Commissioner Bruce Stebbins, is an “exciting opportunity” for anyone willing to “plan and make difficult decisions to execute the competing priorities of an independent state agency that regulates a still-federally illegal substance.”

Read the rest of this story on BostonHerald.com.



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