Cannabis and women’s pleasure
A holistic approach to sexual wellbeing
By: Carlen Costa
There hasn’t been a finding as exciting to come through the sexual health industry as cannabis since they found the clitoris in the ‘80s. Cannabis consumption is going through a wide-ranging evolution, but what a lot of people have on their minds, is “how is this going to help sex be better?”
The Journal of Sexual Medicine reports from 2014 that only 65 per cent of heterosexual women always orgasm during intercourse, in comparison to 86 per cent of lesbian women, gay men and heterosexual men, respectively. It’s fair to say, that women are coming to experience their intimate lifestyles, at a disadvantage.
Enter, cannabis. When it comes to cannabis and sex, people have been touting its aphrodisiac qualities since, well, the dawn of time. The good news is, up until recently, this mostly anecdotal partnership has been confirmed by science to be sympatico. The average cannabis consumer has also reported that cannabis does in fact improve their sex lives.
Cross Canada surveys like the one from Van Der Pop have noted that 87 per cent of women who use cannabis as a sexual aid find it effective; and, from Xscape Cannabis, their survey reported that 75 per cent of cannabis users are likely to recommend mixing sexand cannabis to enhance their experience. This means that current cannabis users report a satisfying correlation and causation of this generous phyto-recipe for love. Much of canna-science is still in its infancy, however, studies are reporting that cannabis supports a woman’s sex life fulsomely and, here’s how:
1. Relaxation
Consuming cannabis gives people permission to relax. It’s part of the ritual for many of us, however, evidence from human studies supports the anxiolytic (anxiety reducing) role of CBD, as well. Some cannabis compounds have been shown to decrease our cortisol levels and reduce the duration of negative emotional responses to acute psychosocial stress that we experience on a daily basis.
2. Pain relief
Cannabis really is the plant that keeps on giving and, CBD may have been one of its greatest gifts to the world. Whether it’s muscle soreness, nerve pain, or genitally focused problems like vaginismus or dyspareunia, CBD when used topically, or consumed has shown to be effective in relieving pain and discomfort in our bodies. Lest we forget out monthly menstruation. Cannabis use has also been reported to help relieve the pain associated with menstruation, endometriosis and PMS.
3. Connection & presence
Consuming cannabis does this cool ‘time’ thing, where it actually sloooowwwss doooowwwwnn tttiiimmmmeee. Ok, not actually, but when it triggers a part of our brains called the thalamo-cortico-striatal circuit, its disruption feeds your perception that time has in fact, slowed down. Most people aren’t used to being present or actively mindful either, so the extra-focus that we experience when high, elongates our perception of time and allows us to show up more mindfully in our daily lives.
4. Increase sensation
and orgasmic capacity
It’s true, preliminary canna-science is showing that consumption, whether topically or orally consumed, is helping many women by increasing their arousal and desire to have sex, as well as helping to increase blood flow to their genitals. The more flow, the bigger the orgasms, (that’s why foreplay is so important). Cannabis, for many women, is allowing them to feel everything, without shame, and take in all the pleasure that we deserve.
Carlen Costa DHS, RP, ACS is a Clinical Sexologist & OCSWSSW registered Psychotherapist. As the best-selling Author of “Love: The Women’s Guide to Not Fucking Settling”, Cannabis Advocate and CEO of The Everyday Goddess™ life design community, Carlen teaches women and men how to love, with confidence, through radical self-love and sacred science therapies.
