Cannabis And Erectile Dysfunction (ED): Effects, Pros, Cons & More

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Key takeaways

The effects of cannabis on erectile dysfunction are mixed, with some studies suggesting it may increase sexual desire and arousal, while others indicate it could increase the risk of ED.
Cannabis use may have both potential benefits, such as reducing tissue buildup caused by high cholesterol (a risk factor for ED), and drawbacks, including difficulty achieving orgasm and potential hormone imbalances.
If you’re considering cannabis for ED, it’s important to discuss the potential benefits and risks with a doctor, especially if you’re taking other medications, as cannabis can interact with blood thinners, blood sugar medications, and blood pressure medications.

Cannabis comes from the leaves, stems, seeds, and flowers of the Cannabis sativa hemp plant. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, 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 memory. Taken over the long term, cannabis may affect brain development and learning, especially for those under 25 years old.

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 pros

Pros

Cannabis has been associated with increased sexual desire and arousal.
Cannabis may help reduce damage caused by high cholesterol.

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.

Cannabis cons

Cons

Some studies suggest that cannabis may contribute to ED.
Daily cannabis use might lead to trouble achieving orgasm in some men.
Cannabis may negatively impact sperm quality and thus men who are trying to conceive should refrain from cannabis.

However, marijuana may not always provide the sexual boost it’s known for. A 2011 literature review published in The Journal of Sexual Medicine found that marijuana may actually increase the risk of ED.

Studies show that when THC reaches the brain, it gives users the feeling of being “high.” This interferes with your body’s normal functions. It may also impact the normal function of the penis’s smooth muscle, resulting in ED.

Another study from 2010 found that daily marijuana use in men leads to trouble achieving orgasm.

Cannabis may cause hormone imbalances in men which can lead to issues like gynecomastia and impaired sexual function.

Cannabis and other medications

Cannabis may cause dangerous interactions with certain drugs, including:

Blood thinners: Cannabis may interfere with blood thinners and increase bleeding risk. Use with caution if you take blood thinners such as aspirin (Bayer), ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), warfarin (Coumadin), and naproxen (Aleve).
Blood sugar medications: It may affect blood sugar levels. Use with caution if you take medications that affect blood sugar, such as insulin.
Blood pressure medications: It may lower blood pressure. Be careful if you take blood pressure medications, such as diuretics or beta-blockers.
Drugs that cause drowsiness: It may increase drowsiness when taken with drugs that cause drowsiness, such as lorazepam (Ativan) and diazepam (Valium).

Taking sildenafil (Viagra) with cannabis may not be a smart move either. A 2006 paper published in Clinical Cardiology showed that cannabis prevents Viagra from being properly metabolized. This increases Viagra’s effects, which might mean an increased risk of heart problems.

Other drug interactions are also possible. If you use marijuana, tell your doctor before taking any prescription or over-the-counter drugs.

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Takeaway

Few large-scale, high-quality studies have explored the connection between cannabis and sexual health. Whether the drug enhances sex or ruins it depends on many factors. These may include the variety of cannabis used, your overall health, and your views on sexual health.

If you have ED and are wondering if cannabis may help, talk to your doctor. They’ll help you weigh the benefits with potential risks and side effects, both sexual and otherwise.

It’s worth getting a diagnosis from your doctor regardless of what treatment approach you decide since underlying conditions might be discovered.

How we reviewed this article:

SourcesHistoryHealthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We only use quality, credible sources to ensure content accuracy and integrity. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.

Cannabis (Marijuana). (n.d.).https://nida.nih.gov/research-topics/cannabis-marijuana
Cannabis (Marijuana): Drug facts. (2019).https://nida.nih.gov/publications/drugfacts/cannabis-marijuana
Fraga-Silva FA. (2013). Treatment with CB2 agonist JWH-133 reduces histological features associated with erectile dysfunction in hypercholesterolemic mice.https://www.hindawi.com/journals/jir/2013/263846/
Jacobus J, et al. (2015). Effects of cannabis on the adolescent brain.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3930618
McLeod AL. (2006). Myocardial infarction following the combined recreational use of Viagra and cannabis.https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/clc.4960250310
Schoeler T, et al. (2013). The effect of cannabis use on memory function: An update.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3931635/
Shamloul R, et al.(2011). Impact of cannabis use on male sexual health.https://www.jsm.jsexmed.org/article/S1743-6095(15)33490-1/fulltext
Smith AMA, et al.(2010). Cannabis use and sexual health.https://www.jsm.jsexmed.org/article/S1743-6095(15)32873-3/fulltext
Sun AJ, et al. (2017). Association between marijuana use and sexual frequency in the United States: A population-based study.https://www.jsm.jsexmed.org/article/S1743-6095(17)31417-0/fulltext
What is marijuana? (2020).https://nida.nih.gov/publications/research-reports/marijuana/what-marijuana

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Medically reviewed by Jeffrey Chen, MD, MBA — Written by Kimberly Holland — Updated on August 3, 2022

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Effects of cannabis

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Cannabis and other medications

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