Dr. Deepali is a qualified dental surgeon with a Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) degree from the esteemed MR Ambedkar Dental College, Bangalore. With a strong foundation in clinical healthcare and a deep-rooted passion for storytelling, she has transitioned into the world of medical writing—where science meets empathy. Drawing from years of hands-on experience in patient care, Dr. Deepali specializes in simplifying complex health information into clear, relatable, and trustworthy content. Her journey as a writer began long before her medical career—with published articles, play scripts, and creative pieces written during her school and college years. Today, she combines that creative flair with her medical background to write well-researched articles on sexual wellness, general health, mental well-being, and more. Her core belief is that health content should empower—not overwhelm. She is especially passionate about patient education and uses her writing to bridge the gap between medical jargon and everyday understanding. Every article she creates is grounded in scientific evidence, empathy, and accessibility.
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Updated on 25th June 2025
Cannabis affects sexual health in complex ways. Some men say it enhances pleasure, increases desire, and helps them relax during sex. But studies show that frequent or long-term use, especially in older men, may lead to erectile dysfunction, lower testosterone, and reduced sperm quality. These effects happen because cannabis interacts with key systems in the body, like the endocannabinoid system, blood vessels, and hormone regulation. While not everyone experiences problems, the risks are real, especially with heavy use. To protect your sexual health, it’s important to notice how cannabis affects you personally and talk to a doctor if you notice changes in libido or performance.
Can cannabis cause erectile dysfunction (ED)? The truth is, it’s complicated. While some users report more frequent sex, better arousal, and enhanced intimacy, research also shows links to erectile dysfunction, lower testosterone, and even reduced sperm quality, especially with heavy or long-term use.
In this guide, we break down exactly how cannabis affects your erections, hormones, brain, and fertility. Whether you’re an occasional user curious about the effects or someone experiencing changes in sexual performance, you’ll walk away with a clear understanding of the science and practical steps you can take to protect your sexual health.
Let’s start with the basics. Cannabis – whether you call it weed, marijuana, or Mary Jane, comes from the cannabis plant (cannabis sativa) and has been used both medically and recreationally for thousands of years You’ll find it in many forms: rolled into joints, vaped, or even mixed into edibles like brownies, gummies, and cannabis tea.
The main active ingredients in weed are THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) and CBD (cannabidiol). These compounds interact with a special system in your body called the endocannabinoid system (ECS): a network of receptors[cannabinoid receptors] in the body that helps regulate things like mood, appetite, memory, pain, and even sexual function.
Here’s how it works:
When you use cannabis, THC and CBD essentially lock onto these receptors like puzzle pieces, mimicking your body’s natural endocannabinoids. This creates a cascade of effects throughout your body and mind, some you’ll notice immediately, others might be more subtle.
Does cannabis cause erectile dysfunction? Several studies have found a link between cannabis use and erectile dysfunction (ED). Some studies show that men who are cannabis users are about twice as likely to experience ED compared to those who don’t.
One study[2] reported particularly stark numbers:
While these numbers don’t prove that cannabis causes ED directly, they do suggest that cannabis use can be a significant risk factor, especially for men already dealing with other contributors like stress, poor sleep, or underlying health conditions.
To say whether or not cannabis use can or cannot cause erectile dysfunction is a tricky one, with research hinting towards both possibilities, and with a limited amount of research, it becomes even more difficult to reach a conclusive statement.
Let’s try to understand this.
Researchers have identified several key systems and processes that may help explain why some cannabis users experience erectile dysfunction. Let’s break it down.
The Endocannabinoid System (ECS)
As we already read, cannabis works primarily through the endocannabinoid system, which helps regulate many bodily functions, including mood, pain, inflammation, and sexual behavior[3] and sexual experience.
When THC binds to those cannabinoid receptors, it can actually disrupt the delicate neurochemical and physical pathways your body needs for sexual arousal and maintaining an erection.
Penis has cannabinoid receptors in the corpus cavernosum – that’s the spongy erectile tissue that fills with blood when you get an erection. THC may interfere with the smooth muscle relaxation needed for proper blood flow, which can make getting or keeping an erection more challenging.
Hormonal Disruption
Cannabis can also influence hormone levels, especially testosterone, the key hormone behind sex drive and erectile function. And here’s where things get really interesting (and a bit confusing).
Some studies have shown a temporary drop in testosterone after cannabis use. While others, including a 2017 study[4] of over 1,500 men, found that recent cannabis use was actually linked to higher testosterone levels, especially in younger men (18–29 years).
This mixed evidence suggests that cannabis may have short-term effects on hormone levels, but long-term patterns are still unclear. Other hormones[5] that may be affected include:
Disruptions in these hormones can further complicate sexual performance, sexual experiences, and libido.
Additional Potential Causes of Cannabis Use-Related ED
Understanding the broader picture helps explain why ED can sometimes emerge with cannabis use. Here are other key factors researchers have identified:
Cannabis use doesn’t just potentially affect erections; it may also influence male fertility. Multiple studies[6] have shown that cannabis use is linked to reduced sperm quality, including lower sperm count and altered sperm motility (how well sperm move).
While some research has reported a mix of effects with cannabis use improving certain aspects of sperm motility but impairing others, the overall trend points toward a negative impact on reproductive potential.
Why does this happen? It goes back to that endocannabinoid system, which plays a crucial role in sperm function and form. It helps regulate something called capacitation – a vital process that prepares sperm to fertilize an egg. When cannabis use disrupts this system, it can interfere with fertility even if your erectile function seems fine.
So while someone may still be sexually active, their ability to conceive could be affected, a consideration that’s especially important for couples trying to get pregnant.
We often see men who feel more relaxed or aroused after using cannabis, but it’s also important to understand that regular or heavy use can impact blood flow, hormones, and even sperm quality over time.
Despite its potential association with erectile dysfunction, cannabis use is also linked to more frequent sex, a finding that might seem contradictory at first.
In a large-scale study[7], researchers found that frequent marijuana users reported having sex more often than non-users, and this trend held true across all age groups, genders, and backgrounds. This challenges the idea that cannabis uniformly harms sexual function.
So, what’s going on? The answer lies in the different ways cannabis affects your sexual experience. While it might interfere with the physical mechanics of getting an erection, it can simultaneously enhance the psychological and sensory aspects of sex. In fact, one study[8] has shown that cannabis users often report:
Dosage, Method of Consumption, and Frequency Considerations
When it comes to cannabis and sexual health, how much you use, how often[9], and even how you consume it can make a significant difference in how it affects your sexual function.
Moderate use may not have a major negative impact on sexual function for many people. But heavy or chronic use is more often linked to sexual dysfunction. The tricky part? “Moderate” means different things to different people.
Some evidence suggests that how you consume cannabis – whether by smoking, vaping, or eating edibles might influence sexual function differently. But, research directly comparing these methods is still limited, so we don’t have clear answers yet.
Studies[10] suggest that recent use (as in, using weed shortly before sex or within the last few days) has a stronger connection to hormonal changes than the overall history of use. This points to the short-term effects of THC, like changes in testosterone or mood, being more important than long-term accumulation.
Age-Related Differences
Your age may also influence how cannabis affects your sexual health. According to a large study using data:
Why does this happen?
If you’re experiencing cannabis-related sexual dysfunction and decide to reduce or quit your use, there’s good news: many men see improvements in sexual performance and hormone balance over time. But the road to recovery isn’t always smooth, especially during the initial withdrawal period.
What Withdrawal Might Look Like
Cannabis withdrawal can affect sexual health by causing anxiety, mood swings, sleep issues, low energy, irritability, and temporarily reduced sexual desire.
During this period, it’s completely normal for your sexual desire or sexual performance to get worse before it gets better. These symptoms can temporarily worsen sexual function even as your body starts to rebalance itself. Be patient with yourself; this is part of the process.
Emerging Treatment Options
There are some promising developments on the horizon. Researchers are working on treatments like AEF0117 [11], a medication being studied for cannabis use disorder. It works by selectively blocking CB1 receptor signaling without the psychoactive effects, and early trials show promise in helping people reduce their cannabis use.
As these treatments evolve, they may offer new hope for men looking to improve their sexual health while regaining control over their cannabis use.
What You Can Do Right Now
Can cannabis cause erectile dysfunction? Yes, it may. The relationship between cannabis use and male sexual health is complex, and at times, even contradictory. On one hand, cannabis users often report increased sexual frequency and greater satisfaction. On the other hand, they also face higher risks of erectile dysfunction and testosterone imbalances, especially with heavy use or as they get older.
For men who are using cannabis or considering it, understanding these layered effects is essential. While cannabis may enhance certain aspects of the sexual experience, like desire, sensitivity, or relaxation, it can also harm the physical and hormonal foundations of sexual function over time.
As cannabis use becomes more common, men should weigh its potential benefits against the known risks to sexual health, especially erectile dysfunction and hormonal changes, until clearer research becomes available.
The following blog article provides general information and insights on various topics. However, it is important to note that the information presented is not intended as professional advice in any specific field or area. The content of this blog is for general educational and informational purposes only.
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