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Does Weed Help With Erectile Dysfunction? Relief & Benefits

This post is part of our Best Dispensaries Around the Bay Area series, sponsored by Project Cannabis.

Note: This article is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website.

It might not be the most popular talking subject among men, but there’s no shame in admitting that a healthy sex life equates to an overall happy life.   If erectile dysfunction (ED) is threatening your joy, you might be considering alternatives to prescriptions or over-the-counter remedies.  Introducing weed and ED. Many individuals claim they are turning to marijuana as a potential solution for their bedroom woes. But does weed help with erectile dysfunction, for real?  Here, we’ll take a close look at cannabis for ED and what you can expect.

Weed and Erectile Dysfunction

Does weed help with ED? There are a lot of polarizing opinions about that question. Some users claim that marijuana actually enhances sexual performance. Alternatively, some say weed can exacerbate the condition.  So who do we believe, and what is the truth about weed and erectile dysfunction?

Let’s first take a look at how cannabis influences the body.  Weed contains cannabinoids.  THC and CBD are the two most well-known of these compounds, and they interact with receptors in your brain and body.  These interactions cause different results for different people. Interactions can also differ according to the types of weed strains being consumed.

Some proponents claim that using weed for ED relaxes blood vessels, increasing blood flow to the penis and potentially enhancing erections.  Furthermore, weed has been known to relieve stress and anxiety, which often impedes erection function.

Then again, there are downsides.  For instance, some studies show that chronic marijuana use might negatively impact sexual performance.  In fact, long-term use of weed has been shown to potentially lower testosterone levels and sperm count – both of which can contribute to ED.

Clearly, more research needs to be done in order to fully answer the question, “Does weed help with erectile dysfunction?”  The medical science behind cannabis and this condition is still ongoing, but until conclusive results surface – it’s always best to talk to your doctor or a urologist to fully understand the effects of cannabis on ED within your unique circumstances.

Is Smoking Weed the Only Way to Address Erectile Dysfunction?

If, for whatever reason, you can’t or prefer not to smoke, you’re in luck. There are a slew of different methods to enjoy the benefits of weed without the harshness that sometimes accompanies smoking a joint, and here are a few:

• Yummy Edibles: You might be familiar with weed gummies, but marijuana-infused edibles also include a variety of food products like brownies, cookies, popcorn, chocolate, and more.
• Quench Your Thirst:  We’re talking about weed-infused drinks such as carbonated sodas, coffees, teas, juices, etc.
• Get Patched Up: Weed patches are now available that work just like nicotine patches in that cannabis components are absorbed in a time-release fashion through the skin.
• Through the Skin: Cannabis-infused creams, lotions, oils, and balms can be rubbed on the body where cannabinoids are absorbed into the skin.  Take heed – weed topicals probably shouldn’t be applied directly to the male member, just sayin’.
• Open Wide!: Here, we’re talking about taking marijuana sublingually or under the tongue. This is done by placing THC or CBD-infused liquid drops (known as tinctures) or lozenges under the tongue, where it is absorbed into the body.
• Vape Me Up Scotty: Yes, vaping entails inhaling – but it is far less abrasive on the lungs than smoking a blunt.

If you’re wondering, does smoking weed help with erectile dysfunction –  keep in mind that smoking can damage blood vessels, impairing circulation, which is integral to achieving and sustaining an erection. So, it’s great to know there are other ways to consume weed for ED other than lighting up.

Side Effects of Using Weed to Treat Erectile Dysfunction

You’ll never find us arguing the pleasure of enjoying fabulous flower or bodacious bud. However, as we continue our quest to answer the question, does weed help with erectile dysfunction – we need to be realistic.  

In medical news, there’s not enough evidence to point to weed as the culprit for causing ED, but there’s also no proof that weed helps erectile dysfunction either.  That said, you should be aware of potential side effects, which include the following (to list a few):

• Dry mouth
• Lethargy
• Paranoia
• Dizziness
• Impaired memory
• Slow reaction times
• Euphoria or mood changes 

Can Weed Trigger ED?

As mentioned, long-term marijuana use could potentially lower libido, sperm count, and testosterone levels.  In this light, marijuana might be an antagonist rather than an ally for ED sufferers.   Furthermore, the psychoactive element of THC has, in some studies, been shown to squelch testosterone production – another key factor in producing healthy erections.  Also consider CBD, which is non-psychoactive, but prone to cause heavy sedation, which might possibly impede erectile function. 

That said, the outcomes of using weed for erectile dysfunction are different for everybody.  Different types of marijuana and different biological factors all contribute to unique experiences.  Therefore, it’s smart to check with your doctor first and then experiment with different strains of weed for your specific situation.

How to Purchase Marijuana

While the details surrounding the query about does weed help with erectile dysfunction might be hazy at best – there’s no confusion about how to buy weed.  At least, not if you are in one of the 38 states (at the time of this writing) in the Nation that has legalized weed.  For instance, if you’re in California, we recommend purchasing at the San Francisco Cannabis Dispensary, where the budtenders are knowledgeable and friendly, the products are high-quality, and the variety of weed products is plentiful.  Otherwise, you should purchase from a reputable, licensed dispensary. If you live in a state that hasn’t legalized marijuana use, you may be able to apply for a medical marijuana card (MMJ), but check with your state legislature to see if ED is an approved condition for an MMJ card.

Key Takeaways on Weed and ED

In our ongoing effort to put the question, “Does weed help with ED?” to bed, let’s break it all down with these quick takeaways about weed and this condition:

• More scientific evidence is needed:  Anecdotal reports are one thing, but scientific studies are still required to determine whether or not weed is conclusively helpful in treating ED.
• Types of weed matter:  Choosing strains higher in CBD or THC will impact your outcomes.  Furthermore, other forms of marijuana, such as edibles or drinkables vs smoking, will also provide different results.
• Be aware of the side effects:  Know that specific side effects of marijuana can potentially hamper performance in the bedroom, while other effects could be beneficial.
• Trigger factors: Remember that in some people, marijuana could be a trigger for ED, and may exacerbate the condition.

Conclusion

We hope we’ve adequately addressed the question, does weed help with erectile dysfunction in this article.  Ultimately, it’s up to you and your doctor to assess how marijuana influences your distinctive condition.  As always, thanks for reading, and we wish you all the best in your pursuit of a whole, healthy, and happy sex life.

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