Cannabis and Sex: What the Research Actually Says

It is one of the questions we hear most at the Budbar, usually asked quietly and sometimes with a laugh. With a strain called Sex Wax new on the shelf, it felt like the right moment to answer it properly.

The short answer: For many adults, a little cannabis seems to make sex feel better. In one 2019 survey, most people who had used cannabis before sex said it raised their desire and their satisfaction, and other studies link it to more satisfying orgasms. Dose changes everything, though. Lower amounts are linked to more desire, while higher amounts can dampen it, make you sleepy or pull you out of the moment. Everyone responds differently, so start low, go slowly, and think of cannabis as one ingredient in a good evening rather than the whole recipe.

What Does the Research Say About Cannabis and Sex?

The science is still young. Most of what we know comes from surveys, where people describe their own experiences, rather than from controlled trials. Here is what the main studies found.

A word of caution on these numbers: they show links, not proof. People who enjoy cannabis may simply be more relaxed or more open to begin with, and surveys depend on memory and on who chooses to answer. They describe what many people experience, not what will happen to you.

Why Might Cannabis Change How Sex Feels?

When people in the 2019 survey described what changed, the same few things came up. About three in four felt more sensitive to touch, seven in ten felt more relaxed, and two in three described more intense orgasms. Cannabis acts on the body's endocannabinoid system, which plays a part in mood, stress and how we process sensation. That is one reason researchers find the subject interesting, but they have not pinned down exactly why it helps some people.

The same survey recorded the downsides too. Some people felt too tired to be in the mood, others found it hard to stay focused, and some became self-conscious or anxious. The lead author put most of those problems down to dose.

Why Dose Matters More Than Anything

If there is one thing to take from the research, it is this: less is usually more. A small amount tends to relax you and sharpen your senses. Too much can make you foggy, sleepy, anxious or simply more interested in the snacks than in each other. For men, the evidence on erections and timing is mixed, which is another reason to stay on the light side.

• Flower and pre-rolls: take a puff or two, then wait 15 minutes before you decide whether you want more. It is easy to add and impossible to take away.
• Edibles: these take far longer to arrive, often 45 minutes to two hours, and the effects stay with you for hours. Start small, wait the full two hours, and do not plan the evening around exact timing. Our edibles guide explains more.
• Oils: a measured drop gives you more control over the dose. Read our guide to cannabis oil and how to dose it.

If you are sharing with a partner, try to match each other. It is hard to connect when one of you is mildly relaxed and the other is somewhere else entirely.

Do Terpenes Make a Difference?

Terpenes are the aromatic oils that give every strain its smell, from lemon to lavender to black pepper. The research on them is still early, but many members find that the aroma is a useful guide to the mood of a session. Here are the three we get asked about most.

• Linalool smells floral, like lavender, and is the one people reach for to slow down and unwind. Gary Payton carries a touch of it alongside its peppery caryophyllene.
• Limonene smells of lemon and orange zest. It suits a brighter, more sociable evening, when the night starts with conversation. Try Purple Lemonade.
• Caryophyllene smells of black pepper and clove, warm and grounded. It is one of the most common terpenes in modern cannabis. Rock Star leads with it.

You may also wonder about indica and sativa. Those labels describe the plant more than the experience, so smell tells you more than the name does. Our guide to indica, sativa and hybrid explains why.

About Sex Wax

Yes, the name made us smile too. Sex Wax is a 60/40 sativa-dominant hybrid, a cross of AJ Sour Diesel and Orange Zkittlez. Open the jar and you get lemon zest, fresh pine and a diesel edge. We would describe it as uplifting, euphoric and creative, which makes it one for good conversation rather than an early night. The name is a bit of fun, not a promise.

Six Habits for a Better Evening

1. Talk first. Agree on what you are both comfortable with before anyone lights up. Consent needs a clear head, so if either of you is too high to check in with the other, wait.
2. Start lower than you think. You can always add more later.
3. Choose by smell, not by name. Open a jar or two and see which one you both reach for.
4. Go easy on alcohol. Cannabis and alcohol together hit harder than either alone.
5. Keep protection close. Cannabis can make people less cautious, and condoms matter just as much as they always did.
6. Check your medication. If you take regular medication or are pregnant, ask your doctor or pharmacist whether cannabis is right for you, as it can interact with some medicines.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is cannabis an aphrodisiac?
For many adults it can be. In one 2019 survey, most people who had used cannabis before sex reported more desire and more satisfaction. The research is still young, though, and the effect varies from person to person and depends heavily on dose.

What is the best strain for sex?
There is no single best strain. Choose by mood and smell: something floral and calm for a slow evening, something citrusy for a sociable one, or something warm and peppery for a night in. Ask at the Budbar and we will open a few jars for you.

How much cannabis should I use before sex?
Less than you might expect. Research links lower doses to more desire and higher doses to less. Start with a puff or two of flower, or a small portion of an edible, and see how you feel.

Can cannabis make sex worse?
It can, usually at higher doses. Some people feel sleepy, distracted or anxious. Among men, daily use has been linked to trouble reaching orgasm when they want to.

Are edibles a good idea for date night?
They can be, if you plan ahead. Edibles take 45 minutes to two hours to arrive and last longer than smoking, so start small and give them the full two hours before taking more.

Can I get these strains at Cannibisters?
Yes, if you are a member. Membership is open to adults aged 18 and over, and members can visit the Club at 65 Regent Road, Sea Point, every day from 9am to midnight, or order online for delivery in Cape Town.

Ask Us at the Budbar

If you would rather talk it through in person, the team at the Budbar is happy to open a jar or two and help you choose. There are no awkward questions here. Browse the flower menu, or become a member on the membership page.

Sources: Sun & Eisenberg, Journal of Sexual Medicine (2017); Wiebe & Just, Journal of Sexual Medicine (2019); Lynn et al., Sexual Medicine (2019); Smith et al., Journal of Sexual Medicine (2010); Lissitsa et al., Psychopharmacology (2024). This article is for general education and is not medical advice.

Members only. 18+. Please consume responsibly.

— The Cannibisters Team