Cannabis Abuse and Erectile Dysfunction

Erection Problems?

Contrary to what some people think cannabis is not the great sexual enhancer. A study in the Journal Of Sexual Medicine is now indicating that the penis has receptors to the chemicals in cannabis that make it more difficult for a man to gain and sustain an erection.

The confusion about the effects of cannabis is understandable as previous medical studies have been limited and produced contradictory results. Like any study left open to interpretation different groups will favour the survey that leans toward their views so opinion has been divided. Of course the relaxing effects of cannabis would mean that for a while at least anyone suffering from erectile dysfunction caused by anxiety would be helped by the drug. However it is a proven fact that prolonged and heavy use of cannabis, especially the stronger varieties now cultivated develop behavioural problems including anxiety and paranoia that would have the opposite effect.

The report’s author Rany Shamloul of Queen’s University talking about his findings Shamloul said “It’s now believed that these [cannabis] receptors also exist in the penis. Cannabis use may have an antagonizing effect on these receptors. He went on to say “These findings will change the current understanding of the magnitude of the impact of cannabis use on sexual health.”

Previous research has also suggested that use of marijuana affects the function and vigour of sperm because the cannabinoids in cannabis block similar molecules naturally produced in the body required for proper production of sperm.

Putting anything into your body has its risks, be that food, alcohol, drugs or tobacco smoke. It’s up to you to make educated choices. In the same way that excessive alcohol consumption, smoking and drug abuse can have devastating effects on your whole body this research underlines that it would be naïve to think that your penis is immune to the choices you make.