Talk True is a Zikoko limited series for medical myth-busting. With each episode, we’ll talk to medical professionals about commonly misunderstood health issues to get the actual facts.
“Sex while high is amazing,” Lisa tells Zikoko. The 36-year-old didn’t start smoking until her 20s to manage chronic pain, but once she combined it with sex, everything changed.
In DMs, group chats, and late-night convos, weed’s reputation as a sex-enhancer keeps popping up. Some say it makes sex wetter, deeper, and more intense. Others say it leaves them numb, paranoid, or just… sleepy. And for many, the stigma around weed or its ties to substance misuse still brings hesitation.
So, for every Lisa who swears by weed-assisted sex, there’s someone like Tope, 28: “I just get sleepy or anxious. Once, I fully dissociated during sex after smoking. Never again.”
Google “weed and orgasms” or “cannabis and sex,” and you’ll find that the few studies that exist mostly support the idea that weed and sex are the ultimate combo, but there is still a percentage that disagrees. This isn’t a new topic. But despite all the anecdotes, there still isn’t enough research to conclusively answer the question: Is weed the secret ingredient to better orgasms?
I decided to reach out to Halima Mason, an AASECT-Certified sex & relationship therapist with an MSC in Psychology, and Senami Morris, a trained integrative psychologist and herbalist, and the founder of Crown Therapy Apothecary, to get us some answers.
Now, a herbalist isn’t a medical doctor, but a practitioner trained in using plants to support healing. They take a more holistic approach, looking at the mind, body, spirit, and emotional state as one connected system. Instead of chasing symptoms, they focus on root causes and balance. And when it comes to plant medicine, their insights run deep.
And cannabis? Very much a herb. It grows seasonally, has no woody stem, and like other medicinal plants, its flowers, leaves, and extracts are where its therapeutic power lies. So, when trying to make sense of weed’s effect on the body, and possibly orgasms, addressing the clinical studies and going beyond them felt necessary.
First Things First: What Is Weed and How Does It Affect the Body?
Weed. Cannabis. Loud. Igbo. Whatever you call it, it comes from the Cannabis sativa or indica plant — dried flowers, leaves, and extracts packed with natural compounds. The two most important?
- THC (tetrahydrocannabinol): This is the psychoactive compound, the one that gets you “high.” It affects mood, perception, memory, coordination, and pleasure.
- CBD (cannabidiol): Non-psychoactive. Known for its calming, anti-inflammatory, and anxiety-reducing effects.
When you smoke, vape, or eat cannabis (hello, edibles), these compounds interact with your body’s endocannabinoid system, a network of receptors that help regulate things like mood, appetite, pain, and pleasure.
For some people, small doses of THC can:
- Relax the body
- Heighten touch and sensitivity
- Lower inhibitions
- Slow time (which can make sex feel longer or more intense)
- Enhance the connection between body and mind
But depending on your body chemistry, tolerance, and dosage, it can also:
- Trigger anxiety or paranoia
- Make you feel foggy or disconnected from your body
- Numb sensations
- Put you straight to sleep (anti-climactic, literally)
So… the effect is highly personal. What feels like magic for one babe might feel like a panic attack to another.
Are there herbs traditionally used to support women’s pleasure, intimacy, or sexual arousal?
Senami shares that “Yohimbe (Pausinystalia johimbe), White’s Ginger (Mondia whitei), and Damiana (Turnera diffusa) are examples of herbs that have traditionally supported and enhanced sexual pleasure, intimacy, desire, sexual performance, or arousal.”
She also explains that cannabis plays a historic and spiritual role in sexuality. “Many African and indigenous cultures prepare cannabis in ritual to alleviate stress, enhance stimulation, and promote pleasure and connection. THC and CBD are the active compounds in cannabis that have anti-anxiety effects, especially in smaller doses. This may really help reduce anxiety, induce calm, and spiritual openness.”
Can cannabis impact sexual pleasure or orgasm for women?
Yes, cannabis can influence sexual experience, though responses vary significantly.
“Sex is a sensory experience,” Halima says. “Some people report feeling more in their bodies, less anxious about performance, and more focused on the present moment when using cannabis during intimacy.”
She explains that the endocannabinoid system interacts with brain regions tied to sexual response. “That could be why some women experience heightened sensations or more intense orgasms, especially with certain strains.”
Still, she cautions that individual responses vary widely depending on dose, strain, body chemistry, mental state, and even emotional context. “What works beautifully for one person might dull everything for someone else.”
Do you think the claim that “weed makes sex better” holds any truth from a holistic or herbalist perspective?
From a holistic perspective, Senami says THC can open the heart and sacral chakra, enhancing sexual and sensual power, connection, and creativity.
“When this plant (or any herbs for that matter) is intentionally used rather than recreationally used, there is potential for wonderful and healing sex,” she explains. “From a herbalist’s perspective, cannabis is not a magic cure or solution for sexual difficulties or openness. Its effectiveness is based on many nuances like body chemistry, mindset, emotional state, partner dynamics, and intention. Cannabis is best used as a sacred tool and not solely for pleasure.”
Next Read: 5 Nigerian Women Talk About The First Time They Smoked Weed
How does it support or disrupt arousal and intimacy?
According to Halima, cannabis can ease anxiety, soften self-conscious thoughts, and foster a sense of openness. This is especially true for people who struggle with body image or intrusive thoughts during sex. “It can help people drop into their bodies and tune into their partner,” she says.
But it’s not all upside. “The same plant that helps one person feel liberated might make another feel zoned out or paranoid,” she adds. Certain strains, especially in high doses, may cause drowsiness, numbness, or a sense of disconnection. “That unpredictability is a key clinical concern.”
Do people overestimate or underestimate its effects?
“Both, actually,” Halima says. “People often overestimate cannabis as a sexual panacea, expecting it to transform their experience dramatically. In reality, cannabis tends to amplify existing states.”
In other words: If you’re feeling good, safe, and turned on, cannabis might heighten that. But if you’re anxious, disconnected, or unsure, it could amplify that too.
She also warns that some people overlook the downsides. “There’s a potential for psychological dependence, impaired judgment around consent, and using substances as a crutch rather than addressing underlying sexual or relationship issues.”
Anything you think people should know before using cannabis (or any plant medicine) for sexual wellness?
“Anything can be poison with the wrong intentions, even plants,” Senami warns. “Throughout ancient traditions and cultures, there has been meaningful intention, a sacred space, and often a guide for support. It is important for people to keep this in mind when experimenting with any herbs (including cannabis): research is necessary, and safety is the priority.”
What should people know before trying cannabis for sexual enhancement?
“Set and setting matter,” Halima says. “Your headspace, your environment, your dynamic with your partner all shape the experience.”
She recommends starting with a low dose and having clear communication beforehand about boundaries and expectations. And don’t assume a one-time try will reveal everything: “Cannabis affects regular users differently than it does occasional ones. Your body might need more than one encounter to fully understand how it reacts, but that doesn’t mean you need to become a regular user. It just means managing expectations.”
Most importantly, she urges people to explore why they’re reaching for enhancement in the first place. “Pleasure is great. But if someone feels like they need a substance to enjoy intimacy, that’s something to unpack, not just light up and ignore.”
She adds, “In my clinical work, I encourage clients to reflect on whether enhancement is serving exploration or masking deeper disconnection. Exploring altered states can be part of sexual self-discovery, but true satisfaction comes from inner attunement. Trust your body. It knows more than you think.”
And if you live in a region where cannabis is legal? “Do your due diligence. Understand your local laws and always source from reputable places.”
The takeaway
Weed isn’t a guaranteed orgasm cheat code and it’s definitely not a fix for deeper disconnection. For some people, it elevates pleasure, lowers anxiety, and helps them feel more in their bodies. For others, it’s a one-way trip to anxiety, dissociation, or deep sleep.
Cannabis can support sensuality, pleasure, and connection, but only when used intentionally, carefully, and in alignment with your body’s unique needs. It’s not a miracle fix or a one-size-fits-all solution. It’s a plant. One with potential, yes, but not a replacement for emotional safety, trust or communication.
So, if you’re curious about trying weed in bed, start slow, do your research, and listen to your body. Your orgasm isn’t hiding in a blunt. But maybe, just maybe, the right dose, in the right moment, with the right person, could take things to a new high.
NEXT READ: Talk True: How Much Sunscreen Do We Really Need?
