Why is sex better when high?

Many people report that cannabis enhances orgasms and deepens connections with their partners. This isn't just anecdotal.

Research confirms that cannabis users tend to have more sex and enjoy it more than non-users. Are impassioned people just more likely to use cannabis? Maybe to a degree. But cannabinoids interact with the brain regions that control arousal and relaxation. They also lower inhibitions and increase euphoria when used correctly.

nama Love gummies combine 5 mg of THC and 5 mg of CBD with natural aphrodisiacs to enhance your sexual experience. The balanced cannabinoid ratio promotes relaxation and arousal without sedation or overwhelming psychoactive effects.

What makes sex feel good?

Sex has an exciting reputation. But individual and situational factors create a broad spectrum of experience. 

Physical factors

Your body's sensitivity determines how intensely you feel touch and stimulation. Blood flow to the genitals affects arousal and orgasm intensity. Muscle tension (too much or too little) affects how pleasure builds and releases. Physical pain, fatigue, or discomfort also pulls your attention away from enjoyment.

Psychological factors

Your mental state shapes sexual experience more than most people realize. Anxiety and distractions prevent you from fully engaging with physical sensations, while feeling emotionally connected to your partner amplifies pleasure. Being present in the moment, rather than worrying about performance or thinking about tomorrow's tasks, allows arousal to build naturally.

Neurological factors

Your brain orchestrates sexual pleasure through several chemical systems.

• Dopamine drives desire and reward, and it's what makes you want sex and feel satisfied afterward.
• Serotonin regulates mood and emotional bonding, which helps you feel connected to your partner.
• Oxytocin, released during physical touch and orgasm, deepens intimacy and trust.

The endocannabinoid system ties all of this together. Your body produces its own cannabinoids, called endocannabinoids, that regulate pleasure and sensory processing. CB1 receptors (the same receptors that THC activates) exist in high concentrations in the hypothalamus and amygdala, brain regions that control arousal. When this system functions properly, pleasure signals are clear and intense. When it's out of balance, sexual enjoyment can suffer.

How does cannabis make sex better?

Cannabis enhances sex by positively affecting nearly every factor that influences sexual pleasure. Here's what happens when cannabinoids enter your system.

Heightened physical sensations

THC alters how your brain processes sensory information. Skin becomes more sensitive, and touch feels more electric. The physical sensations of sex intensify in ways that sober experiences can't match. 

A study of 373 women who used cannabis before sex found that 68.5% experienced more satisfying orgasms, likely because the same stimulation produces stronger signals when your sensory perception is enhanced. In a survey of 216 men and women, 58.9% said cannabis increased their desire for sex, while 65.7% reported an increased orgasm intensity.

Reduced anxiety and inhibition

Performance anxiety kills sexual pleasure. When you're worried about how you look, whether you're doing things right, or if you'll be able to finish, you can't fully enjoy what's happening. Low doses of THC can calm the anxious mental chatter that pulls you out of the moment. 

Microdosing THC for anxiety can quiet your inner critic without impairing your ability to connect with your partner.

Deeper emotional connection

Cannabis often produces feelings of openness and emotional warmth. These effects translate to intimacy, so you feel more connected to your partner and more attuned to their pleasure, as well as your own. This emotional enhancement explains why many couples report that cannabis improves not just physical sensation but relationship satisfaction.

Time distortion

THC alters time perception and can make minutes feel longer. During sex, this means pleasurable moments extend. You're not rushing toward orgasm or watching the clock. The experience feels more expansive and less pressured, which often leads to better sex for both partners.

What does the research say about cannabis and sex?

The scientific evidence strongly supports what cannabis users have reported for decades: weed makes sex better.

A study of over 50,000 Americans found that cannabis users reported higher sexual frequency compared to non-users. People who used cannabis daily had sex 20% more than those who never used it. This correlation held across age groups, races, education levels, and relationship status. More frequent sex typically indicates greater enjoyment and satisfaction with sexual experiences.

Recent research examining 811 women found that those who used cannabis before partnered sex were 2.13 times more likely to report satisfactory orgasms than women who didn't use it. This represents a dramatic improvement in sexual satisfaction.

For men, a 2021 cohort study tracking 5,516 men over 10 years found no significant difference in erectile function between cannabis users and non-users. Cannabis use didn't correlate with premature ejaculation or difficulty achieving orgasm either.

Learn more about the effects of cannabis on libido.

Does cannabis increase arousal?

Cannabis can boost arousal through physical and psychological pathways.

Cannabis increases blood flow throughout the body, including to the genitals. For women, this enhanced blood flow can increase sensitivity and natural lubrication. For men, it supports the physiological processes involved in erection.

Psychologically, cannabis lowers the barriers that often prevent arousal. Stress from work, body image concerns, relationship tensions, and other mental blocks fade when cannabis calms your nervous system. You become more receptive to arousing stimuli and more able to shift into a sexual mindset.

Cannabis can also make you more aware of arousal you might otherwise overlook. The heightened body awareness that comes with being high helps you notice subtle physical cues that signal your body is ready for sex.

What's the best cannabis dose for sex?

Most people find their sweet spot between 2.5–5 mg of THC. This range provides noticeable sensory enhancement and relaxation without overwhelming psychoactive effects. You want to feel loose and present, not couch-locked or paranoid.

If you're new to cannabis or have a low tolerance, start with 2.5 mg and see how your body responds. You can always take more next time, but you can't undo taking too much. Wait at least 90 minutes before taking an additional dose.

Higher doses (10+ mg) can backfire for sex. Intense psychoactive effects may cause anxiety or make you feel disconnected from your body and partner. Some people get sleepy at higher doses, which obviously works against sexual activity. The goal is enhanced pleasure and connection, not intoxication.

Adding CBD to your THC can help you stay in the optimal zone. CBD moderates THC's intensity while contributing its own relaxation benefits. Products with a 1:1 THC:CBD ratio leverage this balance for sexual enhancement.

Why are edibles better than smoking for sex?

• Duration: Edible effects last 4–6 hours compared to 1–2 hours from smoking. You won't need to pause for another hit, and the extended window removes any time pressure from the experience.
• Smoother experience: The gradual onset of edibles produces steadier effects without the sudden peak that smoking delivers. This smoother curve keeps you in control and present rather than riding waves of intensity.
• Body-focused effects: Edibles tend to produce more physical, full-body sensations compared to the heady high from smoking. This body awareness enhances the physical pleasure of sex.
• Precise dosing: Each gummy contains the same amount of THC. You can find your dose and replicate it exactly every time. Smoking makes it difficult to control your intake with the same precision, which can lead to unpredictable experiences.

Cannabis edibles that put you in the mood

nama Love gummies contain 5 mg of THC and 5 mg of CBD per gummy, the optimal ratio for sexual enhancement without excessive psychoactive effects. We also include natural aphrodisiac ingredients to complement the cannabinoids: ashwagandha, horny goat weed, damiana, L-citrulline, maca, red ginseng, cordyceps, and tribulus.

Each bottle contains precisely dosed gummies made from premium American hemp. Third-party testing confirms the exact cannabinoid content, so you know you're getting 5 mg of THC every time.

For couples who want to explore cannabis together, check out our THC products to find what works best for your intimate moments.

Resources

Lissitsa, D., Hovers, M., Shamuilova, M., Ezrapour, T., & Peled-Avron, L. (2024). Update on cannabis in human sexuality. Psychopharmacology, 241(9), 1721–1730. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00213-024-06643-4

Ketcherside, A., Noble, L. J., McIntyre, C. K., & Filbey, F. M. (2017). Cannabinoid Receptor 1 Gene by Cannabis Use Interaction on CB1 Receptor Density. Cannabis and cannabinoid research, 2(1), 202–209. https://doi.org/10.1089/can.2017.0007

Burggren, A. C., Shirazi, A., Ginder, N., & London, E. D. (2019). Cannabis effects on brain structure, function, and cognition: considerations for medical uses of cannabis and its derivatives. The American journal of drug and alcohol abuse, 45(6), 563–579. https://doi.org/10.1080/00952990.2019.1634086

Lynn, B., Miller, C., Thompson, J., & Campian, E. (2016). 355 The relationship between marijuana use prior to sex and sexual function in women. The Journal of Sexual Medicine, 14(Supplement_1), S105. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsxm.2016.11.242

Wiebe, E., & Just, A. (2019). How Cannabis Alters Sexual Experience: A Survey of Men and Women. The journal of sexual medicine, 16(11), 1758–1762. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsxm.2019.07.023

Sun, A. J., & Eisenberg, M. L. (2017). Association between Marijuana use and sexual frequency in the United States: A Population-Based Study. The Journal of Sexual Medicine, 14(11), 1342–1347. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsxm.2017.09.005

Mulvehill, S., & Tishler, J. (2024). Assessment of the effect of cannabis use before partnered sex on women with and without orgasm difficulty. Sexual Medicine, 12(2), qfae023. https://doi.org/10.1093/sexmed/qfae023

Shiff, B., Blankstein, U., Hussaen, J., Jarvi, K., Grober, E., Lo, K., Lajkosz, K., & Krakowsky, Y. (2021). The impact of cannabis use on male sexual function: A 10-year, single-center experience. Canadian Urological Association journal = Journal de l'Association des urologues du Canada, 15(12), E652–E657. https://doi.org/10.5489/cuaj.7185 

Pacher, P., Bátkai, S., & Kunos, G. (2005). Cardiovascular pharmacology of cannabinoids. Handbook of experimental pharmacology, (168), 599–625. https://doi.org/10.1007/3-540-26573-2_20 

Further reading

Should you take CBD for anxiety and stress?

Will 5 mg of Delta 9 THC get me high?

How do THC drinks make you feel?

Should I take indica, sativa, or hybrid weed for anxiety?

How fast do THC drinks work?

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