Burning myths
The myths surrounding marijuana are apparently countless in number. One of the most well known myths surrounding marijuana states that it damages human cell tissue and causes chromosomal breakage. This myth was rejected and the National Academy of Sciences has stated that cannabinoids are neither mutagenic nor carcinogenic. Another popular myth states that smoking marijuana causes reproductive system damage. Smoking marijuana has been shown to temporarily lower sperm counts in humans, but the sperm levels return to normal once marijuana consumption had ceased.Another false claim states that marijuana lowers male testosterone levels. But this theory has been challenged and refuted by several studies. One of the most controversial myths is regarding its use during pregnancy. It is recommended that an expecting mother should not use any drug. However, there is extremely little evidence implicating it in fetal harm.
Medical uses of cannabis
Cannabidiol (CBD), one of the main active ingredients in cannabis is a very effective anti-inflammatory agent. Cannabis can be smoked or eaten to relieve the general pain, inflammation and discomfort of arthritis. It is an extraordinary stimulant of appetite and combats nausea and vomiting. Cannabis is also known to combat the symptoms of glaucoma by reducing the intra-ocular pressure.
Multiple sclerosis patients who use cannabis report soothing of the painful muscle spasms and improved muscle coordination. Smoking cannabis also relieves depression. A few reports have also indicated that smoking cannabis can lower blood sugar in diabetics.
Marijuana %26ndash; sex stimulant or depressant
Presently, it is debatable whether marijuana acts as a sex drive stimulant (aphrodisiac) or suppressant. Marijuana affects different people in different ways. Some report an increased libido, while others report an inability to sustain an erection. Time and more reliable research might be able to help us sometime in future.
Three researchers from the University of Texas suggested that tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC, marijuana's active ingredient, may affect male sexual activity in two phases. In animal tests, they found that it first raises the level of testosterone and other sex hormones but later may lower hormone levels to far below normal.
The researchers measured levels of blood testosterone and luteinizing hormone, or LH, which stimulates testosterone production, within the first hour after feeding liquid THC to mice. They found that the testosterone level in all the mice jumped almost immediately to about six times its normal amount. Moreover, mice receiving low doses of the drug maintained the high testosterone levels for the entire hour; those receiving much higher doses showed drastic drops in testosterone after 20 minutes to levels considerably below those of mice in the control group.
In person smoking marijuana, the THC enters the bloodstream very rapidly. The almost instant effect of the drug on the testes, as shown in this study, seemed to account for the dramatic reports of sexual arousal during and after smoking.
In normal sexual stimulation, it takes about 20 minutes for the luteinizing hormone to be produced, then travel from the pituitary to the testes, where it helps produce testosterone; in about the same amount of time the testosterone then enters the bloodstream and makes the trip back to the pituitary. This feedback system automatically shuts down when the brain senses an adequate level of sex hormone has been reached. Heavy doses of THC disrupt the normal flow in this hormonal loop by triggering LH and testosterone production at the same time. This appears to cause a shutdown that sends hormonal levels falling 20 minutes after the drug is administered. No such testosterone drop was seen among mice that received low doses.
Low dose Marijuana and sexual intercourse
Marijuana has been used as an aphrodisiac for thousands of years, yet ironically it has also been used to decrease sexual desire. At low to moderate levels of intoxication, users reported heightened ability to communicate sexually with their partners, and increased body awareness. When marijuana dosage was appropriate, it increased sexual stamina and skill, tactile sensation, length and power of orgasms, and emotional bonding between partners. People felt they became more loving, more willing to pay attention to the technical aspects of lovemaking and foreplay which women complain is often missing from male sexual repertoire.
Modern users reported spiritual, emotional and psychological effects that mirrored ancient Tantric effects. They felt that intercourse was replenishing and balancing, and that orgasm was an energizing climax to sex, instead of a draining finale.
In regards to the claims that marijuana heightens sexual climax, there is scientific research that seems to discredit that. Chronic marijuana smokers do show signs of infertility - men may have lower sperm counts and women may have abnormal ovulation.
Erectile dysfunction drugs combined with marijuana result in risky sex
Some young men experience erection problems and take erectile dysfunction drugs without a doctor's prescription. More than half of the men who noted using erectile dysfunction (ED) drugs reported doing so to treat their erectile problems. Another 29% reported using the drugs to enhance sexual performance.
Nearly two-thirds of those who used ED drugs reported mixing ED drugs with other drugs such as alcohol, marijuana, and cocaine that boost sex drive and reduce inhibitions but diminish sexual performance. Combining ED drugs with alcohol or other drugs permits men in altered states to have risky sex, potentially contributing to unwanted pregnancies and the spread of sexually transmitted diseases.
Conclusion
To summarize, cannabis is said to increase libido and sexual desire. However this drug is not aphrodisiac in the strict sense of the definition, as it does not consistently produce aphrodisiac effects as its main action. At low to moderate doses, cannabis is known to heighten sexual climax. Also, it has reported heightened ability to communicate sexually with their partners, and increased sensuality but may diminish sexual performance. But at high-doses, it results in decreased desire and chronic use results in dose-dependent increased/decreased desire and erection problems.
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