Exploring the motivations for cannabis use during sex

A recent study published in The Journal of Sex Research provides evidence that young adults often use cannabis during sexual activity to enhance pleasure, reduce anxiety, and navigate societal expectations around gender. The findings suggest that conversations about combining sex and cannabis should move beyond focusing solely on the risks to acknowledge the roles of relaxation and sexual well-being.

“Although cannabis is the second most commonly used substance during sex after alcohol, it has received relatively little attention in research and remains taboo in broader conversations about sexuality. Existing studies on the subject have also tended to focus primarily on risks and negative outcomes, often overlooking the important role that pleasure can play in young adults’ experiences and motivations for sex under the influence of cannabis,” said study author Maëlle Lefebvre, a PhD student at Université de Sherbrooke, who conducted this research at Université du Québec à Montréal.

“In addition, little research has examined how these experiences are shaped by gender norms and expectations, which can influence how people navigate intimacy and substance use. As such, by centering the role of pleasure and gender in shaping motivations for sex under the influence of cannabis, we aimed to better understand the full spectrum of these experiences and, hopefully, better inform sexual health promotion efforts and services.”

To gather detailed perspectives, Lefebvre and her colleagues conducted semi-structured interviews with 27 young adults living in Quebec, Canada. The participants were all between the ages of 18 and 24 and reported using cannabis in a sexual context with a partner at least once in the past year. The sample included a diverse mix of gender identities, featuring cisgender men and women, transgender men, and non-binary, agender, and queer individuals.

At the start of the process, participants completed a demographic questionnaire and a standardized screening test to measure their general level of substance involvement. The scientists then guided the interviews using a flexible set of questions designed to explore concrete sexual experiences and the perceived risks or benefits of cannabis use. Interviews lasted between 60 and 150 minutes, allowing participants to speak freely about their intimate lives in either French or English.

The researchers analyzed the interview transcripts to identify recurring themes, relying on a theoretical model that views gender as a social structure. This model assumes that societal expectations about gender affect how people think of themselves, how they interact with partners, and how they behave in intimate settings. The analysis revealed three main categories of motivation for using cannabis during sex.

The first major theme centered on enhancing and transforming the sexual experience itself. Participants frequently reported that cannabis intensified their physical sensations, making ordinary touches feel exceptionally pleasant. Many individuals noted that the substance helped them create a deeper emotional connection with their partner, often describing the experience as a shared bubble of intimacy.

Cannabis also appeared to improve sexual functioning and confidence, though these effects varied by gender. Cisgender men often used the substance to boost their energy, which helped them meet societal expectations of masculine sexual performance and dominance. Meanwhile, transgender men sometimes relied on the drug to stimulate spontaneous sexual desire, helping them feel physically ready for sex without overthinking the process.

The second major theme involved using cannabis to facilitate sex by breaking down mental and emotional barriers. For many participants, cannabis acted as a tool to ease the anxiety and stress that often accompany sexual encounters. Cisgender women, in particular, reported using cannabis to quiet intrusive worries about daily life and to stop overthinking during intimacy.

This calming effect also helped participants manage deep-seated insecurities about their bodies. Women often used cannabis to reduce self-consciousness regarding their physical appearance, allowing them to focus on pleasure rather than worrying about looking attractive for their partner. For transgender individuals, cannabis sometimes provided relief from gender dysphoria, a profound sense of distress that occurs when a person’s physical body does not match their internal gender identity.

In some cases, cannabis helped participants tolerate sexual experiences they were not fully enthusiastic about. Some individuals used the substance to emotionally detach when engaging in sex out of a sense of obligation to please a partner. People with histories of trauma or those involved in sex work also reported using cannabis to mentally distance themselves from the physical act.

The third theme highlighted how contextual and incidental factors drive cannabis use during sex. For regular consumers, combining cannabis and sex was not always a calculated decision aimed at altering the sexual experience. Often, cannabis was simply a regular part of their daily routine or social environment.

Because many participants used the substance every day, they were naturally under the influence when spontaneous sexual encounters occurred. Over time, some individuals developed a conditioned response where the act of consuming cannabis automatically triggered sexual arousal. In these situations, the association between the drug and sex became a habit rather than a specific strategy for the moment.

While these findings shed light on the positive and intentional uses of cannabis, the scientists warn against interpreting the substance as a universal cure for sexual difficulties. Relying heavily on cannabis to mask trauma, manage body image issues, or endure unwanted sex could prevent individuals from seeking healthier, long-term solutions. Professionals in the sexual health field should consider offering therapies that address the root causes of these anxieties without judging the patient for their coping strategies.

The study also presents a few limitations that require consideration. The participants were a convenience sample of individuals who felt comfortable discussing their drug use and sexual habits openly. People who feel shame about their substance use or sexual practices might hold different perspectives that are not reflected in these findings.

“The key takeaway is that using cannabis during sex can often be all about pleasure,” Lefebvre told PsyPost. “It can play a role in making sex more pleasurable in multiple ways, such as enhancing connection, reducing anxiety, helping people feel more present, improving body image, and navigating gender norms.”

“These experiences are also not just about individual choices; they are embedded in social dynamics and gendered expectations. Overall, this suggests that conversations about sex and substance use should move beyond focusing solely on risks and negative experiences (though these are still important to consider!) and take into account pleasure and wellbeing.”

The study, “‘It’s a Beautiful Feeling’: Exploring Embodied, Psychological, and Gendered Motivations for Sex Under the Influence of Cannabis Among Young Adults,” was authored by Maëlle Lefebvre, Mathieu Goyette, Adèle Morvannou, Kira London-Nadeau, Marianne Saint-Jacques, and Olivier Ferlatte.