Marijuana Could Affect Men's Sex Lives

Submitted by Mark Berman Tue 03/22/2011

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A Canadian researcher claims marijuana use could have a negative impact on the sexual health of men.

According to a report in the Kingston Herald, Dr. Rany Shamloul said his research finds that cannabis could inhibit a man's erection.

“Cannabis is the most widely-used illicit drug globally,” said Dr. Shamloul, a postdoctoral fellow in the Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology at Queen's University. “It is also often used by young, sexually active people who are unaware of the hazardous effects it may be having on their sexual health and performance.”

Past research found that marijuana could affect certain receptors in the brain. But Shamloul believes those receptors also exist in the penis, making it difficult for men to get aroused.

“These findings will change the current understanding of the magnitude of the impact of cannabis use on sexual health,” says Dr. Shamloul.

The Kingston Herald wrote:

Previous studies examining the effects of cannabis use on male sexual function have been limited and many of these studies have produced contradictory results. While some studies have indicated cannabis could have beneficial effects in enhancing erectile function, other studies have found the opposite.

The research is expected to appear in an upcoming issue of the Journal of Sexual Medicine.

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