7 weed strains that may help erectile dysfunction

Article written by

April AcernoContent Writer
Content reviewed by

Dr. June ChinChief Medical Officer
Erectile dysfunction (ED) is the inability to achieve or maintain an erection for sexual activity.
Having ED can negatively impact your personal life, but there are various treatments that can help.
Some people use cannabis to help with ED. Certain cannabis strains may be particularly helpful by improving blood flow, mood, and more.
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Best weed strains for erectile dysfunction
Strains of cannabis differ in their concentrations of cannabinoids and terpenes. These are compounds that affect the strain’s health benefits and user experience.
Cannabis strains can affect everyone differently. What works best for one person may not be the right choice for you.
That said, these are the most popular strains for ED, according to anecdotal reports.
Harlequin
Harlequin has an above-average cannabidiol (CBD) content of 9% and a below-average tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) content of 5%.
THC is an intoxicating compound, and for some people, high doses may cause anxiety. For people with ED caused or worsened by anxiety, a low-THC strain may be ideal.
Harlequin is also high in myrcene, a terpene that can help you feel calm and uplifted.
Wedding Cake
Wedding Cake has a THC concentration of around 25% and a CBD concentration below 1%.
Anecdotally, users report that this strain helps them feel relaxed, focused, and physically stimulated. Its primary terpenes are limonene and linalool.
Blue Dream
Blue Dream is a popular strain with about 18% THC and less than 1% CBD. Users often report that it helps ease anxiety without causing drowsiness. Some people also report that it helps boost circulation.
Blue Dream’s dominant terpenes include beta-caryophyllene, myrcene, linalool, and alpha-bisabolol.
Dosido
Dosido is a high-THC strain (up to 30%) that can produce powerful effects, including euphoria and relaxation.
According to users, Dosido may also help relax your body and increase feelings of pleasure. Its dominant terpenes are beta-caryophyllene and limonene.
Sour Diesel
Sour Diesel contains about 19% THC. It’s commonly reported to help increase energy, focus, and physical arousal. Sour Diesel is high in limonene and beta-caryophyllene.
Sunset Sherbet
Sunset Sherbet has about 18% THC, making its potency moderate. Users say that it helps improve mood, ease anxiety, and relieve muscle tension.
Its dominant terpenes are beta-caryophyllene, humulene, and limonene, which can promote relaxation without interfering with focus.
Durban Poison
Durban Poison contains about 19% THC. It may help improve your mood, energy levels, and concentration.
Its dominant terpenes include beta-caryophyllene, humulene, and terpinolene, which may work together to ease stress.
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How does weed help with ED?
Cannabinoids in cannabis, including CBD and THC, affect your body’s endocannabinoid system.
This bodywide system balances some functions related to sex, including:
- Hormonal balance
- Blood flow
- Mood
- Focus
- Energy levels
Research suggests that anxiety may contribute to ED. Self-reported surveys have found that using cannabis before sexual activity may help people relax, easing anxiety that could interfere with sexual function.
One study found that cannabis can also help improve blood flow, leading to increased sensitivity of the penis’s nerve receptors.
Can weed cause ED?
While cannabis can help some people with ED, for others, it can increase erectile dysfunction.
One study suggests that cannabis overuse or dependence is associated with a deficiency of testosterone, a male sex hormone that regulates erections and other sexual functions.
THC might also increase anxiety in some users. Anxiety may interfere with the ability to have and maintain an erection.
However, more research is needed to fully understand cannabis’s relationship with ED. It’s possible that certain factors, including your dosage and how frequently you use cannabis, can make a difference.
Best ways to use weed for ED
Follow these tips if you’re considering cannabis for ED.
- Start with a low dose: It may be best to start with a low cannabis dose to see how it affects you. You can gradually increase your dose as needed.
- Avoid certain strains: Some strains are more likely than others to cause anxiety or drowsiness, which might make ED worse.
- Seek personal guidance: Ask for help when choosing a strain, dosage amount, or product type. A Leafwell provider can guide you in the right direction.
- Understand interaction risks: Cannabis can interact with certain medications, including Viagra. Speak with your doctor or pharmacist before combining them.
The bottom line: Some cannabis strains may improve ED, but results can look different for everyone
Cannabis has health benefits that may help with ED, including anti-anxiety and circulation-boosting effects.
But for some people, cannabis use might make ED worse by increasing anxiety and interfering with sexual function.
Choosing the right cannabis strain may make a difference. To learn more about cannabis strains for ED, contact a Leafwell provider who can give personal guidance.
Resources
- Association of cannabis abuse/dependence on risks of erectile dysfunction and testosterone deficiency using a large claims database analysis. https://academic.oup.com/jsm/article-abstract/22/5/711/8090552
- Cannabis, a cause for anxiety? A critical appraisal of the anxiogenic and anxiolytic properties. https://translational-medicine.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12967-020-02518-2
- Cardiovascular pharmacology of cannabinoids. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2228270/
- Endocannabinoid modulation of male rat sexual behavior. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17694389/
- Erectile dysfunction in patients with anxiety disorders: A systematic review. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8964411/
- How cannabis alters sexual experience: A survey of men and women. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31447385/
- Relationship between cannabis use and erectile dysfunction: A systematic review and meta-analysis. https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/1557988319892464
- Residual effects of THC via novel measures of the brain perfusion and metabolism in a large group of chronic cannabis users. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5809805/
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