There might be something to the theory that marijuana has aphrodisiac-like qualities. A new study has linked marijuana use to more sex in both men and women, clearing up some of the confusion about pot and libido, at least from a scientific standpoint.
The study, from Stanford University and published in The Journal of Sexual Medicine, analysed data from 50,000 Americans about their sexual habits over a month-long period and their marijuana habits over a year-long period, and found that marijuana users had hands down more sex than non-users. Men who were daily users had sex an average of 6.9 times over the past month, while non-users averaged 5.6 times. Among women, daily users averaged having sex 7.1 times over, and non-users averaged 6 times.
"In other words, pot users are having about 20 percent more sex than pot abstainers," said study author Dr. Michael Eisenberg, assistant professor of urology at Stanford, per The Guardian. He also explained that because couples have sex once a week on average, a 20 percent increase in sex shakes out to about 20 instances of sex.
"I think if you asked a man or a woman, 20 more times to have sex over a year, that would seem like a lot," he said.
Like any study with compelling news, there are caveats. Researches did not determine causation, or why marijuana users reported more sex, just that they did. And previous studies have found that marijuana can inhibit sexual performance or enjoyment for some users. So, to each his (or her) own. But a little weed might go a long way toward more time in the bedroom.
