User:Ageorgescu1698/Cannabis and sex

Influence of Cannabis
The effects of Cannabis begins as a chemical process in the brain in which the Neural Communication Network becomes altered. THC's chemical structure is similar to the brain chemical Anandamide, which is responsible for sending chemical messages between neurons throughout the nervous system. The brain areas that are affected influence memory, pleasure, thinking, concentration, movement, coordination, and sensory and time perception. These areas include the amygdala, hippocampus, basal ganglia, and prefrontal cortex, and within those areas are cannabinoid receptors that makeup a part of the Endocannabinoid system.

Such affects within the nervous system, may vary among individuals. However, Cannabis will influence experiences in sexual pleasure and memory in distinctive ways. Studies have been conducted observing differences between male and female neuropsychological functioning. While the results have shown little significant differences, there have been limited studies conducted for very small sample sizes.

Sexual Pleasure
Once the cannabinoid receptors are activated by THC, dopamine, a chemical linked with the affects of our reward system, is released. The areas of the brain that govern sexual functioning that are then influenced by the released dopamine, can result or cause increased sexual pleasure. Most studies conducted to understand this influence from cannabis are limited and consist of small sample sizes. Furthermore, these studies are survey studies and rely on participants ability to recall details of such experiences. However, two studies show results that reveal a majority of participants had increased desire for sex, increased sensitivity of sensations, and increased sexual satisfaction.

Majority of participants in survey studies report having increased sexual pleasure and the desire to have sex. A study published in March 2019 observing women using cannabis prior to sex and their sexual function, measured outcomes of satisfaction in sexual domains of drive, orgasm, lubrication, dyspareunia, and sexual experience and the frequency of marijuana use on satisfaction. The results of the study show women who used cannabis prior to having sex had higher odds of satisfactory orgasms and an increase in sex drive. Women having frequent marijuana use had higher odds of satisfactory orgasms, regardless of use prior to sex or not. Such results show, that cannabis shares a relationship to increased sexual satisfaction positively, and such results can be considered to further research to develop treatment for female sexual dysfunction. Another study, had a large portion of participants report having increased desire and sexual satisfaction using cannabis before sex or using cannabis for sex, while some reported the experience being worse than usual. Overall reports, show the rewards of reaching orgasm quicker and better sensations when having sex under the influence of cannabis.

Memory
The orbitofrontal cortex and hippocampus help with the formation of new memories, and cannabinoid receptors are found in these areas as well. Thus, cannabis will have an affect in abilities regarding memory and learning for individuals. While using cannabis for the purpose of enhancing sexual experience and satisfaction, there are other areas that cannabis will influence regarding perception and sensation. Studies conducted observe neurocognitive behavior of individuals under the influence of cannabis and the relationship of cannabis with risky-behavior.

Cannabis can have more negative affects when it comes to learning and memory. A user will show lower spans of attention, concentration, and abstract reasoning. Neurocognitive functioning becomes impaired due to the use of cannabis and the user loses the ability to recall or learn effectively while under the influence. This can hinder ones responses to the surrounding environment and decision-making, which can lead to situations where the individual can not remember details accurately or their perception of time becomes distorted. While such results are studied, the neurocognitive domains remain to be inconsistent in results when observing neurocognitive behavior of users. One study observed the risky-behavior of individuals who use cannabis. The findings of the study revealed that adolescence who use cannabis are more likely to voluntarily engage in unprotected sex repeatedly, while the participants who never used cannabis or used cannabis after adolescence were less likely to have unprotected sex.