Marijuana has a reputation for making any situation better, so it’s no surprise people are curious to know if the same rule applies to sex. As it turns out, weed can enhance your sex life! Some consumers say the relaxing effects of cannabis increase sensitivity to pleasure and decrease pain, allowing for a much deeper level of intimacy. Others report that smoking weed before sex lowers their inhibition, allowing them to communicate more openly and confidently with their sexual partner.
However booming the canna-sexual market may be, it seems to be devoid of any smokable sex aids. While something is working with smoking pot before (or even during) a sexual experience, there is little data on what kind of flower lends itself best to enhance sexual pleasure.
When it comes to sex and using flower, are there strains that specifically heighten arousal? Or, when it comes to sex, is all weed created equal? Is there such a thing as a “viagra strain” to kickstart your sex life?
So many strains claiming to enhance female arousal and male arousal with names like Atomic Northern Lights tend to be touted as”sure things” for the bedroom, but they can be intimidating, confusing, and just downright mood-killing when they don’t work, or worse, trap you in your own head.
Your sexual journey is personal, intimate, and determined by how the plant’s chemical makeup of terpenes and cannabinoids react with your individual endocannabinoid system, as well as how you react with your surroundings. So, we spoke to some of the experts behind the canna-sexual uprising that’s rocking the weed world and bedrooms alike.
While there’s no single strain that’s guaranteed to get you off, here are a few of their favorites and recommendations.
For Joe Vela, co-founder and CEO of Emojibator, a shame-free, accessible pleasure-tech brand, it’s all about Strawberry Cough.
“I keep a steady supply of sativas and sativa-hybrids,” said Vela. “My go-to strain for arousal is Strawberry Cough. In addition to the sensual smell and taste of berry, this strain gives me creative energy and full-body relaxation.”
Strawberry Cough is a sweet, potent strain known for its heady high and hard, cough-provoking smoke. With a terpene profile high in caryophyllene and limonene with a dash of linalool, it produces a shimmering, euphoric high that is at once uplifting, relaxing, and perfect for getting freaky.
Trainwreck
High in euphoria-inducing myrcene, uplifting pinene, and sedating terpinolene, Trainwreck is a fabulous strain for foreplay and beyond. While it hit its peak popularity about a decade ago, that doesn’t stop Laura Eisman and Allison Krongard, CEOs and co-founders of Her Highness, a brand of glamourous cannabis accessories, from enjoying Trainwreck’s hard-hitting cerebral high, surging euphoria, and creativity.
“My absolute favorite strain for sex is Trainwreck,” said Laura Eisman. “I love it in any form. Nothing is sexier than slowly smoking a Trainwreck pre-roll. It makes me feel completely euphoric. I get lost in the experience and every sensation is intensified.”
Allison Krongard added, “Personally, the best pre-sex strain for me is whichever one I have available. Getting high before sex makes it better for me, and all strains deliver. However, if I had to pick just one or two notable pre-sex standouts, they would be Trainwreck and Red Congolese.”
Granddaddy Purple
“I think, more than focusing on strains, something to think about, ask about, and look into is terpenes and cannabinoids,” said the extremely knowledgeable Anne Louise Burdett, co-Founder & CEO of TOCA, an organic CBD line of intimacy lubricants. “Different strains have different terpene and cannabinoid profiles which is what makes them unique, and if you know what you’re looking for, you can try out all kinds of different combinations.”
She continued, “When it comes to terpenes, for example, if you want to be clear and focused, look to pinene. If you are wanting something more relaxed and sedating, myrcene or linalool, with limonene being more euphoric, creative. As far as cannabinoids, CBN is a major chemical that makes people feel kind of sleepy and dull, so likely best to avoid. THC is fantastic for pain relief and heightened sensation, and THCV is more stimulating. So overall, it’s a pretty idiosyncratic choice, depending on what you need to get aroused and how you like to feel.”
That said, her recent go-to has been Granddaddy Purple (or GDP), an indica-growing cross between Purple Urkle and Big Bud that is high in relaxing myrcene, anxiety-curbing caryophyllene, and uplifting pinene. “Grandaddy Purple is currently the strain I use the most because I have very full days … a pretty regular obstacle to sex is the task of slowing down my brain and getting present and relaxed in my body at the end of the day. Grandaddy Purple is perfect for a longer, more languid experience. A sensual, relaxed time.”
Sour Diesel
Sour Diesel, one of the most popular strains in existence, is a sativa-growing plant that took over in the 90s. This cross between ChemDog 91 and Super Skunk was cultivated by grower AJ Sour Diesel and launched a ton of beef between growers in the weed world at the time due to its diesel-y aroma and general prowess as the ultimate 90s dank. High in uplifting limonene, peppery caryophyllene, and fruity, relaxing myrcene, Sour Diesel made two of our expert’s lists, including Anne Lousie Burdett above. It also whether to try Chemdawg.
Daniel Saynt, Founder & Chief Conspirator of The New Society for Wellness (NSFW), a private members club for the adventurous, agreed. “My choice strains for great sex are Sour Diesel, Afgan Goo, Blue Cheese, and Voodoo.”
Saynt continued, “Just think about the experience you’re about to have and try to match the strain that best fits. If you’re looking for a Barry Manalo style, long and romantic sex experience consider going with an indica-based weed like Bubblegum Kush. Try other indica strains if you want to stretch out your sexual experience with more touch and massage, as these strains make that action feel amazing. If you’re looking for wild and crazy sex making, go for a sativa or hybrid-based strain like Sour Diesel or Jillybean. Both are great for getting the juices going and raising arousal.”
“It’s not about getting insanely high when you’re mixing weed and sex. It’s about enhancing the experience, not overpowering it … much like great sex, it’s better to start slow and build up.”