You may have heard that marijuana and sex go well together—especially for women—but if you’re thinking of trying out this concept for the first time, wouldn’t it be helpful to talk to someone with experience in the matter?
Enter Ellementa, a women’s network that’s focused on health, wellness and cannabis. There are 23 Ellementa groups located throughout the country, even in areas that aren’t known for their burgeoning cannabis cultures—places like Georgia, Michigan and Illinois—though most of its chapters are in California.
These groups host local gatherings that bring together women of all ages and backgrounds to talk about cannabis as it relates to their physical and emotional health. Each gathering is a based on a theme and usually hosts a guest (or guests) from the cannabis industry.
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Ellementa’s most recent event was held at WestSide Art House in San Francisco and showcased the ever-popular topic of sex and cannabis. Guests for the event included Cyo Ray Nystrom, the CEO and cofounder of Quim Rock, a company that makes a cannabis vaginal topical; and Maria Lara, a marriage and family therapist who also trains budtenders. Attendees included both women in the cannabis industry and those who were simply interested in learning more about the plant.
Here are highlights from the sex and cannabis event:
CBD’s ant-inflammatory properties have applications in sex
According to Cyo, we think of cannabis—and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) in particular—as a sexual stimulant: It heightens awareness, increases sensations and can make it easier to climax (though that’s not the only reason for having sex, she adds). But THC’s counterpart, cannabidiol (CBD) can also be used to quell inflammation post-sex, especially after a long love-making session.
Sex doesn’t have to be a partnered activity
“One of the most important things cannabis can help with is getting us used to our own bodies,” says Maria. “Growing up, we often get the message that sex is bad, so you might have stuff attached to it.”
Cannabis can be used to relax your mind and get you in the mood for self-experimentation. It can also help us work through any discomfort that we associate with sex or a particular sexual activity.
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“[Cannabis] fosters the relationship between yourself and your sexuality,” says Maria. She adds that we oftentimes have to discover what works for us on our own time before we can be with a partner, and cannabis is a great tool to help you in this self-discovery.
Linalool might get you in the mood
Linalool, a terpene found in cannabis and many other plants, might help get you going. We know that THC gets you high, but we now think that terpenes determine the nature of that high. According to Maria, linalool is thought to induce relaxation and be a mood enhancer—all great properties to help get you in the right mindset.
Ask yourself: What turns you on?
“The real question is: What makes you horny?” says Cyo. “I know … [cannabis] that’s more indica-heavy will help a lot of people get into their bodies, but that would just put me right to sleep.”
Cyo adds that she needs something with more sativa-like effects because she sees her brain as an erogenous zone. She advises that we ask ourselves what we’re looking for in our sexual experiences. Once we’ve figured that out, we’re in a better position to choose cannabis products that can help us meet our goals.
Meanwhile, in her work as a budtender, Maria notes that folks interested in using cannabis as an aphrodisiac usually have to try a few products before they find a good match.
If you’re new to cannabis and want to learn more, take a look at our Cannabis 101 post. HelloMD can help you get your medical marijuana recommendation; it’s easy, private and 100% online.
