Erectile Dysfunction (ED)

Erectile dysfunction is the most common male sexual disorder, the main symptom of which is not being able to get or keep an erection. ED can be caused by stress and anxiety, and can deepen such problems as it can cause further stress & anxiety, affect one’s self-confidence and contribute to relationship problems.

Other causes of ED can be health problems such as heart disease, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, insomnia and other sleep disorders, prostate cancer, diabetes, atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries), obesity and other metabolic disorders, tobacco use, alcohol and drug use disorders, neurological diseases, certain prescription medications and low testosterone.

The relationship between cannabis and erectile dysfunction is a complex one. One systematic review suggests that incidence of ED was increased in cannabis users. Another meta-analysis, however, says that “Insufficient research was available to draw conclusions regarding risk factors for premature ejaculation or for cannabis use as a risk factor.”

This complex relationship was noted in the past. Some countries and cultures prohibited, restricted or were generally against cannabis use because they felt it elicited sexual behavior, whereas others felt that cannabis dampened arousal (at least in men). ED caused by stress, anxiety or insomnia (or conditions like diabetes or neurological disorders like MS) may be alleviated by cannabis, whereas with some other conditions cannabis may complicate matters and compound ED.