Delta 8 THC has become popular for recreational and therapeutic use. But should you be using delta 8 for sex?
Maybe – there are benefits and drawbacks to using delta 8 in the bedroom.
While delta 8 may promote mental and physical relaxation and enhance sexual satisfaction, it may also impact sexual functioning for men.
In this article, we’ll cover everything related to delta 8 for sex – including how it compares to delta 9 THC – so that you can decide whether it’s right for you.
What is Delta 8?
Delta-8-tetrahydrocannabinol (also called delta 8 THC or delta 8), is a cannabinoid found in the cannabis sativa plant. Hemp is cannabis sativa that contains less than 0.3% THC by dry weight and is federally legal.
Though it naturally occurs in hemp, delta 8 is only found in very small amounts. Therefore, it’s synthetically produced for use in products.
Delta 8 is an isomer of delta 9 THC, the cannabinoid most prominent in cannabis (when people say THC, they’re referring to delta 9).
Like delta 9, delta 8 is psychoactive. However, its psychoactive effects are just half as strong, and it’s less likely to cause anxiety and paranoia as side effects than its more-powerful counterpart.
Can Delta 8 Help with Sex?
Delta 8 may support better sex by promoting mental and physical relaxation, as well as by enhancing sexual satisfaction.
While delta 8 isn’t a cure for any sexual problem, research and anecdotal evidence suggest it may be beneficial for some people in their sex life, depending on what they’re trying to overcome.
However, delta 8 may also have some negative effects on sexual functioning, particularly in men.
Therefore, delta 8 may be beneficial for those struggling with occasional mental or physical discomfort that keeps them from enjoying sex to the fullest, but long-term use should be carefully considered.
Potential Benefits of Delta 8 for Sex
In this section, we’ll look at the research on the benefits of delta 8 for sex.
Delta 8 may promote mental relaxation
In 2022, scientists surveyed more than 500 delta 8 users to get an idea of the potential effects and benefits of this cannabinoid.
Of all the participants, 71% reported relaxation, 68% reported euphoria, and 55% reported pain relief after using delta 8 products [1].
Anxiety negatively impacts the sexual experience for both men and women. And while delta 8 isn’t a treatment for anxiety, this study indicates it may promote mental relaxation.
Therefore, delta 8 may be beneficial for people who have trouble relaxing and enjoying sex.
Delta 8 may promote physical relaxation
The survey above indicates many people use delta 8 for pain, but no research has been done in this area.
However, there is quite a bit of research on delta 9 for pain [2]. Delta 9 THC is the primary cannabinoid in cannabis, and therefore has been subject to a lot of research.
While delta 9 is about twice as potent as delta 8, its effects tend to be more focused in the mind, while delta 8’s are more body-focused. Therefore, delta 8 may be more effective at promoting physical relaxation.
Pain during sex, also known as dyspareunia, can cause physical discomfort, emotional distress, and loss of intimacy. Ultimately, it can lead to lower sexual desire in relationships.
Delta 8 isn’t a pain treatment, but it may offer potential benefits for some people by promoting physical comfort.
Delta 8 may enhance sexual satisfaction
Delta 8 hasn’t been researched for its effects on sexual satisfaction, but delta 9 has. Given what we know about how the two cannabinoids compare, we can extrapolate delta 8’s potential benefits.
A 2023 survey study looked at the effects of cannabis – which is delta-9-dominant – on sexual functioning and satisfaction.
Out of 811 participants (64.9% female, 35.1% male) who’d reported using cannabis for sex in the past, 70% reported increased desire and orgasm intensity. Additionally, 71% reported that cannabis enhanced their sense of touch [3].
Given it was done on the cannabis plant as a whole, this research can’t fully be generalized to delta 8, but it does indicate that psychoactive cannabinoids – like delta 8 – may promote sexual satisfaction and enhance the sexual experience for both men and women.
Potential Drawbacks of Delta 8 for Sex
While delta 8 may be beneficial for sex in some areas, it may have negative effects in others.
Delta 8 may impact male fertility
A 2009 study found that delta 8 THC may inhibit respiration in human sperm, which indicates it may adversely affect male fertility [4].
However, another study of 7,809 men found that cannabis users (12.7% of the total) had a higher mean Sexual Health Inventory for Men (SHIM) score (for context, the SHIM score is commonly used to evaluate erectile dysfunction treatments) than did non-users.
Overall, the study concluded that “cannabis use was not associated with clinically significant deleterious effects on male sexual parameters in this cohort” [5].
Again, cannabis is primarily delta 9 THC, and using the plant as a whole will render different effects than using a single cannabinoid in isolation. Still, this second study indicates the effects cannabis-based products have on sexual functioning aren’t all bad.
It’s clear that more studies are needed to ascertain the exact positive or negative impacts delta 8 and other cannabinoids have in this area.
Delta 8 may impact male orgasm
A 2010 study looked at the effects of cannabis use at different frequencies on sexual health in men and women.
The study found that frequency of cannabis use was unrelated to sexual problems in women, but that daily use (as compared to no use) was associated with increases in men’s inability to reach orgasm, as well as with the problems of reaching orgasm too quickly or too slowly [6].
Again, you can’t fully extrapolate this study to explain the impact of delta 8 when taken in isolation. However, this study indicates that men who use cannabis should monitor how it affects their sex life and make changes as needed.
Delta 8 for Sex: How Does It Work?
Delta 8 works by interacting with your body’s endocannabinoid system (ECS).
The ECS is a receptor system in your body – all humans have one. The ECS plays a part in regulating your vital functions, including your mood, inflammatory and pain responses, and sexual functioning.
Introducing cannabinoids into the body may alter and support the function of the ECS.
There are two main types of receptors in the ECS:
- CB1 receptors, which, when stimulated, may render mental, or “head” effects
- CB2 receptors, which, when stimulated, may render physical, or “body” effects
Delta 8 binds to both types of receptors, though it favors the CB2 receptors. It binds to the CB1 receptors more weakly than delta 9 does, which explains why it renders weaker mental effects [7].
Delta 8’s action at the CB1 receptor may lead to calming mental sensations and feelings of relaxation and euphoria. Its action as CB2 contributes to its physically relaxing benefits.
By supporting the body comprehensively, delta 8 may provide support to people in overcoming things that make having sex less enjoyable and/or more difficult.
Delta 8 vs. Delta 9 for Sex: How Do They Compare?
Delta 8 and delta 9 differ in the strength and nature of their effects.
The head high effect of delta 8 is just half as potent as that of delta 9, which means it may be a better option for people who haven’t experienced psychoactive cannabinoids before or used them in the bedroom.
Delta 8’s effects tend to affect the body and mind somewhat evenly, while delta 9 is primarily mind-focused. This means that you may prefer one cannabinoid over the other, depending on what you’re trying to address that’s holding you back from fully enjoying sex.
A final notable difference between delta 8 and delta 9 for sex is that delta 9 tends to cause paranoia and anxiety more often as side effects. Most people report low or no anxiety and paranoia when using delta 8 as compared to delta 9.
This means that if you’re looking for something to help you mentally relax during sex, delta 8 may be the better option. However, delta 8 may still cause these side effects if you take too much.
Side Effects of Delta 8
While delta 8 has many potential benefits for sexual health, it also may cause many side effects.
Potential side effects of using delta 8 include:
- Paranoia
- Vomiting
- Tremors
- Anxiety
- Dizziness
- Confusion
- Loss of consciousness
- Tachycardia (raised heart rate)
- Difficulty with short-term memory
The best way to minimize these side effects is to start with small doses and work your way up.
Delta 8 Dosage for Sex
The ideal delta 8 dosage for sex varies depending on what, specifically, you’re taking it for.
However, most people are best suited by starting with a low-strength dose of delta 8.
You can calculate your dose using the formula below:
(0.05) x (your body weight in lbs.) = your daily delta 8 dose for sex in mg.
Once you’ve taken your starting dose a few times, gradually adjust it depending on how well it’s working for you. We can’t stress starting with a small dose enough; this will reduce your chance of feeling negative side effects.
Shop The Best Delta 8 for Sex
If you’re looking for a delta 8 product that’s perfect for promoting mental and physical relaxation in the bedroom, our delta 8 gummies are the best place to start.
Each gummy contains either 25mg, 50mg, or 100mg of delta 8 per piece, and they come in 20-count or 50-count jars. They’re 3rd-party lab tested, made from American-grown hemp, and manufactured in the USA.
Our delta 8 gummies pack the punch of potency that you need, but they also come with the peace of mind that the cannabinoids you’re consuming are pure, safe, and effective.
Shop our delta 8 gummies below:
Conclusion: Should You Take Delta 8 in the Bedroom?
If you’re looking to relax and enjoy better sex, delta 8 may help you. It’s a naturally-occurring cannabinoid that’s safe to consume, so long as you buy a high-quality product and dose it carefully.
But scientific research on cannabis also suggests that we need to be cautious of the impact cannabinoids and cannabis products may have on sexual functioning, especially for men.
Because of this, we recommend that you seek advice from your doctor before you try delta 8. This will ensure that, if you determine delta 8 would be beneficial for you, you use it in the safest, most effective way possible.
Delta for Sex: Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some questions our customers frequently ask us about delta 8 for sex.
What are the best delta 8 strains for sex?
Some of the most popular delta 8 flower strains for sex are Zkittlez, Green Crack, Wedding Cake, Sour Diesel, and Pineapple Express.
What kind of gummies help sex drive?
Many people report having good experiences with CBD gummies, CBD:THC gummies, and delta 8 gummies for sex drive. However, remember that none of these are proven treatments for low sex drive, and you should always seek a doctor’s opinion first.
Does delta 8 get you as high as delta 9?
No. Delta 8 is about half as potent as delta 9, and its effects tend to be spread evenly across the mind and body, while delta 9’s high is mind-focused.
What is Delta 8 especially effective for?
Many people use delta 8 therapeutically for pain, sleep, and anxiety, but it may also have potential benefits in other areas, such as sexual health.
Sources
[1] Kruger, Jessica S, and Daniel J Kruger. “Delta-8-THC: Delta-9-THC’s nicer younger sibling?.” Journal of cannabis research vol. 4,1 4. 4 Jan. 2022, doi:10.1186/s42238-021-00115-8
[2] Weber, Janet et al. “Tetrahydrocannabinol (Delta 9-THC) Treatment in Chronic Central Neuropathic Pain and Fibromyalgia Patients: Results of a Multicenter Survey.” Anesthesiology research and practice vol. 2009 (2009): 827290. doi:10.1155/2009/827290
[3] Moser, Amanda et al. “The influence of cannabis on sexual functioning and satisfaction.” Journal of cannabis research vol. 5,1 2. 20 Jan. 2023, doi:10.1186/s42238-022-00169-2
[4] Badawy, Zaki S et al. “Cannabinoids inhibit the respiration of human sperm.” Fertility and sterility vol. 91,6 (2009): 2471-6. doi:10.1016/j.fertnstert.2008.03.075
[5] Shiff, Benjamin et al. “The impact of cannabis use on male sexual function: A 10-year, single-center experience.” Canadian Urological Association journal = Journal de l’Association des urologues du Canada vol. 15,12 (2021): E652-E657. doi:10.5489/cuaj.7185
[6] Anthony M.A. Smith, Jason A. Ferris, Judy M. Simpson, Julia Shelley, Marian K. Pitts, Juliet Richters, Cannabis Use and Sexual Health, The Journal of Sexual Medicine, Volume 7, Issue 2_part_1, February 2010, Pages 787–793, https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1743-6109.2009.01453.x
[7] “Cannabis-derived products like delta-8 THC and delta-10 THC have flooded the US market.” University of South Carolina, April 2023.
