CANNABIS – ERECTILE DYSFUNCTION QUESTION:
Cannabis and ED/loss of libido. I am 40 and have been smoking weed for the last 2 years about one joint per day. The first year, it gave me a very exciting sex life but since a year I am suffering from ED and more of all developed a complete disinterest in every aspect of sex.
I’ve learned that cannabis can trigger ED through premature endothelial dysfunction (Int J Impot Res. 2008 Nov-Dec;20(6):566-73. doi: 10.1038/ijir.2008.43.”Early endothelial dysfunction as a marker of vasculogenic erectile dysfunction in young habitual cannabis users”.) and maybe lowering testosterone.
But it also messes up with your brain reward center with downregulation of post-synaptic dopamine receptors. I have quit smoking weed for 2 months now and I am still not interested in sexual matters. Do you know how long it can take before the brain get reset?
DOCTOR ALSAYES ANSWER:
First of all, congratulations, you are on the right way to recovery.
Let me tell you it may take more couple months for you to start feeling the difference, and with time the negative effect of these habits will disappear and your normal erections will appear again (if you have no other causes of ED).
In the meanwhile, I advise you to establish a healthy lifestyle by exercising regularly, eating healthy food (low cholesterol), and stop or avoid alcohol and tobacco as they both contribute to ED. These steps will help you regain your normal erection faster.
I hope this answers your question.
Thanks, Dr. Alsayes