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Fighting Anxiety with Orgasms and Weed

By: Emily Fata

Weed and Orgasms

Not only do orgasms feel A.M.A.Z.I.N.G, but they are also incredible for your mind and body. For example, science proves that experiencing an orgasm can significantly reduce stress levels for many women.

Some researchers in this field even recommend self-medicating with sex/masturbation as a stress-management technique. This improves mood, lowers blood pressure and releases tension.

Anxiety and The Little Death

La petite mort is a French idiom or an orgasm. It translates as 'the little death'. The phrase refers to the relaxed, transcendent state following an orgasm. This is caused by the massive release of hormones and endorphins at the point of climax.

It's like setting off fireworks but in your brain.

The main chemicals at play are:

  • Dopamine
  • Norepinephrine
  • Endogenous Opiates (natural opium chemicals produced by your brain)
  • Serotonin
  • Oxytocin

Read Your Brain on Porn to find out more about what these chemicals do during orgasm.

Higher concentrations of these happy, feel-good chemicals lower your body's cortisol levels. Cortisol is your body's primary response to stress. The more cortisol you have in your body, the more uptight and stressed you'll feel.

Your cortisol levels are also higher when you wake up in the morning. Health professionals and psychologists recommend performing some kind of exercise in the morning (in my opinion sex is the best one) to lower your cortisol levels for the day - making it easier to deal with:

  • Stress
  • Anxiety Disorders
  • Depression

When a person experiences orgasm, the hormone oxytocin is released from nerve cells in the hypothalamus (a region of the brain responsible for hormone regulation) and into the bloodstream. Oxytocin is also known as the 'Love Hormone' because it's responsible for creating that warm and fuzzy feeling that we associate with romance, love, trust, and happiness.

Orgasms relieve tension because our friend oxytocin stimulates feelings of warmth and relaxation.

Lower levels of oxytocin are associated with a much higher incidence of anxiety disorders.

High levels of oxytocin (like just after climax) on the other hand reduce stress levels AND can also change a person's response to stressors.

Classifying Anxiety Disorders

Anxiety disorders are the most common mental illness in America. They affect 40 million adults in the USA or 18% of the population.

Anxiety disorders are a group of clinical diagnoses in which an abnormally high level of anxiety is the prominent symptom. These disorders include:

  • Panic disorder
  • Social anxiety
  • Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
  • Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
  • Generalized anxiety disorder.

All of these disorders are serious and can be debilitating. This article is not suggesting in any way that sex can cure anxiety, but it can definitely help you manage!

Even if you don't suffer from an anxiety disorder, everyone can become stressed, overwhelmed or on edge from time-to-time. It's important to have healthy coping mechanisms in place when dealing with mental difficulties.

Smoking Your Anxiety Away

You've probably seen all over the internet that many people are handling their anxiety with medical marijuana products.

Which is great! If it's been legalized in your area.

There are still many countries and states in the USA that do not currently support medical marijuana. It's a shame because the plant has a vast number of health benefits.

As more places legalize marijuana, both for medical and recreational use, more and more people are turning to cannabis in hopes of managing general anxiety or other anxiety disorders.

Although scientific research in this is still spare, there are anecdotal reports of marijuana creating a calming experience that temporarily relieves symptoms of anxiety for many people.

While the option may sound appealing, especially if you've struggled to successfully manage anxious feelings, there are considerations worth weighing:

1. Psychological Dependence

The central problem with using marijuana as an anxiety coping tool is that it can create a psychological dependence on the substance. Don't worry, this only happens if you're using either too much in 1 smoke session or using it way too often.

Don't get me wrong, the natural chemicals found in cannabis can do amazing things in mental regulation and body function - but too much of a good thing can be bad. Especially if you abuse the substance. Luckily weed, by nature is not an addictive drug.

2. Long-Term Memory Loss

Long-term marijuana use can cause memory loss. Memory impairment occurs because THC (the main chemical in marijuana) alters the area of the brain responsible for memory formation.

3. Exacerbation Symptoms

THC can raise your heart rate, which, if you have anxiety, may make you feel even more anxious. Using too much marijuana can also make you feel scared or paranoid because THC is believed to stimulate areas of the brain responsible for fear and paranoia.

These side-effects won't happen to everyone, it's just important to know they do exist.

In all of these situations, the most potentially harmful chemical is THC. CBD is much gentler on the mind and can really help with managing anxiety, it has no psychoactive properties.

Breakfast in the Bedsheets Vs. Getting Baked

Which is better: sex or weed?

Smoke inhalation is also a significant health concern. Lung irritation can lead to severe diseases such as emphysema and lung cancer. So probably not a good idea to go there.

A plus side to marijuana is that it has a super chill effect. Like, super chill. It's excellent for irregular tension relievers.

Another con is that cannabis is still illegal in more places than it's not. Which, is really unfair. And a bit pricey.

Sex, on the other hand, shouldn't cost you a thing, which makes it gentler on your wallet and it's legal everywhere - as long as you're not paying for it. 

Even if you're by yourself, orgasms don't cost anything, and you can have as many as you like without getting the munchies.