6 questions about cannabis you ve been afraid to ask

So you ve got a few things you want to know about cannabis, but don t know who you can ask? You ve heard some weird stories, some strange rumours and some confusing gossip and you re not sure what to believe will it affect your down stairs , can people tell you re stoned, does it affect your breath? Here are six questions we ve been asked by people who smoke weed or are thinking about trying it.

Here are six questions we ve been asked by people who smoke weed or are thinking about trying it.

1) I’m a guy, can cannabis affect my sexual performance?

Recent research has shown cannabinoids can act on penile cannabinoid receptors to inhibit the relaxation of the corpus cavernosum (CC), a necessary component of penile erection. Evidence also suggests cannabis use may be linked to reduced testosterone levels in men, which in turn has been linked to reduced libido and erectile dysfunction basically, if the research is right, your penis may not work as you expected, but it might not matter, you may not feel as much like as sex as you usually would anyway.

In human studies that looked at sexual arousal, men reported that using cannabis enhanced their sexual pleasure and quality of orgasm, whereas men who used cannabis daily were more likely to report difficulties in reaching orgasm, or reaching it too quickly maybe ok for them, but what about their partner?

So, from the existing evidence, it seems using cannabis could make sex seem more pleasurable for you, while also negatively affecting your ability to get or keep an erection.

2) I’m a girl, can smoking cannabis affect my sex drive?

Research points to cannabinoids having a role in contributing to sexual arousal in women. Some older survey data have previously indicated a link between cannabis use and enhanced sexual arousal, but more recent data actually shows the opposite effect.

A study of female rats exposed to cannabinoids in adolescence showed reduced sexual motivation in adulthood, together with reduced activation in areas related to motivation and arousal in response to sexual stimuli.

So ladies, using cannabis in your teenage years may have long-term negative effects on your sex drive that extend into adulthood.

3) I’m a new mum, does my cannabis use affect my breast milk?

Short answer: yes. THC (the main ingredient in marijuana responsible for the high) passes through your breast-milk into the baby, where it can be stored in the baby s fatty tissue for several weeks. The effects it can have include the baby being unsettled with disrupted feeding cycles.

If you re breastfeeding and still smoking weed, give up smoking (or use by any method), even if only for the period you are feeding.

4) Can other people tell when I ve been smoking cannabis?

If people know you, and know how you normally behave, chances are they will be able to tell if you ve just smoked cannabis. They will notice you re behaving differently and see your eyes are bloodshot and glazed.

The short-term effects of cannabis use include various things that others may be able to detect in how you look or behave such as talkativeness, drowsiness, loss of inhibitions, increased appetite, loss of co-ordination, bloodshot eyes, dryness of the eyes, mouth and throat, anxiety and paranoia. As a side note, police are also very experienced in identifying these signs and will drug test you if they think you re driving under the influence.

5) Do I smell bad when I’ve been smoking cannabis?

Cannabis has a very distinctive odour and when you ve been blazing, it lingers on your clothes, in your hair, and on your breath. Cannabis can also have an effect on your oral health, like tobacco smoking, as it gives you a dry mouth that causes problems with your teeth and gums, and in turn, you may develop bad breath.

If you ve been smoking weed, it s highly probable people will be able to smell it on you no matter how much breath mint action.

If you smoke inside the house, the smell will also linger and non-smokers will most likely be able to detect it, even if you can t yourself.

6) What should I do if my dog eats my cannabis?

We all love our pets and wouldn t want any harm to come to them, so if your dog is stumbling around and looking disoriented and you think he may have gotten into your stash, you should seek veterinary care immediately.

You need to tell the vet the truth so they can treat your pet to the best of their ability. A large quantity of pot could be toxic or even fatal to pets and smaller amounts can still be dangerous, triggering seizures and even comas.

If you want to quit using cannabis, why not take a look at our Quit Kit for all the tools you might need: https://cannabissupport.com.au/tools-for-quitting/

If you re worried and want to speak to someone, call the cannabis information and helpline: 1800 30 40 50