Women Who Use Marijuana At A ‘High Intensity’ Report Greater Romantic Relationship Satisfaction, New Study Finds

Women who frequently use marijuana report greater satisfaction in their
romantic relationships, according to a new study. But for men, the opposite
appears to be true for reasons that aren’t immediately clear.

The study from researchers at Ariel University and Achva Academic College
in Israel was published in the journal Drug and Alcohol Dependence this
month.

Researchers recruited 110 couples who completed questionnaires on “cannabis
use patterns, general satisfaction with relationship quality, satisfaction
with the quality of sex, and perceived partner responsiveness,” the paper
says.

They found that women who used marijuana at a “high intensity” experienced
greater relationship satisfaction, perceiving both their own and their
partner’s fulfillment higher compared to those who consumed cannabis less
frequently or not at all.

“High-intensity cannabis use is linked to higher relationship satisfaction
among women.”

Curiously, however, the study—funded in part by the Israeli Science
Foundation, which receives support from the Israeli government—concluded
that “men reported the opposite” experience.

The reasons that the intensity of marijuana use seems to impact romantic
relationship satisfaction differently between genders warrants further
research, the study authors said.

While numerous studies have examined the intersection of cannabis
consumption and romantic or sexual behavior, this latest contribution is
novel in part because it looked at possible dose-response effects.

“Results indicated that discrepancy in cannabis use intensity was
significantly associated with lower general relationship satisfaction and
lower satisfaction with the quality of sex,” the study says. “Additionally,
dyadic analyses indicated that women who used cannabis at a high intensity
tended to report an increase in relationship satisfaction and exhibit an
increase in their own and, to some degree, their partner’s perceived
partner responsiveness.”

“This study highlights the contribution of cannabis use intensity to
romantic relationship quality.”

“In contrast, men who used cannabis at a high intensity reported lower
satisfaction and exhibited lower perceived partner responsiveness, both
their own as well as their partner’s, yet the latter did not reach
statistical significance and should be further explored in future studies
with a larger sample,” it said.

Researchers also said that the study results confirmed their hypothesis
that discrepancies in marijuana usage rates between partners is “generally
associated with poorer relationship quality.”

“The compatibility theory suggests that sharing leisure activities
increases satisfaction and investment in the relationship,” they said.
“Therefore, concordant substance use may facilitate shared activities and
frequent interactions.”

For couples that don’t use cannabis together, or who use it at different
intensity levels, that may lend to fewer shared experiences associated with
relationship satisfaction, which “may impair their marital quality.”

“Women who used cannabis at high intensity reported greater relationship
satisfaction and perceived both their own and their partner’s
responsiveness as higher.”

With respect to the broader gender differences, the researchers said it’s
possible that finding reflects the fact that men generally use marijuana
more frequently than women, “which is associated with an increased risk of
adverse consequences.”

“In contrast, women tend to use cannabis at a lower frequency and quantity,
which is generally associated with fewer adverse consequences and a higher
quality of life compared to heavy use,” the study says. “Therefore, it is
possible that when men use cannabis, they experience more negative
physical, mental, and interpersonal effects, which may be negatively
associated with both their own and their partners’ perceived satisfaction
with romantic relationships.”

“In contrast, women may experience more positive effects attributed to
low-intensity cannabis use, which, in turn, may be positively associated
with both their own and their partners’ perception of relationship
quality,” it continues.

“Consequently, when women engage in high-intensity cannabis use, they
deviate from conventional gender norms, acting in a manner considered less
congruent with traditional feminine expectations. It has been proposed that
embracing nontraditional gender roles, such as engaging in cannabis use,
may yield positive outcomes as a result of staying true to oneself rather
than meeting gender expectations. Women who defy traditional gender norms
may consequently experience heightened autonomy and authenticity.”

While the study focused on romantic relationships, other recent search that
marijuana can play a key role in heightening sexual satisfaction as well.

For example, a recent scientific review found that cannabis use is
associated with improvements in symptoms of female orgasmic disorder.

Relatedly, another study published recently found that marijuana use is
linked to increased sexual desire and arousal, as well as lower levels of
sexual distress.

Late last year, a study found that cannabis-infused vaginal suppositories
seemed to reduce sexual pain in women after treatment for gynecological
cancer. Combining the suppositories with online exercises in “mindful
compassion” offered patients even more substantial benefits.

“The outcomes favoured the [combined] group,” that research said “in which
sexual function, levels of sexual arousal, lubrication, and orgasm
increased, and the levels of sexual pain decreased.”

Earlier research also found that administration of a broad-spectrum, high-CBD
vaginal suppository was associated with “significantly reduced frequency
and severity of menstrual-related symptoms” as well as the symptoms’
negative impacts on daily life.

As for sexual fulfillment, a separate study last year found that while
alcohol might be effective to “facilitate” sex, marijuana is better at
enhancing sexual sensitivity and satisfaction.

While alcohol increased some elements of sexual attraction—including making
people feel more attractive, more extroverted and more desirous—people who
used marijuana “have more sensitivity and they are more sexually satisfied
than when they consume alcohol,” authors wrote.

A broad scientific review of academic research on cannabis and human
sexuality published last year concluded that while the relationship between
marijuana and sex is a complicated one, use of cannabis is generally
associated with more frequent sexual activity as well as increased sexual
desire and enjoyment.

That article, published in the journal Psychopharmacology, also suggested
that lower doses of marijuana may actually be best suited for sexual
satisfaction, while higher doses could in fact lead to *decreases* in
desire and performance. And it suggested effects may differ between men and
women

The post Women Who Use Marijuana At A ‘High Intensity’ Report Greater
Romantic Relationship Satisfaction, New Study Finds appeared first on Marijuana
Moment.