It’s no secret that weed has been heavily stigmatized over the past decades and still continues to see some negative talk today. The same goes for sex too, but of course, procreation has kept that motion far less stigmatized, but with a Mean Girls-like reputation that has teachers telling students, “Don’t have sex, ’cause you will get pregnant…and die.”

That said, over the recent years, society (especially North American society) has become more accepting and open to conversations around sex—and weed too. 

So what do sex and weed have in common? Engaging in intercourse and smoking or ingesting cannabis can both lead to a positive experience that refreshes the body, boosts one’s serotonin levels, and promotes feelings of bliss or euphoria, both of which are great for positive mental health. 

On the other hand, a negative sexual experience or sesh can make an individual not want to engage in those activities ever again, resulting in anxiety, depression, and in severe cases, PTSD. Therefore, the link between sex and mental health is blatantly evident, whether that’s a good experience or one you never want to experience again.

Most of the time, a positive sexual experience is a result of good mental health, allowing the individual to turn off all unwanted noise and focus on pleasure. The same goes for a sesh; if someone feels happy before toking on a joint, chances are they’ll be happier after the sesh.

That said, just like how mental health can affect our cannabis experiences and sex lives, these experiences impact our mental health, a paradox if you will. If you head into a sesh down in the dumps, yes, weed might help reduce your stress and calm your nerves, but when the high fades, you’ll be faced with your problems once again.

If you hook up with someone and don’t feel entirely comfortable, this also takes a toll on your mental health with anxious questions like “was this the right choice,” “is this person right for me,” or sometimes “how the hell do I get out of this.”

One could argue that these negative affairs start with the experience itself, like smoking a joint and feeling paranoid or having uncomfortable sexual encounters. While this could be true in most cases, there’s a huge chance that someone’s experience could have gone a little better if their mind was ready for it.