Does Smoking Marijuana lower your Sperm Count?
Does Consuming Cannabis Lower Sperm Count?
We are slowly peeling back the layers of cannabis prohibition. As such, the age-old question that some guys wonder inevitably comes up. Does ingesting cannabis lower my sperm count? Here’s what the science says as we can tell right now.
The answer has typically been thought of as being – yes, it does. However, a study published last year by the scientific journal Human Reproduction for Oxford Academic actually suggests the exact opposite., suggesting the exact opposite. Former and current cannabis consumers actually had more little swimmers than non-consumers! That’s right, studies are suggesting that cannabis might actually make us guys more fertile. Surprise! Another potential myth about plant medicine!? Couldn’t be!
Cannabis Low Sperm Count: The Exact Opposite?
For the study, researchers went to a fertility clinic in Massachusetts and collected 1,143 semen samples from 662 males. About half of the males also gave blood for testing. The participants in the study filled out a questionnaire about their past and present cannabis consumption. The researchers concluded that most of the men who had consumed cannabis had sperm concentrations that were “significantly higher” than those who didn’t. The exact data shows that 62.7 million sperm per milliliter of ejaculate in consumers versus 45.4 million sperm per milliliter in non-consumers.
The men who didn’t consume cannabis weren’t below the normal level of sperm count, though. The study says that the World Health Organization defines low sperm count as that of 15 million/ mL. Of the men that participated in the study, only 5 percent of consumers fell into the category of having low sperm count, compared to that of 12 percent of non-consumers. Former consumers versus those who actively consumed show little or no difference. And in fact, the study showed that men who gave blood and consumed cannabis had higher levels of testosterone than those who didn’t partake.
These findings were just as surprising to the researchers as they are to the general public.
“These unexpected findings highlight how little we know about the reproductive health effects of marijuana, and in fact of the health effects of cannabis in general,” said study co-author Jorge Chavarro in a press release.
Cannabis Low Sperm Count: It’s All Relative
This study certainly does not mean we guys should run out and start smoking a bunch of weed to get more fertile. The individual participants in each study might have more to do with the results than consuming cannabis does. A Danish study in 2015 showed that cannabis consumers had a lower sperm count than those who don’t. Just because healthy males in one study have a low sperm count while others have high might not have anything to do with the drug at all. For future studies like this, there should probably be other parameters other than do they smoke weed, and are they healthy? There are probably many other factors that impact our little swimmers – diet, genetics, location, and so on. So while there’s no concrete evidence that weed lowers your sperm count, that doesn’t mean it’s not possible. As with most things cannabis, more research needs to be done. Just like the researchers said, there is still much to learn. And as with all other areas in life – everything in moderation!
Does CBD affect sperm count?
CBD does not seem to affect fertility in men or women in any positive way. CBD is currently classified as a supplement, so there are few regulations governing its quality and production. According to another story, endocannabinoids have been found in sperm and the female reproductive tract. Hence, they are thought to boost sperm fertility, ovarian function, and follicle maturation. This means that CBD has minimal side effects and is a natural way to boost fertility naturally.
Can marijuana cause erectile dysfunction?
A 2018 meta-analysis published by Trusted Source concluded that there is not enough evidence to confirm a link between recreational marijuana use and erectile dysfunction.
On the other hand, it is possible to identify how certain effects of THC could lead to dysfunction. Those who mix marijuana with tobacco may be at a higher risk.
Smokers have an increased risk of developing ED since smoking restricts blood flow to the veins and arteries. Similarly, smoking marijuana mixed with tobacco can pose a risk.
The smooth muscle tissue of the penis contains cannabinoid receptors. Therefore, THC may theoretically impair penile function and, as a result, result in ED. Evidence, however, is lacking.
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