Cannabis and Romance: New Study Reveals Surprising Gender Differences

A new study examining cannabis use and romantic relationships has uncovered an intriguing gender divide: women who use marijuana frequently report greater relationship satisfaction, while men who do the same experience the opposite effect.

The Research

Published in the journal Drug and Alcohol Dependence, the study from researchers at Ariel University and Achva Academic College in Israel recruited 110 couples to explore the connection between cannabis consumption and relationship quality.

Participants completed detailed questionnaires assessing:

• Cannabis use patterns and intensity
• General satisfaction with relationship quality
• Satisfaction with sexual experiences
• Perceived partner responsiveness

The findings revealed a striking pattern that researchers say warrants deeper investigation.

The Gender Divide

Women: Higher Use, Higher Satisfaction

Women who consumed marijuana at "high intensity" reported significantly greater relationship satisfaction compared to those who used cannabis less frequently or not at all.

These women perceived both their own fulfillment and their partner's satisfaction as higher. They also reported increased perceived partner responsiveness-the sense that their partner understands and responds to their needs.

"High-intensity cannabis use is linked to higher relationship satisfaction among women," the study concluded.

Men: The Opposite Pattern

Curiously, men showed the reverse trend. Those who used cannabis at high intensity reported lower relationship satisfaction and exhibited decreased perceived partner responsiveness.

However, researchers noted that some of these findings didn't reach statistical significance and should be explored further with larger sample sizes.

Why the Difference?

The researchers offered several potential explanations for this gender gap:

Usage Patterns and Consequences

Men generally use marijuana more frequently than women, which research associates with 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 explains.

When men use cannabis heavily, they may experience more negative physical, mental, and interpersonal effects that could negatively impact both their own and their partners' relationship satisfaction.

Gender Norms and Authenticity

The researchers also proposed an intriguing theory about gender expectations:

"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," the study notes.

"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."

In other words, women who use cannabis frequently may benefit from the psychological effects of defying restrictive social expectations-leading to greater personal satisfaction that extends to their relationships.

The Importance of Compatibility

Beyond gender differences, the study confirmed that compatibility in cannabis use matters significantly for relationship quality.

Couples with large discrepancies in marijuana usage intensity reported:

• Lower general relationship satisfaction
• Decreased satisfaction with sexual experiences
• Reduced sense of partner responsiveness

Shared Activities, Stronger Bonds

"The compatibility theory suggests that sharing leisure activities increases satisfaction and investment in the relationship," researchers explained. "Therefore, concordant substance use may facilitate shared activities and frequent interactions."

When partners don't use cannabis together-or use it at very different intensity levels-they may have fewer shared experiences, which can negatively impact relationship quality.

Cannabis and Sexual Satisfaction

This study adds to a growing body of research examining cannabis's role in sexual and romantic fulfillment:

Recent Findings

• A scientific review found cannabis use associated with improvements in symptoms of female orgasmic disorder
• Another study linked marijuana use to increased sexual desire and arousal, plus lower levels of sexual distress
• Research on cannabis-infused vaginal suppositories showed reduced sexual pain in women after gynecological cancer treatment
• A study found that while alcohol might "facilitate" sex, marijuana better enhances sexual sensitivity and satisfaction

The Dose Question

A broad scientific review published in Psychopharmacology last year concluded that while cannabis generally associates with more frequent sexual activity and increased desire and enjoyment, dosage matters.

Lower doses of marijuana may be best suited for sexual satisfaction, while higher doses could actually decrease desire and performance. The review also suggested effects may differ between men and women-a finding this new relationship study appears to support.

What This Means

For Couples

If you and your partner use cannabis at different intensity levels, this research suggests it's worth considering how that discrepancy might affect your relationship. Shared activities-whether that's consuming cannabis together or finding other common interests-appear important for relationship satisfaction.

For Researchers

The gender differences revealed in this study open important questions for future research:

• Why do men and women experience different relationship effects from high-intensity cannabis use?
• How do dosage levels specifically impact romantic and sexual satisfaction?
• What role do cultural expectations and gender norms play in these outcomes?
• Could therapeutic cannabis use be optimized differently for men and women?

For the Cannabis Industry

Understanding how cannabis affects relationships and sexual satisfaction could inform product development and marketing, particularly for:

• Couples-focused cannabis products
• Dosage recommendations based on intended use
• Educational materials about cannabis and intimacy
• Gender-specific formulations or guidance

Study Limitations

It's important to note this research involved 110 couples in Israel and was funded in part by the Israeli Science Foundation. Cultural factors, sample size, and geographic specificity mean these findings may not universally apply.

The researchers themselves emphasized that some findings-particularly regarding men's experiences-didn't reach full statistical significance and require further investigation with larger, more diverse samples.

The Bigger Picture

This study represents part of a broader scientific effort to understand cannabis's effects beyond the typical focus on individual health outcomes. By examining how marijuana use impacts interpersonal relationships, researchers are painting a more complete picture of cannabis's role in users' lives.

The finding that women who frequently use cannabis report higher relationship satisfaction challenges stereotypes about marijuana use and relationship quality. It suggests that for some people, cannabis may actually enhance rather than detract from romantic fulfillment.

As cannabis legalization expands and social acceptance grows, we're likely to see more research exploring these nuanced questions about how marijuana affects not just individuals, but their relationships, families, and communities.

For now, this study offers a fascinating glimpse into the complex interplay between cannabis use, gender, and romantic satisfaction-and raises as many questions as it answers.