Low T and Weed – Does Cannabis Lower or Increase Testosterone Levels in Men?

The increasing consumption of cannabis in different age groups and climates has led to investigations into other effects of cannabis on human health. The natural herb is known for its euphoric and relaxing effects on the human body, but much is still unknown about other effects. One of them is its effect on sexual health, especially that of men and their testosterone levels. Read on as we examine the effects of weed on testosterone levels and whether there is any truth to the idea that weed lowers testosterone levels.

After the end of the prohibition era, the cannabis world is now in a period of legislation and acceptance. During this time, the medical and recreational marijuana markets were legalized in several states across the United States. At the same time, consumption of weed among the population has also increased as more people are familiar with using the herb and there are fewer stereotypes. The CDC’s most recent report puts the number of people using cannabis at over 48.2 million people, which is quite significant. The National Library of Public Medicine has also published its findings stating that men use cannabis more often than women. With the increase in cannabis sales among men, it is important that the long-term effects of cannabis use on men are properly understood.

Men between the ages of 18 and 25 have reportedly had the highest rates of cannabis use. These men and those in the above age groups are very likely to be sexually active, making this research important. It will help provide some much-needed clarity about the potential adverse effects of weed on male sexual health. Lower testosterone levels are associated with gynecomastia and erectile dysfunction.

Cannabis interacts with the human body through the effects of cannabinoids on the body’s cannabinoid receptors. The network of these cannabinoid receptors and their effects is what we know as the endocannabinoid system. To understand how cannabis use affects testosterone levels, we first need to look at how the endocannabinoid system and testosterone are connected.

The effects of the endocannabinoid system were first researched in the 1990s when it was thought to regulate chemicals in the body. Since then, further research has shown that endocannabinoid receptors are also present in the male reproductive system. The receptors can be found in the testicles, prostate, spermatozoa and vas deferens.

A study conducted with mice was used to properly understand the expected effects of cannabis on testosterone. The test showed that THC, the psychoactive substance in cannabis, binds to the receptors in the endocannabinoid system responsible for the production of healthy testosterone. This binding inevitably reduced the test subject’s testosterone production and lowered its levels. While these results appear very clear for the mice, it’s still not clear how they translate to humans given the contrasting anecdotal responses.

The FDA’s listing of cannabis as a Schedule 1 drug has led to an increase in scientific research into the effects of cannabis on humans. The goal of this recurring research is to provide substantive evidence that can help drive advocacy for declassification. Most of the studies conducted to date have been conducted on animals. One such study was recently conducted on non-human studies to see the effects of cannabis intake on testosterone levels. Results were similar to other animals as there was a reduction in testicle size and a reduction in sperm quality and count due to lower testosterone levels.

The general assumption would be that these results observed in non-human primates are similar to those expected in human males. The available human male studies seem to suggest the same thing. A study was conducted in 1974 by the New England Journal of Medicine to examine the effects of cannabis use on testosterone in human males. The results of the test showed that males between the ages of 18 and 28 who didn’t smoke weed had higher levels of testosterone than those who did. The average testosterone levels of those who didn’t smoke weed were almost double those of their peers.

However, it’s worth noting that a study conducted to correlate cannabis use and testosterone levels in human males showed no link. A 1989 clinical study also found that there were no changes in testosterone levels in men who smoked weed. A 2017 survey of 1,500 men showed no difference in testosterone levels between men who smoked weed and those who didn’t. This means that the question of the true effects of cannabis on testosterone is still a long way off, as the jury is still out on the matter. This means that more research is needed to better understand the true scope of the relationship before any conclusions can be drawn on the matter.

Studies have also shown unexpected increases in testosterone levels in men who use cannabis. This was recorded in a study conducted in Denmark in 20176. The aim of the study was to show the effect of cannabis on testosterone and the results showed an increase in testosterone. Another study that reported similar results was conducted by the University of Chicago in 2020.

From the studies that have been conducted, it appears that cannabis reduces testosterone levels in animals, however, there is still a degree of uncertainty when it comes to human males. The lack of significant research means we can’t yet stamp on conclusive results. There are results that support a negative effect, those for limited or no effects, and those for positive effects. This means that we cannot currently conclude how weed affects testosterone levels in men. Hopefully, with more research, we’ll get a clearer picture.

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