How marijuana affects male health
How does marijuana affect male health and sexual performance particularly? There are a lot of different opinions on the subject. There are those who assert that use of the drug tells positively upon sexual experience. But there are the ones who stick to the opposite opinion.
Let us study a long term influence of this drug on male sexual function.
Marijuana is very popular in the USA and is taken more often than other substances of this kind. If you abuse marijuana you should take into account the following things.
ED
The link of ED and marijuana has been revealed recently. The results of the study were published in "The Journal of Sexual Medicine".
In order to see how marijuana affects the person we should see how it affects the brain of a man. THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) is the basic component in marijuana. Using this substance the person lets THC interact with brain proteins (cannabinoid receptors). It deteriorates the function of brain.
Specialists say that cannabinoid receptors are found in penile tissue too. For this reason, there is a suggestion that this can deteriorate the penile tissue just in the same way as in the brain. It brings to impotence but additional study of this question is necessary.
Difficulties with Orgasm
La Trobe University started the research during which they studied Australians (8,656 people) aged 16-64. The aim of the research is to determine how cannabis can affect sexual function and performance, regarding such details as the number of partners, STIs, use of condoms and other things.
Testicular cancer
National Institute on Drug Abuse revealed a bigger number of patients diagnosed with testicular cancer in the last half a century. Their number has considerably increased. Many experts consider that this is a result of marijuana use. The investigation concerning this problem was launched at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, the University of Washington.
Studies have revealed that cannabinoid receptors are present in the testes. Presumably, there is an interaction with THC.
Interviews of 369 people diagnosed with testicular cancer and 979 of healthy men from the Washington state showed that:
- Men diagnosed with testicular cancer were more prone to be marijuana smokers.
- Patients who start smoking marijuana under 18 have bigger risk of testicular cancer.
- Use of marijuana once a week increases the chance to get testicular cancer two times.
It is also important to note that there are different types of testicular cancer: nonseminomas and seminomas. The first type of cancer is found in younger men. The main characteristic feature of this type of cancer is rapid development of the disease. The survival rate is lower.
There is also some connection between use of marijuana and nonseminomas. The researchers also have examined a durable exposure to this substance. The biggest influence is observed in the cases where men have been smoking marijuana since puberty. The results of this research are not final. Additional study of this issue should be conducted.
Fertility
Marijuana tells on fertility of a man as well. First of all, the sperm cells can hardly reach the egg cell because of tetrahydrocannabinol. But even if they manage that they experience problem with fertilizing.
After release of healthy sperm the cells do not move in the direction of the egg immediately. They just flow with the semen and start acting only when come closer to the point of destination – the egg. At this process of hyperactivation begins.
When sperm is affected with marijuana it begins its movement right away. For this reason, the sperm cells tire away fast and can't achieve the goal.
Sperm cells that can cope with this task encounter problems of other type. They can't fertilize the egg's cells. THC does not let release enzymes, which are necessary to pass via the wall of egg cell. The experts from Queen's University (Ireland) explored the sperm cells with tetrahydrocannabinol. Test showed that about 30% of sperm cells stay without these enzymes.
But not only men can suffer because of the cells with THC. The same problem is topical for women as well. When woman uses marijuana, tetrahydrocannabinol gets to uterus, vagina, cervix, vaginal fluids. This is how THC can penetrate to the sperm of the partner too. The behavior of this sperm is exactly the same as was described earlier.
On the basis of this research we can make a conclusion that marijuana should not be taken by the couples who want to conceive a child. Think about all risks that arise with use of marijuana. All variants mentioned here are rather unpleasant. Therefore try to prevent them and do not abuse this substance.