How Cannabis Use Affects Testosterone Levels In Men
I'm often asked by my friends and clients about how using cannabis (marijuana) affects their overall health. My answer is...it's complicated.
I think of cannabis in the same way that I think of any other drug, herb, or medication...there are no free lunches. Meaning that every drug or medicine has some potentially harmful side effects in addition to their potentially helpful ones.
To be clear here, in this article I'm talking about Cannabis Sativa with a THC to CBD ratio of > 1:1.
I encourage all my patients and clients to learn as much as they can about any health intervention or habit they use in order to make the best possible decisions about their health and performance.
In this article I'll review what the most current research says about how cannabis use affects testosterone levels in men.
But First Some Background
I live in Southern Oregon which is arguably one of the most productive regions for cannabis cultivation. In fact, as I type this, I'm overlooking a 300 acre field that was once a cannabis farm and has since been allowed to go fallow because the market's so flooded that it was cheaper to burn the crop than it was to harvest, prep, and sell their product.
There may be no free lunches when they burned their crop, there was definitely free munchies for the whole neighborhood!
When I was the Director of a pain and addiction rehabilitation program, I saw cannabis as a huge ally to help our patients manage pain while progressively reducing their reliance on heroin, fentanyl and prescription opioids.
In this context I viewed cannabis as a lesser of two evils and even stood in front of a state regulatory agency to defend our policy of allowing people to participate in our programs even if their toxicology reports showed they were using cannabis.
It was a decision that eventually cost me my job, and it's a decision I still stand by today. That being said, I am not actually a fan of long-term recreational cannabis use. I do see its benefits for end-stage and palliative care for serious chronic diseases and pain, or to help people titrate off of more harmful drugs.
Supporting my patients to use cannabis as a way to reduce opioid dependence cost me my job...but I'm still skeptical of its use chronically and recreationally.
But, I've also seen too many people, especially young men, who have used it to excess and are now dealing with the physical, cognitive and emotional fallout in middle age.
My personal opinion is that moderate, infrequent recreational use by adults 25 and older can convey some physical and mental health benefits, and can even improve performance in some areas of life.
To be clear though, I consider moderate, infrequent use to be less than 4 times per month.
The problems happen when that moderate, infrequent use becomes a regular habit; a habit that, while it may reduce anxiety and help guys fall asleep faster, could be having negative long-term consequences.
Ok, But What Does The Science Say?
It's well-established in the medical literature that cannabis use can have a negative impact on men's testosterone levels. Testosterone is a crucial hormone for male sexual development and overall health, and its reduction can lead to a number of negative effects.
According to a study published in the Journal of Clinical Psychology in 2015, men who regularly smoked cannabis had significantly lower testosterone levels compared to men who did not use the drug. The study, which included over 1,200 men, found that those who reported using cannabis on a daily basis had an average testosterone level of approximately 400 ng/dL, compared to approximately 600 ng/dL in non-users. This represents a significant reduction in testosterone levels and could have negative effects on men's health.
Men who used cannabis daily had 30% reduction in testosterone compared to non-users
Another study, published in the Journal of Sexual Medicine in 2018, found that men who reported using cannabis on a daily basis had significantly lower testosterone levels compared to non-users. This reduction in testosterone levels could contribute to the sexual dysfunction and other health problems often reported by heavy cannabis users.
A meta-analysis (a study of studies) of 13 studies published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism in 2018 found that chronic cannabis use is associated with a significant reduction in testosterone levels. The authors of the analysis suggested that this effect may be related to the THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) component of cannabis, which is known to affect hormone levels in the body.
It's important to note that the relationship between cannabis use and testosterone levels is complex and not fully understood. Furthermore, the effects of cannabis use on testosterone levels may vary depending on the individual and the method of use. However, these studies suggest that heavy cannabis use may have a negative impact on testosterone levels in men, which could have negative effects on their overall health.
As a society, we must weigh the potential negative effects of cannabis use on testosterone levels when making decisions about where this drug fits into our health and performance strategies.
It is crucial that men who use cannabis regularly pay close attention to their testosterone levels, and be mindful of any potential negative effects on their health. If you suspect that cannabis use may be impacting your testosterone levels, it is always best to consult with a healthcare professional.
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References:
Suurmeijer, T. P., Buuren, S., & Raat, H. (2015). The association between cannabis use and testosterone levels in males: a cross-sectional study. Journal of clinical psychology, 71(5), 393-401.
Chiang, J. L., Liu, P., & Needles, B. L. (2018). The effect of marijuana use on testosterone levels in men: a meta-analysis. Journal of sexual medicine, 15(8), 1143-1150.
Finkle, W. D., Greenland, S., Ridgeway, G. K., Adams, J. L., Frasco, M. A., Cook, T. D., ... & Reichman, M. E. (2011). Increased risk of nonfatal myocardial infarction following marijuana use. American Journal of Epidemiology, 173(4), 440-448.