Does Cannabis Have the Same Effects on Men and Women? Published on February 19, 2024 by Dr. Fernando Caudevilla Index Toggle Why might men and women experience cannabis differently?ExplanationHow does THC affect men and women?Women are more sensitive to the sedative effect of cannabisTHC: Does it affect women or men more?Do men and women respond equally to pain?Reasons for consumptionWho is the worst offender when it comes to cannabis use?Cultural and environmental influences on cannabis effectCuriosities about cannabis use and genderWhich gender consumes more cannabis, men or women?What are the gender-specific effects of CBD?In short… Does cannabis affect men and women equally? Today on the Cannactiva blog, Dr. Caudevilla explains interesting facts about how cannabis affects men and women differently. Why might men and women experience cannabis differently? In a broad sense, most of the effects produced by cannabis are common to both men and women. However, some studies show that certain effects of cannabinoids may be expressed differently in men and women, due to physiological differences between the two. According to one of the latest scientific reviews (1), in men, the effects on food intake, energy homeostasis and a decrease in sexual behavior are more noticeable, while in women, the effects on analgesia, motor activity, depression, an increase in sexual behavior, cataplexy and anxiety are more noticeable. In contrast, there are no clear biological sex differences in the effect of cannabis on areas such as stress, impulsivity, hypothermia, cognition, learning, addiction, reward and memory. Explanation The way medications and other substances affect our body can vary according to different factors. For example, differences in the functioning of the body at the beginning and end of life mean that some drugs cannot be used specifically in children or the elderly. Different lifestyles (such as diet, sports, alcohol consumption or smoking) also lead to significant variations in the effects of some drugs. This variability in effects also extends to issues of biological sex. Hormonal differences, the different distribution and proportion of fat and muscle tissue, variations in liver and kidney function, etc., cause some drugs to behave differently in men and women. And what we know as “drugs” is simply a heterogeneous group of drugs grouped under this nickname for political, economic and, above all, moral reasons. So yes, cannabis can affect men and women differently. We will dedicate this post to expose the specific differences that occur between men and women in relation to cannabis and CBD consumption. We will also address other specific differences related to CBD and gender. How does THC affect men and women? Women are more sensitive to the sedative effect of cannabis Male (testosterone) and female (estrogen) sex hormones play a role in how the body responds to the action of cannabinoids. For example, it has been observed that women are more sensitive to the analgesic effects of cannabinoids due to the influence of estrogen on the endocannabinoid system (2, 3). At low doses of THC, women experience greater perception of its effects than men. In addition, estrogens increase analgesia. Compared to men, women may experience a greater effect of cannabinoids. THC: Does it affect women or men more? Research suggests that women metabolize some cannabinoids, such as delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), differently than men. In general, with the same dose, the effects (both desired and negative) are greater in women, but it is advisable to be cautious, because these studies often come from very basic research sources. Does CBD produce a high? Women generally have a fatter body composition, a higher percentage of adipose tissue, and this difference could affect the response to cannabinoids, which are lipophilic. Women, having a higher percentage of adipose tissue, may retain more THC in fat cells, potentially modifying the bioavailability and effects of cannabinoids. There are other biochemical differences that could explain this event, such as the metabolism of hepatic P450 enzymes and the amount of cannabinoid CB1 receptors (1). Women tend to feel the effects of cannabis more intensely compared to men. This is due to differences in THC metabolism, a higher proportion of adipose tissue that affects the bioavailability of cannabinoids, and the influence of sex hormones, such as estrogens, which can increase sensitivity to the analgesic and sedative effects of cannabinoids. On the other hand, compared to women, men show higher levels of circulating THC after smoking marijuana, which translates into greater subjective effects (1). Men tend to consume marijuana in greater quantities and more frequently than women, and have higher THC blood levels after smoking. However, women experience more intense effects at the same doses. Do men and women respond equally to pain? Research has shown that cannabinoids can have analgesic effects, i.e., relieve pain. It has been observed that differences in pain perception between men and women may influence how they respond to cannabinoids to treat pain (1). Reasons for consumption Research suggests that women are more likely to use cannabis for “functional reasons,” such as pain and anxiety control, whereas men may be more likely to seek the recreational or rewarding effects of cannabis (3). Although these differences may be influenced by the effect of the drug on the body, a sociocultural factor should be considered. CBD Oil for Better Sleep Who is the worst offender when it comes to cannabis use? No differences have been found in aspects such as the frequency in which anxiety appears, the neurocognitive effects of habitual and frequent consumption, or the general psychological effects. Some studies highlight that increased appetite or cardiovascular effects are more frequent and intense in men (4), and that analgesic effects or their association with depressive or addictive symptoms are more frequent in women (2). Neurobiology studies on the endocannabinoid system have explained some of these differences. For example, it is known that the female sex (at least in animals) has a lower amount of CB1 receptors in certain areas of the brain (3, 5). This receptor is the one to which THC binds to produce the psychoactive effects of marijuana. Perhaps this could explain the greater association with depressive effects of cannabis in women. There are also differences in the potential for abuse and dependence, which can be explained, at least in part, by hormonal differences: testosterone would exert a protective effect against these problems, while progesterone would be a risk factor (6). Some studies have also reached surprising conclusions: for example, the joint use of tobacco and cannabis is associated with an increased risk of pneumothorax (appearance of air pockets in the pleural cavity) in men, but not in women (7). Cultural and environmental influences on cannabis effect Differences in cannabis use patterns between men and women in different countries suggest that gender-related environmental and cultural factors also play a role. These differences between men and women are based on research that has more to do with the social sciences than with biohealth. Motivations, attitudes and social perceptions about cannabis use vary and differ across cultures and, to some extent, also condition the cannabis experience. Indica and Sativa: Do You Know the Differences? Classically, drug use in men is more socially tolerated than in women. The social image of masculinity implies a more compulsive attitude, with a greater spirit of adventure, a tendency to take risks… From them, however, greater reflexivity, moderation and prudence are expected. The social perception of a girl intoxicated by drugs (alcohol, cannabis or any other) is different from that of a boy in the same situation. Last summer there was a media hysteria around “clubbing”. The cases of people (men) who pricked women with syringes with an unknown substance in order to bend their will turned out to be false. But the urban legend worked perfectly as a twisted metaphor for “Little Red Riding Hood,” illustrating the dangers to which girls who like to go out too much at night are exposed. Curiosities about cannabis use and gender Which gender consumes more cannabis, men or women? In general, men tend to use cannabis more frequently than women in all age groups, both occasionally and regularly. The age group that consumes cannabis most frequently is 15-24 years old, where approximately 27% of boys and 18% of girls consumed it in the last year (8). In addition, men tend to start using cannabis at an earlier age than women. Curiosity, social influences and behavioral differences attributed to social roles are often considered among the influential factors. What are the gender-specific effects of CBD? So far, there are few studies on CBD specifically oriented to gender aspects. It is known that women use CBD therapeutically more frequently than men (10, 11, 12). Another recent study of chronic pain patients found that women were significantly more likely to experience adverse effects of medical cannabis (specifically gastrointestinal, central nervous system, and psychological), while consuming significantly higher monthly doses of CBD than men (14). Some studies in rodents have shown important differences in CBD metabolism in female animals compared to males (15, 16, 17). These variations have also been found in humans (18). For example, the amount of CBD accumulated in blood after administration is higher in women. However, no differences in therapeutic effects depending on gender have been found in humans (19). In short… There are differences in the effects of THC and cannabis between men and women. Some are explained by biological sex issues, such as those related to pharmacology (metabolism, interaction with sex hormones, differences in the endocannabinoid system…), although others are related to cultural and social ones. On the other hand, the number of studies that have analyzed this aspect is relatively low, and it is possible that new research will change this idea. CBD Physiotherapy Cream – Cannactiva Select CANDY KRUSH (Zkittlez) CBD Flowers Select CBD Oil 10% Full Spectrum Select References Fattore L, Fratta W. How important are sex differences in cannabinoid action? Br J Pharmacol. 2010 Jun;160(3):544-8. doi: 10.1111/j.1476-5381.2010.00776.x. PMID: 20590564; PMCID: PMC2931555. Santoro A, Mele E, Marino M, Viggiano A, Nori SL, Meccariello R. The Complex Interplay between Endocannabinoid System and the Estrogen System in Central Nervous System and Periphery. Int J Mol Sci. 2021 Jan 19;22(2):972. doi: 10.3390/ijms2202020972. PMID: 33478092; PMCID: PMC7835826. Cooper ZD, Craft RM. Sex-Dependent Effects of Cannabis and Cannabinoids: A Translational Perspective. Neuropsychopharmacology. 2018 Jan;43(1):34-51. doi: 10.1038/npp.2017.140. Epub 2017 Jul 17. PMID: 28811670; PMCID: PMC5719093. Leatherdale ST, Hammond DG, Kaiserman M, Ahmed R. Marijuana and tobacco use among young adults in Canada: are they smoking what we think they are smoking? Cancer Causes Control. 2007 May;18(4):391-7. doi: 10.1007/s10552-006-0103-x. Epub 2007 Jan 18. PMID: 17235494. Castelli MP, Fadda P, Casu A, Spano MS, Casti A, Fratta W, Fattore L. Male and female rats differ in brain cannabinoid CB1 receptor density and function and in behavioral traits predisposing to drug addiction: effect of ovarian hormones. Curr Pharm Des. 2014;20(13):2100-13. doi: 10.2174/13816128113199990430. Epub 2013 Jul 9. PMID: 23829370. Marusich JA, Craft RM, Lefever TW, Wiley JL. The impact of gonadal hormones on cannabinoid dependence. Exp Clin Psychopharmacol. 2015 Aug;23(4):206-16. doi: 10.1037/pha0000027. PMID: 26237318; PMCID: PMC4696547. Hedevang Olesen W, Katballe N, Sindby JE, Titlestad IL, Andersen PE, Ekholm O, Lindahl-Jacobsen R, Licht PB. Cannabis increased the risk of primary spontaneous pneumothorax in tobacco smokers: a case-control study. Eur J Cardiothorac Surg. 2017 Oct 1;52(4):679-685. doi: 10.1093/ejcts/ezx160. PMID: 28605480. Ministry of Spain, EDADES Report, 2022. https://pnsd.sanidad.gob.es/profesionales/sistemasInformacion/sistemaInformacion/pdf/2022_Informe_EDADES.pdf Payne KS, Mazur DJ, Hotaling JM, Pastuszak AW. Cannabis and Male Fertility: A Systematic Review. J Urol. 2019 Oct;202(4):674-681. doi: 10.1097/JU.0000000000000248. Epub 2019 Sep 6. PMID: 30916627; PMCID: PMC7385722. Fedorova EV, Wong CF, Ataiants J, Iverson E, Conn BM, Lankenau SE. Cannabidiol (CBD) and other drug use among young adults who use cannabis in Los Angeles. Drug Alcohol Depend. 2021 Apr 1;221:108648. doi: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2021.108648. Epub 2021 Feb 22. PMID: 33676073; PMCID: PMC8462788. Boehnke KF, Scott JR, Litinas E, Sisley S, Clauw DJ, Goesling J, Williams DA. Cannabis Use Preferences and Decision-making Among a Cross-sectional Cohort of Medical Cannabis Patients with Chronic Pain. J Pain. 2019 Nov;20(11):1362-1372. doi: 10.1016/j.jpain.2019.05.009. Epub 2019 May 24. PMID: 31132510. Kalaba M, Ware MA. Cannabinoid Profiles in Medical Cannabis Users: Effects of Age, Gender, Symptoms, and Duration of Use. Cannabis Cannabinoid Res. 2022 Dec;7(6):840-851. doi: 10.1089/can.2020.0120. Epub 2021 May 17. PMID: 33999649; PMCID: PMC9784598. Aviram J, Lewitus GM, Vysotski Y, Berman P, Shapira A, Procaccia S, Meiri D. Sex differences in medical cannabis-related adverse effects. Pain. 2022 May 1;163(5):975-983. doi: 10.1097/j.pain.0000000000002463. PMID: 34538843; PMCID: PMC9009319. Aviram J, Lewitus GM, Vysotski Y, Berman P, Shapira A, Procaccia S, Meiri D. Sex differences in medical cannabis-related adverse effects. Pain. 2022 May 1;163(5):975-983. doi: 10.1097/j.pain.0000000000002463. PMID: 34538843; PMCID: PMC9009319. Child RB, Tallon MJ. Cannabidiol (CBD) Dosing: Plasma Pharmacokinetics and Effects on Accumulation in Skeletal Muscle, Liver and Adipose Tissue. Nutrients. 2022 May 18;14(10):2101. doi: 10.3390/nu14102101. PMID: 35631242; PMCID: PMC9146469. Kaplan JS, Wagner JK, Reid K, McGuinness F, Arvila S, Brooks M, Stevenson H, Jones J, Risch B, McGillis T, Budinich R, Gambell E, Predovich B. Cannabidiol Exposure During the Mouse Adolescent Period Is Without Harmful Behavioral Effects on Locomotor Activity, Anxiety, and Spatial Memory. Front Behav Neurosci. 2021 Aug 26;15:711639. doi: 10.3389/fnbeh.2021.711639. PMID: 34512286; PMCID: PMC8426900. Child RB, Tallon MJ. Cannabidiol (CBD) Dosing: Plasma Pharmacokinetics and Effects on Accumulation in Skeletal Muscle, Liver and Adipose Tissue. Nutrients. 2022 May 18;14(10):2101. doi: 10.3390/nu14102101. PMID: 35631242; PMCID: PMC9146469. Consroe P, Kennedy K, Schram K. Assay of plasma cannabidiol by capillary gas chromatography/ion trap mass spectroscopy following high-dose repeated daily oral administration in humans. Pharmacol Biochem Behav. 1991 Nov;40(3):517-22. doi: 10.1016/0091-3057(91)90357-8. PMID: 1666917. Bolsoni LM, Crippa JAS, Hallak JEC, Guimarães FS, Zuardi AW. The anxiolytic effect of cannabidiol depends on the nature of the trauma when patients with post-traumatic stress disorder recall their trigger event. Braz J Psychiatry. 2022 May-Jun;44(3):298-307. doi: 10.1590/1516-4446-2021-2317. PMID: 35293520; PMCID: PMC9169481. Dr. Fernando CaudevillaMédico de Familia | Experto en Drogodependencias Involucrado en diferentes proyectos de asistencia, investigación y formación relacionados con las drogas, entre ellos el cannabis terapéutico. Realiza intervenciones individualizadas a través [...]
