Impact of Cannabis on Testosterone Levels: What You Should Know

The effects of cannabis, a plant with psychotropic qualities, on health and well-being have drawn a lot of interest. The impact it has on men's testosterone levels is one area to raise interest. Lifestyle decisions are among the many factors that can affect testosterone levels, a hormone essential for maintaining muscular strength, bone density, and overall health of male reproduction.

Research indicates that cannabis may have complex relationships with the body's endocrine system, which includes the regulation of testosterone, even though it is frequently used for therapeutic or relaxing purposes. It is crucial to comprehend these effects, particularly for those worried about maintaining the ideal hormone balance.

What is Testosterone?

The primary hormone that produces the traits of the male sex is testosterone. Testosterone affects libido, bone and muscle mass, body fat percentage, and the generation of red blood cells and sperm in men. The pituitary gland secretes luteinizing hormone, which directly controls testosterone synthesis in "Leydig cells from cholesterol." Growth hormones, oxytocin, endorphins, and testosterone are among the hormones secreted by the pituitary gland, a pea-sized organ located near the base of the brain. Testicular cells called leydig cells are in charge of producing and secreting androgens like testosterone.

Men who have low testosterone levels may have symptoms like weariness, a drop in libido, a loss of muscular mass and bone density, and an increase in body fat. To address low testosterone levels, doctors frequently recommend hormone replacement therapy.

What Effect Does Weed Have on Testosterone?

Cannabis can also activate the ECS, even though your body produces certain endocannabinoids that accomplish the same thing. Though the cannabis plant contains more than 100 cannabinoids, the following two are the most well-known:

• Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) 
• Cannabidiol (CBD)

The part of the plant that makes you feel high is called THC, while CBD has no psychoactive properties. Cannabinoids(CBD), such as THC and CBD, bind to cannabinoid receptors when you use cannabis, particularly those along the male reproductive system.

Does Cannabis Use Reduce Testosterone Levels?

Roughly 11% of the participants said they used cannabis, and those who did so had lower total testosterone levels than those who did not. In addition to having decreased testosterone, cannabis users also had sperm morphology, or smaller and less shaped sperm than is usually required for conception. However, neither sperm motility nor concentration were affected.

Testosterone and the Endocannabinoid System

The endocannabinoid system (ECS) may hold the key to understanding the potential relationship between cannabis and testosterone. The ECS system controls the natural chemicals your body makes and the receptors for those chemicals. It turns out that endocannabinoid receptors are also present in the male reproductive system, which includes the testis, prostate, vas deferens, and spermatozoa. THC's effects on the ECS were first identified in the 1990s.

What effects does this have on the synthesis of testosterone and cannabinoids? Regarding THC and testosterone, a study conducted on mice discovered that THC binds to ECS receptors in cells that healthily produce testosterone. This inhibited and decreased testosterone levels in certain situations. However, it needs to be clarified if such consequences also hold true for people.

Which Strain of Marijuana Helps With Erectile Dysfunction?

THC in cannabis can interact with the ECS, which regulates many body activities. This could lead to a decrease in testosterone levels and reduced blood flow to the penis, which would exacerbate ED. On the other hand, the evidence regarding the association between cannabis usage and ED is scant and inconsistent. While some studies have found no connection between cannabis usage and ED, others think it may help some people's sexual function.

Cannabis's effects on sexual function, particularly ED, can vary depending on a person's sensitivity to the drug and any underlying medical issues. A healthcare expert should be contacted for a comprehensive assessment and the best course of action if a person is displaying symptoms of ED or other sexual dysfunction.

How Can Testosterone Be Increased

Regular exercise is one of the most natural ways to raise testosterone. Weightlifting, calisthenics, and sprinting are beneficial exercises for both men and women. A balanced, healthful diet helps to maintain or increase your testosterone levels. Testosterone levels may be raised by eating a diet high in protein, complex carbs, and healthy fats. It has been demonstrated that diets high in zinc and vitamin D, such as beef, oysters, and salmon, elevate testosterone levels.

Stress reduction is another effective method for increasing testosterone levels. The body produces cortisol in stress response, which can suppress testosterone levels. Try yoga, meditation, or deep breathing exercises to begin managing your stress. These exercises might lower stress and increase testosterone.

There are situations where raising testosterone levels may need the use of medicines. Injectable testosterone or topical administrations are used in TRT procedures. Male hypogonadism patients may benefit from TRT if they have low testosterone levels.

Conclusion

Studies produce inconsistent results. Therefore, the effect of cannabis on testosterone levels is still unclear. While other studies show no long-term consequences, frequent cannabis usage may temporarily lower testosterone levels, according to different studies. Temporary hormonal changes have been related to the cannabinoid THC, but they usually go away as the medication is discontinued. These results are influenced by dosage, frequency, and individual variations. In particular, for long-term users or those with pre-existing illnesses, more thorough research is required to understand how cannabis impacts testosterone and overall hormonal health ultimately.

FAQ's

Q1. Does testosterone get affected by smoking?

Compared to guys who had never smoked, the smokers had 15% higher total testosterone and 13% higher free testosterone levels. What was even more unexpected was that there seemed to be a simultaneous increase in free and total testosterone levels with an increase in daily cigarette consumption.

Q2. Do recreational drugs have an impact on testosterone levels?

There is also a chance that illegal substances like alcohol, marijuana, and other drugs could lower testosterone levels.

Q3. What causes increased testosterone levels?

Combining resistance training, such as weightlifting, with aerobic exercise, which raises heart rate, has been discovered to increase testosterone production. Additionally, this helps in the prevention of cancer and heart disease, the two conditions from which men are most likely to die.

Q4. Toxic testosterone: what is it?

Overmasculinization, hirsutism, a decrease in menses, acne, and clitoral enlargement are among the harmful effects of testosterone and synthetic androgens. Prostatic hypertrophy, cholestatic jaundice, and hepatic adenoma are uncommon side effects of synthetic androgens. It is not advised to use testosterone or synthetic androgens when pregnant.

Q5. Is a higher testosterone level better?

Men who have higher testosterone levels engage in more sexual activity. More testosterone is required by older men for erectile function and libido. It is noteworthy, however, that low testosterone levels are not always the cause of erectile dysfunction; instead, other medical conditions or drugs often lead to it.