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Weed is the most commonly used drug in the United States and across the globe.
As of 2023, 38 states in the U.S. have legalized marijuana for medical use. And 24 states have legalized it for recreational purposes.
While marijuana use is becoming more widely spread and accepted, there’s growing concern about the potentially negative side of cannabis. And that includes male reproductive health.
Current research suggests that smoking marijuana may affect sperm health and male fertility.
Let’s take a deeper look and see whether a weed habit may negatively affect male fertility and your ability to conceive. First, let’s explore how cannabis works in the body.
Key takeaways
- Studies on whether smoking marijuana affects sperm health are mixed. This makes it hard to draw definitive conclusions on how it relates to male infertility.
- The endocannabinoid system (ECS) plays a key role in male reproductive health.
- Marijuana may affect sperm morphology and motility.
- Some studies show weed leads to a decrease in sperm count and concentration. Other studies have found no significant link.
- For couples with fertility challenges, the risk of weed’s effects on sperm health could make things more difficult.
- Improving sperm quality and sperm function can be done with lifestyle changes. These include a good diet, exercising regularly, managing stress, and sleeping well.
How does weed work in the body?
The human body has a natural system called the endocannabinoid system (ECS). This includes natural fatty molecules made by your body named endocannabinoids. It plays a key role in regulating physiological functions such as stress response, pain perception, mood, sleep, appetite, organ function, etc.
Cannabis is called so because it contains a class of compounds called cannabinoids, which are similar to endocannabinoids.
Now let’s see what happens when smoking marijuana. These external cannabinoids can compete with your natural cannabinoids. And this competition can disrupt the normal functioning of the body, which can lead to imbalances that can affect fertility.
These imbalances can impact:
- Testes function
- Semen secretion
- Testosterone production
With these potential imbalances in mind, let’s look more specifically at how cannabis affects sperm health.
How does smoking weed affect sperm?
Scientists have investigated the connection between cannabis use and various aspects of sperm health including count, morphology, and motility.
Here are some of their findings that leave this subject in a bit of a gray area. As you’ll see, it’s hard to conclude the effects of weed on sperm clearly.
Sperm count and concentration
One study found that men who used marijuana more than once a week had a significantly lower sperm concentration (28% less) and sperm count (29% less) than men who had never smoked weed.
The study also looked at men who combined regular marijuana use with other recreational drugs. The results saw an even steeper decline in sperm concentration (52%) and total sperm count (55%).
Another study took a look at the impact of high-dose cannabis use (8-20 weed cigarettes per day) on sperm count. The results? A decrease in sperm count within five to six weeks after starting the heavy weed use.
Sperm quality declined along with sperm motility.
However, a more recent study found something different. There was no significant link between smoking marijuana and sperm count and concentration.
More research needs to be done to reach solid conclusions about sperm count and concentration.
Learn more: How Much Sperm Does It Take To Get Pregnant?
Sperm morphology and motility
Sperm morphology simply means the size and shape of the sperm. Both are crucial factors in fertilization.
Motility refers to the ability of the sperm to swim effectively, which is key in reaching the egg to fertilize it.
A study found that men who had used marijuana in the past six weeks were more likely to have abnormal sperm motility (aka asthenozoospermia).
It also concluded that men who had more than two grams of cannabis had an even higher risk of asthenozoospermia.
But, another study reported that weed may protect against abnormal sperm motility. This, however, comes with a reduction in sperm volume and poor sperm morphology.
Know more: Sperm Motility and Fertility: How To Boost Pregnancy Chances
Sexual function
Just like sperm, the effects of weed use on sexual function are mixed.
Some studies suggest that smoking marijuana may increase sexual desire. It may do this by triggering the brain’s reward system. But it is important to note this effect is typically short-lived.
Other studies, however, show that daily weed use can lead to sexual problems in men. These include erectile dysfunction and delayed or premature ejaculation.
A more recent study indicated both males and females felt weed enhanced their sexual experience. This is in terms of desire and orgasm intensity.
Testosterone levels
One of the key reproductive hormones for a man is testosterone. It regulates a man’s sexual function and sperm production. Studies on the connection between cannabis use and testosterone have conflicting results.
One study reported higher testosterone levels (7%) in self-reported weed smokers.
However, another study found no clear link between marijuana use and testosterone levels. But it did show higher testosterone levels in men who reported smoking weed more recently.
So what does this mean?
It’s hard to say whether marijuana use directly affects testosterone production. The link between recent use and higher testosterone could be coincidental.
Or it could be that men with higher testosterone levels are more likely to smoke weed due to their risk-seeking behavior.
One thing is clear: more research needs to be done to understand this complex connection.
Does the method of weed consumption make a difference?
Scientists can’t say for sure whether the method of marijuana consumption makes a difference in sperm function.
Regardless of whether you’re smoking, vaping, or taking edibles, it is safe to say that cannabis affects sexual health the same.
The bottom line on fertility and weed
A big national study found no significant correlation between cannabis use in either males or females and the time it takes to get pregnant.
But, it’s important to keep the context in mind.
If you’re already facing infertility challenges, it may be best to abstain. Any potential decrease in semen quality or changes in ovulation due to smoking marijuana is just not worth it. Things could get further complicated.
But here’s some research to note. Cutting back over a four-month period can partially reverse the damage from chronic weed use.
If you’re TTC and you or your partner use marijuana, visit a fertility clinic. They can highlight the pros and cons and guide you to the healthiest choices.
What else can you do to promote sperm health?
It can be discouraging that the evidence of smoking marijuana and its effect on sperm is mixed. But there is good news!
If you’re looking to optimize your semen quality and boost sperm count, lifestyle changes can make a difference.
Here are some things to focus on:
1. Diet
Make it your priority to consume foods that are rich in zinc, antioxidants, and omega-3 fatty acids. This includes fruits, vegetables, and fish.
Also be sure to steer clear of exposure to Bisphenol A (better known as BPA), as this can disrupt sperm health. BPA is commonly found in food takeout containers and plastics. Rather than risking it, opt instead for glass, steel, or ceramic containers.
2. Exercise
Regular activity can boost sperm count and health. This looks like a minimum of 1.5 hours of outdoor exercise and a minimum of 2 hours of weightlifting per week.
But don’t take it too far. Research shows that excessive exercise can stress the body out. This gives you the opposite effect.
So aim for exercise that doesn’t push you too far.
3. Sleep
Getting enough sleep is vital for sperm production and overall health. That’s because the hormone melatonin that’s released during sleep helps with sperm development.
Try to get seven to nine hours of sleep per night.
4. Stress management
Chronic stress wreaks havoc on all systems in the body, including sperm count and motility.
Integrate stress-relieving techniques into your daily life such as:
- Yoga
- Reading
- Meditation
- Spending time in nature
- Drawing
Learn more: How to Produce More Sperm
Above all, remember that you’re not alone. Great resources are available to support you on your journey. Visit a fertility clinic to talk about your specific situation and seek guidance to boost your sperm quality and sperm function to an optimal place.
FAQs
Studies show it could take four months for semen quality to return.
The results of this are mixed. Some study results say marijuana can negatively affect male fertility in the long term. However, other studies show no correlation between the two. It’s best to talk to your doctor to get more specific information about your situation.
Some studies say yes, and others say no. It’s best to err on the safe side, however. Limit your weed use if you’re concerned about sperm quality and sperm function.
Yes, it can. Marijuana use can affect sexual desire, sexual performance, and sexual satisfaction.
Marijuana smoking may affect the head and the tail of the sperm. This can affect its genetic material and its ability to swim well.
Marijuana smokers may see abnormalities in sperm motility and morphology. This can lead to challenges with male infertility.
Studies show that weed can harm the process of capacitation and make it harder for the sperm to fertilize the egg. The same can be said for viability. Smoking marijuana may lead to sperm dysfunction or even death. This can cause male infertility.
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