Marijuana comes from the leaves, stems, seeds, and flowers of the Cannabis sativa hemp plant. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, marijuana’s main chemical is delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). It also has over 100 related chemicals known as cannabinoids.

Marijuana is smoked in hand-rolled cigarettes (joints) or inhaled through pipes (bongs). Some people make marijuana tea or mix it into baked goods such as cookies, brownies, and candy.

Marijuana is often associated with side effects that may affect sexual health, including erectile dysfunction (ED). ED is the inability to get and keep an erection. A common condition, it may lead to stress and relationship issues.

If ED happens now and then, there’s often no need for concern. If it’s frequent, it may be a symptom of another health condition. In that case, treating the other condition may resolve ED.

Read on to learn more about the connection between marijuana and ED.

Effects of marijuana

Short-term effects of marijuana include:

• altered senses
• altered sense of time
• mood changes
• impaired movements
• difficulty thinking

Marijuana also interferes with short-term memory. Taken over the long term, marijuana may affect brain development and learning, especially for those under 25 years old

Many states have legalized marijuana for medical use. However, the Food and Drug Administration hasn’t approved marijuana for any medical condition. But there are synthetic THC medications that are approved for some medical conditions.

Conditions eligible for medical marijuana vary by state, and may include:

• cancer
• glaucoma
• HIV and AIDS
• hepatitis C
• pain
• wasting diseases, such as cachexia
• nausea
• seizures and epilepsy
• post-traumatic stress disorder
• amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, otherwise known as Lou Gehrig’s disease
• multiple sclerosis
• Alzheimer’s disease