“It’s a Beautiful Feeling”: Exploring Embodied, Psychological, and Gendered Motivations for Sex Under the Influence of Cannabis Among Young Adults

Cannabis is the second most used substance in sexual contexts after alcohol, particularly among young adults. Understanding motivations underlying sex under the influence of cannabis can shed light on the needs these practices fulfill, deepening knowledge and providing critical insights for sexual well-being promotion. Moreover, little research has examined how gender shapes these motivations. This study explored motivations for sex under the influence of cannabis among young adults and the role of gender. Participants aged 18–24 (n = 27) took part in semi-structured interviews. Thematic analysis was conducted, using a combined inductive and deductive coding process, and interpretations were considered in light of the Gender Structure Framework, which conceptualizes gender as a social structure operating across multiple dimensions. Three categories of motivations were constructed: transformed sexuality (e.g. heightened sensations, enhanced connection), facilitated sex (e.g. eased anxiety, lessened concerns), and contextual influences (e.g. routine, sex-cannabis associations), within which several gendered dynamics were visible. This study highlights the importance of considering gender, pleasure, and agency in both research and services. Understanding the role cannabis plays in meeting sexual needs can help guide the development of sexual health and sexual well-being promotion approaches that are non-stigmatizing, gender-specific, and responsive to young adults’ realities.