Sexxpot, the Aphrodisiac Strain for Women

Carl Sagan once noted in an essay that cannabis “enhances the
enjoyment of sex.” He goes on to explain why: “On the one hand it gives an
exquisite sensitivity, but on the other hand it postpones orgasm: in part by
distracting me with the profusion of images passing before my eyes. The actual
duration of orgasm seems to lengthen greatly, but this may be the usual
experience of time expansion which comes with cannabis smoking.” Mr. Sagan was
not alone in his views; many people use cannabis as a “natural Viagra.”

So when Karyn Wagner, founder of Paradigm Medical Marijuana,
smoked a joint before foreplay, something incredible happened. “After I smoked
this one,” she recalls, “I said, you know, honey, that was perfect. Save it for
next time.” Thus, the inspiration for Sexxpot was born. Derived from a low-THC
strain of cannabis called Mr. Nice, Sexxpot was grown, wrapped, and trademarked
by Wagner’s company as the first  “aphrodisiac weed” to target women according
to New
York Magazine.

Eloise Theisen, Berkeley-based nurse practitioner, cannabis
consultant and board member of the American Cannabis Nurses Association,
regularly treats men and women in their 50s and 60s with sex problems using
cannabis as a natural alternative.  It’s
still taboo for women, though; men ask more,” says Theisen. Except for
THC-laced lubricant Foria,
Theisen struggles to find products made just for the female libido–but she sees
potential in Sexxpot.

According to Wagner, Sexxpot has unusually low levels of THC
(about 14 percent) which gives a more “sensual” heady feeling without getting
too high. “Women just need less THC in general,” says Theisen.
“And high levels of THC can promote anti-estrogen activity, though science
is still very limited … My guess is that Sexxpot, with the lower THC,
regulates the body’s endocannabinoid system (the group of brain receptors that
are involved with processes like pain, sensation, mood, and mediating effects
of cannabis) and helps bring back the balance of hormones, but without
sacrificing the therapeutic properties.”

But cannabis
activist and co-founder of Harborside Health Center, Stephen D’Angelo, is
skeptical. He argues that there are hundreds of various terpenes–an organic
compound that adds to both the diversity of aromas and psychoactive properties
in different kinds of cannabis–and science hasn’t yet found the effects of each
one. Though, he admits that Sexxpot’s marketing is shrewd. His experience at
Harborside ratifies that both men and women use weed to enhance sexual
stimulation. “Cannabis is good for everybody’s sex life,” D’Angelo said.

Sexxpot isn’t the only strain that can enhance libidos and
it seems to be just as effective on men; but a strain targeted for women is
refreshing in the testosterone-driven cannabis market. Although the science of
Sexxpot is inadequate, supporters of the product are enthusiastic.

Wagner recounts one frequent customer who claimed that
Sexxpot helped her with her mental blocks around sex: “She reported that it
relaxed her enough that she wasn’t thinking about that anymore. She wasn’t
hyperaware or hyper-anything. Actually, she gave me
maybe too much detail.”