A new study suggests that marijuana may help prevent erectile dysfunction in individuals most at risk.

One of the most common causes of erectile dysfunction is high cholesterol, which can clog blood vessels and weaken blood flow to the penis. Over time, it may also result in abnormal tissue buildup, leading to permanent dysfunction.

But new findings published in the journal “Clinical and Developmental Immunology” explain how marijuana may help.

By targeting specific pathways related to marijuana, researchers from Switzerland were able to reduce erectile-related damage in mice with high cholesterol (hypercholesterolemia). These marijuana pathways, called CB2 receptors, are present in many parts of the body, including tissues of the penis.

In summary, CB2 activation decreased histological features, which were associated with erectile dysfunction in hypercholesterolemic mice.

After three weeks of treatment, tissue samples taken from the mice showed lower levels of fibrosis (abnormal tissue build up) and other cholesterol-related injuries, compared to mice that were left untreated.

January 2014