If you are a chain smoker, quitting can be difficult. It is important to set a realistic timeline for cutting down your smoking habits and choose a quit day. You should also prepare for triggers and have a plan to avoid marijuana use.
Using marijuana has been shown to affect semen concentration, motility, and sperm morphology. Fortunately, these effects are usually reversible with abstinence.
It takes more than two months to produce sperm
If you smoke weed on a regular basis, it could take more than two months for the drug to leave your system. This is why it’s important to quit smoking weed when you want to get pregnant. This is because marijuana affects the sperm count and quality. It also interferes with the luteinizing hormone, which is a key factor in fertility.
A new study has shown that men who smoke marijuana have lower sperm concentrations than those who don’t. The research was published in the journal Human Reproduction. It analyzed 662 samples of sperm from men who attended a fertility clinic. The results of the study were surprising. They showed that men who smoke marijuana have higher sperm concentrations than those who don’t. This is counterintuitive, as most previous studies have found that cannabis use decreases sperm concentration and fertility.
The study also looked at the DNA of sperm. It found that the sperm of men who smoke marijuana have a higher number of epigenetic changes, which affect gene activity without changing the actual information in genes. The results of the study suggest that abstaining from cannabis use may be beneficial for fertility, as the epigenetic changes are reversed.
The researchers from the University of Sheffield and Manchester recommend that men who smoke weed should wait until they have completely stopped smoking before trying to conceive. They say that it might be necessary to stop for a year or more to ensure the best possible result.
It stays in the body for a long time
Cannabis, or marijuana, is an intoxicating herb that contains tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). THC is an active chemical component that can affect the body’s endocannabinoid system, including the reproductive organs. Studies show that heavy cannabis use reduces sperm count and quality. However, these effects are reversible after cessation of smoking.
To assess the impact of marijuana on sperm, researchers conducted a longitudinal study of men with a history of marijuana use. The participants visited weekly to provide a self-assessment report and urine samples confirming cannabis abstinence. Semen was then collected and analyzed for volume, appearance, viscosity, pH, white blood cell concentration, and sperm concentration. In addition, sperm motility and forward progression were also measured. Results showed that men who smoked marijuana had lower sperm counts and a more complex sperm shape, or morphology.
The methylation changes observed in the cannabis user group could be due to a delayed clearance of THC from the body or the persistence of methylation alterations in immortal spermatocyte progenitor cells that have not yet differentiated into sperm. This is an expected phenomenon because methylation in these progenitor cells is heritable and is likely to be transmitted to all differentiated sperm that are generated from them.
The researchers found that abstinence from cannabis for 11 weeks significantly mitigated the cannabis-associated epigenetic changes in sperm. They suggest that longer periods of abstinence may improve the outcome even further.
It affects the quality of sex
In addition to lowering fertility, smoking can also reduce sex drive and cause erectile dysfunction (ED). It’s important to understand the effects of smoking if you want to become fertile. It’s also a good idea to avoid consuming recreational drugs if you’re trying to conceive. Many of these drugs can have serious health effects, including infertility.
Studies have shown that 9-tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC, the psychoactive component of marijuana, can alter DNA methylation in human testis cells. This may cause a decrease in fertility in men who use marijuana frequently. Fortunately, stopping marijuana use can reverse some of the effects on sperm.
The researchers used whole-genome bisulfite sequencing to examine the methylation patterns of sperm from cannabis users and controls. The results showed that 77 days of cannabis abstinence (one spermatogenic cycle) resulted in the reversal of some of the differences in methylation between cannabis users and non-users. Some of the genes that were affected by cannabis abstinence included those involved in early development.
The study is the first to characterize the effect of cannabis on the sperm methylome and to demonstrate that reversing cannabis use significantly improves sperm quality. In the future, this information could help researchers better understand how a man’s fertility may be negatively impacted by cannabis use. This research is especially relevant as marijuana becomes increasingly legal across the United States.
It affects fertility
Men who smoke marijuana may have lower sperm count and motility, and these problems are likely to worsen with continued use. Fortunately, men can improve their fertility by stopping smoking. However, it takes time for the sperm to recover from the effects of marijuana. This can be weeks or months for chronic users, but it will take less time for casual users. In addition, a healthier diet and exercise can also help improve sperm health.
Cannabis is a plant that contains cannabinoids, which are chemical compounds that interact with receptors in the brain and other parts of the body. These chemicals affect the endocannabinoid system, which includes the reproductive system. The chemicals can lower testosterone and reduce sperm production. In addition, they can affect ovulation and cause miscarriage.
The results of several studies suggest that marijuana has adverse effects on sperm parameters, including sperm concentration, sperm motility, and sperm morphology. A 2019 study reviewed 48 different studies and found that marijuana reduces sperm motility, which is important for fertilization.
While researchers know that marijuana decreases sperm quality, they don’t understand why. Some scientists have theorized that THC binds to receptors in sperm cells, which makes them slow down and lose energy. The sperm can’t swim fast enough to reach the egg in order to fertilize it. However, this is only one of many reasons why people should not smoke marijuana or other recreational drugs.
