UP ON CLOUD 9: INTIMACY AND 🍃

Cannabis and intimacy can be a beautiful pairing—one that invites relaxation, presence, and different kinds of pleasure. But like any intentional practice, it helps to go in with awareness, communication, and care. Whether you’re solo or partnered, exploring new sensations or deepening familiar ones, here are five things to keep in mind when exploring weed and intimacy:

Know Your Tolerance & Your Tools

Before you get into any kind of play, check in with yourself. Is this your first time using this substance? Are you trying it in a new form—edible vs. smoke vs. tincture? Form, potency and timing can vary a lot, so it's important to know how your body might respond. If possible, use substances you're already familiar with and that you feel safe using. Bringing your own stash can be a harm reduction tactic—it helps ensure you know exactly what you're taking, rather than trying something new without context.

It can also be helpful to explore how a substance feels in your body on your own first. That way, you can get a sense of how it affects your sensations, emotions, and boundaries without navigating someone else's energy or expectations at the same time. That kind of self-awareness builds confidence—and helps make your experiences more grounded, intentional, and enjoyable.

WHAT ARE YOU hoping TO EXPERIENCE?

Cannabis can help relax the body, soften tension, and make it easier to be in the moment. It might shift your focus inward or make you more attuned to your senses. Plus, there's lots of different types someone can explore, if interested.

And they don’t all feel the same—some varieties might bring you deeper into your body, while others stimulate your mind or heighten your imagination. Everyone’s system is different, and our personal histories—including past traumas or current stressors—can shape how we respond. For some, substances like cannabis can offer a path to feeling fully present in their bodies, sometimes in ways that feel new or even healing. Go slow, feel it out, and perhaps be prepared in case things feel more intense (or more tender) than usual. Lean into curiosity and remember, you can hit the brakes at any point.

consent is ongoing—talk first, check in often

High or not, consent is never a one-time question. Before you get started, it can be super helpful to talk beforehand about what you’re both (or all) interested in exploring—especially if weed is part of the mix. Talking ahead of time about what sounds good, what’s off-limits, and what kinds of touch or experiences you’re curious about creates more ease once things get going. When you’re high, it can sometimes be challenging to name boundaries or desires in the moment, so setting a shared understanding beforehand can feel grounding and empowering.

And still—check in often: How does this feel? Do you want to keep going? Want to try something else? Need a break? You can always change your mind, at ANY point. Weed can sometimes bring up surprising emotions or sensations—and that’s okay. Make space for the full range of experiences without pressure to perform or please. And again, you call the shots. And that includes when to pause or stop. 

NOURISH BEFORE, DURING AND AFTER YOU PLAY

Eat a solid meal and hydrate before incorporating cannabis into your intimacy. Having food and water in your system helps regulate your body’s response and can soften the intensity of certain substances. Taking cannabis on an empty stomach can sometimes lead to nausea, light headed-ness, or discomfort—which can pull you out of the moment.

Keep water and snacks nearby during your time together, especially if you're planning a long session (intimate or otherwise). And don’t forget to care for yourself after—replenishing your body can help you come down gently and feel more grounded once the high fades. Make nourishment part of the pleasure and aftercare practice.

YOUR SAFETY and comfort MATTERS

Depending on the strength of what you’re using and how comfortable you feel, it can be helpful to let someone know you’re incorporating substances into your play—especially if it’s a higher dose or a more intense substance. You don’t need to give details, but a quick text like “trying something new, just a heads up” can be a grounding safety net. Trust, care, and community matter—even (and especially) in our most personal moments.

People get to decide how they want to experience intimacy—and for some, that might include substances like cannabis or others. Whether it’s about deepening sensation, softening into the body, or simply getting curious about new kinds of pleasure, there’s no one right way to do it. Everyone deserves a good time, every time.  To my folks celebrating, enjoy Cloud 9--I hear the views are top tier.