So, as you can see, drugs can impact sex in a variety of ways, but there is no way to know how your body will react to a specific substance at a given time! Generally, substances make people more likely to engage in risky sexual behavior (without barrier methods, or with strangers), and can impact sex in other negative ways, but they can also profoundly enhance sexual experiences. Additionally, consent can get somewhat tricky when psychoactive substances are mixed into the equation. Although people under the influence of drugs can still consent to sex, the lines become a little more blurred. Under the influence, individuals may be, in many cases, more likely to say yes to sexual experiences, even if they otherwise would not. This can be taken advantage of, and targeting intoxicated people for sex is rape. On the other hand, if consent is given in advance (it can, of course, be revoked at any given time), it can help people navigate consensual experiences. Some people take drugs with the specific intention of experiencing sex in other states of consciousness, and this is completely ok and consensual as long as both parties are comfortable, and wanting to engage. Generally, when engaging in sexual activities with people under the influence it is important to realize that things are largely situational, and can change at any moment. People should make sure that whoever is under the influence is not overly intoxicated, and is still able to enthusiastically make their own decisions, by checking in with them repeatedly to make sure they are still able to communicate their needs. If you are unsure about someone’s consent, or if they seem very intoxicated, it is important to acknowledge that they are most likely not in a state where they are able to give proper consent, and that you should (in most scenarios) not engage in sexual activity. Unfortunately there is no easy way to handle consent when under the influence of drugs and alcohol. The best we can do is make sure that everyone is comfortable, and examine the situation on a case by case basis. If you are engaging in sexual activities with people who are using drugs (or if you are the one using, or if you both are), it is important to remember that you should not hook up with someone unless they are still capable of making rational decisions, and are cohesive. To sum it all up, use protection (especially when using drugs and thinking less rationally), use lube if needed, avoid being overly rough if using substances that make it harder to tell if you are experiencing pain, try to have a game plan going in, and never have sex with anyone who seems highly intoxicated and unable to (or doesn’t want to) give you a cohesive, enthusiastic yes!

Q: Is there a reason why many people who smoke weed often eventually start feeling very anxious when high?

A: This is unfortunately a question that no one quite knows the answer to yet! Researchers do know that there is a distinct link between people smoking frequently and eventually starting to become anxious, but unfortunately there hasn’t been much research done to explain why. All research in regards to Cannabis has been stunted since it was declared federally illegal, and so for years it has been almost impossible to run studies on it. Luckily in 2021, the federal government began to allow for more testing, and hopefully we will soon learn a lot more about this plant! Although we don’t know why people who have never experienced anxiety when smoking can develop it through repetitive use, we do have several theories about why weed causes anxiety in general. One explanation is that since one’s amygdala helps to regulate their response to fear, anxiety, and paranoia, an influx of cannabinoids (like THC) can overstimulate it, resulting in anxiety and fear. Evidence also shows that Cannabis impacts the nucleus accumbens area of the brain, but scientists are not sure why sometimes it promotes fear and other times pleasure. They also don’t know why the fear region is more likely to be triggered as we get older! On the bright side, we do know some tactics that can be used to avoid anxiety caused by Cannabis! Paranoia and anxiety levels tend to increase with the dose of THC, and so, if you experience anxiety when smoking, it is better to smoke smaller amounts of weed, to smoke Cannabis with lower THC levels, or to avoid smoking altogether. Also, each strain of weed has different levels of cannabinoids and terpenes, which can have different impacts on one’s brain; so part of avoiding anxiety can be figuring out which strains are better and worse for your particular body! (Some professionals say that to avoid anxiety from weed, you should smell different strains of Cannabis! They say that if you think one strain smells bad, that means the terpenes likely don’t mix well with your body chemistry, and you should find another strain that smells good to you!) Also, to avoid anxiety try to not smoke more than you can handle, try to smoke in an environment that you are comfortable in, and try to be in a good headspace before smoking. Another quick tip is that if you are experiencing anxiety while high, take a whiff of ground up black pepper, or chew on a whole black peppercorn: this can help fight the anxiety and mellow out your high. Although this sounds rather strange, there is real science to back it up! It turns out the terpenes in black pepper can “ tamp down THC's psychoactive tendencies to create a more calming, therapeutic effect.” I hope these tips help, remember to do whatever feels best for your body, and hopefully soon there will be more information on why this happens to so many people!

Q: How do I know if I have oral herpes?

A: Oral herpes appear as blisters on the lips or mouth. Occasionally, they can also appear on other areas of the face (below the nose) like around the chin or tongue. At first, they look similar to small bumps or pimples until developing into pus-filled blisters. This is what an outbreak of the virus looks like. The virus is most contagious at this stage; however, it can also be transmitted even without the existence of blisters. In fact, many people with oral herpes never show any signs or symptoms of having the virus. Oral herpes outbreaks usually last from 4 to 6 days before healing. It is also possible that flu-like symptoms (i.e. fever, body aches, or swollen glands) might occur during the first outbreak. The best way to confirm if you have been exposed to the herpes virus is with a virus culture called a PCR, a blood test, or a biopsy. Blood tests are the most common form of testing and this can be done through your primary healthcare provider or a clinic.

Q: Is it bad that I have sex without a condom with my long term partner? I'm on birth control.

A: Before we continue, I think it’s important to ask yourself why you feel this way. Do you feel shame from external forces or is there something internal that may be making you feel uncomfortable with this? If you and your partner have concerns about getting an STI or becoming pregnant during college, more than one form of protection may be something you need to discuss. I am not going to act like I always used a condom when I was with a long term partner. Therefore, I will say that if you have had conversations about this and you trust your partner, then you should be protected from STIs whether you use a condom or not. Forms of contraception other than condoms are very effective, but please keep in mind that nothing is 100% guaranteed. Also, please remember that you can always change your mind! If at any point you no longer feel comfortable having sex without a condom even if the intercourse is taking place with a long term partner, please have a conversation with them. Relationships are about trust and mutual respect. Voicing your concerns with your partner is for the benefit of you and them :) My instinctual reaction is to say “you should always use protection when having sex”. Whether you’re using external or internal condoms, condoms are the best way to protect yourself from STIs and pregnancy. It’s great that you’re on birth control; however, any form of contraceptive, whether that be the pill, an IUD, or an implant cannot protect you from STIs. Remember that STIs can also be orally transmitted as well, so condoms and dental dams are the best way to protect yourself when partaking in oral sex.

Q: How does your environment influence sleep?

A: Your ability to sleep (as well as your quality of sleep) can be influenced and inhibited by numerous components of your everyday life. One of the more influential factors of sleep are the events or state of the world around you. Comfortability and serenity are integral parts of obtaining quality sleep. Anxieties, concerns and fears are always going to be catalysts of a restless mind. Considering the current state of the world, it is totally normal for strong emotions of fear/anxiety, contempt, or disillusionment to seep into our unconscious mind and influence our sleep. In addition to this, anxieties about an upcoming exam or performance, excitement for the summer, lust for a new crush in your life, personal insecurities, and more can all influence your sleep. Sleep is a restorative period; It is an opportunity for your mind and body to rest, but this doesn’t mean that your brain turns off. A good example of this are dreams. Dreams are a manifestation of your unconscious mind at work. Even though you’re asleep, your brain is still encoding and qualifying past and present information from your environment; Your brain is ALWAYS trying to make sense of the world around you. Also, in less abstract terms, the environment of your bedroom and what you ate prior to falling asleep can also influence your sleep (and its quality). This concept is known as sleep hygiene. Any external light like from a street lamp outside your window, your cellphone going off in the middle of the night, the dorm's hallway lights, or noises can affect your quality of sleep. Additionally, the temperature of your room can also influence your ability to fall asleep and to remain asleep. Sleep hygienists recommend sleeping in a colder room as opposed to a warmer room. They also recommend staying away from certain foods before bed like spicy foods, fried or fatty foods, acidic foods, large meals, and alcohol or caffeinated and carbonated beverages. All of these factors can have an impact on your quality of sleep. I also want to note that not only “bad things” can influence your sleep; “Good” things can influence your sleep as well. Things like excitement to see a certain someone the next day, anticipation for a new job, the chance to finish a really good book you have been reading, an upcoming warm and sunny day, etc., can all influence how you sleep and how well you sleep.