THC May Make Sperm Too Stoned to Swim
Is Cannabis Affecting Sperm Health? What You Need to Know for Fertility Support - By Beach Acupuncture
If you’re planning to grow your family and wondering what lifestyle habits might support fertility, here’s something worth paying attention to.
A recent New York Times article titled “Your Weed Habit May Be Messing With Your Sperm” took a deep dive into how cannabis use may be impacting sperm health. One of the researchers behind a key study on this topic was interviewed—and the findings are eye-opening.
What the Research Shows
The verdict? Smoking cannabis has a negative impact on nearly every semen quality marker:
Sperm count
Motility (movement)
Morphology (shape)
This might sound familiar if you’ve heard about the effects of cigarette smoking on fertility. The same goes for cannabis—especially when smoked.
But the article also highlighted something curious: the effects of vaping or consuming edibles aren’t as clearly understood. That raises a big question—is it the THC, the smoking, or a combination of both that’s creating the problem?
One specific study referenced by the Times found that THC can bind to sperm cell cannabinoid receptors, damage mitochondria (the energy source of the sperm), and reduce the sperm’s ability to swim effectively—all of which matter when it comes to conception.
What This Means for Fertility
In Traditional Chinese Medicine, we look at the whole picture—how lifestyle, diet, stress, and environment all influence reproductive health. When working with people who produce sperm, we recommend stopping all cannabis use at least 90 days prior to trying to conceive. Why 90 days? Because that’s the average lifespan of a sperm cycle, meaning it takes about three months for sperm to develop.
This advice is also supported by the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM), which recommends avoiding cannabis altogether during the preconception window.
Supporting Sperm Health Naturally
At Beach Acupuncture, we support fertility with a personalized, holistic approach. Whether you’re just starting to plan your family or navigating fertility challenges, acupuncture and East Asian Medicine can help regulate hormones, reduce stress, and support optimal reproductive health—including sperm quality.
Ready to take a proactive step on your fertility journey?
Book a consultation or treatment with us at Beach Acupuncture—we’re here to support you with compassion, clarity, and care.
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