Nikhil Prasad Fact checked by:Thailand Medical News Team Jun 29, 2026 1 hour, 13 minutes ago
A new
Thailand Medical study has raised fresh concerns about how cannabis use may influence sexual behavior among young adults, especially in the wake of the country’s cannabis decriminalization.
Study reveals cannabis may increase substance-influenced sex among Thai youth
Who Conducted the Study?
The research was carried out by
Thailand Medical scientists from multiple respected institutions, including:
-Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok
-King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, Thai Red Cross Society
-Institute of HIV Research and Innovation (IHRI), Bangkok
-Wake Forest University School of Medicine, USA
-Chiang Mai University
-Rainbow Sky Association of Thailand
-TREAT Asia / amfAR – The Foundation for AIDS Research
The findings were based on a detailed analysis of young adults visiting sexual health clinics in Bangkok.
What the Study Looked At
Researchers examined 200 young adults aged 18 to 24. They focused on cannabis use, sexual behavior, and how well participants followed HIV prevention practices such as taking PrEP medication.
About 22% of participants reported using cannabis within the past month. Many also reported using alcohol or other substances alongside cannabis.
Key Findings: Cannabis and Sexual Behavior
One of the most important findings was that cannabis use was strongly linked to having sex while under the influence of substances.
Young adults who used cannabis were:
-More likely to have sex after drinking alcohol
-More likely to engage in sex while using drugs
-More likely to report unplanned sexual encounters
However, the study found no clear link between cannabis use and:
-Condom use
-Number of sexual partners
-HIV or sexually transmitted infection (STI) rates
-Adherence to HIV prevention medication (PrEP)
This means that while cannabis may influence decision-making in the moment, it does not necessarily lead to higher infection rates based on this data alone.
What Participants Said
Interviews with participants revealed deeper insights. Many described how cannabis reduced their inhibitions, making them more likely to engage in spontaneous or unplanned sex.
Some admitted they paid less attention to safety measures like condom use when under the influence. Others said cannabis made them feel relaxed or “carefree,” which sometimes led to risky situations.
Interestingly, not all participants agreed. Some cannabis users insisted that behavior depends on personal responsibility, not the substance itself.
A Mixed Picture
This Medical News report highlights an important contradiction. While data shows increased substance-influenced sexual activity, many users believe they remain in control of their actions.
Researchers also noted that cannabis users often combined it with alcohol or other drugs. This “polysubstance use” may amplify risk more than cannabis alone.
What About HIV Prevention?
The study found no significant difference in how well cannabis users and non-users followed PrEP routines.
However, some non-users believed cannabis could make people forget to take their medication or take it less seriously. On the other hand, many users said they had routines in place to ensure they stayed on track.
Why This Matters Now
Thailand’s recent cannabis policy changes have made the drug more accessible. As a result, understanding its real-world impact is critical.
The study suggests that while cannabis itself may not directly increase infection rates, it can create situations where risk is more likely, especially when combined with alcohol or other substances.
Conclusion
The findings show that cannabis use among young adults in Bangkok is fairly common and is clearly linked to sex under the influence of alcohol or drugs. However, it does not directly increase unsafe sex practices or HIV infection rates based on current evidence. The most important takeaway is that behavior is shaped by a mix of substance use, environment, and personal responsibility. Health experts now stress the need for targeted education that speaks to young people in a realistic and non-judgmental way. Future research is essential to better understand long-term effects and guide public health policies in Thailand.
The study findings were published in the peer reviewed journal: PLOS One.
https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0352395
For the latest studies on cannabis use, keep on logging to
Thailand Medical News.
Read Also:
https://www.thailandmedical.news/articles/cannabis
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