A Swiss study challenges what we thought we knew about cannabis and male hormones

For decades, cannabis consumption has been associated with a drop in testosterone levels.

Yet a study published in May 2026 by the University of Geneva (UNIGE), conducted on 94 young Swiss conscripts aged 18 to 23, turns this assumption on its head.

Regular consumers showed testosterone levels roughly 23% higher than non-consumers. A finding that is as thought-provoking as it is nuanced, and one that raises a central question for CBD users: what is the real impact of cannabinoids on male hormones?

Testosterone, a key hormone that is widely misunderstood

Testosterone is often reduced to its sexual dimension, but its role goes far beyond that. It is essential to:

• muscle mass,
• energy levels,
• libido,
• male vitality.

Produced primarily by the testes, it regulates mood, bone density and various other natural chemical processes.

A drop in testosterone levels in men can lead to chronic fatigue, muscle loss and a significant decline in libido. For a long time, cannabis was perceived as a contributing factor to this.

Why cannabis consumers question the impact on their hormones

For several decades, the effects of cannabis on male hormones have been the subject of ongoing debate, with no study having convincingly established the true impact of consumption on testosterone levels.

Pre-clinical studies have shown that the main psychoactive compound in cannabis, THC, can interact with the endocannabinoid system, whose receptors, including CB1 and CB2, are present in both the brain and the testes.

There is, in other words, a clear biological basis for this interaction. The problem, until recently, was that the available data remained contradictory and difficult to interpret.

What the 2026 UNIGE study reveals about the cannabis-testosterone relationship

A study carried out by Swiss researchers in 2026 suggests that cannabis consumption may increase testosterone levels. According to the results, participants who consumed cannabis showed a rise of approximately 23% compared to non-consumers.

THC, androgens and testicular receptors

This increase does not, however, apply to all androgens, the male sex hormones, of which testosterone is the primary representative, responsible for stimulating the development and maintenance of male characteristics.

The levels of androgens derived from the adrenal glands, known as C11-oxy-androgens, remain unchanged. Cannabis therefore appears to have only a partial influence on this type of hormonal production.

Two hypotheses may explain this. Either cannabis directly stimulates testicular testosterone synthesis, or men with naturally higher testosterone levels are more inclined to take risks and therefore more likely to consume cannabis.

CBD and THC: two cannabinoids, two distinct effects on hormones

It is essential to distinguish CBD from THC. CBD, or cannabidiol, is a non-psychoactive molecule. It plays an important role in hormonal regulation by moderating the effects of cortisol (the stress hormone) which could otherwise have a negative impact on testosterone. Its action is therefore indirect.

By helping to reduce stress levels, CBD promotes a more relaxed environment and, with it, conditions that are more favourable to androgen production, including testosterone.

This is the position held by many researchers, though in reality, very few studies have specifically examined the relationship between CBD and testosterone. Some voices continue to argue the opposite. More extensive, large-scale studies will therefore be needed to fully understand the mechanisms through which CBD, as opposed to cannabis as a whole, acts on these hormones.

Higher testosterone does not mean better fertility

It is also important not to over-interpret the findings of this study. Even if testosterone levels are higher in people who consume cannabis, this does not in any way indicate that their fertility is improved. Some studies suggest that cannabis may reduce sperm count, concentration and motility, meaning that conception is not necessarily made any easier.

Furthermore, the positive effects recently observed on hormones disappear when consumption becomes excessive. Dosage and frequency of use play a determining role.

A moderate and occasional approach is therefore advisable for those wishing to potentially benefit from the supposed advantages of certain molecules found in the cannabis plant, such as pain relief or a testosterone boost, without experiencing the more serious side effects, including a feeling of being high or dependency.

In conclusion on that laste study

The UNIGE study represents an important step forward in understanding the effects of cannabis on male hormones. It partially challenges the widespread assumption that testosterone inevitably drops with cannabis use, though it does not justify unreserved optimism.

For CBD consumers in particular, the current data is reassuring. No direct negative effect on testosterone has been demonstrated. Consumption of this molecule therefore appears to have no impact on reproductive health.

As always with cannabis and cannabidiol, however, nuance is key and further research is needed.