When the uninitiated think about CBD, they often think of it as something to get high on. In truth, cannabidiol (CBD), unlike tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), another cannabis plant compound, won’t get you high. But it might help you have some of the best fun you’ve ever had in the bedroom.
How?
Using CBD oil for sex has gained popularity recently, with many people swearing that the product takes sexual sensations, performance, and more to another level. Several manufacturers have even begun using CBD to create lubricants and other products to boost the sexual experiences of consumers.
But is any of this true, or is it some unfounded CBD hype?
In this article, we’ll be looking at the ways using CBD oil for sex may enhance your sex life, it’s effectiveness and safety, and if you should consider giving it a try.
CBD and Libido?
Libido is basically your sex drive. The higher your sex drive, the more intense and satisfying your sexual dalliances should be.
While there’s still limited research into how using CBD may influence the libido of men and women and boost sex life, there have been some interesting findings. For instance, researchers have found evidence that there are endocannabinoid system (ECS) receptors within the brain and sexual reproductive organs.
Other treatments for erectile dysfunction
If you are experiencing ED and have tried Viagra and Cialis and still do not see results, there are other treatment options available. The next line of treatment mainly focuses on injections and surgery. Medications such as Viagra and Cialis are the first line of treatment for ED. Additionally, lifestyle changes can help alleviate the symptoms of ED. Losing weight, quitting smoking, and reducing the amount of alcohol you consume can all help combat ED.
Medications such as Viagra and Cialis can also help treat ED, but they are only recommended as a last resort because they are more expensive and have more potential side effects than lifestyle changes. Surgery can be another option for men who have tried other treatments and still have ED. There are different surgical procedures available, including penile injections, a penile implant, and a surgery to widen the urethra that goes from the bladder to the tip of the penis.
CBD is known to indirectly activate ECS receptors in the body, which is what leads to the sensations and reactions that come from using CBD. So, the theory is that if these receptors do exist in the male or female genitalia, using CBD can influence the genitalia by stimulating it.
Also, according to Alex Capano, a Medical Director and Lambert Center for the Study of Medicinal Cannabis and Hemp faculty member, several cannabinoid receptors exist in sexual tissue and reproductive organs. Using CBD will boost blood flow to these organs and tissues, increasing sensitivity and sexual desire.
Another research study on CBD use from the Neurotherapeutics journal reported that using CBD products can reduce anxiety and, as a result, improve libido – which makes sense when you consider that anxiety about sexual performance can significantly drop your libido. Eliminate anxiety and stress and your body can focus more on its sexual desires.
Are there Naysayers?
While several researchers agree CBD is capable of boosting your sex life, others disagree. For instance, according to an article in the Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics, cannabis abuse may lead to lower sex drive.
If this is true, it shouldn’t really bother those who want to try CBD oil for sex. That’s because chronic cannabis abusers mostly do it to get high, and you can’t get high unless cannabis has significant levels of THC.
Since genuine CBD products contain little to no THC, there should be fewer worries about the negative impact of THC on libido.
Others who don’t believe that CBD can boost libido and sexual health simply have doubts because evidence supporting the claim is still in short supply. In that case, the only way to know for sure if CBD can boost your sex life is to try it yourself.
Possible Benefits of CBD Oil for Sex
While researchers are still trying to reach a consensus about the effects of CBD on sexual health, there are lots of positive feedback from consumers who use the product for that exact purpose. Some of the reported benefits from this group of consumers include:
Treating Erectile Dysfunction (ED)
Some evidence has suggested that Cannabis sativa can improve sexual health by treating ED. Whether this is because of CBD or an entourage effect from using the whole Cannabis sativa plant remains to be seen.
One suggestion is that CBD has a relaxing effect on blood vessels, which in turn increases blood flow, including to the penis. An increase in blood flow to the penis will lead to stronger erections, eliminating ED and boosting sexual performance.
Improve Lubrication
For women, dryness can lead to painful sex and may even lead to getting hurt. Several factors can lead to dryness during sex, including low libido. At the moment, various CBD products on the market are sold as sexual lubricants.
Using a lubricant that contains CBD may enhance sexual pleasure not only by eliminating dryness but also serving as an anti-inflammatory agent that relaxes the vagina and makes sex more enjoyable.
Boost Sex Drive
If you have a low sex drive, CBD may be able to help. According to 2017 research, cannabis can increase sexual desire by triggering the parts of your brain that control such sensations. If this is true, the right CBD product may serve as an aphrodisiac.
Another way that CBD may boost your sex drive is by boosting your mood. It does this by stimulating the anandamide neurotransmitter in your brain. Anandamide, also known as the bliss neurotransmitter, is similar to oxytocin, which is called the “cuddle hormone.”
The more of this you have in your system, the more psychologically and physically receptive to sex you’ll be, which can lead to a better sexual experience.
Pain Relief
The anti-inflammatory effects of CBD oil can be useful in minimizing the pain and discomfort that are interfering with your sex life. For instance, women who experience painful sexual intercourse can apply a CBD lube or balm not only to lubricate but also dull the pain.
Decreasing Anxiety
Anxiety and stress can easily wreck the mood in the bedroom. The anti-anxiety effect of CBD on the brain can help keep such emotions at bay and put you in a lighter mood. The better your mood before and during sex, the better you can enjoy the pleasures of the experience.
Also, since anxiety and stress can lead to ED in men and dryness in women, using CBD to put yourself in the right state of mind can help avoid such issues.
Strengthening Sensations
If CBD can increase blood flow to your genitals, that will increase the sensitivity of your genitals. The higher the sensitivity of the nerves around your genitalia, the more intense your sexual sensations are bound to be.
Also, since there are ECS or cannabinoid receptors in reproductive organs like the vulva, vagina, uterus, and so on, CBD can make these parts of your body livelier and more sexually receptive.
While you can experience all of the above benefits, it is important to note that CBD affects everyone differently. Depending on your physiology, you may experience none of the above or at a different level compared to someone else who uses the same CBD product.
Aside from your physiology, how effective CBD can be for improving your sex life will also depend on how you use it.
How to use CBD in your Sex Life
For now, there are no precise figures regarding the number of people who use CBD oil for sex. But since more CBD sex products are hitting the market, it’s safe to assume that manufacturers are responding to a rise in consumers and demand.
Also, about 9% of over 5,000 Americans in a recent survey admitted to using CBD at some point for sex. A surprising number of this 9% further stated that their sexual experience was more intense and satisfying when they used CBD.
If these people had that much fun using CBD for sex, you could, too. But that’s only if you use it correctly.
The first thing you need to know is that CBD isn’t fast-acting. And how fast it works depends on how you apply it. To make sure that CBD oil takes full effect by the time you are ready to “engage”, use it 30 to 60 minutes before that time.
Then, there’s the issue of dosing. A drop of CBD may be enough for you to experience its sexual benefits, whereas someone else may need more. But you don’t want to overdo it.
To be on the safe side, follow the recommended dose on the label. If there’s no recommended dose, start with the smallest dose possible and work your way up over the next few days. If each time you up your dosage, you experience more benefits, you can go higher.
When you finally reach a dose that delivers no significant change in effect, go back to your last optimal dose.
As you can imagine, there are various ways that you can apply CBD to make your experience in the bedroom more sensational. Some of the more exciting ways to incorporate CBD into your sex life include:
- Reducing anxiety and boosting sensation by using CBD oil before sex
- Eating CBD edibles before sex to put you at ease and make you more receptive
- Using CBD oil to massage or for foreplay
- Using CBD lubricants to eliminate dryness and inflammation and enhance pleasure
Any Reason Why You Shouldn’t try CBD Oil for Sex?
CBD is generally safe with no widespread side-effects. That said, whether or not incorporating CBD oil into your sex life will pose any health risks will depend on your condition and how you use it.
Aside from how you use it, the quality of the product is also a factor. Since the CBD market is not yet fully regulated, not every CBD product is as awesome as it claims to be. To be on the safe side, only use products from reputable brands that have positive reviews.
Also, some people are allergic to CBD products. Some are allergic to the CBD itself, while others react negatively to the other ingredients manufacturers use to create their CBD oil products. To verify that a CBD product is safe for your use, be sure to read its ingredients label.
You can also consult your doctor before using the product, especially if you are using other medications that may react negatively with CBD.
Also, if you plan on having a baby anytime soon, using CBD for sex may not be ideal. The reason is because certain studies have indicated that marijuana use may affect fertility by decreasing sperm development in men and hinder a woman’s normal reproductive cycle.
Mind you, this research only looked into marijuana use and its effect on fertility. Whether it’s the THC, CBD, or other compounds in cannabis that affect fertility is still a mystery. But to be on the safe side, you may want to avoid CBD use if you intend to have a baby in the near future.
Is it legal?
The legality of CBD products is something else to consider before buying and trying CBD oils.
Thankfully, cannabis-related laws across the US are evolving. CBD products derived from hemp plants are legal at the federal level, but illegal in certain states, for now. These products come from cannabis plants that have less than 0.3% THC.
CBD products from marijuana plants are legal in some states but are illegal at the federal level. These are products from a cannabis plant that contains more than 0.3% THC.
To be on the safe side, be sure to verify the applicable laws within your state or when traveling to a different state with CBD in your possession.
Conclusion
Based on the above and everything else that we know about CBD, yes, there is a good chance that if you use it correctly, it can increase your libido and make sex more enjoyable. It can also help women with vaginal dryness related issues and men with ED.
While concrete evidence to support all of these claims is still lacking, there is a convincing number of people that swear using CBD oil for sex has made things better for them. And since there are no dangerous side-effects to using CBD, there’s no harm in giving it a try as long as it’s legal in your state.
If it makes your sex life better, that’s a win-win, and if it doesn’t, you could always keep using the product for its other health benefits. But remember that you are more likely to get the results you want if you purchase a genuine product, so be sure to only buy a reputable brand of CBD oil.
Also, if you have allergies, are on medication, or considering having a baby, be sure to talk to your doctor before experimenting with CBD.
FAQs About CBD For Sex
Question: Can CBD influence your libido?
Answer: CBD is known to indirectly activate ECS receptors in the body, which is what leads to the sensations and reactions that come from using CBD. So, the theory is that if these receptors do exist in the male or female genitalia, using CBD can influence the genitalia by stimulating it.
Question: What are the possible benefits of CBD for sex?
Answer: Some of CBD oil benefits for sex includes treating erectile dysfunction, improve lubrication, and boost sex drive.
Question: How to use CBD products for sex properly?
Answer: To be on the safe side, follow the recommended dose on the label. If there’s no recommended dose, start with the smallest dose possible and work your way up over the next few days. If each time you up your dosage, you experience more benefits, you can go higher.
Question: Can CBD oil affect your fertility?
Answer: There is no conclusive research yet about how CBD oil affects your fertility. But, if you plan on having a baby anytime soon, using CBD for sex may not be ideal. The reason is that certain studies have indicated that marijuana use may affect fertility by decreasing sperm development in men and hinder a woman’s normal reproductive cycle.
