Can CBD really improve your sex life?

What science says about using CBD for sex?

Cannabidiol (CBD) is widely being used by a variety of different people, for a lot of range of different symptoms and is available in a variety of different forms and types - including oils, tinctures, capsules and beverages.

But with the increase in popularity of topical products, lately, CBD has also made its way into the bedroom. CBD can now be found in various personal lubricants, massage lotions and edibles to help them improve their sex lives.

But can CBD really do that?

Both women and men can benefit from incorporating CBD into both their personal supplement regime, but also more directly during foreplay. For instance, women look to CBD relieving the symptoms of a number of painful women’s health conditions including PMS and menopause as well as chronic conditions such endometriosis. But, all of these conditions can also cause pain during intercourse, not only causing discomfort during the act itself but also a lot of stress and anxiety around even the idea of having sex. Similarly, an increasing number of men suffer from general stress and anxiety, but also performance anxiety, all of which can be a real mood killer.

How CBD Can Help During Sex

CBD can help improve sex primarily by helping to induce calm and relaxation, by alleviating inhibition during sex, reducing pain during penetration and enhancing physical sensations. Let’s take a closer look at exactly how.

1. Relieving Pain
The most obvious way in which CBD can improve sex is by reducing pain in general but also pain during intercourse. As mentioned, many health conditions can cause pain during sex, but with its powerful analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties, using something like a CBD lube can greatly reduce discomfort and irritation.

2. Decreasing Anxiety
For many people suffering from sexual dysfunctions, stress and anxiety often exacerbates the issue and using CBD before sex can help improve their mental state and help them relax. Because CBD works directly on the body’s endocannabinoid system, activating many of the endocannabinoids associated with mood, CBD has a powerful anti-anxiety effect on the brain. When used in the bedroom, this can create a much-needed feeling of calm, relaxation and elation that can translate into enhanced sexual pleasure and performance for both partners.

3. Relax Muscles
Similarly, CBD can help reduce muscle tension, spasms and cramping. For instance, women suffering from Ehlers-Danlos syndrome - a condition that causes joint subluxations and severe muscle spasms - can experience a reduction in these when using a CBD lube because it may cause the muscles to relax allowing for much more enjoyable sex.

4. Improving Desire
Although cannabis have long been used as an aphrodisiac, CBD might also help with arousal and increasing levels of desire. When CBD is applied topically, it dilates blood vessels, allowing fresh oxygenated blood to flow more easily that is typically associated with increased desire, arousal and stimulation.

5. Strengthening Sensations
Both men and women have cannabinoid receptors distributed throughout the tissues of their reproductive organs, playing a significant role in both pleasure and pain during intercourse. Similarly, these receptors also play a key role in improving libido and the ability to achieve orgasm and with CBD’s ability to increase blood flow and nerve sensation, it can also help enhance sexual pleasure and intensify orgasms for all parties.

A word of Warning

As with anything, CBD also has its drawbacks. For instance, scientists are concerned about how this trend of using cannabinoids to enhance sex may affect fertility. In a 2006 research review the researchers listed some of the known effects marijuana use has on fertility including decreased levels of follicle-stimulating hormones in men and women, decreases of normal sperm development and a reduction in fertilization as well as negative effects the reproductive cycle, including ovulation in females.

However, these studies mostly focussed on the effects of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) of which significant amounts are generally only found in cannabis-derived CBD extracts. Sticking to hemp-derived CBD might be a safer option if you are considering having a baby with your partner in the next few years.

However, even then some people may have an allergic reaction to CBD or some of the ingredients like oils and fragrances used in CBD lubricants. However, these symptoms are relatively mild and easy to avoid when using a good quality product that’s specifically formulated for use during intercourse. And, as with all CBD products, it’s important to find a dose that works for you. Use the same “start low and go slow” philosophy and titrate up slowly every couple of times you use it until you find you and your partner’s sweet spot.

Final Thoughts

If you’re interested in experimenting with CBD in the bedroom there are a few things you need to keep in mind. As mentioned, buy a quality product that is formulated specifically for intimate use. It’s also good to remember that CBD doesn’t work immediately and it’s better to plan ahead and apply it 30 to 60 minutes before you head into the bedroom to give it enough time take effect.