Researchers believe that cannabidiol, or CBD, may enhance physical and mental wellbeing. And those good feelings could affect your personal relationships, especially in the bedroom.
CBD-infused lubricants are now available for sale across the US. You can also find edibles, massage oils, and tinctures, all intended to trigger arousal and make sex more pleasurable.
But can CBD really benefit sexual health, as these products advertise?
Because there are still a lot of unknowns regarding CBD, most researchers have made few, if any, declarations regarding CBD’s benefits. Instead, promising studies focus on what we know about how the endocannabinoid affects sexual organs.
“There are so many cannabinoid receptors in reproductive organs and sexual tissue. CBD increases blood flow to tissues, which increases sensitivity and promotes the body’s own natural lubrications,” explains Alex Capano, faculty member at the Lambert Center for the Study of Medicinal Cannabis and Hemp at Thomas Jefferson University and medical director for Ananda Hemp.
Studies have linked levels of endocannabinoids with sexual arousal in women; in fact, endocannabinoids are significantly increased after orgasm.[1, 2] Many women often suffer from pain during sex; CBD suppositories may be helpful for this purpose. Cannabis has also been used for many years as a way to enhance the sexual experience and improve ejaculation.[3]
According to a survey of 1,000 people administered by Remedy Review, 68% of people who’ve tried CBD say that their use has made sex feel better. Yet, the vast majority of people have never even considered adding CBD to the bedroom. Why? One answer may be a lack of awareness.
You have options if you decide that you’d like to try using CBD with a partner. The infused lubricants are, perhaps, the most popular choice. Many brands have been developed with sexual health in mind. CBD can also be taken in other forms before sexual activity.
“There is anecdotal evidence to suggest that the direct application of CBD-infused lubricants to the genitalia increases blood flow to the area,” says Robert Flannery, PhD of Dr. Robb Farms. “An increase of blood flow to female genitalia has shown to increase sexual arousal and the intensity of orgasms. Both very good things.”
You can find CBD sexual products online or at CBD stores and dispensaries.
Image Credits: Redy Martinez Enamorado / Pexels
Image Sources: https://pixabay.com/users/fredy_martinez_photograph-11589266/ ; https://pixabay.com/photos/couple-grass-holding-hands-love-1835383/
References
- Klein C, et al. Circulating endocannabinoid concentrations and sexual arousal in women. J Sex Med. 2012;9(6):1588-1601.
- Fuss J, et al. Masturbation to orgasm stimulates the release of the endocannabinoid 2-arachidonoylglycerol in humans. J Sex Med. 2017;14(11):1372-1379.
- Chauhan NS, et al. A review on plants used for improvement of sexual performance and virility. Biomed Res Int. 2014;2014:868062.
