We often associate CBD with its potential to enhance mental clarity, physical comfort, and emotional balance- think reduced stress or improved sleep. But one thing that doesn’t come to mind when considering this cannabinoid’s benefits is our sex life.
Believe it or not, CBD can have a positive impact on intimacy, mood, and even libido, which largely stems from its interaction with our endocannabinoid system (ECS). Understanding CBD’s connection to our ECS and body is key to appreciating its potential to enhance our sexual experiences.
Curious yet? Below, we explore the sensual power of cannabidiol and even offer tips for incorporating it in the bedroom.
An Introduction to The Endocannabinoid System
The endocannabinoid system is a complex network of chemical messengers, receptors, and enzymes involved in your body’s most critical functions: sleep, appetite regulation, learning and memory, pain perception, and, yes, sex!
While not as well-known as some of the body’s other major systems, the ECS is central to maintaining internal harmony (homeostasis) and a sense of vitality. To do that, it relies on natural neurotransmitters called endocannabinoids, which activate the cannabinoid receptors (CB1 and CB2) found throughout your body.
The endocannabinoid system (ECS) plays a significant role in human sexuality due to the widespread presence of cannabinoid receptors throughout the brain and body. These receptors are concentrated in regions of the brain associated with sexual arousal and pleasure, such as the hypothalamus, cerebellum, hippocampus, cortex, and basal ganglia. The hypothalamus, for instance, is responsible for regulating hormones that influence sexual behavior and function.
Additionally, endocannabinoid receptors are found in and around the adrenal glands and ovaries, which are key players in the production of sex hormones like estrogen and testosterone. These hormones are essential for libido, sexual function, and reproductive health in both men and women. Furthermore, cannabinoid receptors are abundant in sexual tissues and reproductive organs, suggesting that the ECS is directly involved in sexual response and function.
But how does CBD fit into the equation?
CBD is what’s known as a phytocannabinoid, a natural compound produced by plants. Remarkably, this cannabis-derived molecule can interact with your ECS receptors in ways that may boost libido and promote relaxation, creating a more receptive state for intimacy.
Modulating the Endocannabinoid System
Compared to THC, which binds directly with CB receptors, CBD’s interactions with your endocannabinoid system are more indirect. But that’s the beauty of it.
One of the ways it exerts its effects is by suppressing the enzyme fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH), which breaks down anandamide, “the pleasure hormone”. This can lead to increased levels of anandamide in the body, which can also increase the release of oxytocin, often referred to as the "cuddle hormone".
These effects can also be localized. CBD's interaction with the receptors around reproductive organs and tissues may contribute to vasodilation, increasing blood flow to the genital area, which can lead to heightened sensitivity and support natural lubrication – both crucial elements for a fulfilling sexual experience.
Heightening Perceived Pleasure
As mentioned above, endocannabinoid receptors are scattered throughout the brain. Research hints that CBD can influence brain regions that are active during orgasm in both men and women, including the sensory cortex (our experience of touch), the limbic system (emotions and pleasure), and the hypothalamus (regulating those unconscious bodily functions related to sexual behavior).
CBD can interact with other receptor systems in the body, such as serotonin receptors, which regulate mood and sexual function.
Relaxing Nerves and Reducing Stress
But perhaps one of the best things CBD can do for you and your sex life is relax your body and mind, allowing you to both become aroused and stay in the moment.
Stress impedes arousal, making the whole experience of sex unappealing. Fortunately, natural remedies like hemp-derived cannabinoids can help. In one study of nearly 400 adults, CBD was found to be effective for lessening the burden of stress.
Another component of sexual experiences is nerves. Performance anxiety is a real thing and is one of the leading causes of sexual dysfunction. While CBD is not an approved medication for anxiety, it has been found to have anxiolytic properties in numerous studies.
Make A Love Connection With CBD
There are a multitude of ways to incorporate CBD into your daily routine to help get you in the right headspace for pleasure — be it with a partner or a little alone time with yourself. According to award-winning educator, coach, and authority on mindfully combining sex and cannabinoids Ashley Manta, “CBD (and other cannabinoids) can help enhance that experience by addressing the things that get in the way of pleasure, connection, and intimacy — most often things like stress or feeling disconnected from your partner or your body.”
Here are just a few ways CBD will work wonders in the bedroom…and beyond:
CBD can help you relax
Being in the mood for sex is as much a mental exercise as it is a physical one. Stress has been shown to have a negative effect in that department: Recent studies, like this one published in 2013 in The Journal of Sexual Medicine, have demonstrated that it can be difficult to get aroused when you’re distracted, focused on your ever-growing to-do list, or worried about a cranky boss at work. By promoting relaxation,* CBD can help you unwind your mind and ease you into a more mellow mood.
Balance energy and get better sleep with CBD.
A lack of quality sleep not only leaves you feeling drained — it makes you way less likely to want to get frisky because the only thing your brain is hot for is a nice long nap. The old, “I can’t tonight honey — I’m too tired” trope. Adding a broad-spectrum CBD supplement into your routine has helped many individuals get a better night’s rest.
CBD products can help set the stage for sexy time.
The lead-up to “the main event” can, and should, be just as pleasurable as sex itself. Foreplay should be fun, not another item on that previously mentioned to-do list. Why not try a CBD-infused pampering product to help set the scene for an enjoyable experience ahead? “I always recommend people start with a hot bath with a cannabinoid-infused bath bomb or use topical creams or massage oils on trigger points or sore areas,” says Ashley.
Our bestselling Arousal Bath Gem, infused with 25mg of broad-spectrum hemp extract, can elevate your tub time to a whole new (sexier) level. Aromatic lavender, relaxing Epsom salt, and soothing magnesium help your mind and body relax and prepare for bedroom activities to follow. If a hot bath isn’t your style, consider giving your partner a massage with the Beyond Body Oil, a sensual dry body oil that softens skin as it infuses it with intense moisture and nourishment from broad-spectrum hemp, squalane, helichrysum, and jojoba seed and apricot kernel oils.
Making Sex a Priority… for Health
Stress and sex go both ways- you have top be less stressed to have sex, but sex can also be a stress reliever. Sexual healing is a real thing, which is why it’s so important that you make time and prioritize it. Improving cardiovascular health, enhancing self-esteem, releasing endorphins, and promoting better sleep are all proven effects of this pleasurable activity.
While CBD can be a great aid in helping you overcome the mental, physical, and emotional blocks that might be getting in the way of your libido, it’s important to remember that it’s just one tool. Plus, scientific research is still in its infancy, and further studies are needed to really solidify these findings.
Managing stress levels, prioritizing your emotional health, taking time to learn how to satisfy yourself, and connecting with your partner on a deeper level are all tried-and-true steps in your journey toward a healthier, more pleasurable sex life.
Disclaimer
The information provided in this content is for general knowledge and educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Our products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease or medical condition. Individual results may vary. Always consult with a qualified healthcare professional before using CBD or any hemp-derived products, especially if you have underlying health conditions, are pregnant or nursing, or are taking prescription medications.
