Can CBD Spice Up Your Sex Life?

These days, there are CBD products around for pretty much every part of life, including bedroom activities. You may wonder, do they really do anything? How can CBD and sex work together? You may also wonder, does CBD oil help sexually?

Researchers are on a quest to find the answer to that question. While the data remains sparse, scientists have discovered the presence of the endocannabinoid system in the reproductive systems of both men and women^[1]. CBD interfaces with this system, as well as the serotonergic system—a modulator of sexual desire^[2].

Whether you need to still the mind to get in the mood or just want to lube up and get extra-sensitive, it’s possible there’s a CBD product with your name on it.

How CBD and Sex Are Related

Researchers want to find out if CBD impacts sexual performance and desire. Future topics of study will likely focus around:

• Sensitivity
• Blood flow to genitals
• Relaxation
• Lubrication

• CBD and Libido

Libido relies very heavily on general well-being and health. There’s no one way to achieve these things, and true well-being requires effort and a holistic approach. That’s not to say CBD can’t be of help, though.

There are many studies underway investigating CBD’s relationship with sleep^[3]. Good sleep is an essential part of a healthy lifestyle, and therefore an essential part of maintaining a satisfactory libido^[4], or sex drive.

Improving the quality of your sleep may indirectly improve the quality of your sex life. But there’s more to it than simply being well-rested. Good-quality rest also allows for better recovery—for instance from exercise. This, in turn, increases libido and energy levels, positively benefitting your sex life.

Studies are examining if CBD causes any meaningful changes when it comes to sleep. If it turns out the cannabinoid helps with shut-eye, it could have a knock-on effect on libido. Especially when you consider that one of the leading causes of couples ceasing to have sex is over-tiredness, anything that can combat this could be of great use.

• CBD Oil and Testosterone

Many factors impact testosterone production; indeed, the endocannabinoid system is thought to play a role^[5]. But does CBD itself impact testosterone levels? Well, perhaps—but not necessarily in the way you'd hope.

Several studies have indicated that both THC and CBD may actually inhibit the production of testosterone in the body by directly or indirectly exciting CB1 and CB2 receptors^[6]. However, this does not seem to affect the amount already present in the blood. So it appears that while occasional cannabinoid use is likely to have no significant impact on testosterone levels, continued use may cause a noticeable drop, and thus symptoms related to low-testosterone may appear.

But that’s not all of the story, as CBD may still be your friend where testosterone is concerned. The production of testosterone is significantly affected by lifestyle. So for fit, healthy individuals, CBD is unlikely to boost testosterone. However, for those who have low testosterone due to other causes—poor sleep, rumination—CBD may be able to indirectly counteract this^[7] by promoting a healthy lifestyle.

Of course, this is conjecture, and much more needs to be elucidated before we can say with any certainty what CBD is capable of in this regard. For one, even if CBD is able to positively affect sleep and relieve tension, we don’t know whether that or the testosterone-inhibiting effects of cannabinoids would have a greater impact on testosterone levels.

• CBD Oil and Erectile Dysfunction (ED)

CBD oil for sex can both fire us up and ease us down. In this regard, there are two ways in which CBD might be able to help tackle erectile dysfunction. As men age, concentrations of a toxin called dioxin increase, which contributes to muscle degradation and erectile dysfunction.

It is possible, however, that CBD can help to flush dioxin from the body. If this is the case, then it may serve to both somewhat reverse and prevent the development of erectile dysfunction. That being said, the research in this field is minimal and inconclusive at present.

Erectile dysfunction due to ageing is not the only form, though. Many younger men suffer from anxiety-related erectile dysfunction. Rather than being a physical issue, this is a mental one that simultaneously constricts blood vessels, making erections more difficult, and generally making it harder to become aroused.

Much research^[8] is being done into CBD’s tension-reducing potential. If these yield the results that people expect, then it could open the door for using CBD for ED. Moreover, in both cases of ED, a healthier lifestyle with a greater sense of well-being is known to help prevent both muscle decay and performance-related anxiety.

• Does CBD Make You Last Longer?

Perhaps. There are many factors that determine how long one lasts in bed. Some are genetic, some are related to masturbation, some are anxiety-related, some depend on levels of neurotransmitters in the brain, and sometimes we’re just too horny to hold it in.

Obviously, CBD isn’t going to change your genetics, but it could potentially help in other ways.

Anxiety-related premature ejaculation seems counterintuitive, but sometimes when men feel anxious in bed they’ll actually ejaculate faster. Therefore, reducing these feelings can be key to increasing how long you last. As mentioned above, encouraging a healthy, holistic lifestyle can naturally reduce tension and help with problems in the bedroom.

Levels of serotonin and dopamine^[9] have also been linked to how long men last in bed. If serotonin levels are too low, or dopamine too high (or both), ejaculation tends to happen faster. So to somewhat combat this, a neurochemical balancing act must be achieved. Pushing things too far in the opposite direction can reduce libido entirely. SSRIs (antidepressants that make more serotonin available to the brain) are known to reduce sex drive due to too much serotonin.

CBD affects the ECS, which, though not entirely understood, is thought to be crucial in homeostasis—the mechanism by which the body self-regulates. This includes neurotransmitters. If CBD can affect levels of serotonin and dopamine in the right ways, then it could potentially be helpful for issues of premature ejaculation.

That said, the relationship between CBD, serotonin and dopamine levels, and the duration of sex is complex and not fully understood. While there are theories about how CBD might influence these neurotransmitters, making direct claims about its impact on sex duration is premature.

• Can CBD Make You Orgasm Quicker?

This one’s more aimed at women, but not exclusively. However, for many women, struggling to reach orgasm during sex is more likely to be a problem than finding your orgasm too readily.

CBD is a vasodilator^[10], meaning it opens up the passageways through which blood flows (this could also have implications for erectile dysfunction).

By increasing blood flow to the genitals, they will become more sensitive. Greater sensitivity means a greater chance of reaching a satisfying orgasm!

How To Use CBD for Sex?

There’s a whole host of CBD-enriched products out there, and most of them can be incorporated somehow into sex. Whether you want to change your neurochemistry or just oil up to get in the mood, there’s something for you.

• CBD Oil Massage

Who doesn’t love greasing up before sex? A CBD oil massage is a great way to get intimate and relaxed with your partner.

• CBD Edibles

These often come as gummies, but other forms are available too. Coming with all the benefits of CBD, but in the delicious and easy-to-consume form of a sweet, they're a simple way to ingest CBD! It’s worth bearing in mind that because they have to be digested, they take longer to "kick in" than other forms. So you should take them an hour or so before sex. Great if you know you’re going to have it, less useful if it’s a spontaneous act. Although, you could always impress your partner with an hour-long massage while you wait for them to kick in.

There are other CBD edibles available too, such as chocolate. The added benefit of CBD-infused chocolate is that it’s a bit sexier than gummy bears. Plus, chocolate is itself an aphrodisiac, so you get the twofold benefits of CBD and chocolate boosting your sex life.

• CBD Oil or Tincture

Placing CBD oil on your food sends the cannabinoid down the oral route. It takes longer to set in, but the effect generally lasts longer. Alternatively, you can place a few drops under your tongue for rapid sublingual absorption.

You can also find CBD vape oils. These are different from conventional oral CBD oil, but they allow you to inhale as much CBD as you want, on demand. Why not share a vape with your partner before getting intimate? This is a great way to relax and get comfortable with one another first.

• CBD-Infused Lubes

There are some specific CBD sex products out there too. Using these on your genitals can increase stimulation and make things less painful. It’s used like normal lubricant, but with the added benefits of CBD. Don’t be shy!

One note; CBD lube will degrade rubber and make condoms significantly less effective, so beware!

• CBD Flower and Hash

These solid, smokeable products are taken straight from the hemp plant, and they can be smoked just like weed! The best thing about this option? You get to share a spliff. 

Of all the options, besides perhaps a massage, this is surely a great way to chill out in one another’s company and share something before having sex. Plus, you can show off your epic joint-rolling skills; that’s sure to turn them on!

CBD Side Effects

CBD is a pretty safe substance, with few side effects and basically no known serious side effects. Nevertheless, it’s not for everyone, and it’s important to listen to your body when taking anything. If it doesn’t make you feel good, don’t take it!

Known side effects of CBD include:

• Diarrhoea
• Changes in appetite
• Dizziness
• Drowsiness

If these occur at all, they tend to be very moderate. Perhaps the most common side effect is some sort of fatigue or tiredness, but this also tends to be dose-dependent. When first using CBD, start low and listen to your body—it will tell you what to do.

The only other concern of note is that CBD interferes with the metabolism of many medications. If you're currently taking any other drug or supplement, consult your doctor first before taking CBD.

Final Words on CBD for Sex

There is no quick ticket to general well-being, and CBD is not going to solve deeper issues. So if you find you have problems that are negatively affecting your sex life, don’t rely on CBD (or any other drug) to solve that for you. Well-being is a holistic process that takes effort, focus, and time.

That being said, there’s no reason CBD can’t be part of the process. If research continues to go in the direction it currently is, then CBD may become an essential part of the puzzle in trying to rebalance and find pleasure in the bedroom!