Can CBD help you to have more fun in the bedroom?

CBD has quickly become one of the most popular wellness products on the market. People from all walks of life have adopted it as part of their regular routine. From anxiety to sleep, anecdotal (and growing clinical) evidence suggests that this unassuming cannabis compound could be useful for the management of various complaints. But what about our sexual wellness? Can CBD help us to have more fun in the bedroom?

If you’re reading this, you may have already tried CBD products in other areas of your lives. Whether you have incorporated CBD oils and skincare into your everyday regime or apply CBD-infused muscle balms or other topicals to aid with recovery, you may by now be familiar with the phenomenon that is CBD wellness.

A huge number of CBD products can now be purchased through various avenues, including CBD oils, gummies, skincare, and sexual wellness products. For example, CBD is increasingly being utilised in the development of products such as lube and massage oils! To understand the reason for this, it’s a good idea to try and better understand the potential of CBD and how it interacts with our bodies.

CBD in the body

CBD – or cannabidiol – is one of a number of compounds, known as cannabinoids, that are found in cannabis. These cannabinoids, including CBD, are able to interact with a number of receptors expressed throughout our bodies. These receptors are, in fact, called cannabinoid receptors – that’s right, they are named after compounds like CBD that are found exclusively in cannabis! What’s more, our bodies produce remarkably similar compounds all on their own. These are called endocannabinoids. Together, these receptors and endocannabinoids form the endocannabinoid system (the ECS) which CBD is able to interact with. 

It is believed that the ECS plays an important role in many of the body’s functions and processes, including mood, learning and memory, pain signalling, and fertility. Although the exact mechanisms through which CBD works are still not completely understood, growing evidence suggests that CBD can effectively “switch on” the endocannabinoid system, triggering a release of naturally occurring endocannabinoids and other chemicals in our bodies. 

Two such chemicals are dopamine and serotonin – the pleasure compounds. Another compound – an endocannabinoid – that is released when we use CBD is anandamide, whose name is taken from the Sanskrit word “Ananda”, meaning “bliss”. Coincidence? Not at all.

All of these chemicals play an important role in pleasurable reward and motivation.

CBD and sex

As indicated above, the use of CBD can be associated with an increase in the levels of various chemicals in our bodies. Some have theorised that this interaction could lead to an increased libido and even more pleasurable sex. This theory has now been bolstered by the development of countless products designed to exploit this relationship and help us have a better time in the bedroom. 

You may have heard that CBD can help us to unwind, making for a better attitude and approach to sex. Furthermore, it may also help to lower blood pressure which may improve blood flow to the penis and vagina, which may boost sexual pleasure. Finally, the potential anti-inflammatory effects of CBD may be beneficial for making sex more enjoyable, particularly for people who tend to experience discomfort during sexual intercourse. But is the evidence there to support these theories? 

Cannabinoid receptors are expressed throughout the whole of our bodies: our central nervous system and the immune system are both interwoven with the endocannabinoid system. This means that almost every point of our bodies can potentially be a target for CBD and other cannabinoids – including the sexual reproductive organs. Let’s take a look at some of the most commonly reported benefits of using CBD for sex – and the evidence that may, or may not, back them up.

CBD for erectile dysfunction

Some reports suggest that CBD could be useful for erectile dysfunction. This potential benefit is linked to CBD’s apparent ability to lower blood pressure. In turn, it is theorised that this could improve blood flow around the body – including to the penis. Evidence shows that CBD administration can indeed improve blood flow to the brain, as demonstrated by a 2020 study in which CBD use was associated with a significant increase in blood flow in the hippocampus.

While the researchers involved in this study theorised that this improved blood flow may be beneficial for various conditions, including Alzheimer’s disease and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), there is currently no evidence specifically focusing on the implications of these findings in the case of erectile dysfunction.

CBD for discomfort during sex

Perhaps one potential benefit that is backed by more evidence relates to easing discomfort during sex. While sex can be a lot of fun, many people may experience also some discomfort, particularly during penetrative sex. This discomfort can affect both people with vaginas and those with penises. In many cases, CBD-infused sexual wellness products aim to primarily address this issue by utilising the proven anti-inflammatory potential of the cannabinoid. 

Several clinical studies have yielded promising results regarding CBD’s potential role in pain reduction. For example, one study found that, while CBD did not reduce the amount of pain experienced by participants, it was associated with a less unpleasant sensation. However, once again, none of these studies assessed the implication of these findings on sex-related pain and discomfort. 

Nonetheless, anecdotal evidence has been much more forthcoming. Reports from consumers – including consumers have written their own articles regarding their success with CBD for sex – indicate that CBD products could indeed be useful in this setting, and not just for easing discomfort.

CBD and better sex

You may have a friend that swears by the use of CBD in the bedroom – or perhaps you have tried it yourself! Some consumers say that CBD products, such as CBD lube, help them to enjoy the experience more and to have more intense orgasms! The results of a 2021 survey backed these claims: of the respondents that reported using CBD in the bedroom, 68% said that it improved their sex. 

And there could be a surprising reason for this. Remember those endocannabinoids we mentioned earlier? Well, according to ongoing research, including a 2017 study, the level of endocannabinoids in the body increases during sex, spiking at orgasm. Other studies have indicated that the endocannabinoid system may play a role in sexual pleasure and, the theory goes, that CBD could help to enhance this.

Of course, much more research is needed to fully understand and confirm this connection. Nonetheless, plenty of people around the world are enthusiastically incorporating CBD into their sexual wellness routine – whether on their own or with a partner.

CBD and anxiety

Another way in which CBD may enhance the time spent in the bedroom doesn’t actually focus on our sexual organs at all. In fact, it relates to something that can distract the mind before, during, and after sex – anxiety. Most of us experience anxiety from time to time and, for many, sex can be a trigger.  For others, stress and anxiety associated with everyday life can be a big turn-off, meaning our sex lives inevitably suffer. Enter CBD. 

Anxiety is among the most common reasons for CBD use, whether linked to sex or not. Many anecdotal reports available on the internet demonstrate how countless people are using CBD to unwind, de-stress and relax after a long day. Some describe how this aid to relaxation has helped to reconnect with themselves and their partners and make room for a more sensual state of mind. 

The anxiety-relieving potential of CBD is well documented, though not specifically in this setting. In fact, the majority of this research has focused on anxiety disorders and anxiety as a secondary symptom of other conditions. Still, this growing evidence shows that CBD may be able to reduce feelings of anxiety through its interactions with the endocannabinoid system and other receptors in the body. 

Introducing CBD to the bedroom

If you’ve read this article and can’t wait to see how CBD could help to improve your sex lives – you’re in luck. It couldn’t be easier to introduce CBD to the bedroom! With an abundance of CBD-infused sexual wellness products and topicals now available, you’ll be spoiled for choice. For example, why not get in the mood with CBD Guru’s CBD massage oil? 

If you’re in the market for something more intimate, such as a CBD-infused lube, you will have no problem finding the right product for you. Likewise, if topical products aren’t really your thing, why not try one (or more) of the many available CBD products? From CBD oils for quick and easy application to CBD gummies for a tasty treat (they’re easy to keep on the bedside table!).
Whether your stress and anxiety are getting in the way of connecting with your partner on a more sensual level, you usually feel pain or discomfort during sex, or you want to experience a more intense sensation, CBD could potentially help to improve your sex life. Browse our wide range of CBD products today to discover how CBD could help you to have more fun in the bedroom.