Boost Your Libido With CBD

You know cannabis has hit the mainstream when the New York Times, NBC, and CNN feature lead stories about sex and CBD…

But it’s hit the mainstream with researchers, as well. There are dozens of studies examining the link between cannabinoids and sexual desire.

And contrary to popular belief, they find the two make very good bedfellows.

In a study published in the Journal of Sexual Medicine, researchers looked at data that asked more than 50,000 men and women how often they had sex in the last month and how many times they used a cannabis product.

As it turns out, they have 20% more sex than those who abstain.1 A second study found that 65% reported an increased intensity in satisfaction.2

It’s really not surprising when you think about it…

Despite years of seeing cannabis users depicted as zonked-out zombies, we now know that the body’s natural endocannabinoid system (ECS) is key in regulating things like pleasure, pain, and relaxation.

And when cannabinoids turn on the ECS, it leaves you feeling calm with increased desire.

Further studies found that marijuana also stimulates parts of the brain associated with sexual arousal and activity.3

But it’s not just cannabis that offers big benefits. So does CBD.

And the science once again backs it up. Researchers at Thomas Jefferson University found that CBD can make sex more enjoyable. Here’s how it works:

    1. CBD boosts libido. There are many cannabinoid receptors in the reproductive organs and sexual tissue. CBD helps to relax blood vessels, increasing blood flow to tissues. This enhances sensitivity and promotes the body’s natural lubrication.
    2. CBD reduces pain caused by inflammation. And that’s a definite plus for people who experience painful sex or dyspareunia.
    3. CBD helps balance hormones.4 Because CBD regulates the endocannabinoid system, it can help manage estrogen and progesterone levels during PMS, perimenopause, and menopause. With those hormone levels in check, libido usually returns.
    4. CBD reduces stress.  Some people experience “performance anxiety.” But CBD is a well-known and well-documented stress reliever.
    5. CBD increases intimacy and nurtures a deeper emotional connection. CBD boosts levels of anandamide. Closely related to the cuddle hormone oxytocin, anandamide – also known as the “bliss molecule” – helps increase feelings of emotional connection and intimacy with a partner.

The Survey Says…

A new online survey asked 502 people who used CBD for sex what it does for their sex life. Here’s what the survey found: 5

  • Three-fourths of all women and 72% of the men said they’d experienced more powerful orgasms with CBD
  • 66% of men and women surveyed say they use CBD to lessen “sexual anxiety.”
  • Men reported lasting an impressive 31% longer before orgasm
  • One in three women reported being faster in achieving orgasm
  • 57% said they were “more satisfied” with their relationship
  • 87% of men and women took CBD together as a couple
  • 69% report they’re likely to continue to use CBD for sex

Boost Your Libido With an Easy CBD Cocktail

There are a lot of ways CBD oil can rev up your sex life…a few drops under the tongue, topical application, edibles, or in a massage.

But a lot of people enjoy a CBD-infused cocktail to put them in the mood. Here’s a simple CBD margarita to try:

Ingredients:

  • 1 ½ to 2 ounces of tequila
  • 1 ½ triple sec
  • 1 ½ lime juice
  • 1 dropper full of CBD tincture
  • Lime wedge
  • Kosher salt

Directions:

  • Combine the first 4 ingredients into a mixer and shake thoroughly.
  • Wet the rim of the tequila glass and dip it into salt.
  • Pour the chilled mixture into the tequila glass over ice.
  • Add lime wedges and enjoy.

Note: CBD can slightly alter the taste of a cocktail. Most experts recommend using vodka, gin, tequila, or bourbon to mask the earthiness of CBD.

To Your Good Health,

Al Sears, MD, CNS

References:

1. Sun A and Eisenberg M. “Association Between Marijuana Use and Sexual Frequency in the United States: A Population-Based Study.” J Sex Med. 2017 Nov;14(11):1342-1347.
2. Weibe E and Just A. “How Cannabis Alters Sexual Experience: A Survey of Men and Women.” J Sex Med. 2019 Nov;16(11):1758-1762.
3. Androvicova R, et al. “Individual prolactin reactivity modulates the response of nucleus accumbens to erotic stimuli during acute cannabis intoxication: an fMRI pilot study.” Psychopharmacology (Berl). 2017 Jul;234(13):1933-1943.
4. Hillard C. “Endocannabinoids and the endocrine system in health and disease.” Handb Exp Pharmacol. 2015; 231: 317–339.
5. Bartlett L. “CBD resulted in more satisfying, less painful sex, survey finds.” 2019. Accessed September 12, 2022.