As health and wellness trends become increasingly popular, CBD is often discussed as a sort of ‘cure all,’ supposedly helping with everything from anxiety, addictions, schizophrenia, covid, and hormones. With this being the case, it shouldn’t be surprising that the conversation would eventually drift over to sex. We’ve heard CBD being suggested to help with a whole range of things, such as pain and inflammation, libido, amplifying experiences, and supporting with anxiety management.

So in true LoFi fashion, we thought we should talk about it. What’s the community saying, what do we know for sure, where are the gaps in our current scientific knowledge?

To hear from some community voices, we brought in two individuals working within the cannabis wellness field: Terese Bowors and Hana from CommuniTea Farms. We’re grateful for their insights and contributions to the discussion, and the ongoing work they’re doing within the community.

Additionally, while this post often discusses things from a male/female biological binary, we recognize that people of all genders, such as non-binary, trans folks, or those on a wider gender spectrum, are also impacted by issues of sex and sexuality.

What People in the Community are Saying

When chatting with Hana, a food and hemp farmer from CommuniTea Farms on Vancouver Island, she stated that “cannabis has been a huge part in my healing and overall maintenance of health. I’m grateful for the plan and the opportunity to work alongside her.”

When it comes to sex and CBD more specifically, Hana said that “there are some pretty incredible hemp based lubricants out there that contribute to great sex! There are tons of endocannabinoid receptors in the female reproductive organs just like in the brain. These receptors regulate everything the female reproductive system does, so when it comes to women’s health, CBD is very important.”

Hana supports her community by hosting workshops, education, and trauma based programs to encourage healthy, intentional use of cannabis. “It’s all about intention; how we work with the plant and why.”

Check out CommuniTea Farms on Instagram at @communitea_farms, or their website at www.botanicalblends.ca. You can also follow Hana’s personal page on Instagram at @happihanneee.

Terese Bowors, a Cannabis Wellness Coach from Nelson, BC, has previously put on workshops about CBD and sex. When chatting, she said that she “focuses more on THC in that regard, but both CBD and THC have their benefits. CBD can help mentally, while THC can help reduce pain, discomfort, and can help get juices flowing. CBD contributes to the mental presence and anxiety piece. THC, on the other hand, is more sexy feelings and pain reduction.”

After many years of success with cannabis, Terese completed her Cannabis Coaching Certificate through the Cannabis Coaching Institute and graduated in February 2021, as well as completed the Professional Interpener Certificate and Cannabis Consultant Training through the Trichome Institute. Terese is also on the Board of Directors with EduCanNation, a Cannabis Education Not-for-Profit Organization. You can find more information about Terese on her, Facebook, Facebook group, Instagram, or reach out to her by email at info@terese.ca.

She also spoke about women’s hormonal cycles, stating that “one of the key places [CBD has potential in] is suppositories. Prioritizing sexual health and looking into CBD’s potential to help with things like sexual health, endometriosis, painful periods, and options for insertion, etc. is so important. Being able to have these options or learning how to make products ourselves can be so empowering for women.”

Other people in the community have also reported a lot of success with CBD, saying that it’s helped everything from reducing anxiety, increased sexual pleasure, and helped people let go of their days and focus in on their bodies more. However, as the article notes, the science is still new, especially when it comes to CBD.

According to a survey conducted on couples who use CBD for sex, by Remedy Review, reported that 72% of men and 76% of women said they experienced greater sexual pleasure, and 66% of both men and women use CBD to alleviate sexual anxiety. This survey also went on to talk about pain management and sexual satisfaction. For a fuller overview of their findings and the conversation surrounding the survey, check them out here. Another survey conducted found similar positive results and is hoping that this information can lead to more concentrated research efforts.

State of the Science

In terms of studies discussing CBD and sexuality directly, there really isn’t a lot of research out there right now. Most of the information we have is often contradictory or inconclusive.

This literature review found that CBD or cannabis use in general does seem to impact female sexual functioning, but how and to what end, we’re not sure. Ultimately, they call for more research, especially as CBD becomes more popular. On the other hand, this literature review found that CBD may have a negative impact on male sexual functioning, and also calls for more research.

When it comes down to it, most of the science we have about cannabis and sex focuses more on THC. In terms of CBD more specifically, things are a little broader. Conversations generally tend to revolve around how CBD may be able to impact particular aspects of sex and sexuality; topics we’ll be covering in the sections below.

The Endocannabinoid System

If we’re going to talk about how CBD may potentially impact our sexual functioning, we have to start with the basics: the ECS. The endocannabinoid system (ECS) is a series of receptors and transmitters that help to keep our bodies in homeostasis, or balance. Put simply, when a neurotransmitter (a chemical produced by the body), locks into a receptor, our body is then able to feed off these chemicals and produce results. The ECS contributes to everything from our sleep cycles to managing pain, mood, appetite, memory, stress, and immune responses. When processes start acting up, the ECS works to return us back to our baseline.

There are two main receptor sites in the ECS, called CB1 and CB2. CB1 receptors are largely found in the brain and nervous system. They’re associated with promoting feelings of calm through a chemical called anandamide. CB1 receptors are also linked with decreasing pain, anxiety, and inflammation. CB2 receptors are found primarily in organs associated with the immune system. These receptors also may be linked with inflammation.

It’s because of this system and how CBD interacts with it, it may be able to help with all sorts of things, from sexual anxiety, pain and inflammation, or hormones (which are shown to have an impact on women’s sexuality). For more info on what CBD does and how it interacts with the ECS, check out this post here.

Anxiety

There’s some research that suggests stress can negatively impact sexual performance or libido. For example, this study found that there may be a connection between women who experience anxiety around sex and lower levels of sexual arousal. However, as this more detailed review points out, it’s challenging to determine whether the results of this study were to do with general anxiety, sexual anxiety, or were somehow impacted by the laboratory/study environment. Another study also seems to suggest that there may be a connection between erectile dysfunction (ED) and anxiety, though ultimately, the authors called for more research as correlation does not always mean causation.

However, this is where CBD may come in since it’s being researched for its potential to help mitigate the effects of anxiety. Part of this has to do with how it interacts with our ECS and anandamide, as noted above. So while research is still new and emerging, CBD may have the potential to help alleviate symptoms of sexual anxiety, calming both our nerves and our bodies, and potentially helping to mitigate any effects stress may have on our sexual drive or performance. That said, there’s a long way to go before we know anything for certain.

For more info on how CBD can help mitigate anxiety, check out this post here.

Libido / Sexual Performance

On a more positive side of things, there’s been some talk about whether or not CBD can help with erectile dysfunction (ED), and this literature review found a link between the ECS, CB1 receptors, and male libido. However, it also found a link between heavy cannabis (THC) use, lower libido, and higher rates of ED. While this isn’t about CBD specifically, it might still be something to consider, especially if you’re using Full Spectrum. Ultimately, however, as this review notes, more research is needed before we actually understand the relationship between CBD, THC, and sexual performance.

Other than stress and anxiety, libido may be negatively impacted by things like depression, certain medications, or a variety of other factors. When it comes to depression more specifically, CBD is being investigated for its anti-depressant properties, again linked to the ECS and anandamide. Additionally, CBD may help our ECS regulate things like hormones and our body’s balance. While it’s not a direct link between CBD and increasing libido or sexual performance, if CBD is able to help regulate our body’s balance or mitigate effects of depression, it may have the potential to help increase libido. Again, more research is needed before we can make any substantial claims.

Pain and Inflammation

It’s not uncommon, especially for those with female reproductive organs, to experience pain during sex. Of course, this can impact not only their sexual experiences, but also their relationships. There are a whole variety of reasons someone may experience pain during sex, so check out the links we’ve included if you want to learn more specifics. As always, make sure to check in with your doctor as needed.

When it comes to CBD, it’s been shown to have potential as a pain management and anti-inflammatory tool due to how it works with the ECS. This may be one reason why it’s so common to see CBD lubricant. Again, we don’t have any direct science, but it’s possible, therefore, that CBD may be beneficial to those who experience pain during sex, or have other pre-existing conditions. For more information about how CBD may mitigate pain and act as an anti-inflammatory, check out the links we provided above.

THC and the Impact of Full Spectrum

It can be hard to separate CBD from THC, especially with much of the conversation revolving around how THC impacts sex and sexuality. For example, this study found that cannabis may have the potential to increase libido. This literature review, after compiling research on everything ranging from libido, sexual performance, and male fertility, ultimately concluded that while there appears to be a connection between cannabis and male sexual performance, the science is somewhat inconclusive and often contradictory. More research needs to be done.

However, CBD may be more effective when other supporting compounds are present. This is known as the ‘entourage effect.’ Full Spectrum CBD, for example, includes other cannabinoids (such as THC), terpenes, or flavonoids, which may contribute to CBD’s overall effect. These additional compounds, like the inclusion of THC, all have their own unique effects that may help regulate things like our hormones, pain and inflammation, anxiety, and even libido, better than CBD alone might be able to.

If you want more information about the entourage effect, we’ve spoken about it previously.

Other Important Things to Note

When considering using CBD, it’s important to be aware that it has been known to interact with certain medications. Specifically, be on the lookout if your medication has grapefruit warnings. Always check in with your doctor first.

Also, if you’re experiencing more serious health issues or concerns, make sure you check in with your doctor. CBD isn’t a “cure all,” especially if you’re in need of more medical assistance. Additionally, taking into account things like dosage, method of consuming CBD, and what kind of CBD you’re looking for are all important things to consider, especially if you’re just starting out. Equipping yourself with knowledge and setting your expectations can help you avoid awkward ‘this isn’t working for me’ moments and set you up for success.

TL;DR

When it comes to CBD and sex, there’s a lot we don’t know. The research just isn’t there yet. However, there are some studies that suggest CBD may be able to help with things like sexual anxiety, pain and inflammation, libido, and amplifying the experience. Either way, if it’s working for you, it’s working for you. And if this is something you’d like to try out, make sure you pay attention to medication interactions, chat with your doctor about more serious challenges, stay safe, and have fun.