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Does CBD Make Sex Better? Here's Everything You Should Know
Getting intimate with your partner is a fantastic way to boost your self-care routine. Not only can sex (or self-pleasure) relieve stress, but it can help you sleep better, act as a form of exercise, and is a bonding experience. Sex makes us feel good, which is due in part to the release of dopamine, which functions as a neurotransmitter that triggers the reward center in our brains. Spending intimate moments with your partner can also increase serotonin levels, the neurotransmitter that triggers happy feelings. When serotonin levels go up, dopamine levels go up, which makes sex an extremely pleasurable activity.
Did you know you can use CBD to enhance those intimate times? Yes, it’s true! There are many ways to incorporate CBD into the experience, to make these moments even better.
CBD is a tool that can be used before, during, or after sex, particularly for women; however, it may not provide the same euphoric and arousing side effects that you might find with THC intimacy products. Instead, CBD is great for inflammation, it reduces muscle tightness or spasms, and it can help keep things moist for maximum pleasure.
If you plan on incorporating CBD into your sex life, here are some helpful tips from my book, The Ultimate Guide to CBD, on how to best use infused products in the bedroom. Remember, not everyone will react the same way when using CBD. While some might feel a big difference, others might not experience any changes at all. It’s up to you to determine what works best.
Pre-Sex
Before engaging in intercourse or self-pleasure, CBD can help you get in the mood by loosening up your body and releasing tension. For women, this means it might help relax the vulva and pelvic floor while providing moisture if you’re using a CBD lubricant or CBD vaginal oil. It can also do wonders for menopausal discomfort. For men, using a CBD lubricant might help increase blood flow and nerve sensations, elevating sexual pleasure. Depending on what application you decide to use, there are benefits to using topicals, tinctures, smokables, or a combination.
During Sex
CBD lubricant or CBD vaginal oil can be easily re-applied during sex as you change positions with your partner. Just be sure to have the bottle nearby!
Post-Sex
Above all, CBD is extremely beneficial for post-sex. For women, CBD vaginal oils can help with swelling and inflammation, which is a common side effect following intercourse. Have you ever felt sleepy after sex? Whether you’re male or female, CBD can also help promote a good night’s rest, which in the end, ultimately benefits your sexual health and happiness.
Best CBD Intimacy Products To Explore
CBD lubricants aren’t the only products that can spice things up in the bedroom. Breast oil, massage oil, and suppositories can also help in enhancing sexual pleasure. Below is an overview of each product and how to use them.
CBD Lubricants
The best way to integrate CBD into your sex routine is to choose the right CBD lubricant. There are many options to explore when it comes to infused lube, including both water-based and oil-based formulas. To find your perfect match, pay attention to the ingredients that are used, which impact the texture. My favorite product at the moment is Quim’s Smooth Operator Intimate Serum, available here.
CBD Breast Oils and Serums
CBD breast oils and serums can be used during play and for self-care. The best brands blend cannabidiol with other therapeutic oils that soften, purify, and soothe the skin. If you have sore breasts, these products can help ease discomfort. To use, add a few drops of CBD breast oil or serum to the palms of your hand and begin to massage it in slowly. For men, you can also apply these oils to your chest and underarms to alleviate irritated skin. I recommend Foria’s Intimacy Breast Oil with Organic Botanicals, available here.
CBD Massage Oil
While CBD lubricants can act as a massage oil when you’re in the moment, actual CBD massage oil is a tool to integrate into your self-care and pleasure routine. Similar to the other topical products, CBD massage oil is helpful for joint pain, sore muscles, aches, and pains, and it can help with inflammation. To use, add an ample amount of oil to the palms of your hands. Rub together to create a warming sensation and then perform the massage. Look for Papa & Barkley’s Hemp Relief Body Oil, available here. I also love Green Bee Botanicals' THC-Infused Deep Calm Massage + Body Oil, available here.
CBD Suppositories
Quick and effective, CBD suppositories are an option for enhancing pleasure. Because suppositories avoid the digestive tract and absorb directly into the bloodstream via capillaries in the anal or vaginal passages, this application is a powerful way to integrate CBD into self-care and sex as it provides pathways to explore different sexual experiences. CBD suppositories can also be an effective treatment for lower back pain, menstrual cramps, and can help relieve many other ailments. Don’t be shy! To use, insert the bolus 30 minutes before having sex, or simply insert, sit back, relax, and enjoy the enhanced medicinal properties. Check out Hello Again’s suppositories, available here (I love their innovative CBD to THC ratio blends!).
About the Author:
Jamie Evans is the founder of The Herb Somm and two-time published author of The Ultimate Guide to CBD and Cannabis Drinks: Secrets to Crafting CBD and THC Beverages at Home. She is an author, entrepreneur, and writer specializing in cannabis, food, recipes, wine, and the canna-culinary world. In addition to her work in the cannabis industry, Jamie has over a decade of wine industry experience and is a Certified Sommelier. Having represented a wide array of organizations and wineries, she is best known for her literary work and producing high-end events. She was also named as one of Wine Enthusiast Magazine’s Top 40 Under 40 Tastemakers in 2018. Follow her on Instagram and Twitter @TheHerbSomm.
