We know a lot about the potential anti-inflammatory properties of CBD and all the additional benefits that come with it. While the CBD industry continues to expand, it occupies huge, new territories with lots of potential consumers. Following on from its previous successes, the sexual enhancement market seems like it could be the perfect candidate for CBD’s next expansion.
According to long-standing commercial tradition – Sex sells. The popularity of sex toys is surging, with research suggesting that the market will grow by around $10bn by 2023. Furthermore, the sexual enhancement market is even larger, being full of other products that are used by millions of people around the world.
CBD and Sexual Health
People may be interested in sexual enhancement products (medical and non-medical) for numerous reasons. While some are looking for ways to increase and extend pleasure or to help set the mood, others may be looking for products that can ease the symptoms of various health conditions.
Endometriosis
Endometriosis, for instance, affects 1.5 million women in the UK alone, and more than 176 million worldwide. This condition can cause significant pain occurring when tissue which usually lines the uterus begins to grow outside the uterus. The symptoms of endometriosis can negatively affect patients’ sex life and experience of sex.
Although research in this area is currently limited, preliminary evidence suggests that CBD may be helpful to ease endometriosis-induced pain. In addition, some women have also claimed that they had found CBD oil helpful to manage their symptoms.
Dyspareunia and other pain-related conditions
Painful sex can also be a huge problem for other reasons, including Dyspareunia – another common condition among women, This condition can be a huge barrier to enjoyable sex for all parties involved, as pain can be experienced at various points during and following intercourse.
Among its symptoms are pain only at penetration, deep pain during thrusting, and throbbing pain, lasting hours after intercourse. One study found that almost 1 in 2 women may suffer from Dyspareunia.
Cannabidiol’s potential as an effective anti-inflammatory has helped the cannabinoid to gain increasing attention in recent years. As well as being able to potentially help ease the pain that some people may experience during sex, CBD may also have additional properties that are desirable while engaging in sexual intercourse.
Healthline talked to a woman who has had Ehlers-Danlos syndrome – a painful condition that causes joint subluxations and severe muscle spasms. She told the site that a CBD infused lubricant had helped her sexual life as it relaxed her muscles, so she had been able to focus on the act and not on her health issues.
Erectile Dysfunction
Men also suffer from issues in the bedroom too. Erectile dysfunction (ED), or impotence, is the inability to develop or maintain an erection of the penis during sexual activity. It is estimated that ED affects around 30 million men in the US alone.
This condition is well-researched with evidence suggesting that ED can lead to severe psychological consequences for those affected.
While research around cannabis for ED remains in its infancy, some practitioners found that Cannabis sativa was able to improve “ejaculatory function and sexual performance.”
What else does CBD affect during sex?
CBD and other cannabinoids, including the psychoactive THC, interact with the Endocannabinoid System (ECS). The receptors of this system, known as cannabinoid receptors (CB1 and CB2) can be found throughout the central nervous system and the immune system.
This system is thought to influence mood and emotions, appetite, pain-sensation, and memory, among other important physiological and cognitive processes. In addition, ECS receptors have been found to be particularly concentrated in both the male and female sexual organs.
CBD may also have the potential to reduce feelings of anxiety. A number of considerations can lead us to feel anxious before, during, and after sex – from negative body image to pressure to please – all of this can affect our enjoyment.All of these feelings which are commonly experienced by both men and women can lead to a drop in drive and desire.
The right mood is essential for enjoying the sexual act, and taking a cannabinoid-infused product might help its user to feel more relaxed and in the moment.
CBD can not only lift the sex drive but, as it increases blood flow to tissues and improves nerve sensation, consuming CBD could lead to more pleasurable sexual intercourse and achieving orgasm.
