Picture this: things are heating up with your special someone, and they suggest using some sexual lubricant to enhance the experience. You eagerly reach for the lube, only to discover the container is empty. Not wanting to let the mood die, you start searching for an alternative. Then, you notice your CBD oil and wonder if it could serve as a substitute. Before you try using CBD oil as lube, take a moment to read this article to learn everything you need to know about CBD lube.
What is CBD Oil?
Cannabidiol (CBD) is a chemical compound that derives from the famous cannabis plant. The legal version of CBD comes from a special variant of this plant known as hemp or industrial cannabis.
Manufacturers gather CBD oil through an extraction process that involves the leaves, flowers, and stalks of the hemp plant. CBD oil is distinct from hemp oil or hempseed oil, which comes from hemp seeds.
Because it comes from the cannabis plant, CBD is referred to as a cannabinoid (specifically a phytocannabinoid). Cannabinoids are also indigenous in the mammalian body (known as endocannabinoids) and they play a vital role in human physiology.
For example, every person has control and regulatory system known as the endocannabinoid system (or ECS, for short) that interacts with cannabinoids via cannabinoid receptors. These are located all over the human body and help regulate the various functions of the ECS, including:
- Appetite
- Mood
- Memory
- Immune function
- Body temperature
- Circulation
- Reward and pleasure
- Nervous system
As you can see the ECS is crucial to human health and happiness. It promotes a state of balance and harmony throughout your body, known as homeostasis. The use of CBD products may help to keep your cannabinoid levels healthy within your ECS. So now you know what it is but, what can CBD do for your sex life?
Can You Use CBD Oil As Sex Lube?
Yes, absolutely! But you probably should only use CBD products specifically formulated for sexual use aka CBD lubricants. CBD oil or tinctures that are intended for oral use may have additives or flavorings that could irritate sexual organs. Unless you’re into some type of freaky stuff, irritation and sexual arousal do not mix.
Fortunately, due to the incredible explosion of cannabis-derived products, there are now companies that manufacture specially formulated CBD topical sexual lubricants. The best options are products that avoid potentially irritating additives like:
Glycerin
This is a humectant, which is just a fancy way of saying that it’s a compound that helps retain moisture. With its slightly sweet taste, glycerin is especially common in flavored or warming products although its sugar content can contribute to yeast infections.
Nonoxynol-9
This compound is a spermicide, meaning that it kills sperm to decrease the chance of impregnation. However, it can also kill the positive bacteria in genitalia as well as cause inflammation or irritation.
Petroleum
Baby oil and Vaseline are two popular lubricants that use petroleum. Neither is especially healthy as they can alter vaginal pH and lead to bacterial vaginosis.
Propylene Glycol
This humectant and preservative can also cause inflammation or irritation.
Parabens
There is a lot of conflicting research regarding these compounds, but there is some evidence that they may affect hormone levels.
Chlorhexidine Gluconate
This antibacterial compound can be quite harsh and potentially cause inflammation or irritation.
As a result, some consumers are very cautious with the kinds of additives they want in their sexual lubes. It’s important to remember that people of every sexual orientation and gender engage in penetrative intercourse via the vagina, mouth, or anus. All of these areas are full of sensitive tissues or mucous membranes that are easily irritable.
What is CBD Lube?
In general, there are three basic kinds of lube people use for sexual activity. CBD lube comes in all three varieties, which are:
- Water-based – These lubes are incredibly safe and you can use them with latex condoms. Although they tend to dry out the fastest. A common practice is adding glycerin to give them a sweet taste.
- Silicone-based – These are the longest-lasting lubes and are safe to use with latex condoms. However, their longevity also means that they are hard to wash out and can stain fabrics.
- Oil-based – These can be natural or synthetic, although both types will contribute to condom failure, and potentially irritate the skin.
There are different companies that make cannabis-derived sexual lubes. Some of them offer both THC and CBD variants. Others focus exclusively on CBD products. If you plan to use condoms during intercourse you should only use CBD lubes that are water- or silicone-based. However, if you plan on doing your deed “raw” there are some companies that offer oil-based CBD lubes. These are usually made with coconut MCT oil, thereby making them edible, but they still can bust condoms.
In fact, most oils will break down condoms, including baby oil, palm oil, cooking oil, mineral oil, and the list goes on. If you plan on using a latex condom and are wrapped up in a passionate moment, then it may be tempting to reach for any of these. Don’t do it! Be sure to have specially-formulated sexual lube on hand for precisely these types of moments.
How Does CBD Lube Work?
Do you remember those cannabinoid receptors we talked about earlier? Well, there are endothelial cannabinoid receptors (eCB receptors) as well. These receptors are spread throughout our skin tissues and just like any other cannabinoid receptor, CBD can interact with them. In other words, applying CBD topically (like with a lotion or lubricant) will interact with the eCB receptors to help promote max functionality.
So how does this affect sexual health and performance? Well, for women, an increase in blood flow means that the vagina will produce more natural lubrication to ease penetration. But the pleasures of CBD lube are not strictly limited to vaginal or heterosexual intercourse. It can make anal sex more pleasurable by relaxing the anus or be used elsewhere on the body as a massage oil for foreplay.
Can CBD Lube Increase Sexual Pleasure?
There’s also anecdotal evidence indicating that CBD lubes can increase sexual pleasure. Some users report having stronger and more intense orgasms, both vaginally and anally. Others claim that it gave them an overall boost in pleasurable sensations.
Another way CBD lube may increase sexual pleasure is by reducing any nervous feelings or tension that can accompany the act of sex.
However, in order to get the full effect, it’s necessary to apply the CBD lube 10-15 minutes before the act of penetration. This will allow the CBD to reach down to the eCB receptors.
Does Good Sex Equate to Good Health?
Many people believe sex is crucial for health, and happiness. In fact, there is significant research indicating that sexual health is linked to mental health, including this 2012 study that demonstrates lower rates of depression in sexually active adults. Research also shows that sexual health is linked to increased physical, mental, emotional, and social health.
Sex can be one of the greatest joys in life! You can let your guard down and enjoy a moment of intense intimacy. It can be important to find the right tools to allow your sexuality to flourish. CBD oil lube is one tool you can use, and it is especially effective because of the underlying properties of cannabinoids. Not only is it providing lubrication on the surface, but it is also working its magic deeper in the tissues to maximize your sexual pleasure. Treat yourself to some fun and try it right away!. Learn more here.
