Original post on High On Love

Could sex be a new reason for you to swing by your neighborhood cannabis dispensary?

Possibly. In this article, we’ll explore some of the ways that cannabis can spice up sex, including the use of non-psychoactive CBD  and pure hempseed oil (no need to get high to reap the benefits in the bedroom).

The Difference between CBD and THC

For those in the dark, both CBD and THC are cannabinoids existing naturally in the cannabis plant. While they both may help improve your sex life, THC will get you high but CBD and hempseed oil won’t.

Who is Using it?

In a survey involving 1,011 women, it was discovered that at least two-thirds of respondents were using cannabis products. Of these, more than one-third claimed to have used it for gynecological-related complications.

According to Project CBD, cannabis may have a positive impact on sexual health by remedying pain and anxiety – some of the common barriers to satisfying sexual experience for both men and women.

Cannabis commercialization has led to the development of hempseed and/or THC-based sexual enhancement pills and topics (such as lubricants and orgasm enhancers, like the HighOnLove® Stimulating Oil, which is made with hempseed oil but available in THC version in Colorado). However, the use of cannabis for pleasurable sex didn’t start with the recent legalization of cannabis products across the globe; it dates back to ancient India, China, and even Europe. 

Centuries later, scientists are still trying to answer a fundamental question; can cannabis compounds be used as aphrodisiacs?

HOW DOES IT WORK?

It’s not yet clear how cannabis may affect sex drive in women, but several theories have been put forward.

The human body produces endocannabinoids naturally. A 2017 study suggests that 2-Arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG endocannabinoid) is released throughout your body after orgasm. This is an indication that cannabinoids (like the ones existing naturally in the cannabis plant) already play a significant role during sex.

Another study suggested that people who used cannabis either daily or monthly have a higher sex frequency than their counterparts who don’t use cannabis at all. And in yet another 2017 study, cannabis was seen to activate the brain part associated with sexual arousal. The authors of the study developed a theory that cannabis may be beneficial to people with a low sex drive.

Here are some of the ways that cannabis may benefit a woman’s sexual health:

  • Pain Relief

Many women experience pain before, during, or after sex – a condition known as dyspareunia. Painful sex not only affects sexual enjoyment and desire, but it may also impact relationships and overall quality of life. Sexual discomfort is often associated with a lack of lubrication, inflammation, or infection. Psychological issues such as anxiety and depression may also lead to a low level of arousal, which may result in pain or discomfort during intercourse.

The cannabinoids in CBD and THC have anti-inflammatory properties that may aid reduce pain during sex. Numerous studies have also shown the potential benefit of using CBD for psychological issues such as anxiety, stress, and depression. Although you can enjoy the benefits of cannabis by taking it sublingually (placing the oil under the tongue), you can also consider a CBD-infused bath.

  • Improved Sleep

Sleep deprivation is another factor that may interfere not only with your sex life but also with your general well-being. Experts believe that cannabis compounds such as CBD may help remedy sleeplessness by addressing the factors causing sleep issues such as pain, anxiety, and stress. Studies have also indicated that cannabinoids such as THC may help induce sleep. Another study showed that THC may help reduce the amount of REM sleep you experience.

  • Relief of Menopause Symptoms

All of a sudden, you’re experiencing hot flashes, mood swings, pain, insomnia, and other symptoms associated with menopause. Reminds you of the changes your reproductive system went through during puberty, right? 

Most women experience menopause when in their mid-40s to 50s. During perimenopause (the 1st stage of menopause), the body experiences small changes such as low estrogen production. According to experts, estrogen regulates the fatty acid hydrolase enzyme (FAAH), which is responsible for breaking down some endocannabinoids – hence the link between the endocannabinoid system, menopause, and cannabis.

This implies that high estrogen levels equal high endocannabinoid levels. This makes sense, since some studies even link early menopause symptoms to an endocannabinoid deficiency.

According to anecdotal evidence, estrogen may use endocannabinoids to regulate psychological responses. This could be the reason why most women experience mood imbalance during menopause when estrogen levels are low.

Given this relationship between the endocannabinoid system and menopause, here are some menopausal symptoms that cannabis may help with:

  • Hot Flashes
  • Insomnia
  • Pain (due to hormonal fluctuations associated with menopause)
  • Mood swings
  • Bone loss – Estrogen may regulate cell regeneration. This means that drastic changes in hormonal levels may lead to health issues such as osteoporosis.
  • Weight gain – Due to lifestyle changes, but also hormonal fluctuations. Studies suggest that cannabis users actually have lower BMIs than their counterparts who don’t use cannabis.
  • Low libido

KEY FINDINGS

Cannabis appears to offer a myriad of benefits when it comes to sexual wellness and even wellness in general. Apart from increasing sex desire, cannabis may be used in lubricants to help reduce pain during sex. There’s plenty of evidence that it can also help with psychological issues such as anxiety and depression, both of which are libido killers. 

Another reason to try cannabis: Unlike most pharmaceutical pills, cannabis products have not been shown to be habit-forming and have no known severe side effects.

Do you live in a state where THC is illegal? No worries – HighOnLove® has a line of hempseed oil products as well as a THC-based line (available in Colorado dispensaries).