By Allesandra Inzinna
“When you apply the cannabinoids on the genitals, they’re increasing the blood flow on those regions which is the basis of arousale” explains Kiana Reeves, Chief Education Officer for Foria Wellness.
Foria Wellness is a CBD sexual wellness company that makes products to alleviate multiple struggles a person might face with sex. Reeves says that CBD lubricants bind with the cannabinoid receptors in the pelvic region to relax muscles, increase blood flow and ease any pain. CBD’s anti-inflammatory properties may also help relieve inflamed skin conditions in the area and guide each partner to a deeper, fuller orgasm. “It helps the muscles relax and be able to soften and receive,” Reeves says.
Foria Wellness also aims to close the orgasm gap – a trend where men typically orgasm far more than women. While 95 percent of straight men have no problem reaching orgasm, only 65 percent of straight women have the same ease, according to a 2016 study by Archives of Sexual Behavior.
Besides their sexual lubricants and oils, Foria Wellness’ products are categorized into three different lines – Intimacy, Wellness, and Pain Relief – to bring a more holistic approach to sexual wellness.
“Sexual wellness is a big umbrella term for many different things,” Reeves says. “Sexual health, whole body wellness and all natural pain relief are the three pillars of the brand.” About 75 percent of women experience pain from sex at one point, according to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. For some this pain can be rare and fleeting, others may have chronic conditions such as endometriosis or period cramps that make painful sex a recurring mood-killer.
“As Foria Wellness grew, we realized that there was this whole lifetime of unmet needs from pleasure enhancement to cramp relief,” Reeves says.
While Foria Wellness sells a variety of adored products, including a few with THC (only available in Colorado or California), it started in 2013 as one of the only brands using CBD as a tool for sexual well-being.
“We were really the first brand in the cannabis space that was addressing the needs of women and people with vulvas, from a sexual wellness perspective,” she says.
Since starting, Foria Wellness hosted School of Unlearning, an initiative for the LBGTQ community aimed at unlearning narratives of heteronormativity around love, sex and intimacy in June.
They also use inclusive pronouns on their website. Where one company would market their products solely to women, Foria is a better ally. “We really try not to use gendered terminology, we absolutely understand the fact that not everyone with avulva, or with a vagina, or with a penis, identi es as a certain gender, and that’s a really important thing to beeducating,” Reeves said.
Foria Wellness has made it its mission to talk about common struggles with sex that often go unspoken. “We get to talk about painful sex. We get to talk about what it means to have endometriosis. We get to talk about the impact that really bad menstrual cramps have on your sense of well -being,” Reeves says. “We get to talk about all of these things that usually hide in the corner.”
Though CBD products can help alleviate several of these issues within the body, it’s not the cure-all magic pill, Reeves said.
“It’s not the CBD making you feel good, it’s your body,” Reeves says “It’s working with your body in a really beautiful and synergistic way.”
Foria Wellness’ CBD products are available on their website, and their THC products are in dispensaries in California and Colorado. Click here to shop now.
