CBD for Virility
The use of plants, fungus, and plant-based products to entice a mate and stimulate sexual desire is almost as old as the human race itself. Before we can discern how CBD may be utilized to increase libido, its important to understand how CBD works in your endocannabinoid system. Located throughout our bodies are tiny receptors, culminating into a whole system known as the endocannabinoid system (ECS). These receptors can be imagined as the locks that the keys are cannabinoids, in this case, CBD — can unlock, or activate these receptors.
According to a 2009 article published in the journal Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, researchers determined that ECS receptors in the sexual reproductive organs, particularly the uterus and the testicles. This promising discovery led scientists down a path to uncover what kind of effects cannabidiol and other cannabinoids may have on human sexual interaction.
Conflicting research exists on the next step in the scientific process- while some studies have found that cannabinoids such as CBD and THC boost libido, while others have found they decrease it. One article in the Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics Trusted Source reported that “chronic cannabis use in males lowered sex drive.” The determination showed that with increased cannabis use, lower sex drives were reported. But this study was not done on cannabis, not specifically cannabidiol.
More recent research suggests that CBD products may actually improve libido by reducing anxiety. Especially in those with anxiety about sexual performance, or mild body dysmorphia, which decreases their libido. The determination is based on the assumption that when you relieve the anxiety, the desire for sexual interaction goes up.
According to an article in the journal BioMed Research International, taken from a Kama Sutra text, “Ayurveda practitioners have used Cannabis sativa, the plant from which marijuana and CBD are derived, for many years to improve ejaculatory function and sexual performance.” An excerpt from the Kama Sutra references cannabis as a “remedy that makes a man sexually as strong as a horse (Vaji) and enables him to cheerfully satisfy the heat and amorous ardours of young maidens.”
The entirety of how cannabidiol works to relieve the symptoms of ED is a little murky- the most accepted theory is that CBD is working to relax the blood vessels and promote better blood flow. Better blood flow to the penis helps relieve ED and promote longer-lasting, more fulfilling sexual experiences.
Another theory is that cannabis affects sexual desire directly in the brain. A 2017 study done on cannabis users found that different types of cannabis activated the part of people’s brains that controls sexual arousal. The authors concluded that using cannabis may be helpful for people with a low sex drive.
There’s certainly a lot of interesting research on the possibility that CBD could reduce ED, enhance sexual pleasure, and boost libido, but conclusive data is yet to be presented and we can only draw reasonable conclusions as to the efficacy of CBD in the improvement of one’s sex life as products become available on the market and are tested.
A Review on Plants Used for Improvement of Sexual Performance and Virility (nih.gov)
CBD Oil Sexual Health Benefits | Jennifer R. Berman, MD (bermansexualhealth.com)
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