A Comprehensive Guide To CBD Lube And Its Potential Benefits

It’s difficult to avoid seeing the flood of CBD products that have hit the market in the last few years.

CBD oil, CBD capsules, CBD gummies, CBD drinks, CBD edibles, CBD vape juice, and CBD topical products are seemingly everywhere online and in many shops. And the media is filled with stories about CBD’s potential benefits.

Here’s a product you may not have heard of, though: CBD lube.

That’s right, there are CBD-based sex products available, and not just lube. You can also choose lubricants like tinctures, sprays, and even CBD oral gels. They’re designed to help women who experience painful sex, heighten the sensations of sex, and produce stronger orgasms.

The connection between sex and CBD may not be obvious at first. Some of the apparent benefits of CBD, however, including promoting muscle relaxation, fighting inflammation, pain and anxiety, and boosting blood flow, seem tailor-made for women who have difficulties in the bedroom. There are even indications that it may help some men, too.

Here’s your comprehensive guide to CBD lube and its possible benefits.

What Is CBD Lube?

The short version: it’s sexual lubricant that has been infused with CBD (cannabidiol).

Let’s get into the longer version.

What is CBD?

Cannabis and hemp contain more than 100 plant chemicals known as cannabinoids, and many of them appear to provide medical or health benefits when they interact with the body’s endocannabinoid system (ECS). The two most important cannabinoids are psychoactive THC and non-intoxicating CBD.

The cannabis plant contains high amounts of THC and low levels of CBD, but it’s the exact opposite for hemp plants — so the cannabidiol used to produce CBD products is sourced from hemp. Hemp’s extracted cannabidiol contains a very small amount of THC, but it’s not enough to get you high.

Research has discovered many potential health and wellness benefits of CBD, although they are not yet accepted by the government or medical establishment (except for cannabidiol’s ability to ease seizures in some forms of childhood epilepsy, which can be treated with prescription CBD).

However, the apparent benefits of CBD include the ability to ease stress, anxiety, and other mental health issues; work as an anti-inflammatory agent; regulate the body’s immune system; ease pain; support heart and neurological health; and possibly even fight cell damage and disease.

What is Lube?

Most adults are familiar with sexual lubricants, usually simply called “lube.” Lube can be applied to the genitals (or other parts of the body like the anus) to reduce friction during sex. Women who experience painful intercourse or vaginal dryness (due to menopause or health conditions) find lube particularly valuable.

Lubes are most commonly produced in liquid or cream form, but there are also sprays and gels available. The forms are generally due to the base material used for lubrication; consumers can choose from water-based, oil-based, or silicone-based lubrication products.

You can easily find an enormous variety of lubes online, in sex shops, in pharmacies, and in most health and beauty shops.

Why Would It Help to Put CBD into Lube?

Many people find that sexual lubricants make sex dramatically more pleasurable, particularly if they suffer from pain or discomfort during intercourse or even masturbation. Very little specific research has been done on CBD lubes, but the apparent benefits of cannabidiol may make CBD-infused lubes even more valuable.

• CBD has been shown to interact with the so-called CB2 receptors in the ECS, which regulate inflammation. Studies report that the use of cannabidiol can reduce inflammation, which can be a major cause of vaginal pain during sex. That’s particularly true for women with PCOS, vaginitis, vaginismus, pelvic floor disorders, or vaginal tears suffered during childbirth.
• CBD’s reported anti-inflammatory properties, plus its apparent ability to boost the body’s release of the pain-relieving compound anandamide, make cannabidiol a promising weapon against pain. That’s another reason why infusing lube with CBD could make sense for those who regularly experience pain during sex.
• Studies have shown that CBD helps to lower blood pressure and increase blood flow in the body. Adequate blood flow is essential for the sexual arousal that triggers natural lubrication in women (and, of course, erections in men) and boosts enjoyment. High blood pressure can diminish sexual arousal, performance, and enjoyment; lowering it helps in all three areas.
• Research implies that cannabidiol helps users fight stress and anxiety, potentially easing common sexual issues caused by performance anxiety.

It makes sense that adding CBD to sexual lubricants would potentially enhance the ease and enjoyment of intercourse and other sexual activity. And although, as we’ve mentioned, very few scientific studies have been conducted on the subject, numerous anecdotal reports from those using CBD lube suggest that it’s particularly helpful to those who suffer from pain during sex.

Some also say that the use of this lube makes their genitals more sensitive to touch and contact and produces stronger climaxes, possibly because of increased blood flow. And there are reports that CBD lube is quite helpful during anal sex because it eases tension in the sphincter muscles and pelvic floor.

Buying CBD Lube

Many companies that produce and sell lubricants have jumped on the bandwagon and released versions of CBD lube. They’re not all the same, however, and there’s one factor to be very aware of.

Three types of lubes are available: silicone-based, water-based, and oil-based. Those who’ve used sexual lubricants in the past know that silicone-based lube isn’t safe to use with silicone sex toys because it breaks down the material in the toys, and that oil-based lube can cause latex condoms and diaphragms to break or dissolve. (It may also damage some toys.)

With that in mind, choosing a CBD lube comes down to personal choice. The “safest” water-based lubes need to be reapplied often, but are easiest to wash off and don’t cause stains. Oil-based lubes don’t have to be reapplied as often, but they’re the most difficult to clean up and cause stains.  And silicone-based lubes last the longest but can be hard to remove.

The type and amount of CBD infused into the lube matters, too. There are three types of cannabidiol:

• Full-spectrum CBD contains all of the plant’s other components including a small amount of THC. The components work together in an “entourage effect” to make full-spectrum CBD the most effective, but some avoid it because of the THC content (which can’t make them high but might occasionally trigger a positive drug test).
• Broad-spectrum CBD is full-spectrum CBD with the THC removed. There’s less of an entourage effect, so it’s slightly less effective.
• CBD isolate, which is pure CBD with all other plant components removed. It’s the least effective of the three types but still delivers the effects cannabidiol is used for.

Those looking for maximum benefit from their CBD lube would most likely want to choose a full-spectrum product.

The amount of CBD in the lube is also worth checking. Lower doses may be better for those trying these products for the first time, but lubes containing higher amounts of cannabidiol might help those who suffer from strong pain during intercourse. It’s always best to consult your doctor or another medical professional for advice on CBD use and dosages.

It’s also an excellent idea to avoid CBD lubes with unnecessary scents, dyes, and other ingredients, since they may cause irritation instead of lowering it. Flavorings or scents containing alcohol are particularly problematic; they increase the risk of vaginal infections due to alterations in the microbiome.

Finally, always buy CBD lube from a trusted vendor that supplies a COA (Certificate of Analysis) from a third-party lab for the product. There should be a link to the COA on the product label or company website, and it will tell you how much of each substance (including CBD) is in the product and if it contains any hazardous substances.

Can CBD Lube Help Men?

Lube can make sex more enjoyable for both partners, of course, but there’s no firm scientific evidence on CBD lube and male use.

Some sex therapists and other experts claim that cannabidiol, whether it’s in lube or taken in other ways, can help men with performance anxiety because of its apparent anti-anxiety properties, and with actual performance because of the increased blood flow it may trigger.

Reviews from male users are mixed, with some saying they didn’t notice any difference in their sexual experiences. Others though, say their genitals felt more sensitive and sex was more enjoyable, some report it helped ease arousal and performance issues, and the few male CBD lube users who suffer from pelvic pain say it made sex less painful for them.

Can You Use CBD Oil as A Lube?

In a word — no!

Not only can CBD oil do the same damage to condoms and sex toys as oil-based CBD lube, but CBD oil isn’t designed to be a sexual lubricant. It’s not pH-balanced to protect the vaginal microbiome, it may contain ingredients that can irritate (or worse) the genital area, and its texture is different than lubes specifically created to be used during sex.

Don’t take chances. All of the CBD lubes produced and sold by reliable companies have been tested to be sure they’re 100% safe for use in private areas. It’s worth spending a few bucks to be sure you’re purchasing a CBD product designed to be used as a lubricant.

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