CBD for Men: What to Know About Libido and Sexual Wellness
Sexual health is shaped by physical and emotional factors. This article looks at what current research says about CBD and male sexual function.
Sexual Health Concerns: Erectile Dysfunction and Low Libido
Sexual problems such as erectile dysfunction or a lower sex drive can be frustrating and stressful. Ongoing issues with sexual desire, orgasm, or intercourse are often grouped under sexual dysfunction.
These concerns often have multiple causes, including physical and emotional factors. Erectile dysfunction is sometimes associated with depression or anxiety, and a lower sex drive can also be linked to stress, hormone changes, or relationship problems.
Common Signs of Erectile Dysfunction
An erection is a complex process that depends on the nervous system, hormones, and blood flow. When a person is sexually aroused, nerve signals cause the arteries in the penis to widen, which increases blood flow into the corpora cavernosa. That added blood flow makes the penis firm and enlarged. At the same time, the veins partially close to help maintain the erection. The smooth muscles in the penile tissue also need to relax for the process to work properly.
If that process is disrupted, an erection may not start or may not last. Erectile dysfunction, or ED, means a person regularly has trouble getting or keeping an erection long enough for sexual activity. According to the American Urological Association, about 50% of men ages 40 to 70 experience some degree of ED.
Occasional erectile dysfunction isn’t unusual. It can happen during stressful periods or after major changes in diet or lifestyle.
Frequent erectile dysfunction can also point to an underlying health issue or emotional or relationship stress that is worth discussing with a healthcare professional.
In summary, erectile dysfunction can have physical causes and may be more common in people with certain health conditions. These may include:
- diabetes
- heart health concerns
- high cholesterol
- sleep problems
- alcohol use disorder
- obesity
- certain neurological conditions
Stress, anxiety, depression, and other difficult life situations can also play a significant role in sexual problems.
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Common Factors That Can Affect Libido
Low libido can have many causes, and several factors may play a role, including:
- relationship problems;
- stress, anxiety, or low mood;
- sexual concerns, including erectile dysfunction;
- hormonal changes, including lower testosterone levels, may affect sexual desire;
- certain medications, including some blood pressure medicines and antidepressants;
- heavy alcohol use
- some underlying health conditions can affect sexual desire.
It is important that the underlying causes of decreased libido are professionally investigated before any treatment is chosen.
CBD for Men: What to Know
A 2014 scientific paper notes that in Indian Ayurvedic medicine, Cannabis sativa, the plant CBD is derived from, was traditionally used for male sexual health concerns. The authors note that this reflects historical use, not modern medical practice.
What to Know About CBD and Sexual Wellness
Performance anxiety is common and can affect sexual satisfaction.
A 2020 study suggested that CBD may be worth further study for anxiety, but more research is needed to understand dosing and how it might be used.
CBD and Libido
A 2017 study of 21 occasional cannabis users found that cannabis may activate a brain region involved in sexual arousal. The researchers said this could help explain how cannabinoids affect sexual motivation and guide future research.
Could CBD play a role in this area? Research is still limited, so more studies are needed.
Endocannabinoid System and Sexual Health
The endocannabinoid system (ECS) is a signaling network in the body that helps keep many functions in balance. It includes receptors such as CB1 and CB2, naturally occurring molecules like anandamide and 2-AG, and enzymes that break those molecules down. Researchers believe it may influence areas such as mood, appetite, sleep, pain perception, and sexual function.
How Does the Endocannabinoid System Affect Male Sexual Health?
A 2023 animal study suggests that the endocannabinoid system may play a role in male sexual behavior. The compounds anandamide and 2-AG may influence sexual motivation in the brain’s reward centers.
Researchers also observed that changes in endocannabinoid levels can affect sexual behavior in male animals. In this study, lower anandamide levels appeared to increase sexual behavior, while higher levels appeared to reduce it, a pattern known as a biphasic effect.
The Role of the Endocannabinoid System in Sexual Satisfaction
The research also points to a role for the ECS in sexual satiety, the temporary drop in sexual interest that can happen after ejaculation. During this time, anandamide levels rise in the brain. When researchers blocked CB1 receptors, the satiety effect was reduced in male animals, suggesting the ECS helps regulate sexual behavior.
Learn more about how CBD interacts with the endocannabinoid system.
Final Thoughts
Male sexual health involves a mix of physical and emotional factors. Researchers are still studying the endocannabinoid system (ECS) and how CBD interacts with it, but current clinical evidence is not enough to support CBD as a treatment for sexual dysfunction.
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- Nagendra Singh Chauhan, Vikas Sharma, V K Dixit, Mayank Thakur (2014): A Review on Plants Used for Improvement of Sexual Performance and Virility
- Jessica W. Skelley, Crystal M. Deas, Zachary Curren, Jonathan Ennis (2020): Use of cannabidiol in anxiety and anxiety-related disorders
- R Androvicova, J Horacek, J Tintera, J Hlinka, J Rydlo, D Jezova, M Balikova, T Hlozek, P Miksatkova, M Kuchar, M Roman, P Tomicek, F Tyls, M Viktorinova, T Palenicek (2017): Individual prolactin reactivity modulates response of nucleus accumbens to erotic stimuli during acute cannabis intoxication: an fMRI pilot study
- Gabriela Rodríguez-Manzo and Ana Canseco-Alba (2023). The endogenous cannabinoid system modulates male sexual behavior expression.