Cannabinoids have a lot of benefits attributed to them, but beneficial for your lady parts too? Absolutely.
The endocannabinoid system (ECS) is a complex cellular signaling system within our own bodies first described in the 1990s. (Devane 1992, Mechoulam 1995, Sugiura 1995) Endocannabinoids are similar to cannabinoids in plants, but they are actually made by your own body. Their presumed primary function is maintaining homeostasis (i.e. your body's status quo) and are involved in a variety of processes including pain, mood, stress, reproductive system function, inflammation, and immune function. (De Laurentiis 2014, Pacher 2006). The similarity between our bodies' endocannabinoids and cannabinoids found in plants explains why cannabinoids can improve many health conditions. While there are a good number of people who want to take advantage of the health benefits of cannabinoids, some of those people want to avoid any psychoactive effects which is why cannabidiol (CBD) has gained so much popularity.
How can you integrate CBD into sex?
What does this mean for your lady parts? The female pelvic organs, including the sexual organs, have a high concentration of cannabinoid receptors. CBD is a vasodilator so it increases blood flow to tissues, which is what happens during normal arousal. Increased blood flow to the genital area increases sensitivity and the body's own natural lubrication. And because our lady parts are smart, the vagina's surface readily absorbs what is placed on it so that topical administration of CBD, such as in a lubricant, makes perfect sense. As if increasing blood flow to your lady parts wasn't enough, the combination of CBD's reputed anti-inflammatory properties and resultant potential to decrease discomfort related to sexual activity mixed with heightened arousal makes a CBD-infused lubricant (like GLISSANT) desirable. And P.S., another benefit of vaginal CBD is its antibacterial and antifungal properties.
While most people are familiar with CBD, there is another nonintoxicating cannabinoid, CBG (cannabigerol) that is gaining more attention. CBG is considered the "mother of all cannabinoids" because it's the parent molecule from which all other cannabinoids are created. CBG has been shown to have anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antibacterial properties like CBD. CBD and CBG appear to interact with the ECS in different ways, such that when used together they can potentially enhance each other's benefits: the entourage effect. (Ben-Shabat 1998) So blending CBD and CBG with herbal aphrodisiacs in one fabulous lubricant makes perfect sense. Enjoy!
Dr. Karyn Eilber MD is a physician in Beverly Hills with over 20 years of experience in female pelvic medicine and reconstructive surgery.