CBD or cannabidiol is a popular therapeutic ingredient with many healing properties such as relief from pain, inflammation, anxiety, depression, nausea, vomitings, and various chronic conditions.
The application of CBD in male sexual health is of great interest. One of the common problems related to male sexual health is erectile dysfunction. Many alternate therapists and cannabis users claim that cannabis can improve male sexual function and has a positive impact on their sexual health.
What exactly is erectile dysfunction? How does it impact men? Is CBD helpful in this condition, and how to use CBD oil for erectile dysfunction? In this article we attempt to answer all your questions about this topic.
What is Erectile Dysfunction?
This is one the most commonly observed sex-related conditions in men. Erectile Dysfunction or ED as it is commonly known refers to the inability to achieve and maintain an erection that allows for a satisfied intercourse.
While this condition is most commonly found in men over forty years of age, it is not uncommon to see young adults being affected by this condition.
A normal sexual arousal involves the release of chemicals from nerves. These nerves increase the flow of blood to the penis. Blood flows into the two erection chambers of the penis which are made of spongy muscle tissue. During erection, this muscle tissue relaxes and traps blood which ultimately leads to erection and a subsequent orgasm.
In ED, the man fails to achieve an erect penis and orgasm, creating hurdles in sexual satisfaction and disrupting sexual life.
Erectile Dysfunction Symptoms:
The main Erectile Dysfunctions symptoms include:
- Inability to achieve erection
- Inability to keep erection
- Inability to achieve orgasm
- Reduced sexual desire
What causes Erectile Dysfunction?
Medical conditions such as diabetes and hypertension are often responsible for causing ED among men. Changing lifestyle habits such as obesity, lack of proper exercise, late night partying, addiction to drugs and alcohol are causing all age groups to be affected by this disease.
Often, ED is a combination of various physiological, psychological, neurological, and hormonal factors.
Stress is one of the conditions that can exacerbate the situation.
ED can also be a warning sign for serious illnesses such as atherosclerosis, hypertension, heart disease, or diabetes.
Consequences of Erectile Dysfunction:
ED, in most cases, leads to anxiety, depression, stress in personal, social, and work settings, conflicts in relationships, and overall reduction in confidence and self-esteem.
Erectile Dysfunction Treatment:
Treating ED is a complicated process since there are many trigger factors associated with the condition. The medical practitioner often takes a multi-pronged approach to treat the disease.
The basic treatment for Erectile Dysfunction includes:
- Lifestyle modifications
- Oral medications
- Injecting vasodilating agents or muscle relaxants
- Surgical intervention (in patients who don’t find relief from the above steps)
CBD Oil For Erectile Dysfunction:
CBD is a non-psychoactive constituent of the Cannabis sativa or the hemp plant. The hemp plant extract contains over a hundred different compounds that contribute to its various properties.
Among these compounds CBD or cannabidiol and THC or Tetrahydrocannabinol are the two components of key interest to cannabis users, scientists and researchers. CBD is responsible for hemp plants’ therapeutic properties.
So what is responsible for the medicinal properties of CBD? The key is the ability of CBD to influence the human body’s Endocannabinoid System, also known as the ECS.
The ECS is a messenger and a receptor system in the human body. It is responsible for maintaining homeostasis, coordination within different systems and within the body. A disturbance in this ECS system can lead to various physiological and psychological issues.
Scientists believe that CBD can influence the ECS system to function properly, thus providing relief from various diseases and health conditions.
One review article suggests that ECS receptors are present in sexual organs such as testicles. Consequently, CBD may influence these receptors and allow for better blood flow to the penis. Another article, “The Impact Of Cannabis Use On Male Sexual Health” suggests that cannabis has antagonizing effects on the erectile function by stimulating the receptors in the penis and its erection chambers.
Both these articles throw weight to the fact that ECS can influence the receptors in the penis to allow for stronger erections.
ED often occurs due to reduced blood flow to the penis. CBD can play a role in improving this blood flow and relaxing nerves at the same time. Both these factors contribute to CBD being a good therapeutic ingredient for ED.
Apart from these, the fact that CBD reduces anxiety, inflammation, pain, makes CBD a good candidate for reducing the symptoms of ED.
While more research is required to prove the efficacy of CBD for ED, the research so far proves that CBD can help prevent the symptoms related to sexual dysfunctions and improve erections and orgasms.
How to use CBD Oil for Erectile Dysfunction:
When looking to buy CBD oil, you will have three different options. They are:
- Full Spectrum CBD oil
- Broad Spectrum CBD oil
- CBD Isolates.
The three types of oils differ in terms of their basic composition. We know that the hemp plant extract contains over a hundred different compounds. Apart from that, the extract also contains terpenes and flavonoids. These terpenes and flavonoids contribute to the aroma and flavor profiles on the hemp plant.
- Full spectrum CBD oil: contains the full profile of CBD, THC, flavonoids and terpenes
- Broad spectrum CBD oil: contains CBD, flavonoids, and terpenes. Does not contain THC
- CBD Isolate: Pure CBD with no other components added.
Each oil has its own unique properties and therapeutic qualities allowing users to choose the best one to suit their requirements.
This brings us to the next question, how to use CBD oil for erectile dysfunction. CBD oils are available in different forms:
1. CBD Tinctures and oils:
These are CBD oils mixed in a solvent such as alcohol or a carrier medium such as olive oil or MCT oil.
The best way to consume CBD oil is to place a couple of drops of CBD oil sublingually or under the tongue. CBD oil taken this way gets absorbed quickly into the bloodstream and produces immediate relief from symptoms such as pain and anxiety.
2. CBD capsules and pills:
These are predosed and encapsulated forms of CBD. They are easy to take, especially for those who hate the earthy flavors of CBD. CBD Capsules and pills taken orally need more time to digest, get absorbed, and show effects.
CBD capsules and pills are generally recommended for long-term treatment plans since the effects stay for longer when compared to other modes of CBD use.
3. CBD lubes:
CBD lubes and gels act by improving lubrication, reducing dryness, and aid in improving the overall sexual pleasure.
4. CBD Massage oils:
CBD massage oils are designed to stimulate sex drive and work increasing the overall sensation.
5. CBD Vapes:
CBD vapes are one of the most popular ways of consuming CBD, since they enter the blood through the lungs quickly and allow the user to experience instant effects.
CBD Dosing for Erectile Dysfunction:
The basic principle with using CBD for ED or any other condition is to start small.
Start with the smallest possible dose and wait for about 30 minutes to see how it is affecting you. If you do not experience the expected results, you can slowly increase the dosage.
CBD experts suggest a dosage between 12 to 25 mg per day for the best results.
To conclude, erectile dysfunction is an increasingly common problem men across all ages are facing. Diet and lifestyle changes can help solve the symptoms to a certain extent.
While research is scanty, experts and some scientists suggest that CBD oil can provide relief from the symptoms of ED and help in improving the overall sexual health.
Proper dosing and responsible use are the key to achieving the desired results when using CBD oil for sexual dysfunction.
