Can CBD really help erectile dysfunction? Let’s take a closer look. First we need to understand what erectile dysfunction is and what factors can contribute to it. Then we can look closer at CBD and how people are using it to improve their performance. We’re here to give you a better understanding of CBD’s potential impact on erectile dysfunction!
What is Erectile Dysfunction?
It’s normal for men of any age to experience difficulty getting an erection from time to time. If it happens often it’s important to talk to your doctor, as you may be dealing with something called erectile dysfunction, or ED. ED is the inability to achieve or maintain an erection firm enough for a positive sexual experience. Symptoms include not being able to get an erection at all, or being able to get an erection but not every time you want to have sex or not maintaining it long enough for sex. Erectile dysfunction is a condition that affects one third of all men and is increasingly more common as men age. While it may be difficult to broach the topic of sexual performance with your medical provider, remember that it’s completely normal and nothing to be embarrassed by!
What Causes Erectile Dysfunction?
ED can be caused by a number of things. Certain diseases and conditions, such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, and chronic kidney disease can cause ED. It’s 2 or 3 times more likely for a man to develop ED if he has diabetes. ED can be a side effect of different blood pressure medications, antidepressants, sedatives, or appetite suppressants. Never stop or change medications without consulting your doctor. It’s also possible to develop ED if you struggle with anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, or stress-about sexual performance or in general. Additionally, smoking, drinking excessive amounts of alcohol, and not being physically active may contribute to ED.
How Does CBD Work?
Now let’s talk about CBD. Cannabidiol, or CBD, is a cannabinoid found within the hemp plant. It interacts with your body’s endocannabinoid system, which regulates and controls many of our body’s day to day functions such as processing emotions, sleep, body temperature, and pain reception. The endocannabinoid system helps your body maintain homeostasis, or state of balance. Some preclinical trials support CBD having the potential to be effective as an antidepressant and an anxiolytic, a drug used to reduce anxiety.
So How Does CBD Affect ED?
So while there hasn't yet been enough research or studies to conclude if CBD is able to directly affect erectile dysfunction, many people are using CBD to manage their performance anxiety and everyday stress levels. They find that using CBD for other areas of their life makes them feel more balanced, resulting in them being able to perform better. CBD may not be useful to everyone dealing with ED, and it’s best to consult your doctor about using CBD if you’re taking any prescription medications. We previously published a blog where we talk about cannabinoids and sex that you can check out as well!
What CBD Products are People Using for ED?
When people do decide that they want to try using CBD for ED, the product they choose depends a lot on the specific person! Everyone receives CBD differently, so what works best for one person may not be the best for another.
Many people new to CBD start with products like our Active CBD Oil CBD Isolate Gummies. These gummies are THC free and many people find that they kick in after 30 to 90 minutes. Another option I see people using, especially for anxiety, is our Active CBD Oil Distillate Vape Cartridges. When using inhalation methods CBD tends to have a quicker activation time, oftentimes with effects reported within minutes of vaping. Some people like to keep this option on hand because you never know when the mood will strike!
That being said, we also have many people using our Active CBD Oil Tinctures due to their water soluble formula being designed for maximum bioavailability, or the amount of CBD your body is able to absorb. One of the more popular methods of consumption for our water based tinctures is sublingual application, which consists of holding the product under your tongue for a minute or two and then swallowing it. This gives the CBD time to absorb through the tiny blood vessels under the tongue, often with reported effects within fifteen to thirty minutes. This option has the potential to act quicker than the gummies as well as be more discreet than vaping.
If you have any questions about CBD and stress, anxiety, erectile dysfunction, or anything else, please reach out to us! You can call us, chat with us online, or stop by one of our retail locations and we’ll be happy to help.
