With Cannabis currently legalized in 11 states for adults over the age of 21 and legal for medical use in 33 states, do you feel confident in addressing client questions regarding cannabis use and sexual intimacy? How would you help a client who reveals they have never used cannabis and is interested in medicinal use for a sexual concern but has no support from their medical doctor? Do you know the most common sexual concerns that are treatable with medicinal cannabis?
You don’t have to be a cannabis connoisseur or have professional experience in the cannabis industry to help. With just a basic knowledge of cannabis and how it affects intimacy, as sex coaches, we can direct clients to useful resources and make suggestions for alternative treatments. This article will provide an overview of the basics regarding cannabis use for sexual intimacy, discuss different types of sexual enhancement products with cannabis, and outline where cannabis fits into the MEBES® model and sex coaching action plans.
The How of Cannabis
The most commonly-touted benefits of cannabis are that it:
- Can relieve pain as an analgesic
- Can stabilize mood
- Provides anti aging properties
- Is anti-inflammatory
- Can provide stress relief
But how does it do these things? Our bodies actually have endocannabinoid systems with receptors in our brains, our central nervous systems, and throughout the body. These CB1 and CB2 receptors are ready and designed to receive cannabis.
When we consume cannabis, the medicinal compounds move through our bloodstreams, no matter the way we’ve chosen to consume the cannabis, until they find the CB1 and CB2 receptors in our bodies. Our endocannabinoid system helps us maintain homeostasis throughout our entire bodies. Evidence has revealed that when conditions like pain, anxiety, arthritis, and MS develop in the body, the response of the endocannabinoid system is to create more receptors and endocannabinoids to make us feel better, reducing our discomfort.
Out of the hundreds of medicinal compounds that can be found in cannabis, the two most commonly spoken about and most potent are: THC and CBD. Nikki Furrer, author of the book, A Woman’s Guide to Cannabis: Using Marijuana to Feel Better, Look Better, Sleep Better–and Get High Like a Lady , refers to THC as the “Queen Bee” and CBD as the “Valedictorian.”
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THC is the one that dictates “how long the party lasts and which days we wear pink.” In more formal terms, it is the compound in cannabis that’s considered to be psychoactive and leads to the pleasurable, joyful, and euphoric sensations when someone is “high.”
CBD got its nickname because it has come to be known as the one with the most potential. Its medicinal effects of reducing inflammation, pain, arthritis, muscle spasms, and epilepsy are just a few of the amazing things it can do for us.
There is significant overlap between THC and CBD in their benefits. This simple list illustrates some of the differences and similarities:
THC Effects:
- High/psychoactive
- Sleep
- Pain relief
- Appetite stimulant
- Stress relief
- Reduces tremors and seizures
- Anti Aging
CBD Effects:
- Antidepressant
- Antianxiety
- Pain relief
- Appetite suppressant
- Stress relief
- Reduces tremors and seizures
- Anti Aging
How Cannabis Affects Intimacy Concerns
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So, how does this all relate to sexual intimacy? To start with, any chronic health conditions that affect sexual intimacy indirectly can benefit from the relief that cannabis provides.
On top of that, cannabis can help with the following top sexual concerns for men, women, and couples, as listed in The Art of Sex Coaching: Expanding Your Practice:
Men:
- Low or no sexual desire (LD): Through hormone balancing and stress reduction
- Erectile difficulties (ED): By reducing performance anxiety and depression
- Delayed Ejaculation (DE): By increasing sensation
- Sexual Inhibitions: By reducing anxiety
- Desire for enhanced pleasure (EP): By acting as an aphrodisiac
- Sexual trauma or abuse (ST): By reducing anxiety
Women:
- Low or No Desire (LD): By reducing anxiety
- Orgasm Difficulties (O): By reducing anxiety
- Painful Sex (PS): As an anti-inflammatory
- Vaginismus (V): As an anti-inflammatory
- Sexual Inhibitions (SI): By reducing anxiety
- Desire for Enhanced Pleasure (EP): By acting as a vasodilator and therefore increasing blood flow to the area you apply it. This stimulates more natural lubrication, greater arousal, enhanced sensation, and increased sensitivity.
Couples:
- No (or little) sex/sexless relationship (NS): By reducing anxiety, stress, symptoms of depression, or having positive effects on communication.
- Uneven Desire (UD): By acting as an aphrodisiac
How Can Cannabis Fit Into the MEBES® Model
A great example of how cannabis can fit into the MEBES® model is illustrated in the book, Finding Your Higher Self: Your Guide to Cannabis for Self-Care, by Sophie Saint Thomas.
The book is divided into 3 parts: Body, Mind, and Spirit. While this book isn’t focused solely on cannabis and sexuality, it features several guided exercises featuring detailed instructions, the specific ways cannabis helps, and the suggested intake options, with titles like:
Take a shower with your partner
Fully inhabit your body
Explore your erogenous zones
Take a staycation
Give Cannabis Kisses
Cuddle with someone you love
Write a love letter
Make an unknown pleasures list
Focus on your partner
As you can see, outside of specific diagnosable medical concerns, there is so much to explore when it comes to sexual expression.
In a previous article, “TMJ Disorders and Intimacy: How Sex Coaching Can Help”, I discussed the fact that 85% of patients with TMD also suffer from painful conditions like, chronic fatigue syndrome, chronic headache, endometriosis, fibromyalgia, interstitial cystitis, irritable bowel syndrome, low back pain, sleep disorders, and vulvodynia. All of these conditions can have a significant effect on sexual intimacy and, with the right cannabis strain and method, symptoms can be eased.
Some Key Things to Remember
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When doing personal and professional research, it’s important to understand that studies on cannabis can be difficult to find since it was classified as a Schedule I drug for so long. Researchers often use self-reported surveys, in which participants are asked about their drug use and their sexual experiences in order to get an idea of what’s going on.
While there is new information coming out all the time about the positive benefits of cannabis, it’s not for everyone. Cannabis is not a replacement for medical treatment, and your clients should always check with their physicians when considering using cannabis for a medical condition.
In the last few years, cannabis use for sexual intimacy concerns and enhancement has increased and continues to trend. Large delivery companies like EAZE will regularly feature categories like, “Women-Owned Brands,” which showcases only brands that are led by women. Here, you’ll find products that range from vaporizers to teas and everything in between. Others like SAVA, a women-led platform that connects consumers with brands that sell high-quality cannabis products, have at least eight different cannabis products specifically designed for intimacy and many others that address other health concerns that have indirect effects on intimacy.
For clients who are interested in exploring cannabis as a sexual enhancement tool, there are many products on the market with excellent descriptions and guides regarding dosage, strain, and intake method. As I mentioned earlier, GetSava.com is an excellent resource of intimacy products. Following are some specific products to consider.
Products:
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- Quim Night Moves Intimacy Oil: Specifically designed to intensify sensation, increase libido, and serve as a proactive vaginal health supplement.
- Cosmic View Viva La V!: CBD-infused vaginal moisturizing cream formulated to replenish, rejuvenate, protect and repair intimate skin. Can also be used as a sensual lubricant and has been effective in treating autoimmune conditions affecting the vaginal skin.
- Foria Pleasure Oil: Natural arousal oil with THC.
- Foria Explore Suppositories: 6-pack rectal suppositories for pain, inflammation, or erotic play.
- Kiskanu Cannabis Intimacy Oil: It is antibacterial and antiviral as well as soothing, moisturizing, and antispasmodic. Provides pain relief and lubrication while at the same time reducing inflammation and relaxing muscle spasms.
The process we might follow when assisting a client in their pleasure product selection—making sure the client takes into consideration body-safe materials, type of stimulation and intention, and lube compatibility—is very similar to the one we’d use to help a client select a cannabis product. Here, we can ensure the client considers: organic products, intake option, dosage, and strains relevant to their stated intent and goals.
The cannabis industry doesn’t seem to be going anywhere and the part of the market that’s being led by women creating sex positive products is growing. Whether it’s to address a sexual intimacy or other health concern that impacts sexual function, we’re beginning to understand the power of cannabis. While it may seem like new territory, a quick historical search will reveal that cannabis has been used throughout the ages for sexual enhancement, mood stability, and spiritual exploration, even before the physiological processes at work could be studied.
Whether you’ve personally experienced cannabis or professionally worked in the cannabis industry, by using the same foundations and principles we use as sex coaches to create action plans and address limited information, we can make safe, educated suggestions regarding cannabis and sexual intimacy to help our clients.
Disclaimer:
The content of this article is provided for informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice or to diagnose or treat any medical condition. Please consult a qualified healthcare professional about any health condition, treatment, or diagnosis.
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