Whenever we start talking about CBD (cannabidiol) infused products that are specifically designed to enhance sex and intimacy, many times the response is either a confused look or a knowing smirk. Interest in CBD sexual enhancement products such as oils, balms, gels, salves, bath soaks and more is growing quickly. This isn’t surprising as more people are starting to discover the many benefits of adding CBD to their sexual exploration.
However, there’s still a lot of mystery surrounding these products and many customers eager to integrate CBD into their sexual repertoire usually have more questions than answers. There’s not a lot of consistent and accurate information available and the content and integrity of these products varies widely. Consumers need to know how to use CBD intimate products, as well as how to evaluate and choose products that will work well for them.
In case it wasn’t already obvious, CBD and sex go well together for a variety of reasons. Using CBD topical products feels great and can elevate the sexual experience. What is it about CBD that’s so magical though?
The answer lies in CBD being a vasodilator. When used intimately, it increases blood flow to the erogenous zones and makes them more receptive to touch. It also has many soothing and relaxing properties, which makes it a wonderful addition to foreplay and aftercare. Since CBD does take a little while to soak into the skin, it’s a good idea to utilize it during foreplay and throughout the entire experience to feel its full effects.
Mentioning the words “intimacy” or “intimate products” prompts most people to immediately think of sexual intercourse. Is it any wonder? Sex is an incredibly intimate act on so many levels. For many people, intimacy and sex are quite synonymous. However, it’s important to remember that although sex and intimacy are very closely related, they are not mutually exclusive. Intimacy can occur in all sorts of ways before or even after the “main event.” It can be a CBD-infused bath that includes a slow, sensual scrub-down with an infused sugar scrub. It can be a gentle neck rub or a full-blown erotic massage with an infused oil. It can even be a tender application of salve to a sore spot or problem area by a trusted partner. For those who are into BDSM, the time spent practicing aftercare with a partner can be a particularly intimate — and even vulnerable — experience. Tantra leaves an entire realm of possibilities for combining CBD with intimacy before sex ever occurs. All of these describe very different ways of being intimate and CBD can easily be incorporated to help enhance the experience of each.
Of course, CBD products can be used during intercourse as well. It’s important for consumers to read the label on the product they intend to use to ensure that they’re being used correctly. For example, a bath soak makes for phenomenal foreplay, but you wouldn’t want to use it internally. On the other hand, many massage oils, balms and gels are quite enjoyable to use directly on the genitals during partnered or solo sex. For products being sold in brick-and-mortar stores, having trained and knowledgeable associates who are able to educate consumers on-the-spot is a critically valuable asset because let’s be real, most people don’t find reading labels to be a good time, even if they do provide important information.
Now that you know all about how to use, let’s talk about how to help shoppers choose the right formula. After all, knowing how to use CBD intimate enhancement products is one thing, but knowing how to evaluate them is quite another. Due to inconsistent and limited product regulation, it’s largely up to the product manufacturer to ensure the quality and integrity of the product they’re producing. “Is the CBD in the product pure?” “How much CBD is in the product and is it in the correct quantity to be effective?” These are some of the questions that educated consumers often ask, and businesses selling CBD sexual enhancement products should be able to answer them. If the CBD in a product isn’t lab-tested, there’s no way of knowing what’s in that bottle, jar, or tube, so be sure to ask to see third-party lab results.
Similarly, it is important to evaluate the other ingredients in a CBD-infused intimate body product. These complementary ingredients do have a direct impact on the efficacy of the product as well as the way the product smells and feels. Many people have certain allergens or ingredients such as parabens that they’re actively looking to avoid. If the product in question is to be used with latex condoms, it should explicitly state that it’s safe to use with latex. Although water-soluble, CBD is a budding area of interest; the vast majority of CBD products on the market are oil-based as CBD is naturally oil soluble. Similarly, even if a product is water-based, that doesn’t necessarily mean that it’s oil free. This particular piece of information is, unfortunately, often glossed over.
When evaluating CBD sexual enhancement products, there really is no standard. That’s why consumer education is crucial to having a mind-blowing CBD bedroom experience. Consumers can elevate their own experiences by taking the time to research the product they’re interested in by reading product labels and delving into reliable articles on the web. However, manufacturers also have the responsibility to reach out and provide information via their websites, blogs, social media and in-store training. Of course, educated store associates can be a critical point of education for in-store shoppers by answering some of the previously addressed questions and beyond. They regularly aid customers in opening the door to the wonderful world of CBD sexual enhancement products.
CBD-infused sexual enhancement products have really helped to change people’s perceptions of cannabis and what it can do for them. However, we would challenge everyone to pause and think about all the elements that often contribute to having a great sexual experience and how CBD could easily be incorporated into each of them. As you’re browsing for a new CBD infused sex enhancement product to offer your customers, make sure to keep in mind the ingredients. Take the time to read the labels carefully and ask as many questions as you need to from the manufacturer. Practice thorough due diligence and your customers will be handsomely rewarded with an explosively erotic experience they won’t soon forget!
How to Evaluate, Sell CBD-Infused Intimacy Products by Raven Faber and Heather Bahr originally appeared in XBIZ
