Whether users have used cannabis for enhancing self-pleasure or supporting their sex life, in one way or another, cannabis has had a place in users’ sexual health for some time now.
In the following article, you’ll find some of the most critical questions surrounding sexual health and CBD, specifically if cannabidiol could affect sperm quality and male fertility. So if you want to know more about how hemp-derived cannabinoids could affect your sexual wellness, you can explore with us below.
Does CBD Benefit Fertility?
This is a somewhat complicated answer. While marijuana has been researched for its possible benefits or side effects, CBD does not have a clear answer as to whether it could be entirely beneficial.
A systematic review from 2020 gave a close look at overall cannabis consumption and male fertility. With cannabis Sativa or Indica consumption, which is not federally legal and considered a controlled substance, the researchers concluded it might negatively impact male fertility.
The study notices that habits surrounding cannabis consumption could also be a pretty big factor in these results, including overall health. Now, it is essential to differentiate between legal hemp and cannabis. While both plants are physically similar, hemp and CBD are federally legal thanks to the 2018 Farm Bill.
This legal distinction considers hemp products legal as long as they contain less than 0.3% of Delta-9 THC, the psychoactive component generally found in weed. Fully hemp-derived Cannabidiol does not have as many studies as THC-heavy cannabis surrounding fertility.
However, we have some insights into sperm count, sperm quality, and overall endocannabinoid functions, which could lead to potential benefits.
CBD and Male Fertility
Concern revolving around CBD and male fertility stems from its supposed impact on the endocannabinoid system, or ECS. This part of the nervous network of our bodies is responsible for specific chemical triggers, like pain, stress, and even hormonal balance.
This 2016 study noted that sperm in men’s bodies could be affected by the hemp-derived compounds affecting these cells’ internal networks. The researchers reported that endocannabinoids (cannabinoids produced in the body) regulation in the system could lead to better fertilization.
With this, we could infer that using non-psychoactive cannabinoids could be helpful toward sexual health in men, but let’s dive further into this by talking about CBD and sperm count.
CBD and Sperm Count
CBD has many different effects on your day-to-day functions, including sexual health. Nevertheless, there are no clear studies on whether this cannabinoid has a direct impact on sperm count.
Cannabis has been found to lower the sperm count in men. But it is important to differentiate that recreational cannabis's main compound Delta-9 THC affects our endocannabinoid system, is psychoactive, and fully binds to the protein receptors of our ECS system.
Hemp, which has CBD as its main compound, is non-psychoactive and does not bind to these receptors. In fact, a study links the ECS system outside of Delta-9 THC to sperm production in general, like this one that dates back to 2009.
While there is a need for more studies on the topic, there is potential that cannabis could lead to help with sperm production, but could also inhibit it, depending on the type of cannabis consumed as well as overall health habits.
Does CBD Affect Sperm Count?
As with other wellness topics, this is not as easy to answer. Evidence suggests that overall cannabinoid activity in animal studies could lead to impaired sexual behavior, thanks to this 2019 study in mice.
However, the ECS in sperm and ovulation has also been linked to cannabinoid function. Endocannabinoids in our body could help the sperm’s ability to fertilize and mobilize while also helping with overall hormone levels when not used chronically.
This could potentially boost sperm production thanks to the balancing of cannabinoids in our ECS. More systematic research is needed to understand how it could fully impact us, as other symptoms like performance anxiety and stress are also part of the symptoms of low sperm count and overall sexual health.
Combining the regulation effect of CBD on our endocannabinoid system with healthy habits, less stress, and anxiety could also lead to better reproductive health in men. Before starting any treatment, we recommend consulting your healthcare provider first to ensure the best support for your wellness goals.
How Long Does CBD Affect Sperm?
Since CBD has not been as present as THC in sexual health research, there is not much research available on how long CBD could affect sperm. That said, this 2021 study on cannabis and human sperm reported that a 77-day period of cannabinoid abstinence helped reduce the effects on sperm production.
However, due to the lack of more rigorous research on CBD in this area, it is difficult to say exactly how CBD may affect sperm production and for how long.
Does CBD Affect Sperm Quality
There are no clear answer on if CBD might affect sperm quality. While studies indicate that prolonged use of cannabis could lead to fluctuations in hormones in chronic users, research is still needed to understand if CBD truly affects sperm count.
This 2018 study on animals found a correlation between chronic exposure to CBD in mice and lower sex hormone levels, specifically in testosterone. This hormone is helpful in spermatogenesis, which is the process of creating sperm in our body.
With that said, further research is needed to understand this. Some terpenes in hemp-derived flowers like Limonene could be helpful for female sex drive instead or even help to regulate hormone imbalance.
And some Sativa-dominant strains have also been a user favorite to liven up their sexual health. There are also other symptoms surrounding sexual health that this cannabinoid could support. Stress before the act and overall discomfort are some potential reasons for trouble in conceiving and sexual health, and CBD has shown potential benefits to support these symptoms.
