Search for CBD and sex and you will find bold promises: a higher libido, better arousal, a natural aphrodisiac. We sell CBD products, so it would be easy for us to repeat them. We won’t, because the research does not support them.
This article explains what scientists actually know about CBD, libido and sexual health, where the popular claims come from, and what you should know about safety before you use CBD for any reason.
The short answer
- There is no reliable evidence that CBD increases libido, improves arousal or works as an aphrodisiac. No controlled clinical trial in humans has shown this.
- Most research on cannabis and sex looks at marijuana, which contains THC. Those results cannot be applied to CBD products.
- Animal studies have raised concerns about CBD and the male reproductive system, and in 2026 an EU expert committee recommended classifying CBD as a reproductive toxicant.
- CBD can interact with medicines, including some that are used for erectile problems.
- If your sex drive has changed or you have erectile problems, see a doctor first. These changes can be early signs of other health conditions.
Where the idea comes from
The link between CBD and sex has three main sources, and none of them shows that CBD improves sexual function.
The endocannabinoid system
Cannabinoid receptors are found in the brain and in reproductive tissues, and the body’s own endocannabinoids play a role in sexual function and fertility. This makes the topic scientifically interesting. But the presence of a receptor does not mean that a plant compound taken by mouth will improve sexual function. If you want to understand how CBD interacts with the body, our CBD 101 guide explains the basics.
Studies on marijuana
Most studies on cannabis and sex look at marijuana, which contains THC, the compound that causes a high. In one frequently quoted survey of 373 women at a single US gynaecology practice, women who used marijuana before sex were more likely to report satisfying orgasms. The study relied on self-reports, could not show cause and effect, and looked at THC-containing marijuana, not CBD. THC and CBD act on the body in different ways, so findings about one do not apply to the other.
Marketing
CBD is often sold with the language of relaxation and wellbeing, and “sexual wellness” became a natural next step for many brands. In the EU, health claims on foods, including claims about sexual function, must be authorised under Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006. None has been authorised for CBD.
What the research on CBD actually shows
Research specifically on CBD and sexual function in humans is very limited. We could not find a controlled clinical trial showing that CBD increases libido, arousal or sexual satisfaction in men or women.
The studies that do exist are mostly animal studies, and they point in a different direction. A 2020 review in the Journal of Applied Toxicology analysed 32 studies on CBD and the male reproductive system. In animals, the authors linked CBD exposure to smaller testes, lower levels of reproductive hormones, reduced fertilisation rates and, with chronic doses, impaired sexual behaviour in mice.
Animal results, often obtained with high doses, do not translate directly to people. They are, however, the reason regulators are looking closely at how CBD affects reproduction, as the safety section below explains.
CBD and libido in men and women
People often ask whether CBD works differently for men and women. No study has compared the effect of CBD on sex drive between men and women, so products marketed as “CBD for men” or “CBD for women’s libido” make claims without evidence behind them.
Sex drive depends on many things: stress, sleep, relationships, hormones, medicines and general health. Some people say they feel more relaxed after taking CBD. That is a personal experience, not a proven effect, and it does not show that CBD changes libido.
Safety: what to know before you use CBD
Reproductive safety
In March 2026, the Risk Assessment Committee of the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) recommended an EU-wide classification of CBD as a reproductive toxicant that may harm fertility, the unborn child and breastfed children. The European Commission has not yet made a final decision.
In February 2026, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) set a provisional safe intake for CBD as a novel food of about 2 mg per day for a 70 kg adult. This reference level does not apply to people under 25, during pregnancy or breastfeeding, or to people taking medication.
If you are pregnant, breastfeeding or trying to conceive, avoid CBD and talk to your doctor.
Interactions with medicines
CBD can inhibit liver enzymes from the cytochrome P450 family, which the body uses to break down many medicines. Sildenafil and several other medicines for erectile dysfunction are broken down mainly by one of these enzymes, CYP3A4, so taking them together with CBD could change how they work. The same caution applies to many antidepressants, some of which can also lower sex drive as a side effect.
If you take any prescription medicine, ask your doctor or pharmacist before using CBD.
CBD lubricants and intimate products
You may also come across CBD lubricants and massage oils. In the EU these are sold as cosmetics or intimate care products, which means they cannot legally claim to improve arousal or sexual function.
Two practical points apply to any oil-based intimate product. Oils can weaken latex condoms and make them more likely to break, so check that the product is compatible with the protection you use. Sensitive skin can also react to ingredients such as essential oils or fragrances.
When to see a doctor
A lasting drop in sex drive, erectile problems, pain during sex or difficulty with arousal are common and often treatable. They can also be early signs of other conditions, such as heart and blood vessel problems, diabetes or hormonal changes, or side effects of medicines. A doctor can find the cause and recommend a treatment that is proven to work. CBD is not a substitute for that conversation.
Our view
At Hempika we sell CBD products, and we do not recommend any of them for sexual health. We would rather tell you what the evidence says than sell you a promise it cannot keep. If you want to learn what CBD is, how it is regulated and what the research shows, start with our CBD 101 guide. For the rules in your country, see Is CBD oil legal in my country?
Frequently asked questions
Is CBD an aphrodisiac?
No. There is no scientific evidence that CBD acts as an aphrodisiac. Most claims come from marketing or from studies on marijuana, which contains THC.
Does CBD increase libido?
No human study has shown that CBD increases libido in men or women.
Does CBD help with erectile dysfunction?
There is no evidence that CBD helps with erectile dysfunction. CBD may interact with medicines used to treat it, and erectile problems can be an early sign of other health conditions, so talk to a doctor.
Can CBD lower sex drive or affect fertility?
Data in humans are lacking. In animal studies, CBD has been linked to lower testosterone levels and changes in sperm production, and an EU expert committee has recommended classifying CBD as a reproductive toxicant.
What is the best CBD oil for sex?
We cannot recommend any CBD oil for sex, because no CBD product has been shown to improve sexual function. Be cautious with products that promise otherwise: in the EU, such claims are not authorised.
Written by: Luka Deržaj
Last updated: September 2026
This article is for general information only and is not medical advice. CBD products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
Sources
- Carvalho RK, Andersen ML, Mazaro-Costa R. The effects of cannabidiol on male reproductive system: a literature review. J Appl Toxicol. 2020;40(1):132-150. doi.org/10.1002/jat.3831
- Lynn BK, López JD, Miller C, et al. The relationship between marijuana use prior to sex and sexual function in women. Sex Med. 2019;7(2):192-197. PubMed
- Review of the oral toxicity of cannabidiol (CBD). Food and Chemical Toxicology, 2023. ScienceDirect
- European Chemicals Agency: Highlights from March RAC and SEAC meetings (March 2026). ECHA
- European Food Safety Authority: Provisional safe level for cannabidiol as a novel food (February 2026). EFSA
- EFSA Panel on Nutrition, Novel Foods and Food Allergens. Update of the statement on safety of cannabidiol as a novel food. EFSA Journal, 2026. PMC
- Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006 on nutrition and health claims made on foods. EUR-Lex