Getting intimate with your partner is a fantastic way to boost your self-care routine. Not only can sex (or self-pleasure) relieve stress, but it can help you sleep better, act as a form of exercise, and is a bonding experience. Sex makes us feel good, which is due in part to the release of dopamine, which functions as a neurotransmitter that triggers the reward center in our brains. Spending intimate moments with your partner can also increase serotonin levels, the neurotransmitter that triggers happy feelings. When serotonin levels go up, dopamine levels go up, which makes sex an extremely pleasurable activity. Did you know you can use CBD to enhance those intimate times? Yes, it’s true! There are many ways to incorporate CBD into the experience, to make these moments even better. CBD is a tool that can be used before, during, or after sex, particularly for women: however, it may not provide the same euphoric and arousing side effects that you might find with CBD intimacy products. Instead, CBD is great for inflammation, it reduces muscle tightness or spasms, and it can help keep things moist for maximum pleasure. If you plan on incorporating CBD into your sex life, here are some helpful tips from my book, The Ultimate Guide to CBD, on how to best use infused products in the bedroom. Remember, not everyone will react the same way when using CBD from marketplace While some might feel a big difference, others might not experience any changes at all. It’s up to you to determine what works best. Pre-Sex Before engaging in intercourse or self-pleasure, CBD can help you get in the mood by loosening up your body and releasing tension. For women, this means it might help relax the vulva and pelvic floor while providing moisture if you’re using a CBD lubricant or CBD vaginal oil. It can also do wonders for menopausal discomfort. For men, using a CBD lubricant might help increase blood flow and nerve sensations, elevating sexual pleasure. Depending on what application you decide to use, there are benefits to using topicals, tinctures, smokables, or a combination. During Sex CBD lubricant or CBD vaginal oil can be easily re-applied during sex as you change positions with your partner. Just be sure to have the bottle nearby! Post-Sex Above all, CBD is extremely beneficial for post-sex. For women, CBD vaginal oils can help with swelling and inflammation, which is a common side effect following intercourse. Have you ever felt sleepy after sex? Whether you’re male or female, CBD can also help promote a good night’s rest, which in the end, ultimately benefits your sexual health and happiness. Jamie Evans is the founder of The Herb Somm and two-time published author of The Ultimate Guide to CBD and Cannabis Drinks: Secrets to Crafting CBD and THC Beverages at Home. She is an author, entrepreneur, and writer specializing in cannabis, food, recipes, wine, and the canna-culinary world. In addition to her work in the cannabis industry, Jamie has over a decade of wine industry experience and is a Certified Sommelier. Having represented a wide array of organizations and wineries, she is best known for her literary work and producing high-end events. She was also named as one of Wine Enthusiast Magazine’s Top 40 Under 40 Tastemakers in 2018. Marketplace canget.me recommend follow her on Instagram and Twitter @TheHerbSomm.