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Over the past few years, we’ve seen a boom in cannabis products in the sexual wellness industry. One product gaining popularity is CBD-infused lubricant.
While there are many benefits to using a CBD-infused lubricant, there are just as many misconceptions. It’s hard to know where to start if you’re trying CBD lube for the first time.
To help, we spoke with Raven Faber, founder and CEO of EngErotics Inc, based in Denver, Colorado, which makes CBD-infused intimate body care products.
In May 2021, Faber co-wrote an article for XBIZ on evaluating and selling CBD-infused intimacy products—and she has just as many opinions for consumers.
Before you buy a CBD-infused lubricant
Seek out recommendations from people you trust
“I’m a big believer in personal recommendations,” Faber explains. “So, I always tell people, ‘Well, start with the people that you trust, that you know use cannabis. See if they have any recommendations for you that they trust.’”
If you don’t have anyone to ask, go to a store you trust that sells adult products.
“Any brick and mortar store that sells adult products, sells lubricants or whatever, they’re going to have knowledgeable associates,” she says.
You can also read consumer reviews on websites from reputable stores. Faber recommends Good Vibrations, Babeland, Adam & Eve, and Pleasure Chest.
Read the ingredients thoroughly
“Really read the label. What does it say? What’s listed in the ingredients? Is there anything in the ingredients that gives you any cause for concern?” suggests Faber.
“I know that not all of us are in the habit of reading ingredients. But in this case, I think that we should.”
One example is that sometimes products will say “CBD” on the label when it’s actually made with hemp seed oil.
“They’ve all come from the hemp plant, but hemp seed oil comes from the seeds. That’s not where you find CBD,” Faber explains.
See if anything sticks out to you as being suspicious or questionable. If it does, ask about it.
Ask companies to share their testing data
In 2019, cannabis marketplace Leafly published a study that showed only half of the tested products delivered within 20% of the advertised CBD dosage.
Because there are nearly no regulations for CBD products, manufacturers can put whatever they want in their lubes—and on the bottle.
One way to combat this is to ask outright if the brand has any third-party testing reports available for the lubricant or if they keep a Certificate of Analysis (COA) on file.
According to Faber, “any reputable company” will gladly provide this data.
Faber mentions that retailers may also have this data on hand: “Whether you’re shopping online or if you’re in the store, you can ask the associate, ‘Does this company provide third-party testing data providing that what is on the label is in fact true?’”
Contact the company directly if it’s unavailable from the retailer or website.
Educate yourself on frequently-used CBD terms
Learning the definitions of (and differences between) specific CBD-related terminology can help drive what kind of product you’re picking.
“Depending upon what type of cannabinoids you’re looking for, what kind of product you’re looking for, that’s going to drive things like scent, efficacy, how it’s going to work with your body,” Faber explains.
“You can save yourself a lot of time and a lot of trouble by reading about these.”
Faber recommends looking into terms like isolate, distillate, full-spectrum, and broad-spectrum.
Ask questions about the lubricant’s intended use
Different lubes are great for different sexual activities. The same goes for CBD-infused lubricants.
“There’s a lot of misinformation out there because people are too shy and embarrassed, or maybe they’re ashamed to ask,” says Faber.
“Nothing sucks more than investing in… a good lubricant, whatever it is, CBD-infused or not, and you’re just not really quite sure how to use it.”
Whether you’re talking to someone in a shop or emailing the brand directly, it’s ok to ask questions that help you better understand the product you’re considering buying.
Talk to your doctor first if you have a medical condition
Even knowledgeable product experts aren’t necessarily qualified to tell you how to treat your pain. Talking to your doctor can help avoid any complications.
When someone mentions a medical condition, Faber responds:
“First thing you want to do is have a talk with your general physician, you want to talk to your gynecologist or OB. Make sure that you’re talking it over with them because I don’t know your medical history and they do.”
When you’re ready to try your new CBD-infused lubricant
Come into it with realistic expectations
One of the common misconceptions of CBD-infused lubricants is that it’s a “miracle cure.” But in reality: Bodies are different, products vary, and other factors are likely at play.
“If you’ve never had an orgasm before and you’re expecting CBD-infused lubes to give you this mind-blowing experience, you might be disappointed,” says Eve, who started using CBD-infused lubricants to help her orgasm.
“Use CBD-infused lubricants as one of several tools in your sexual toolbox. Don’t rely on it to completely shake up your experience of sexual pleasure and intimacy.”
Start slow and experiment to find what works for you
“The fun is in the experimentation and I wholeheartedly believe that,” says Faber. She recommends starting with a diamond-sized drop and working up from there.
“You have to kind of do your homework and take the time to figure out what works for you.”
