CBD Lube Benefits and Buying Tips with EngErotics CEO Raven Faber

SexForEveryBody.com is supported by our readers. We may earn a commission if you buy through links on our site. Learn more.

Historically considered a vice, cannabis is more socially acceptable than ever.

Seeing products with the popular cannabis compound cannabidiol (CBD) on the shelves of department stores and independent shops alike is a common occurrence.

More and more brands are adding CBD lubes to their product catalog and talking about CBD lube benefits.

Mainstream beauty and wellness companies are also tapping into the sexual wellness market, particularly with personal lubricants. Even Ulta, the largest beauty retailer in the U.S., now sells Foria’s CBD-based sexual wellness products on its website.

Since studies suggest CBD can help relieve inflammation, dryness, and other ailments affecting sexual pleasure, adding it to a personal lubricant seems like a natural next step.

And unlike tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), another chemical found in marijuana plants, CBD lacks psychoactive properties, meaning it doesn’t give you a “head high.”

But there’s a lot of hype regarding sex and cannabis products—and it can be challenging to know what claims to trust and which CBD lube might be a good fit for you.

To help us navigate this precarious industry sector, we spoke with Raven Faber, Founder and CEO of EngErotics, Inc., in Denver, Colorado. Short for “Engineered Erotics,” the company makes CBD-infused products for intimate care, such as salves, bath salts, and massage oil. sexual wellness products. She covers CBD lube benefits and precautions, as well as how to find the best CBD lube for your needs. We spoke to Faber in 2021 and again this month.*

Further down we also share feedback from sources who tried CBD-infused lubricants, but who spoke to us on the condition that we use their first names only.

Read on to learn more about potential CBD lube benefits and tips on finding the right product for you.

What are the benefits of CBD lube?

When discussing the potential of experiencing CBD lube benefits, Faber emphasizes that it’s essential to approach with caution.

“I always like to preface this particular question with a disclaimer and remind you that I’m not a doctor, I’m an engineer… We never make medical claims. A lot of companies do, but you’re not supposed to,” she says.

“I also like to tell people that, you know, your mileage may vary because the effects of CBD vary a lot based on a number of different variables… your own body chemistry, your diet, medications that you’re on, all kinds of things.”

Even if there’s no guaranteed result, Faber adds, “in general, people have found that CBD has a lot of different results that are highly beneficial for them.”

Personal lubrication

Eve is a young woman who started using CBD-infused lubes to help her reach orgasms. She found they can help with vaginal dryness.

“I would recommend CBD-infused lubes for anyone who struggles with feeling wet enough during sex,” Eve told SexForEveryBody.com.

Personal lubricant is explicitly designed to reduce friction, but what sets CBD-infused lubes apart is that the cannabinoid CBD itself has properties that may increase the production of the body’s natural lubrication.

Faber also points out that this is especially important as people age: “We have a lot of clients who are caring about menopause, going through menopause, they’re seeing a difference in how their body lubricates during sex and CBD helps kickstart that.”

Anti-inflammatory properties

“CBD is a really beneficial cannabinoid that reduces inflammation and muscle pain,” says Meghan, a former budtender from Seattle, “so lube that’s infused with it can offer pain relief and make it easier to experience pleasure during sex.”

Increased blood flow (which means more sensitivity)

“The differences between CBD and non-CBD lube are subtle, but the biggest is definitely sensitivity… when using CBD-infused, the area is more receptive to touch,” Meghan continues.

This is because CBD is a vasodilator, which causes blood vessels to open up and promote more blood flow into the area where you apply it.

“If you’re using your CBD internally, inside of the vagina on the g-spot… you’re going to get more potential for arousal, more potential for sensitivity,” Faber explains.

“If you’re using it on the labia or the clitoris or on the head of the penis, around the outside of the anus, inside of the rectum for anal sex, you get more blood flow there.”

Eve agrees, adding: “In my experience, CBD-infused lubes really heighten the sensitivity of my erogenous zones. Even putting some on my nipples seems to increase their sensitivity to stimulation.”

Helps some with chronic pain

While any chronic issues should be discussed with your doctor, Faber mentioned that she had clients with conditions like endometriosis, vaginismus, and fibromyalgia who have successfully eased their pain with CBD-infused lube.

Feelings of relaxation

Another potential benefit of CBD is a feeling of relaxation wherever you use it.

“You get those anti-inflammatory properties, you get more blood flow into the area, and most people report that it helps their muscles relax and helps them be a better receiver,” says Faber.

She later adds: “Using CBD—whether you’re using it as a lubricant, whether you’re using it over your body—can really help you get into the proper headspace, as well. There’s something to be said about the effects on the neurological level.”

Common misconceptions about CBD-infused lubes

With any innovation gaining market traction, companies will capitalize on the opportunity or make unrealistic promises. Even your well-intentioned friend who had an amazing experience with a CBD lube may not caveat the conversation appropriately.

“I do think that one of the biggest misconceptions is that people think CBD lubricant is going to solve all of their problems. Either all their physical problems or all of their sexual problems,” Faber says.

“I’ve had to tell people several times that it doesn’t matter what I sell you, if there are cracks in the foundation of your relationship, CBD is not going to fix that.”

Relationship status isn’t the only factor at play here. Your body, other products you’re using, and the composition of the particular lube all have a hand in altering your experience.

Everyone’s body reacts to CBD products differently

“There are so many variables to be considered. Sometimes it doesn’t matter how good your product is,” says Faber.

“Maybe you’re interacting with these products a little differently depending on where you are at in your menstrual cycle. Maybe you have a sinus infection, and you’ve got to take a course of antibiotics…. Again, I’m not a doctor, so I can’t really speak with any sort of certainty as to how these different things will interact with CBD. That’s where you should talk to your doctor.”

Orgasms aren’t guaranteed

“CBD lubes aren’t a miracle ‘cure,’” adds Eve.

“I’ve found that if I’m not fully present during sex—or in the past when I used to have sex with partners who were not great communicators—CBD lube alone was not enough to help me feel wet or reach orgasm.”

Eve encourages everyone to have realistic expectations, especially if you’ve never had an 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.”

Oil-based lubricants aren’t as compatible with other products

“Most of the CBD-infused lubes I have come across contain oil ingredients or are oil-based, making them incompatible with latex condoms and incompatible with some sex toys,” says Eve.

That’s because oils can degrade materials like latex and some sex toys made with silicone blends.

According to Faber, oil-based personal lubricants won’t degrade legitimate medical-grade silicone. But a lack of regulation within the world of intimacy devices allows for products that aren’t actually made of silicone to be labeled as such, she added.

“Other times, manufacturers will use a blend of silicone and various fillers. The fillers are what react to other materials and products.”

When trying CBD lube, it’s recommended to use a non-latex condom and sex toys made from materials like glass or aluminum.

Being a conscious consumer is especially important for CBD-infused lubricants

“A lot of people want to capitalize off of the success that we’re seeing in this world of cannabis,” Faber explains, encouraging consumers to be cautious.

She adds that similar to sex toys and intimacy devices, there’s a major lack of laws or regulations to ensure product quality.

Two years ago, Faber referred to the CBD market as “the wild west” and warned about improper labeling.

“Just because whatever it says on the label, or it mentions CBD ingredients, doesn’t mean that that’s what is in the bottle. And there’s really nothing in place to hold people accountable for efficacy, for safety, for quality, for functionality,” Faber said in 2021.

“While what I’ve said here still largely remains an issue,” Faber wrote in a follow-up email, “I’m glad to see that manufacturers, retailers, and consumers have become more educated and discerning when it comes to filtering out the bad actors in the industry in the years since I first gave this interview.”

Knowing what to look for while buying a CBD-infused lubricant and tracking news on CBD-related FDA regulations can help you decipher fact from fiction while shopping.

* This article was updated to clarify the incompatibility of products made with silicone blends or fillers. It also includes additional quotes from Raven Faber.