CBD For Men's Health
CBD has taken the natural wellness world by storm, and for good reason. From reducing anxiety to improving sleep, its benefits are vast and varied.
Many athletes, including professional football players and MMA fighters, have begun incorporating CBD into their recovery routines.
You might be wondering why is that? Why are more and more people adding CBD to their lifestyle?
Well…CBD for men’s health might have some surprising benefits.
Let’s dive in.
Top Benefits Of CBD For Men
CBD products offer a range of potential benefits for men's health and wellness. Let's take a closer look at some of the ways CBD can help you feel your best.
1. Stress Management
Stress is one of the primary concerns when it comes to men’s health. It has become all too common to brush the stress and pressure you feel under the guise of “tough it out”.
Approximately 31% of men will experience depression in their lifetime, and 9% report daily feelings of depression or anxiety. However, only about 25% seek help from mental health professionals.
Stress and anxiety not only affect your mind, but your body as well. Men are at a higher risk of developing cardiovascular issues, and lowered immune system response because of stress.
CBD (cannabidiol) can help naturally lower your body’s internal stressors, as well as its response to external stress triggers.
CBD does this by activating your CB1 receptors in the brain which regulate serotonin and dopamine levels, both of which play a crucial role in your mood.
A 2019 study published in the Journal of Clinical Medicine found that CBD significantly reduced anxiety in 79.2% of patients and improved sleep scores in 66.7% of patients1.
CBD may also help reduce the physical symptoms of anxiety, such as increased heart rate and sweating.
Dr. Esther Blessing, a psychiatrist and researcher at New York University, states, "People who took CBD reported significantly less anxiety. It's really interesting.”
2. Heart Benefits
Cardiovascular health is one of the top priorities for men. Men have a higher risk of developing heart diseases, and it is also one of the leading causes of deaths in men.
A lot of factors can play a role here like stress (as we discussed in last section), lack of exercise, bad diet. But the leading cause of deterioration of cardiac health is predominantly stress.
CBD interacts with ECS receptors, potentially leading to vasodilation (widening of blood vessels), which can help lower blood pressure.
A 2017 study published in the Journal of Clinical Investigation found that a single dose of CBD reduced resting blood pressure stress in healthy volunteers2.
Moreover, CBD's anti-inflammatory and antioxidative properties may contribute to overall heart health.
Chronic inflammation and oxidative stress are known contributors to heart disease, and CBD is being researched for its ability to combat these factors.
3. Workout and Muscle Recovery
If you live an active lifestyle and regularly engage in exercise, rock climbing or other physically exerting activities, recovery is critical.
When we exercise, especially intensively, we create micro-tears in our muscle fibers. This is a normal part of the muscle-building process, but it can lead to inflammation and soreness. CBD can help mitigate this inflammation, potentially speeding up recovery time and reducing discomfort.
A 2020 review published in Sports Medicine highlighted CBD's potential in sports recovery. The researchers noted that CBD could help reduce exercise-induced inflammation and oxidative stress, both of which contribute to muscle soreness and fatigue3.
Topical CBD products are great for targeted relief and quick recovery. Our CBD Topical products are a great option for a relaxing post workout massage.
CBD can also help with sleep quality, which is the backbone for muscle recovery.
4. Sexual Health
Sexual health is an important aspect of men's overall well-being, and CBD may offer benefits in this area as well, particularly when it comes to erectile dysfunction (ED).
A 2009 study published in the Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences found that the endocannabinoid system is involved in several aspects of sexual function, including erectile function.
While this study didn't specifically look at CBD, it suggests that cannabinoids like CBD could play a role in sexual health.
Research specifically on CBD and ED is limited, and there’s no evidence that CBD directly helps with erectile dysfunction.
CBD's known effects on anxiety and blood flow suggest potential benefits since both are factors in ED.
Performance anxiety is a common cause of ED, and CBD's anxiolytic (anti-anxiety) properties could help alleviate this issue.
A 2019 study in the Journal of Pain Research found that cannabis extracts, including CBD, could help manage prostate related discomfort.
Another study from the same year suggested that CBD may shield sperm from oxidative stress4.
5. CBD and Men’s Hormones
Testosterone plays a crucial role in your overall health. While CBD doesn't directly boost testosterone, it might help maintain healthy levels.
A 2022 study in the Journal of Clinical Medicine found an interesting link between CBD use and increased testosterone levels in men.
The researchers found that CBD use was associated with an increase in testosterone levels. This finding suggests that CBD might have a positive impact on hormonal balance, and its ability to reduce stress and cortisol levels, which can otherwise inhibit testosterone production.
6. Better Sleep
CBD can help with sleep by reducing anxiety and alleviating pain, two common culprits behind sleepless nights. Your endocannabinoid system plays a major role in regulating sleep-wake cycles (circadian rhythm).
CBN (cannabinol), on the other hand, is believed to have stronger sedative properties, helping you fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer.
It is often called “the sleepy cannabinoid”, that’s why we included it in our customer favorite GOODNIGHT CBD + CBN oil blend.
CBD's calming effects complement CBN's sedative properties. This combination may help you not only fall asleep more easily but also improve the overall quality of your rest, so you’re refreshed and energized in the mornings.
A 2019 study published in the Permanente Journal found that 66.7% of patients experienced improved sleep scores after taking CBD. The researchers noted that CBD was well-tolerated and showed promise in treating sleep disorders5.
CBD may also indirectly improve sleep by addressing underlying issues that can disrupt sleep, such as anxiety and pain.
Final Thoughts
CBD might not be a magic bullet, but it's showing real promise for many men. If you're struggling with these issues, CBD could be worth exploring. It might just be the natural support your body needs to feel its best.
7. Reference
- Shannon, S., Lewis, N., Lee, H., & Hughes, S. (2019). Cannabidiol in Anxiety and Sleep: A Large Case Series. The Permanente journal, 23, 18–041. https://doi.org/10.7812/TPP/18-041 ↩︎
- Jadoon, K. A., Tan, G. D., & O’Sullivan, S. E. (2017). A single dose of cannabidiol reduces blood pressure in healthy volunteers in a randomized crossover study. JCI insight, 2(12), e93760. https://doi.org/10.1172/jci.insight.93760 ↩︎
- Sahinovic, A., Irwin, C., Doohan, P.T. et al. Effects of Cannabidiol on Exercise Physiology and Bioenergetics: A Randomised Controlled Pilot Trial. Sports Med – Open 8, 27 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1186/s40798-022-00417-y ↩︎
- Govahi, A., Eghbali, S., Ajdary, M. et al. Cannabidiol impairs sperm quality and function in adult mice. Middle East Fertil Soc J 29, 26 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1186/s43043-024-00184-8 ↩︎
- Shannon S, Lewis N, Lee H, Hughes S. Cannabidiol in anxiety and sleep: A large case series. Perm J 2019;23:18-041. DOI: https://doi.org/10.7812/TPP/18-041 ↩︎
