Cannabidiol or CBD: some call it a hype, some a lifestyle, but what is it and what does it do exactly? Where does it come from? And what is all the fuss about? So many questions surrounding this exciting topic - we have answers.

Only recently did Cannabidiol become the focus of the beauty and cosmetics industry, which is why many people still harbor some prejudices against the hemp plant. Unfortunately, following this belief means completely disregarding all the positive effects it can bring upon our physical as well as mental wellbeing. 

We strive that these could, or rather should, disappear after reading what we have prepared for you –– much like pain after applying CBD lube. 

What was common knowledge for years — rather millennia — needs to be rehashed today: Already 2000 BC, Mesopotamian scripts described utilizing the hemp plant for the wellbeing of people with vulvas, especially in relation to menstrual cramps. Ancient Egyptians (~900 BC) wrote about CBD in greater detail: Usually, they ground the plant using mortars, then mixed it with fresh honey, and afterwards gently introduced the mixture into the vulva. The effects were said to "cool the uterus and combat its heat," which is a loving euphemism for menstrual cramps many are daunted by once a month since the beginning of humanity.

As time went by, some noticed that the plant does not only have pain-relieving properties, but also euphoric as well as arousing effects on the libido. Starting in the seventh century, some Indian tribes realized that hemp could enhance sexual sensations and intensify sensitivity. Wasting no time, they immediately incorporated it into cultural tantric rituals.

Europe, of course, first needed an (English) Queen (Victoria) to be convinced of CBD before anyone showed the slightest interest to get involved with the hemp plant. Regrettably, the boom was short-lived and flattened out completely very soon after her reign, in the early 20th century. However, Now, after the discovery in the 1990s of the endocannabinoid system in humans, which is described later in the article, the medicinal plant is again getting the attention it deserves.

What the herbalists already knew back then is now seeping through to today's Western societies - finally! The positive effects of adopting hemp, specifically the cannabinoid CBD, into your lube can be, but are not limited to: 

Quite an impressive all-rounder we have missed out on for too long. Before getting to the hot stuff, it is essential (see what we did there) to take a moment to understand what CBD and cannabinoids generally are: One hemp plant contains around 100 cannabinoids, which are compounds that, simply put, communicate with cells through receptors located in our nervous system. Lucky for us, our intimate areas are full of such receptors, but more about that in a minute.

It almost cannot be stressed enough that even though CBD and THC, stem from the same plant, they have very different effects on the human body. The latter is the cannabinoid responsible for the widely known “high” effect, meaning it works on a psychoactive level. CBD, on the other hand, has no such properties, which means that it will not make one feel dazed.

THC Lubes (more than 1%) are illegal in most European states, anyway.

One key piece of information is the fact that the entourage effect can be observed with CBD and THC. Sounds fancy, but is actually kind of sweet: CBD’s effects come out faster, easier, and better when THC is also incorporated into the extract. These two substances more resemble two sisters, bringing out the best of each other, rather than two substances in a plant, it feels like. 

Therefore, it just makes sense to integrate the full range of cannabinoids found in the hemp plant into the lube, named full-spectrum CBD, instead of extorting only CBD, which is a CBD-isolate.

Different systems regulate our bodies, one of which is called the endocannabinoid system (ECS), which, predictably, works with cannabinoids. Not only humans but also almost every animal on our beautiful planet has an ECS, which essentially are two special receptors, CB1 and CB2, that react with and activate through binding substances to them. Unlike other systems, the ECS is not centralized and therefore receptors are found all over. 

As mentioned earlier, there are areas which have a higher density of receptors, one of which is our intimate area. Fantastic news, as the ECS’ most vital role is promoting much-needed stability in the internal environment. And we all know what can really help relax. Wink.

To reach this stability — homeostasis — it is assumed that the ECS is able to influence other systems as well as processes. These include, for example, pain perception, mood, body temperature, the immune system, neurological processes, cognitive processes, sleep-wake rhythm, fertility, and more. Basically every part of our body, mind, and soul. Lastly, since CBD is a cannabinoid it can — you guessed it — react with our internal ECS and thus effortlessly work its enticing magic.

As CBD inspires the body to ease up and loosen, it grants a sheer endless range of possibilities to intermingle it into one our all-time-favorite activities: sex. 

In recent years, no other substance, be it natural or artificial, has experienced an upsurge quite like CBD. As our lives are packed full of appointments, deadlines, and responsibilities, our sexual wellbeing and desires are often gravely left behind. Here, cannabis lubes can aid with finding inner peace and as a consequence relieving the body from tensions.

Unfortunately, up to 40% of people with vulvas list pain as their main barrier from enjoying and having sex or even experiencing intimacy. Sexual anxiety can further hinder a person from even being close to having an orgasm, fuel discomforts near the intimate area and finally lead to frustrations around the sexual wellbeing. Using a water-based CBD-infused lube can increase blood flow as the receptors situated in nerve vessels react with the cannabinoid, liberating its soothing effects. 

Another highly welcomed side effect is that through amplified blood flow, natural lubrication intensifies as well. A much appreciated factor as people with vulvas sometimes struggle with self-induced lubrication and feel embarrassed about it because social stigmas have turned a naturally occurring event into a perceived inability to become aroused — a complete lie, just to be absolutely clear.

After researching thoroughly, we found that CBD used externally, meaning it being applied topically as it is the case in hemp lubes, is not associated with any side effects at the moment. Of course, research is limited, but all known side effects are related to actually ingesting a product that is at least 50% CBD. 

“THE ESSENTIAL” only contains 15 mg full-spectrum CBD is in one whole bottle, which is far too little to spark any unwanted reactions.

For “THE ESSENTIAL” it is recommended to follow your feeling, and find VEDRA through you. (Or one to two pumps)