Does CBD make you last longer in bed?

Cannabidiol, better known as CBD, is a well-known herbal remedy for easing anxiety, sleep difficulties, and chronic pain. Some people claim it can also help with sexual stamina, erectile dysfunction, or delaying ejaculation. But what does the science say? Does CBD make you last longer in bed? 

Right now, there’s no strong proof that CBD directly affects how long sex lasts. Still, it may have an indirect effect, especially for people who deal with stress or performance anxiety during sex.

Here, learn what CBD is, how it works in the body, and what experts say about using it for sex. We’ll also look at whether CBD is considered safe to try, what risks it may have, and what to think about before using it to help with lasting longer in bed.

Cannabidiol or CBD is a compound derived from hemp or cannabis plants. Like THC (delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol), it interacts with your body’s endocannabinoid system, which helps regulate mood, stress, pain, sleep, and reproductive and urologic function. But unlike THC, CBD is not intoxicating, meaning it doesn’t get you high. Instead, it can support your body’s natural balance in ways that can lead to effects such as:

• Easing anxiety and stress

• Reducing inflammation and pain

• Supporting emotional balance

• Relieving nausea

Research also suggests that CBD interacts with serotonin receptors, which likewise help regulate mood, anxiety, and emotional responses.

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Right now, there isn’t any strong evidence showing that CBD directly makes you last longer in bed.

“Research on CBD, and ejaculation specifically, is extremely limited,” says Justin Houman, MD, FACS, assistant professor of urology at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. “We don’t yet have clinical trials showing consistent, reproducible benefits in delaying orgasm.”

What we do have are animal studies, which suggest that CBD may actually reduce sex drive and sexual behavior in male rodents, not improve it.

Still, it’s possible that CBD can have an indirect positive effect on sexual performance and help some men last longer during sex. But, according to Dr. Houman, “not in the way most people think.”

“CBD doesn’t directly affect ejaculation timing,” he explains. “However, for men whose premature ejaculation is linked to anxiety, especially performance anxiety, CBD’s calming effects may help reduce stress and improve control.”

The takeaway? If your premature ejaculation is the result of physical causes (think: something biological or hormonal imbalances), CBD is unlikely to be helpful. But if performance anxiety is the main driver, CBD’s potential stress reduction properties may offer mild, indirect support.

Do CBD edibles make you last longer in bed?

Edibles probably don’t make you last longer in bed. In fact, there’s no scientific evidence that edibles like CBD gummies for ED directly help men last longer during sex.

CBD edibles are often marketed as calming herbal remedies. And research shows that CBD can help ease anxiety for people with anxiety disorders. Since stress can play a role in premature ejaculation, it’s possible that CBD’s calming effect might help alleviate performance anxiety for some people, Dr. Houman says.

However, CBD’s potential benefit is tied to its effect on the nervous system, not on sexual reflexes or hormones, Dr. Houman says. So while edibles may help you feel more at ease, they won’t delay orgasm on their own.

It’s possible that CBD can affect libido, but the science is still unclear. Research findings are mixed, and effects can vary depending on the person, their overall health, and how much CBD is consumed.

“In some men, especially those dealing with chronic stress, anxiety, or pain, CBD may indirectly improve libido by helping them relax and feel more comfortable in their body,” Dr. Houman says.  

While there’s limited research on how CBD can affect male sex drive specifically, some studies suggest that it can ease stress, anxiety, and pain, all of which can influence sexual desire. But the same calming effects that can help some people get in the mood may have the opposite effect for others. “Especially at higher doses, it may blunt arousal or reduce motivation,” Dr. Houman says. 

Animal research backs this up. In one study, male rodents exposed to CBD showed lower sex drive and reduced sexual behavior. Although animal research doesn’t necessarily translate to humans, these findings suggest that CBD could also dampen libido in some men.

Why the different effects in different circumstances? “The endocannabinoid system, which CBD interacts with, plays a complex role in mood, hormone signaling, and arousal pathways,” Dr. Houman says. “We’re still learning how these pieces fit together.” Point being: More research is needed to truly understand how, if at all, CBD can affect libido in humans. 

While there isn’t research showing that CBD can have a direct impact on sexual health, there is some evidence that it can indirectly support sexual wellness. According to Dr. Houman, some potential sexual health benefits of CBD include:

• Anxiety relief. “By calming the nervous system, CBD may support better sexual performance, particularly for men with performance-related erectile issues or premature ejaculation,” Dr. Houman says.

• Improved sleep. Research shows that CBD can help boost sleep quality, especially in people with anxiety or sleep disorders. While there aren’t any studies directly linking CBD, sleep, and sex, good sleep is known to support hormone balance overall. That includes testosterone and mood-regulating hormones, which play a role in libido and sexual performance. In fact, research suggests that poor sleep and insomnia are linked to sexual dysfunction. So by helping you sleep better, CBD might offer indirect benefits for sexual health, Dr. Houman says.

• Potentially reduced pelvic pain and inflammation. In individuals with chronic prostatitis (i.e. inflammation of the prostate) or pelvic pain, CBD’s anti‑inflammatory and muscle-relaxant effects may ease discomfort and indirectly improve sexual function, Dr. Houman says. Early lab research supports this idea, though clinical trials in humans are needed to better understand the connection between CBD, pelvic pain, and sexual performance.

CBD is generally safe when used at low to moderate doses, Dr. Houman says. But there are important caveats to keep in mind.

One of the biggest concerns about CBD is product quality. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) doesn’t regulate most CBD-related products, so some may contain unwanted (and often unlabeled) ingredients like harmful contaminants, heavy metals, or THC, according to Dr. Houman. To stay safe, go for products with a COA or certificate of analysis, which means they’ve been third-party tested to confirm they contain what they claim and nothing they shouldn’t. 

Side effects of CBD include drowsiness and gastrointestinal distress. Research suggests the side effects of CBD are typically minor. Sedation is one of the most common side effects, particularly at higher doses or if your product of choice also contains THC. Feeling overly relaxed might sound helpful before sex, but too much sedation can affect arousal, energy, and engagement, Dr. Houman says. 

There’s also the possibility of drug interactions. “CBD can interact with medications, including blood thinners and certain antidepressants,” Dr. Houman says. CBD is metabolized by liver enzymes that are also involved in processing many prescription drugs. This means CBD can interfere with how your body breaks down those medications, potentially raising the risk of side effects.

Perhaps most importantly, CBD is not a cure-all. “If you're using it to manage premature ejaculation, it's critical to understand what’s causing your symptoms first,” Dr. Houman says. “For example, if there’s an underlying serotonin imbalance or prostatitis, CBD alone won’t fix the problem.” 

That’s why it’s important to consult your healthcare provider if you think you may be dealing with sexual dysfunction or, frankly, if you’re experiencing any new and unwanted symptoms. Your provider can determine what might be going on and recommend a treatment plan that’s a fit for you. 

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CBD may not be a silver bullet for sexual performance, but for some men — particularly those dealing with premature ejaculation due to performance anxiety — it could offer indirect support. Understanding how it works, its limitations, and knowing the quality of the specific product you are using can help you decide whether it may fit into your sexual health routine. Here’s what to keep in mind: 

• There’s no scientific evidence that CBD directly affects ejaculation timing. If premature ejaculation is related to hormones or physical factors, CBD likely won’t help address your symptoms and boost your sexual performance.

• If anxiety is behind your sexual dysfunction, however, CBD may help you feel more in control and, as a result, last longer in bed. For men whose sexual performance is impacted by anxiety, CBD’s calming effect may improve control and help reduce performance-related stress.

• CBD may influence libido, but not always in a positive way. Some men report improved desire when CBD helps them relax, but others — especially those who take CBD at higher doses — may feel less aroused or sexually motivated.

• Other benefits of CBD (like better sleep and pain relief) may indirectly support sexual wellness. By improving sleep and easing chronic pain or pelvic discomfort, CBD might contribute to overall sexual health, even though it doesn’t act on sexual function directly.

• CBD is generally safe, but not risk-free. Side effects like drowsiness and drug interactions can be an issue, especially if you’re taking other medications. Always pick third-party-tested products and talk to a healthcare provider if you’re unsure.

• CBD might help with stress-driven issues, but it’s not a cure for underlying medical conditions like prostatitis or hormonal imbalances. A proper diagnosis from a healthcare provider is key to getting the right treatment.