Page 18 - AVN Intimate Spring 2018

FEATURE
By Ashley ManTA
THC vs. CBD
How to use both to enhance intimacy
Folks regularly ask about the difference between CBD and THC for sex. I consulted an expert in
the science of utilizing cannabis to create specific effects on the body. Andrew Mieure, owner of
Top Shelf Budtending, is a certified cannabis sommelier, and was previously a cannabis grading
technician at the Trichome Institute, which developed the standard operating procedure for grading
cannabis objectively. His business—hosting bud bars at high events and consulting with social use
clubs—requires him to be an expert on how to use cannabis to create and enhance experiences.
CannaBliss
(continued from page 16)
Ashley ManTA: WhAT ARE soME of the
diFFEREncES BETWEEn CBD and Thc in TERMS of
how they would APPly to SExUAl exPERiencES?
AndREW MiEURE: The more CBD the less
euphoric, so I think CBD would be best utilized as
a recovery tool after sex or to lessen anxiety before
an encounter. I don’t think CBD provides enough
of a “mental shift” to really impact performance
negatively or positively. CBD seems more like a
pre- or post-game cannabinoid to me.
During an encounter, THC is important because
of that mental shift you experience. Whether that
be loosening your mental state to be ready for sex
or actually making the sex feel better physically,
the mental shift is more noticeable with THC, thus
the need for the higher THC products.
In my personal experience, I’ve noticed a very
clear difference in sensitivity (in a good way)
after consuming THC which CBD alone does not
provide. However, it’s always a balance game
to find the right combination of cannabinoids.
Too much THC and I’m a heart-pounding mess.
It’s vital to have just the right amount of each. I
personally think 1:1’s are the best. A good mixture
of euphoria and relaxation without too much
knockout power. That leads to less anxiety for
newer sexual partners, lessening potential erectile
difficulties that can stem from anxiety.
Citrus would greatly increase alertness and would
strongly enhance visual stimuli. Lavender and
nutty terpenes would relax and calm without
making you tired.
We’ve BEEn TAlking moSTly ABoUT moSTly with
floWER or oils, BUT how do ediblES fit in?
Micro-dosing with edibles is amazing. 1-3mg
of THC evokes just enough of that mental shift.
However, it’s important to remember that edibles
are wildly different per person due to how they are
processed in the body.
I fully agree with Andrew’s parting thoughts on
edibles. Micro-dosing is ideal, since employing a
heavy dose of edibles can put an unwelcome kink
(not the fun kind) in your intimate plans. Always
start low and go slow, and remember to wait a full
two hours before taking more!
With regard to CBD’s sexual effects, I find
high-CBD strains like Cannatonic and Harlequin
especially useful for anxiety as well as acute and
chronic pain. Since CBD lacks psychoactive effects,
it’s great for a quickie when you don’t have time to
ride out the high, pun intended.
Because there is so much nuance to cannabis,
it’s important to visit a dispensary and chat with
a budtender who understands cannabinoids and
terpenes and can make recommendations based
ARE thERE any othER plant-RElATEd FActoRS thAT
on the effects you’re seeking. As always, it’s best
can iMPAct the EFFEcTS of Thc and CBD?
to sample new strains and products on your own
Terpenes play a major role in tailoring the high.
before trying them with a partner so that you
The cannabinoid profile is only part of the picture.
can isolate the variables impacting your sexual
Skunky/woody/earthy terpenes cause sleepiness.
experience.
This article—written by cannabis expert Ashley Manta, creator of the trademarked term “Cannasexual”—
originally appeared on Leafly.com.
18 | INTIMATE | SPRING 2018
Velvet Swing’s cannabis oil lube
sensuality and increases blood flow, as
well as relaxing the muscles in the area.
The cannabis lube, she says, will help
women “experience localized warmth
and tingling, as well as longer, stronger
orgasms.” We’re sold.
Sexy Ganja GiFTS
This past Valentine’s Day was the first
opportunity for makers of pot-themed
products to sell them in a sexual context.
Penis-shaped bongs popped up like
boners in tobacco and variety stores, and
edibles made an arousing appearance
this year.
High Love, says they are “one of the
first edible cannabis aphrodisiacs on
the market. Their beautifully designed
chocolates “offer rapid delivery, kicking
in around 15 minutes.” The product,
they say, is “delivered through delicious
chocolates engineered to provide
consistent, low-dosage, very fast onset
highs. In short, we are on a mission to
bring cannabis back the way it should be,
helping you to enhance your lifestyle to
its best and return to your senses.”
High Love contains 5 mg of THC
with “intimacy-inducing botanicals”
like muira puama (the “Viagra of the
Amazon”), damiana and catuaba (for
blood flow), ashwagandha (Indian
ginseng for stimulation), and vanilla.
Before foreplay, eat one of these sweets
together and let the magic happen. “Get
lustful like never before,” they say.
Fun FUTURE GroWTh
Since it’s pretty much proven that
weed makes sex more fun, there will be
a blow-up of cannabis-related sexual
products entering the market. Lubes,
edibles, vapes, bongs, massage oils and
anything cannabis-infused will be part
of people’s “sexual healing”—and one
more fun way toward the future of sex.