Does CBD aid male and female fertility?

Sadly, the percentages of couples facing fertility issues keep growing over the years. In 2020, the fertility rate for Thailand was 1.5 children per woman and it is declining every year.

Some of the reasons for this is our increasingly stressy lifestyle, career decisions and the difficulty of finding a trustful partner.

In this article, we will look closer at how CBD impacts female and male fertility. 

Some of the information is backed by science, but this topic still lacks research. Therefore, you should only see CBD as a potential alternative for increasing your chances of getting pregnant. 

Read first: what CBD does to you

The reproduction system is complex and it is important you understand all the different factors which affect your chances of conceiving.

One of the factors is the Endocannabinoid System (ECS) and how it interacts with CBD. 

CBD & the Endocannabinoid System

CBD is one among hundreds of Cannabinoids found in a cannabis plant. CBD makes you relaxed, relieves pain and helps you sleep better. THC is another substance in the cannabis plant which is the substance that makes you high.

THC is not advisable to take if you are trying to get pregnant. However, with modern technology, it is very simple to separate THC from CBD in the cannabis plant.

The Endocannabinoid System (ECS) are a set of receptors called CB1 and CB2. These receptors are found everywhere in the body and trigger as well as regulate several important body functions:

• Female reproduction system: The ECS affects the maturation of the ovarian follicle, oocyte maturation and ovarian endocrine secretion
• Learning & memory
• Emotions & emotional processing
• Sleep
• Temperature control
• Pain control
• Inflammatory & immune responses
• Eating & metabolism

The ECS interacts with cannabinoids produced in your body, even if you don’t take cannabis. But sometimes the body may have a problem producing its own cannabinoids for various reasons.

One of the most important Endocannabinoids in the fertility journey is Anandamide. High levels of Anandamide are experienced during ovulation and required for successful chances of pregnancy. 

On the other hand, when Anandamide levels are low and you are experiencing a deficiency of Endocannabinoids, this will impact the ovulation process and reduce the chances of a successful pregnancy.

Effects of CBD on fertility

CBD helps and boosts Anandamide levels, which is crucial during the ovulation process. 

During this time, CBD reduces the breakdown of FAAH, an enzyme that increases the chance to become pregnant. So if you are experiencing infertility, CBD can be a better option to help you conceive. 

Problems and issues relating to infertility can cause anxiety and trigger stress. As a result, women may experience hormonal imbalance, which limits their chances to conceive.

CBD activates serotonin receptors, which may help restore the right mood. A hormonal imbalance may reduce the production of a healthy egg and sperm. CBD is therefore an alternative to relieve stress when you are trying to get children.

CBD and fertility in men

Studies have shown that GPR18 is a receptor found in the sperm cell and connected to the Endocannabinoid system. 

With the positive impact CBD has on the ECS, there is the belief that CBD may help the reproduction process by triggering an ‘acrosome reaction’. The acrosome reaction is the process of the sperm infusing itself into the egg.

The GPR18 receptor triggers this reaction, which ejects various digestive enzymes that enable the sperm to lose its protective cap and enhance penetration into the egg. It is believed that CBD enhances triggering the receptor, which in turn facilitates fertilization of the egg.

Science has proven the connection between the receptor and the ECS. Science has also proven the positive effects of CBD on ECS. But science has not proven that CBD directly increases the chances of pregnancy. But there are several factors that point that it may do so. 

Is it advisable to try CBD to enhance fertility?

There is no evidence of the negative effects of taking CBD when trying to get a child. So giving it a try is not a bad idea. Especially since it improves your immune system, sleep patterns and mood which are crucial for conception. 

Side effects of CBD

While CBD is a natural product it has minimal side effects. You can experience nausea, mild headache, drowsiness and laxity. However, the body acclimates itself to CBD, and the side effects disappear naturally.

To watch out for:

However, as mentioned earlier, you should not take cannabis products with THC which can negatively impact ovulation and implantation in women. 

Conclusion

Issues relating to fertility are common for both men and women. A variety of natural treatment options such as CBD have shown positive results in helping infertility problems. 

Medical studies are on the way to scientifically proving evidence about CBD’s power to help infertility. If these findings are correct, CBD can be the next big thing to resolve female and male infertility.

If you are in the process of creating a family CBD can be a push in the right direction. At Bloom, we sell a range of therapeutical CBD products which has helped 1000’s of Thais to better sleep, less troubled thoughts and hopefully – improved fertility.

We recommend further educating yourself on the topic of CBD and what it can do for you. The more enlightened you are, the better you understand the benefits of this healing flower.