Since hemp has now been federally legalized in the U.S., the plant has been gaining popularity for a variety of different uses. More recently, CBD has been at the forefront of the media for both positive and negative reasons. The cannabinoid — mainly found in non-psychoactive hemp plants – has been said to be helpful for pain relief, anxiety, insomnia, and also an anti-inflammatory and even testosterone. CBD products like tinctures, oils, topicals, and supplements can be more affordable and accessible for people who are interested in trying hemp as an alternative to potentially harmful pharmaceuticals.
A commonly asked question is: what kind of side effects, if any, will CBD products have on my body? Another more important question adult males many have is: how will CBD impact my testosterone levels? Despite the fact that hemp has shown great therapeutic potential in both science and anecdotal research, the longstanding federal prohibition of the plant prevented much research from being done.
The reason why so many doctors and medical professionals are still in the dark about the healing properties of hemp is due to the continued confusing illegality of its constituents — we’re talking CBD, also known as cannabidiol. Though many other places in the world have legalized the sale and consumption of the hemp plant, there are still a lot of issues that need to be worked out regarding the regulation of CBD. More scientific research needs to be done to fully understand the effects of CBD on the body and how CBD impacts testosterone in adult males. There are many opinions out there, but for the purposes of this article, we are interested in as many scientific facts and data that we have available to us at this time.
How Does CBD Impact Testosterone?
Now that we have outlined what CBD is and briefly discussed other compounds in the hemp plant, let us focus on the potential impact of CBD on testosterone. Researchers suggest that CBD can help maintain proper regulation of the endocannabinoid system. The endocannabinoid system regulates brain functions, the immune system, reproductive functions, and you guessed it — the endocrine system.
The impact of cannabinoids on adult male testosterone has piqued the curiosity of medical professionals and researchers for a long time. One of the most widely referenced studies dates all the way back to 1983, stating that cannabinoids can both stimulate and inhibit testosterone production in test tubes and in the testes of live mice. This study was published in the journal Life Science and tested the effects of CBD and THC, as well as another, lesser discussed cannabinoid called CBN. The study found that the larger micromolar doses of cannabinoids inhibited the testosterone production in the testes of mice and in test tubes. On the other hand, the smaller nanomolar doses of cannabinoids stimulated the production of testosterone.
Another widely cited study regarding the impact of cannabinoids in adult male hormones was conducted back in 1979 in a medical journal called Molecular and Cellular Endocrinology. Researchers observed a reduced amount of testosterone production in the testes of mice models following the consumption of these cannabinoids. The results of these studies are perhaps the basis for the prohibitionist claims that consuming hemp will lower sperm count in adult males.
It is important to remember that these studies were done on various cannabinoids, not CBD alone, and they were done on mice, not humans. As such, the results could be much different if a specific study of CBD’s effects on adult males was conducted. This again showcases the importance of more high-level clinical hemp research and tests being done on humans.
So, How Much Should I Take?
When shopping for CBD products, you’ll notice that different units of measurement are used for different products. You’ll see milligrams when dosing edibles and topicals, while milliliters are reserved for CBD oils, tinctures, and vape oils. In addition to that, each product will have different concentration levels and serving sizes. This is where figuring out the you need can get frustrating, especially for beginners. Although a little math is required, it’s quite easy to keep track of and will lead to more effective results.
It’s always suggested to start with a low dose and work your way up from there. Most adults would be safe starting with anywhere from 5mg-50mg per day — not per serving. With that in mind, you can start to map out your preferred product. Either way, if you feel you need more, take more.
If you’re looking for something that will act fast, vaping or topicals might be the way to go. If you’re looking for something that will last a while, then CBD oils, tinctures, and edibles would be best. Many people prefer vaping to other ways of consuming CBD mainly due to its fast delivery and the fact that it is a safer alternative to smoking flower. Oral inhalation allows cannabinoids to bypass metabolic processes, causing a quicker onset of effects.
The Verdict?
As we’ve learned, constituents of the hemp plant could have some potential benefits for medicinal use. Though, as with any other substances, it’s imperative to remember that CBD can and will impact everyone a bit differently. While some males might experience a spike in their testosterone levels, others might see a dip. This may be due to many factors including dosage and individual body chemistry.
As the hemp industry in North America continues to expand and evolve, we will see more standardization of products containing CBD, and hopefully more effective regulation. Loosening of laws will also pave the way for more scientific research about CBD’s effects on the body as a whole.