The Pleasure Prescription: Why Cannabis Belongs in Your Wellness Routine
From stress relief to better sex, here’s how I’m using cannabis to feel good again.
Let’s face it: the world feels like a dumpster fire right now. No matter where we look or whom we turn to, there always seems to be something distressing, depressing, or downright frightening to witness or experience. For many of us, all of that—combined with the responsibilities of everyday life—can be overwhelming and all but extinguish our desire for sex.
This is a persistent issue for many of my clients. They feel frustrated that they can’t shut off their brains. Despite their best efforts—meditating, doing yoga, exercising, and engaging in hobbies—they still find themselves struggling when it comes to sexual desire and pleasure. Though the idea of sex is appealing, the ability to get into the right headspace often feels just out of reach.
So, when my clients ask what they might do to reach the "desire finish line," so to speak, I suggest cannabis. We take vitamins and other supplements for our health—so why not cannabis?
Not Just for Parties Anymore
Many people think of cannabis as something to enjoy at a party or with friends for a little social lubrication. But edibles, in particular, can be an excellent way to help you relax and fully experience pleasure.
And sure enough, one by one, my clients reported back that more often than not, cannabis was the one thing that made all the difference. They told me they felt more receptive to their partner’s bids for connection—both sexual and non-sexual. Some noticed an increased ability to put overwhelming thoughts in the background, while others found that cannabis relaxed their body and mind enough to enhance arousal.
Of course, I wouldn’t suggest anything I hadn’t tried myself—and as it turns out, I had a lot to share.
Cannabis as a Substitute for Wine?
Since last November, I’ve had the same trouble tapping into my sensual side. I don’t drink, but I’ve been microdosing with a 2mg THC/6mg CBD edible (Camino Sparkling Pear) for years as a way to unwind—sort of like how some people enjoy a glass of wine after work or with dinner. In fact, I keep a tin of them in my purse and another in my kitchen for just such occasions.
So, it wasn’t much of a leap to try edibles as a way to help me feel more sensually available and open to connection.
That said, I’ll admit that at first, my knowledge of edibles was pretty basic. I only knew the common generalization: Indica = sleepy! Sativa = fun!
Learning What’s Actually in My Gummies
Wanting to better understand what I was putting into my body, I decided to get into the weeds (pun intended) and learn more about cannabis. I quickly discovered that THC—the psychoactive component of cannabis—works alongside various non-psychoactive cannabinoids like CBD, CBN, CBG, and CBC to create a fuller-bodied experience.
There was an entire world of combinations to explore, each offering different effects that could help me get out of my head and into my body. I had no idea how many great options were available to help me curate exactly the kind of experience I was looking for.
After trying a variety of combinations in NY and CA, I found a couple that worked best for me—a lightweight when it comes to cannabis. I’m using the Camino brand in my example because it’s my favorite.
Favorite Finds: Camino Gummies
Camino Exhilarate Wild Cherry
5mg THC / 5mg CBG / 5mg CBC
A recent favorite. Just one gummy makes me feel cozy and sexy, with the option to lean into a playful mood if I want to. (Currently, only available in CA & NY—more states coming soon.)
Camino Excite Wild Cherry
5mg THC
An energizing blend of sativa-like terpenes with a sweet-tart cherry flavor—perfect for getting happy, silly, and in the mood.
Camino Freshly Squeezed “Recover”
5mg THC / 10mg CBG
A more relaxing option with hybrid-like terpenes to support well-being and enhance a nurturing feeling of calm and balance.
Cannabis for Sexual Pleasure
Another way to use cannabis for general well-being is (surprise!) physical sexual pleasure. Creating a Pleasure Plan—a list of the things that bring you joy—helps you prioritize sexual pleasure as an essential part of your daily routine, not just optional or for the weekends.
In fact, pleasurable activities like hobbies, socializing, meditation, and sex help rewire our brain to seek joy (Read: The Joy Reset) instead of constantly scanning for danger or stress.
As you might expect, part of my Pleasure Plan includes prioritizing sexual pleasure, and using cannabis topically has been a game-changer for me.
Tried & True: Foria Awaken Arousal Oil
I started by asking my clients if they used topical cannabis in their sex lives—and if so, what kind. Though we differed on a couple of brands, almost everyone agreed on one clear winner:
I’ve known about Foria since they first hit the market. It was great then, and it’s great now. (Side note: I still miss the OG Relief suppositories—they were amazing for cramps and back pain. Unfortunately, the medicinal amount of THC was significantly reduced in the new version. Sigh. That’s not to say that the CBD dominant Relief they have now doesn’t work - it does - just not as fast and completely as the OG).
But I digress…
Foria’s Awaken Oil is what I’m talking about, and I have zero complaints. Awaken is a beautifully formulated CBD oil with “organic botanicals” meant to support pleasurable sex—like kava root, cinnamon, peppermint, cacao, and ginger—all suspended in a high quality coconut oil.
What it doesn’t contain, is just as important as what it does contain. L-arginine—a vasodilator that some people (myself included) find irritating, is thankfully missing from the Awaken Arousal Oil. It’s nice to finally have a high-quality arousal oil without the possibility of unpleasant side effects.
Curious and want to try Awaken? I suggest applying to the clitoris and vulva ~20 minutes before sexy time. Result? Many folks experience enhanced sensation, more sensitivity, and a subtle-but-noticeable boost in orgasm intensity.
Building a Self-Care Practice with Cannabis
Now, that I’ve discovered how my body reacts to cannabis for relaxation and pleasure, when I suggest cannabis to my clients as a way to leave the day behind or add a little somethin’ somethin’ to their sex lives, I can speak from experience.
Adding edibles and topicals to my Pleasure Plan—whether I need it or just want it—has become an effective, joyful part of my self-care routine.
And honestly? We could all use a little more joy and pleasure right now.
*Goodies for You
When I reached out, the folks at Foria were kind enough to offer a 20% discount to The Reveal readers:
Also, special thanks to KIVA for the Camino samples!
*All products given to me free of charge were supplied with the understanding that I review them honestly, and that the review would be my personal opinion.
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