CBD for menstrual symptoms: how cannabis can help with PMS
Women have been enduring pain and inconveniences for a few days each month in a tale as old as time.
The discomfort of premenstrual syndrome is nothing new, with studies indicating 50% to 90% of women worldwide deal with the associated challenges and symptoms.
To deal with these problems, many women have started giving CBD products a try. After all, cannabis has been used for centuries as a pain-relief supplement, including alleviating menstrual symptoms.
The situation is becoming more favourable, thanks to the cannabis laws in Thailand which allow for the use of CBD as a food ingredient. This means Thai ladies can experience the full benefits of CBD in their day to day lives without worrying about its legality.
How does CBD help with PMS?
The Endocannabinoid System was first discovered in 1992. It controls the most important organs and functions in humans and animals, such as the symptoms from periods.
Even though CBD and its benefits are being significantly researched, there is still a shortage of studies to fully understand how it helps with PMS and periods.
A contributing factor to this may be the fact that PMS problems are quite complex and vary from woman to woman, depending on their genetic makeup, hormone levels, etc.
That said, we know a few things about CBD:
- It is excellent for reducing pain
- It has anti-inflammatory properties
- It is an excellent sleep aid
- It can help with muscle cramps
- It can also boost your mood
Hence, CBD can help women deal with many PMS symptoms due to the overlap with its benefits.
Then there is also the fact that CBD interacts directly with the Endocannabinoid System (ECS) – a key regulator of crucial functions in your body. The ECS is vital in maintaining homeostasis – think of it as a pilot whose job is to ensure that the plane that is your body is flying steadily without any turbulence.
In case there is turbulence – in this case, it means stress due to external factors, etc., the ECS will kick into action, improve your body’s response, and bring it back to balance. Cannabinoids like CBD help the system do its job better.
While scientists are yet to fully understand the Endocannabinoid System, we know that it helps regulate sleep, appetite, mood, metabolism, digestion, muscle health, reproductive health, among others. In other words, it is involved in everything we do.
Let’s dive a bit deeper into the benefits of CBD oil for period-related symptoms:
Alleviates pain and inflammation
One of the most researched benefits and uses of CBD oil is treating pain, including chronic and neuropathic pain. As mentioned earlier, cannabidiol has anti-inflammatory properties that can help reduce inflammation in the body when applied topically.
It is also why that CBD has helped many professional athletes and people ditch prescription pain killers for a more natural, safer alternative.
Reduces stress & anxiety
Irritability, mood fluctuations, depression, anxiety, appetite, and stress are just some of the emotional problems that are accompanied by PMS. Luckily, CBD has shown great promise in reducing stress levels and general anxiety.
A review study published in 2020 attested that cannabidiol can be useful in treating anxiety and related disorders although, more studies are needed.
Similarly, CBD may also help improve serotonin signals in the body through its interaction with the ECS. However, it doesn’t necessarily boost the serotonin levels but instead impacts the way your brain responds to the already-existing serotonin in the body.
This is helpful because serotonin levels are thought to alter by hormonal changes in the menstrual cycle.
Lastly, CBD can also prevent the breakdown of the bliss molecule in your body, known as anandamide. The action of CBD allows anandamide to flow more freely in the body, thereby improving your stress response and promoting a calm, relaxed, peaceful state of mind.
Better sleep/helps with insomnia
CBD oil also serves as a fantastic sleep aid. It helps tackle the root causes of insomnia and prevents them from interfering with your slumber.
Since you are likely to have restless, troubled sleep due to pain, stress, and other related PMS symptoms, CBD can address these issues. To put it differently, CBD oil clears the way for you to have a good night’s sleep.
Relaxes muscles and alleviates cramps
Although additional studies are needed to evaluate how CBD helps with muscle cramps, there is promising evidence that it can reduce the levels of muscle spasms and cramps.
Since cramping and spams are prominent in the initial stages of the menstrual cycle, it stands to reason that CBD oil can alleviate these symptoms.
How to take CBD for PMS?
Oil infused with CBD is by far the most popular option for using cannabidiol – especially to reduce pain and muscle spasms. It can be eaten or applied to the skin.
As for the dosage, this varies from person to person and depends on several factors like weight, age, metabolism, etc. The best thing to do is to start small, self-monitor the doses, and then take it from there.
In addition to CBD oil, there are other ways to use cannabidiol, such as edibles, teas, and gummies.
Conclusion
Although more scientific evidence is needed on the link between CBD and PMS symptoms, there is a lot of anecdotal evidence and word of mouth that it works.
You now have a natural, organic friend to help you get through your time of the month. It is definitely a safer, non-addictive, effective alternative to over-the-counter painkillers, minus the serious side effects.
The different CBD products at Dr. CBD have already helped thousands of women, month after month, to lead a more relaxed life. Give it a try today and see for yourself how this wonderful plant can be beneficial in coping with PMS.
