So it’s that time of the month: your menstrual cramps are killing you, you’re nauseated, and your mood swings are making every task a challenge. How do you treat your symptoms? Are you able to find relief? Luckily, since nearly the beginning of human existence, the therapeutic powers of cannabis have been apparent. Whether it’s to heal the physical, mental, or spiritual self, marijuana can treat discomfort in ways that chemical-based pharmaceuticals cannot.
The month of May is Women’s Health Month, and Elevate Holistics is here to dive into how to use cannabis for women’s health. You deserve to feel better each month when your period comes around, and consuming marijuana for menstruation can benefit anyone who suffers from period symptoms. When it comes to marijuana for menstruation, here’s how cannabis can help.
Marijuana and Women’s Health
As the uterus sheds its lining each month, it contracts, while inflammatory chemicals called prostaglandins increase at the peak of a menstrual cycle. This often results in cramps, back pain, headaches, nausea, anxiety, and so much more. Maybe you’ve been prescribed birth control and are experiencing unwanted side effects. Or maybe you’ve taken matters into your own hands and consumed an over-the-counter drug each month that might cause long-term issues.
We’re here to tell you that you don’t have to settle, there are natural remedies to treat your period symptoms instead. If you’re interested in alleviating your menstrual discomfort with marijuana, look over this guide about using cannabis for women’s health, and marijuana for menstruation.
CBD for Women’s Health
Consuming marijuana for menstruation is nothing new – even Queen Victoria consumed cannabis for a painful menstrual cycle. So what should you look for in a cannabis product?
Weed’s psychoactive compound THC is a great addition to any cannabis product, as it helps the other compounds work their magic. But what cannabis compound is critical to include to help menstruation symptoms? Utilizing THC’s non-psychoactive sister CBD for women’s health is key to maximizing relief.
CBD alleviates pain, reduces inflammation, and relaxes muscles, making marijuana and cramps the perfect combination.
Consuming full-spectrum or broad-spectrum cannabis products for women’s health is always your best bet. Full-spectrum cannabis products include all compounds of the cannabis plant, such as THC, CBD, minor cannabinoids, and terpenes. (Full-spectrum CBD products contain a small amount of THC that will not get you high.)
Broad-spectrum CBD products are another great option and contain all cannabis compounds besides THC. Now let’s get into CBD and pain, CBD and period cramps, CBD and mood changes, and more.
CBD and Pain
In a study looking at how CBD and pain relate, researchers found that CBD was effective in overall pain management in treating disorders like fibromyalgia, neuropathic pain, and more. This occurs because CBD and THC both target nerve receptors that help relieve the sensation of pain.
So if you’re experiencing menstrual cramps, back pain, painful sex, or headaches, a full-spectrum cannabis product should be right up your alley. (More on types of cannabis products below.)
Pain in the pelvic region could also indicate diseases like endometriosis. Commonly, opiates and NSAIDs are prescribed by a doctor to treat endometriosis which can produce unwanted effects. Alternatively, cannabis has been found effective in treating the pain, gastrointestinal issues, and mood swings caused by the disease. Talk to a doctor if you suspect you have endometriosis.
CBD and Period Cramps
What about CBD and period cramps specifically? How do CBD and period pain connect? Consuming marijuana for menstrual cramps can help relax the pelvic muscles, making the contractions more bearable. And remember when we mentioned the inflammatory chemicals called prostaglandins?
Researchers found that CBD inhibits the enzyme that produces prostaglandin. This proves that marijuana and cramps go hand in hand.
CBD and Mood Changes
If you experience extreme mood changes when on your period, you’re not alone. When learning about CBD and mood changes, it is clear that CBD has the potential to help regulate how we feel. Anandamide, the primary endocannabinoid molecule known as the “bliss molecule”, is mostly responsible for regulating mood.
Sometimes, the body does not produce enough anandamide or can’t process it. That’s where CBD comes in. CBD can boost low anandamide levels by enhancing anandamide signaling.
What about anxiety? In a 2019 study, researchers found that CBD could potentially reduce anxiety in nearly 80% of patients. If you suffer from severe anxiety, we suggest avoiding THC entirely or seeking out products with high CBD and low THC levels.
CBD and Nausea
CBD and THC both produce anti-nausea effects. Research shows that CBD activates a neurotransmitter that decreases the sensation of nausea.
Researchers at the University of New Mexico conducted a study that found that more than 96% of individuals reported nausea relief from consuming cannabis.
LEARN MORE: Medical Marijuana and PMS | Cannabis and Sex: What’s the Deal?
Cannabis Products for Period Relief
Now that you know more about CBD for women’s health – CBD and period cramps, CBD and mood changes, CBD and pain – you’re probably wondering, what types of products are best for period symptom relief? What can I use in terms of marijuana for menstruation?
Marijuana and cramps just fit, and it’s important to focus on THC levels (psychoactive) and CBD levels (non-psychoactive) when picking the product that is right for you. Most importantly, make sure that the cannabis product you purchase has been third-party tested.
- Cannabis flower provides immediate relief for those who want to use the inhalation method for consuming cannabis.
- Edibles, like gummies, chocolates, or drinks, take a little longer to kick in but are a good option for those who do not want to inhale smoke.
- Cannabis tinctures are a liquid that you’ll ingest using a dropper under the tongue, making it easy to get a proper dosage. The effects of a tincture will onset more quickly than an edible.
- Cannabis capsules are consumed orally and provide a perfect dose of relief in supplement form.
- CBD suppositories are for vaginal or anal use and do not produce psychoactive effects. They target discomfort associated with menstrual cycles & pelvic floor conditions.
- Cannabis topicals are applied directly to the skin and do not produce psychoactive effects (unless they are described as “transdermal”. Apply a cannabis topical right on your area of pain.
- Cannabis bath soaks usually also contain other essential oils that help the muscles relax, similar to a topical. Cannabis bath soaks do not produce psychoactive effects.
Elevate Your Menstrual Experience
Using cannabis for women’s health can provide relief in countless ways, so we suggest you experiment to find what product type is best for you. When consuming marijuana for menstruation, you should always start small and follow the dosing instructions.
Whether it’s how to use CBD for women’s health, the latest marijuana laws across the US, or cannabinoid research, our blog has you covered. But writing about cannabis isn’t all we do.
Elevate Holistics strives to help individuals feel better naturally by providing patients with medical marijuana cards. Our process is quick, fully online, and 100% HIPPA-compliant. We connect you with a certified cannabis physician for med card approval and help you the rest of the way.
So, go ahead and book an appointment with Elevate Holistics to get your medical marijuana card. We want each week of your month to be elevated.
