A survey led by Harvard University showed that 80% of women have used cannabis and CBD to help treat symptoms of menopause with sleeping and mood changes. Hot flash, mood changes and sleeplessness is a very common issue with menopause.
Menopause marks the end of the menstrual cycle. Technically, you can fully say that you have reached menopause when you have gone more than 12 months without having a menstrual period. Menopause can start as early as in the 40s, but generally women reach menopause in their 50’s.
Menopause is a naturally occurring process when your fertility declines and your body starts to produce less reproductive hormones like estrogen and progesterone. But menopause can also be caused by surgeries to remove the ovaries (Oophorectomy) which causes immediate menopause. Menopause can also be brought on by damaging effects of chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Primary ovarian insufficiency is another cause for early menopause that's when you reach menopause before your 40’s due to your body having failed to produce normal levels of reproductive hormones.
Symptoms leading to and during menopause includes: sleep problems, changes in moods, hot flashes, irregular periods, memory problems, palpitations, headaches and migraines, muscle aches, joint pain, weight gain, dry and itchy skin, sensitive teeth, vaginal dryness, reduce in sex drive and having recurrent urinary tract infections.
More women are turning to cannabis and CBD to help not only for easing menopause symptoms, but enjoy the benefits of CBD for their physical and mental health. The legality of CBD and cannabis in many areas of the world has attracted a lot of interest and acceptance for cannabis products like CBD. Also another major plus point, more research is coming out with scientific evidence that cannabinoids like CBD and THC can be advantageous to one's health.
The survey consisted of 131 women going through perimenopause. Perimenopause is a transitional period which could last for a year or more and often starts when you are in your 40’s. During this period women experience fluctuation of hormone levels, irregular periods, mood changes and hot flashes. The survey also included 127 women who have already passed through menopause. Participants were selected from online social media posts and do note that most of the participants were middle-class white people.
86% of the participants were cannabinoid users and they were broken down to three groups: medical cannabis users, recreational users or both. 79% are affirmative that cannabis helps alleviate their menopause symptoms. 67% claim cannabis helps them with sleeping disturbances and 47% say it helps with anxiety and stress.
Women going through perimenopause reported that their symptoms are worse than women in the postmenopausal group. Perimenopause women consumed more cannabis to alleviate their symptoms when compared to the later group.
Cannabis like CBD binds with the Endocannabinoid System (ECS). The ECS is made of receptors and enzymes that run throughout your body. The Endocannabinoid System is responsible for regulating your mood, pain sensation, appetite, sleep/wake cycle and immunity. It is believed that CBD can enhance the effects ECS has on your body.
When it comes to stress and anxiety, CBD interacts with Serotonin receptors. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter which transmits signals in your brain and plays a crucial role in regulating mood, appetite, sleep and various other functions. When there is an imbalance level of serotonin you can expect depression, stress and anxiety among other mood disorders. Though CBD may not bind with the serotonin receptors, researchers believe that CBD can help influence their activity. Therefore CBD could help stimulate the brain to release serotonin and bring a balance to the levels of serotonin aiding in stress, anxiety and other mental issues.
CBD is also known to have pain relieving effects and anti-inflammatory properties which can help ease pain sensation like headaches, migraines, joint pain, muscle soreness and arthritis. CBD can also help improve your sleep and help initiate a healthy wake/sleep cycle.
CBD can help bring balance to your body and help uplift your soul at the sametime. CBD may be your companion through the difficult times and help make everything a little easier. Another plus point, CBD does not carry any psychoactive effects so it will not intoxicate you nor will it make you feel “high." You can take CBD anytime of the day and carry on with your daily activities.
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Written by Vivek Roachthavilit