While there’s not a ton of research (yet) on how CBD tackles all of the symptoms related to PMS symptoms, there’s literally thousands of years of evidence that women have been using cannabis to combat period-related pain, including cramps, back pain, headaches, etc.
There’s good reason for this—CBD effectively tackles one of the the biggest culprits of period pain: inflammation. During menstruation, inflammatory chemicals called prostaglandins peak, causing systemic inflammation throughout the entire body, blood vessels to constrict, and pain sensitivity to heighten. It also causes uterine contractions, another potential source of pain and cramps.
What’s amazing about CBD is that it specifically inhibits prostaglandin production, without the side effects of other anti-inflammatory treatments (like ibuprofen). Another cause of pain during menstruation can be caused by uterine contractions, and since CBD is also a muscle relaxant, it can help the muscles of the uterus relax, therefore reducing painful cramps.
Anxiety, Stress, & Mood
There’s plenty of research out there that shows how CBD can help with mood disorders. A study done in 2010 found that CBD can help people with social anxiety disorder by changing blood flow to the regions of the brain linked to feelings of anxiety. In this study, CBD also changed the way the participant’s brains responded to anxiety.
Another one of my favorite benefits of CBD is that it’s a super effective treatment for gut issues like Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). Based on a recent study, CBD helps regulate digestion and bowel movements, and alleviates symptoms like bloating, cramping, and nausea. Many of these issues are caused or exacerbated by inflammation. CBD both addresses inflammation, and minimizes anxiety and stress. CBD oil can thereby combat IBS on multiple fronts.
CBD and Orgasms
Here’s the fun one: CBD can also turn you on! When you experience sexual arousal, blood rushes to your clitoris and vagina. When you apply CBD to your vulva, it also increases blood flow there … gently increasing and encouraging your body’s natural orgasmic process. I’ve talked before about the benefit of daily orgasms, and CBD is one of many great ways to increase sensation and your daily pleasure!
Ways to Safely use CBD
There are several different ways to use CBD, and the way you take it will depend largely on what your desired goal is. CBD can be taken topically in the form of a oil, sale, lotion, or spray, which is best for targeting localized pain like muscle aches. You can also take CBD in the form of tinctures where it is absorbed into your bloodstream from capillary-rich areas underneath the tongue, along the gums and cheek. This is a great way to take CBD if you’re using it for issues like headaches, anxiety, PTSD or depression. Another effective way to use CBD is in the form of vaginal suppositories, which have the strongest effect for sexual pleasure or menstrual cramps. If you have questions about dosages, let’s chat to make sure we create the best plan for your specific needs.
The endocannabinoid system plays such a critical role in all of your body’s systems that I could literally spend all day talking about the benefits associated with CBD, but I’ll stop here for now. Next week, I’ll go more in depth on the specifics of exactly how CBD affects your reproductive system, and therefore your fertility!
