The Benefits of CBD for Women
Originally posted on https://crushcbd.co/blogs/news/the-benefits-of-cbd-for-women
With the desire to find holistic medicines and treatments growing daily, as well as the increase in health-conscious living, many people are seeking other options outside of traditional Western medicine and over-the-counter drugs for chronic issues. As more research is done and more discoveries are made into how exactly our endocannabinoid system (ECS) works, it is no surprise that products containing cannabinoids and their positive benefits are exploding in popularity.
CBD, the popular non-psychoactive cannabinoid derived from the hemp plant, is positively changing the way people think about holistic health. This is especially true for women. Many women feel that there is still a stigma and cannot talk openly about their bodies and the unique issues that women experience. So, CBD is becoming more and more of a go-to for many women who are seeking a more natural alternative that they don’t mind asking for.
HERE’S WHAT WE KNOW
Aside from chronic medical issues that CBD can help battle, women deal with tough things like premenstrual syndrome (PMS), cramps and bloating, hormonal imbalances, and menopause. The use of cannabis to treat menstrual cramps and bloating dates back to the 9th century, as cited in historic Persian texts. There are also Chinese medical texts dating back to 1596 describing the use of ancient remedies for menstrual disorders.
You may be surprised to learn that Queen Victoria received monthly doses of cannabis indica from her physician Sir J. Russell Reynolds. Reynolds had already been experimenting with the cannabis plant for 30 years at that point. He was quoted describing the plant as being “of great service in cases of simple spasmodic dysmenorrhea”, which is the clinical term for menstrual cramps.
Let’s take a look at some of these benefits women everywhere are seeing from the use of CBD.
CBD CAN HELP PROVIDE TREMENDOUS RELIEF TO WOMEN
CRAMPS & BLOATING
One of the worst aspects of PMS (and during menstrual cycles) for many women are the painful cramps. The cramping, in combination with the uncomfortable bloating, is often cause enough to seek some sort of relief as quickly as possible.
CBD works to improve digestive functions in our body and can significantly reduce inflammation and nausea. These benefits can act to significantly reduce intense cramps and bloating that many women suffer from during their menstrual cycles. This powerful
cannabinoid also interacts with the receptors within our endocannabinoid system and acts to manage and reduce the body’s perception of pain and discomfort. Starting to take CBD three to four days before your period can help curb the normal pain and discomfort before it even has a chance to start.
TENDERNESS & INFLAMMATION
With the anti-inflammatory effects of CBD in our bodies, it becomes the ultimate aid in helping to heal inflamed and tender areas like the breasts, stomach, and low back. All of these areas frequently become extremely sore and inflamed during female menstruation cycles.CBD helps to regulate the vanilloid receptor which moderates our pain perception.
The other great thing about CBD’s effect on inflammation and pain is the fact that it can also significantly help women during menopause. During menopause, as women’s estrogen levels significantly decline, many experience increased joint pain in the knees, shoulder, neck, elbows, or hands. Even some old joint injuries may begin to hurt. This is because estrogen helps to reduce inflammation, and with less of it in the body during menopause, inflammation can become worse. This is where CBD comes in. CBD can, again, significantly help to reduce inflammation and joint pain. Taking CBD on a regular basis during menopause can help aid in making daily life much more manageable.
HORMONAL IMBALANCES
Most of the time, our body produces hormones at a regular rate. But there are times or situations where our body may be producing too much or too little of a hormone which has serious effects on our body and causes a hormonal imbalance. For women, hormonal imbalances can often occur naturally during the stages of puberty, menopause, and perimenopause. In some cases, they are also caused by toxins in the body or an unbalanced lifestyle.
After several studies, it is clear that CBD may provide significant relief for those suffering from hormonal imbalances and suffering from symptoms like menstrual irregularity, mood swings, and weight gain. Regular use of CBD can act as a preventative measure against the tough effects of hormonal imbalances.
Researchers in one study found that “cannabinoid exposure could have profound effects on the function of the reproductive system, lactation, metabolism, and on the endocrine stress axis.” All of which are impacted by a hormonal imbalance. They also concluded that “these effects are consistent with cannabinoids’ impact on the brain neurotransmitters involved in the regulation of pituitary hormone secretion.”
STRESS & ANXIETY
It has been found that women generally and more frequently suffer from stress and anxiety. This is especially true for women who are mothers of young children. CBD has effects directly in the brain and can help significantly fight high levels of stress and anxiety (for both women and men). The receptors in the brain that control the production of dopamine are activated by CBD, causing increased levels of dopamine and relaxing the mind and body. This significantly reduces anxiety and stress.
There is also ever-increasing research on the positive effects of CBD oil on sleep. With an increased ability to sleep soundly for longer periods, this is a great benefit to overall mental health. This is especially true for moms with young children who are often chronically fatigued and suffer from high levels of anxiety and stress.
ENHANCED BEAUTY REGIMEN
Beauty and skincare products infused with CBD are becoming more and more popular and now include a wide variety of different types of products. This cannabinoid, which is nutrient-rich and packed with all-natural properties, is now what many are calling “the ultimate” enhancer to women’s beauty regimens.
CBD beauty products have become the talk of the town in the beauty industry and not just for celebrities. There are products now ranging from foot and body lotions to anti-aging serums. These CBD-infused products are being found to help deliver amazing benefits such as:
- Reduced appearance of dark spots and scars
- Enhanced skin repair and cell regeneration
- Stronger hair follicles and overall healthier hair
- Anti-aging effects
- Reduced stress, anxiety, and their direct effects
- Improved skin health and appearance
- Reduced muscle tension, soreness after exercise, and increased relaxation
CARDIOVASCULAR HEALTH
It is a widely known fact now that heart disease is one of the leading causes of death in the US population. The more alarming fact is that the number of women affected by this disease is growing rapidly.
A healthy diet and exercise are two of the best things to do for anyone to prevent heart disease. But now, research has shown that CBD has exhibited many positive results in addressing some of the core causes of heart disease. The studies have shown that CBD has been effective in reducing arterial blockages, reducing blood pressure, lowering LDL cholesterol levels (the bad cholesterol), and reducing the stress response in heart attacks.
CHOLESTEROL LEVELS
Maintaining your cholesterol levels is an important thing to do for optimal heart and overall health. A fatty lipid molecule, cholesterol, is present in every cell of the body. As you may know, there are two primary types of cholesterol: high-density lipoprotein (HDL). HDL cholesterol is considered to be the good cholesterol, while LDL Cholesterol is considered to be the bad cholesterol and the one you want to reduce the levels of.
A healthy diet and exercise and the two biggest ways to reduce LDL levels in the body. But, it is becoming increasingly clear that CBD can be a very positive booster to your regime to maintain your cholesterol levels. CBD, as discovered in a 2011 study, can significantly affect metabolism-related genes that manage the level of cholesterol in microglial cells. By doing this, CBD can help prevent elevated levels of LDL cholesterol in the bloodstream.
HEALTHY DIGESTION
Digestion issues are something that affects both men and women. But, studies have shown that there is a higher number of women suffering from digestion issues like irritable Bowel Syndrome and GERD (heartburn) than men. Nearly 72% of women have suffered from some form of digestive problems.
It has been found that when introduced to the digestive tract, CBD has helped balance bowel movement and regulate digestion. CBD can play a huge part in helping to improve overall digestive functions. As discussed earlier in this article, CBD can also help with common symptoms of digestive issues such as bloating, cramping, inflammation, and nausea.
By taking CBD regularly, women everywhere can enjoy better chances for healthy digestion with improved digestive function and fewer chances of negative symptoms.
WRAPPING IT ALL UP
As you can see, CBD can help provide much needed and sought after relief to women everywhere for some of the common health issues faced. Especially ones that are unique to women or are more prevalent in the female population. With many still feeling somewhat of a stigma about talking openly regarding their bodies, women can find comfort in the natural and holistic properties of this wonder-cannabinoid.
As a woman, have you found the answer to common female health issues in CBD? Tell us all about it. We want to hear from you!
Crush CBD aims to produce only high-quality, all-natural and non-GMO CBD oil products. Many of which can help to alleviate health issues and monthly aggravations that women experience. You can rest easy knowing that our products are 3rd-party lab-tested and verified.
Want to learn more? Check out our story for more information or feel free to contact us with any questions or concerns!