CBD for treating PMS Symptoms
Can CBD oil help relieve the symptoms of PMS?
Studies and first-hand reports have shown CBD to relieve the most common symptoms.
Common PMS symptoms include anxiety and depression, cramping, headaches, and insomnia.
Is CBD effective and safe for treating the symptoms of PMS?
Did you know that England’s Queen Victoria was prescribed cannabis for her PMS pains including headaches? In fact, cannabis products have been used for PMS and menstrual pain for at least a century — and perhaps since ancient times.
There is no escaping the inevitability of PMS. As women, every one of us on the planet will, at some point, have to deal with PMS symptoms. However, many women are finding some relief through CBD oil.
A bit about PMS
PMS, aka premenstrual syndrome, occurs when estrogen and progesterone levels drop suddenly after a woman’s ovulation cycle, usually a week or so before menstruation. Most women begin to have symptoms such as breast tenderness, fatigue, abdominal pain, depression, and anxiety as the body prepares itself for a potential pregnancy.
Traditional remedies for PMS
The remedies for these symptoms are generally anti-inflammatories, antidepressants, and hot water bottles (for those nasty cramps).
Anti-inflammatory meds and antidepressants can be effective in treating certain issues, but for those with delicate systems, they can wreak havoc in the gut lining and the brain.
CBD may bring relief to PMS sufferers, without the nasty side effects.
Symptoms of PMS
The most common health issues pertaining to PMS are:
Anxiety
Depression
Stress
Cramping
Headaches
Insomnia
PMS has many connotations and everyone’s symptoms vary greatly.
A bit about CBD
CBD or cannabidiol is extracted from the hemp plant. CBD is non-psychoactive unlike its buzzy cousin, THC, which is produced in marijuana.
CBD works via a variety of mechanisms targeting the bodily systems responsible for producing pain-relieving endorphins and muscle relaxation, as well as myriad other effects.
Most notably, CBD manages to mimic cannabinoid compounds produced naturally by our own endocannabinoid system (ECS) — anandamide, in particular.
CBD is not only non-intoxicating but also completely non-toxic and non-addictive and is well-tolerated by the human body, even at higher dosages. It can be purchased over the counter in almost every US state as well as online.
CBD for the treatment of PMS symptoms
CBD for Anxiety/Stress/Depression
CBD is being rigorously studied for its efficacy as an anxiety remedy.
According to one study titled, “Cannabidiol for neurodegenerative disorders: important new clinical applications for the phytocannabinoid,” posted by the British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology in May 2012, CBD might prove to be a powerful alternative to pharmaceutical treatments due to its interaction with serotonergic receptors.
Serotonin is responsible for a number of bodily functions including mood and stress response. Serotonin levels are oftentimes low in patients suffering from anxiety and depression.
Supplementing the diet with CBD has been shown to help increase serotonin levels to relieve PMS related anxiety and depression.
CBD for Cramping and Abdominal Pain
Research is showing CBD oil to be an effective anti-spasmodic in people with MS (multiple sclerosis). That is according to a report in the journal European Neurology titled, “Overview of MS Spasticity.” CBD may effectively reduce cramping in the uterus during PMS and menstruation.
Another study by the National Library of Medicine called “Cannabinoids Suppress Inflammatory and Neuropathic Pain by Targeting a3 Glycine Receptors,” from June 2012, showed that CBD might also relieve muscle soreness by blocking the neural pathways that transmit pain.
CBD for PMS-related Headaches
Anti-inflammatories often used to treat headaches are not metabolized well by everyone, and muscle relaxants have been known to have unpleasant side effects.
When a woman goes through her monthly battle with PMS she experiences wild hormonal swings. These swings wreak havoc in her system, causing muscle cramps throughout her body. This incessant spasming combined with stress can cause the dreaded PMS headache.
A 2012 study revealed CBD’s effect on glycine receptors, which play a significant part in pain perception. CBD’s interaction with these receptors was found to function separately from CB2 receptors, indicating CBD oil may provide relief from PMS pain.
CBD for PMS-related Insomnia
Insomnia is another common outcome of PMS. PMS-induced insomnia can have life-altering effects, potentially far more dramatic than regular sleeplessness. If one suffers from regular insomnia, PMS induced insomnia can be far more frustrating due to bloating, cramping, headache, and frequent urination.
Often extreme fatigue is experienced by women before and during their periods. This extreme fatigue can be perilous, due to lack of concentration – leading to things like falling asleep at the wheel of a car.
Moreover, pain plays a huge role in inhibiting natural sleep, so it’s important to manage pain levels during this vulnerable time of the month. As we mentioned above, it has become well documented that CBD is an effective pain reliever.
Sedative sleep aids can easily become addictive and can even cause hallucinations, impair memory, and trigger suicidal thoughts. Furthermore, many OTC sleep aids are merely antihistamines, which are not suitable for long term usage.
CBD oil may safely relieve the symptoms related to insomnia caused by PMS by working with and triggering the body’s natural healing responses.
CBD also helps regulate moods and provide anxiety relief thus helping to calm the nervous system and alleviate sleeplessness.
Most importantly, however, studies have indicated that CBD reduces tryptophan degeneration. Tryptophan causes the pineal gland to produce melatonin, a hormone involved in sleep cycles. However, pain and inflammation interfere with the production of tryptophan cells.
See, “The Potential Role of Cannabinoids in Modulating Serotonergic Signaling by Their Influence on Tryptophan Metabolism,” below.
CBD products for treating PMS
There are many CBD products available to aid with PMS related issues. These include tinctures and oils, CBD infused edibles and beverages, and CBD pills and capsules, as well as topical treatments such as CBD muscle pain creams.
CBD-rich hemp flower is also available and can be smoked, vaporized, or used in cooking.
All of these products can be found over the counter at certain drug store chains and health food stores. They are also easy to purchase online and have delivered to your doorstep.
It may take some experimentation to find the products that work best with your chemistry.
It’s wise to talk to your doctor before beginning any new protocols, but CBD may be your ticket to newfound health and vitality regardless of what time of the month it is. Good luck!
Sources
- Cannabidiol for neurodegenerative disorders: important new clinical applications for the phytocannabinoid
- The Potential Role of Cannabinoids in Modulating Serotonergic Signaling by Their Influence on Tryptophan Metabolism
- Cannabidiol as a Potential Treatment for Anxiety Disorders
- Antidepressant-like effects of cannabidiol in mice: possible involvement of 5-HT 1A receptors
- Overview of MS Spasticity