CBD for Menstrual-Related Symptoms
For about half of the world’s population, menstruation is a natural part of life. Unfortunately, for many, it doesn’t always come without uncomfortable or even debilitating symptoms. There are cramps, headaches, mood swings and anxiety that can heavily impact daily activities. Traditional treatments often include painkillers or artificial hormones like the pill - but they don’t work for everyone and have their side effects. Researchers have now turned to CBD, a natural compound from hemp which is known for its anti-inflammatory and pain relieving properties, to see if it could help relieve menstrual symptoms. Let’s take a dive into a new study that explores its effects.
The Research Unpacked
The scientists aimed to find out if CBD could help to manage the diverse range of mild to severe symptoms that comes with menstruation - a challenge that up to 75% of menstruating individuals face every month. Cannabidiol, a natural extract from hemp, is available in many forms, but this research focused on orally ingested CBD isolate and monitored its effects on psychological, as well as physiological effects.
CBD for Menstrual Symptoms: Study Design
The participants were divided into two groups - one receiving 160 mg and another receiving 320 mg of CBD twice a day for the first five days after their menstrual symptoms started. This treatment continued over the course of 3 months. The researchers used questionnaires to keep track of any changes in symptoms such as cramps, irritability and anxiety.
Promising Results with Cannabidiol
The findings of this study were nothing short of encouraging. They point towards significant potential benefits of using CBD in the management of menstrual symptoms:
Symptom Reduction: The study participants reported decreased frequency, as well as severity of their symptoms, including cramps, breast tenderness and headaches. This relief started in the first month of using CBD and continued for the duration of the trial. CBD could be a long-term solution for those looking for a natural alternative to alleviate their discomfort.
Improved Wellbeing: Psychological symptoms like anxiety, irritability and general mood were also substantially improved. This aligns with CBD’s well-known anxiolytic properties, which, in this case, may help to stabilise mood swings during the menstrual cycle.
Consistent Benefits: Conventional treatments for menstrual symptoms sometimes lose their effectiveness over the course of several months. CBD, however, maintained its efficacy during the trial - showing its reliability as an aid during those times.
CBD for Menstrual Symptoms: The Future
This study clearly shows CBD’s potential in addressing both the physical and psychological challenges faced by many during their menstrual cycle. It’s one of the first of its kind, and the doses applied were fairly high compared to usual recommendations. More research, including placebo-controlled studies, is needed to further underline the results and formulate clear guidelines for dosages and timing of CBD application.
Nevertheless, given that CBD is non-addictive and generally well tolerated, it could be a great remedy to try for those suffering from menstrual symptoms and a reliable ally for women’s health. We will surely keep an eye on future research in this field!
