JACKSONVILLE BEACH, Fla. (420CanNews) — With 1 million women going through menopause a year, could marijuana become a new weapon against hot flashes, sleep disorders and mood swings? A recent survey found that nearly 80% of middle-aged women are using marijuana products to alleviate unpleasant menopause symptoms, with cannabis increasingly seen as a natural option for navigating perimenopause and menopause.
The Disruptive Effects of Hot Flashes and Menopause Symptoms
When women undergo “the change,” it often brings with it a variety of unwanted symptoms, with hot flashes being one of the most notorious and potentially the most disruptive to daily life and sleep. Some people experience hot flashes hundreds of times a year, which are characterized by an abrupt feeling of intense heat primarily in the chest, neck, and face. Their sudden onset leaves the body sweaty, flushed, and filled with anxiety without relief for several minutes. It’s no wonder that hot flashes are a leading cause of decreased productivity and feelings of social anxiety for perimenopausal and postmenopausal women.
How Cannabis Eases Menopause Symptoms
Everybody has an “endocannabinoid system” that helps control pain, mood, appetite, sleep, temperature and how we deal with stress. During menopause, a big drop in estrogen and progesterone can really cause problems.
Hot flashes, sleep issues, mood changes and pain are all linked to this system falling off kilter during menopause. Because cannabis interacts with the same hormone-related receptors in this system, scientists believe it might be able to help. Some of the compounds in cannabis, like CBD and THC, can bring more balance.
Early research shows cannabis could help reduce hot flashes, aid sleep, improve mood and relieve pain for women going through menopause. More studies still need to be done, but it offers a natural option that works with our own endocannabinoid system rather than just trying to suppress symptoms with medication.
The compounds found naturally in cannabis, like CBD and THC, are able to attach to the same receptors in our bodies that our natural endocannabinoid system uses to communicate.
When hormone levels change a lot during menopause, it can throw the endocannabinoid system out of whack. The theory is that cannabis compounds can help the system “reset” itself and bring back balance.
By attaching to the same receptors that the endocannabinoid system uses, CBD and THC from cannabis may be able to smooth out all the ups and downs happening with things like mood, sleep, hot flashes and other symptoms women deal with during menopause. Essentially, cannabis could help replenish the parts of the system that are not working right due to changing hormone levels.
Here is how cannabis may alleviate some of the most troublesome menopause symptoms:
- Hot Flashes
The cannabis compounds (THC and CBD) may help control hot flashes by interacting with receptors in the brain’s temperature control center (the hypothalamus). This could help lower flash temperatures and make them less frequent.
- Mood and Anxiety
The cannabis compounds act similar to the brain’s natural chemicals that regulate emotions and stress. THC and CBD bind to receptors in mood control areas like the amygdala. This has been shown to reduce anxiety, irritability, and low moods related to menopause.
- Sleep Problems
THC connects to receptors involved in sleep. In small amounts, it makes some women sleepy. CBD may also cause sleepiness in higher amounts. It also stops night sweats that interrupt sleep patterns.
Cannabis compounds can modulate key bodily processes to ease debilitating menopause symptoms without the risks of hormones or medications. For women suffering, marijuana products bring hope.
Marijuana Products for Menopause Relief
As hot flashes and sleepless nights take their toll, women turn to marijuana’s calming compounds. Marijuana products for relieving menopause symptoms are a growing range of 420 products created to alleviate the discomforts of menopause. They are marketed through sophisticated cannabis advertising that highlights their benefits, such as mood-balancing edibles and inflammation-fighting topicals.
Here are the major categories of marijuana products and how they may uniquely help minimize the menopausal experience.
Marijuana Flower
Cannabis flower provides various methods of consumption that some find appealing for various reasons. Flower options range from mellowing indicas to energizing sativas and everything in between. Manufacturers advertise certain strains as tailored for common menopausal woes like insomnia, anxiety, brain fog, and pain.
Yet simply picking a strain with alluring names like Purple Urkle or Alaskan Thunderf*ck doesn’t guarantee the desired effects. With flowers, moderation remains key, as excessive use exacerbates paranoia and other issues menopausal women already battle. Start low, go slow, and pay attention to how each strain uniquely affects the individual.
For those new to cannabis, it’s wise to start with a mellow Indica or Indica-dominant hybrid known for promoting relaxation and sleep. Varieties like Northern Lights, Granddaddy Purple, and Blue Cheese tend to have mellower THC levels around 15-20% and abundant pain-relief terpenes like myrcene and linalool. Avoid potent sativas until one knows their tolerance.
Marijuana Concentrates
Extracting and isolating key compounds from the cannabis plant provides more controlled, concentrated relief. THC and CBD oils, wax, shatter, and isolate promise faster-acting, precisely dosed benefits than traditional bud. A few drops of sublingual THC tincture could potentially soothe better than waiting on an edible to kick in.
Again, moderation matters. High-potency concentrates make it easier to overdo it and experience adverse effects like increased anxiety or insomnia. Microdosing carefully allows for harnessing therapeutic potential without unwanted side effects. Proceed cautiously until one dials in the ideal delivery and dosage.
For menstrual relief, newcomers may want to start with a balanced THC/CBD product for a mellow experience. Isolates like pure THC or CBD can be intense for beginners. Tinctures allow for careful, drop-by-drop dosing, whereas dabbing is extremely potent. When buying, ask the budtender for guidance on picking a concentrate strain and method suitable for managing menopause symptoms versus just getting blazed.
Cannabis Edibles
Edibles let women avoid smoking’s health risks while still reaping weed’s relief. Marijuana-laced gummies, chocolate, baked goods, savory snacks even weed and coffee – you name it, they infuse it. Effects kick in slower than smoking but tend to last longer.
Some favor extended release options like capsules or dissolvable strips for prolonged menopause symptom management versus single serving forms of cannabis edibles. The key is finding the ideal personal dose and delivery method combination.
When edible shopping, look for balanced THC/CBD options with at least a 1:1 ratio if managing menopause symptoms versus just getting recreationally high. Carefully read labels for dosing information and ingredients. Avoid eating on an empty stomach or with alcohol. Set reminders so one doesn’t accidentally double dose.
Topicals and THC/CBD Products
As cannabis compounds gain traction for menopause relief, CBD product options keep expanding. Oils, capsules, and gummies simplify dosing. For localized relief, CBD topicals like roll-ons, patches, and balms target sore joints or muscles.
They provide therapeutic effects without altering the mental state. However, they don’t act as fast or powerfully as inhaled/ingested marijuana. Deep muscular pain may require added internal cannabis supplementation. Overall, CBD topicals give discreet, low-risk relief.
For targeted physical symptom relief, topicals like patches, gels, or creams can be applied directly to the skin near the source of discomfort. Bath soaks allow absorption through the skin for full body effects. Always opt for high quality products from reputable brands, and start with the lowest dosage if unsure of reaction. Combine topicals with other delivery methods for multifaceted menopause relief.
What’s the Verdict?
Bottom line? While CBD shows promise for certain menopause symptoms, women should educate themselves on the pros and cons of each method. Research remains limited and inconclusive about whether cannabis effectively improves common menopausal symptoms or simply masks underlying issues requiring proper medical treatment. Some women do experience benefits like easier sleep and pain reduction from using 420 products. Others report increased anxiety and brain fog with marijuana use. Responses vary greatly.
Until more definitive studies emerge, moderate use of marijuana products under medical guidance is the wisest approach. Avoid replacing doctor-recommended therapies with unproven 420 products. Tracking symptoms and product reactions aids in finding what works best for one’s unique needs. Most importantly, women don’t need to endure the menopause struggle alone and unaided. Help exists; with open discussions and proactive self-care, this change can be weathered smoothly.
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— Story Filed By 420CanNews Staff
Here’s More Information on the Topic:
More Women Using Cannabis to Help Ease Menopause Symptoms
https://www.usnews.com/news/health-news/articles/2023-09-27/more-women-using-cannabis-to-help-ease-menopause-symptoms
Cannabis May Offer Relief From Menopause Symptoms: What to Know
https://www.healthline.com/health-news/cannabis-may-offer-relief-from-menopause-symptoms-what-to-know#CBD-as-an-alternative-to-cannabis
