Menopause marks the end of a woman’s reproductive abilities, where menstruation cycles stop naturally due to a decrease in estrogen production. As women transition into this new phase of their lives, changes to hormones can bring the body out of balance. This process of menopause includes the stage of perimenopause — occurring three to five years prior — and post-menopause, occurring around one year after. Common symptoms experienced during menopause include hot flashes, mood swings, loss of bone mass, low libido, weight gain, insomnia, and pain. The most noticeable symptoms of menopause are the result of lower estrogen levels, which impacts anandamide levels. Traditionally, bothersome symptoms of menopause have been treated with hormonal therapy; however, cannabinoid therapy has emerged as a new and promising pathway to bringing the body back into balance during menopause.
CBD Oil and Estrogen
Many changes occur during the various stages of menopause, however, it is always marked by a drop in estrogen levels. A form of estrogen, estradiol, lowers the activity of FAAH , an enzyme in the body that breaks down anandamide. When estrogen levels in the body are lower FAAH activity is heightened, resulting in diminished anandamide levels. Anandamide is an essential neurotransmitter used by our bodies to maintain homeostasis (its name comes from the Sanskrit word for ‘bliss’). A decrease in anandamide caused by menopause can explain many of the negative symptoms experienced by women going through this transition. However, CBD’s ability to enhance anandamide signaling in the body suggests the potential for CBD to help with the symptoms of menopause and bring everything back into balance.
Evidence suggests that the body’s endocannabinoid system (ECS) has a close relationship to the female reproductive system, playing an integral role in the regulation of temperature, mood, pain, memory, and even immune function. This has made CBD a popular choice among many women to address more serious reproductive issues or simply to keep their bodies in balance during times of change. In fact, ECS receptors are located in the part of the brain responsible for
CBD Oil for Menopause-related Aches and Pains
Taking CBD oil for menopause can address various symptoms at once, including pain. Reduced estrogen levels can often cause an excess of inflammation, which can explain the aches and pains associated with menopause. CBD’s anti-inflammatory action on the body can help to target this excess of inflammation and prevent joint pain and aches associated with menopause. Through acting on the ECS to stifle inflammation-causing cytokine production, CBD stops inflammation in its tracks to prevent damage and pain. Further, CBD has been found to be a therapeutic approach to managing inflammation with no known side-effects. On top of taking a CBD oil for menopause-related pain, our Smooth CBD lotion can provide a soothing, pain-relieving, aromatherapy experience when massaged into sore joints. This ritual can be the perfect time to be in touch with your body and give it some love.
CBD Oil for Menopause-related Insomnia and Anxiety
Women going through the stages of menopause may experience insomnia due to hormonal and life changes. Often, this menopause-related insomnia is also coupled with disturbances in mood, which can manifest as anxiety or depression. Fortunately, using CBD oil for menopause symptoms can also help to improve sleep and diminish anxiety. When major shifts in our bodies and lives occur it is important to remain rested and grounded, and CBD can help. CBD acts on receptors in our brains to produce an immediate calming effect and — when used consistently –a longer-lasting balancing effect on our mood and cognition. On top of this, taking CBD for sleep can induce sleep and improve the quality of sleep we experience. Try taking a half or full dropper of the Calyx Heal tincture about an hour before bed to feel the calming and restorative effects of CBD on your sleep cycle and mental health.
Overall, there are various ways that CBD can be used to ease symptoms of menopause. Primarily through signalling anandamide, CBD products can restore balance to the body during this time of transition.