USING CANNABIS-INFUSED PRODUCTS FOR WOMEN'S HEALTH
Whether its their monthly cycle, migraines, menopause or other hormonal imbalances, many women experience headaches, cramps, mood swings and more. They soldier on through days of distress, trying to hold onto their sanity while numbing the agony with pain relievers, heating pads and sheer determination. Calling it an unpleasant experience would be an understatement. It can be disruptive and downright miserable depending on the severity of the symptoms.
Cannabis Infused Tinctures, Topicals, Capsules and Gummies are a good choice for women who want to use cannabis to treat pain and discomfort for hormonal imbalances without smoking or vaping.
THC tinctures can be taken sublingually by putting a dropper full under the tongue or taken orally by just swallowing it but it’s best to use the sublingual method because it allows the body to absorb cannabinoids faster. Cannabis Capsules and Cannabis Gummies work in the same way. The Capsules are great for a measured dose and no flavor. The Gummies are a lighter dose and a sweet cherry flavor. For newbies, try starting with a five milligram dose and waiting at least thirty minutes to see how you feel before taking another five milligram. Finding the right ratio and dose may take a little bit of fine-tuning.
Whereas tinctures, capsules and gummies work from the inside, topicals can help target pain externally. There are different kinds of topicals ranging from oils and salves to be used on specific areas like the shoulders, temples, neck and lower back. With this method, cannabinoids get absorbed through the skin and enter the CB2 receptors while bypassing the bloodstream. That means it can ease muscle tension and reduce inflammation without any psychotropic effects at all.
Topicals work best when they are applied as soon as the first pang is detected by rubbing it directly onto the problem area and massaging it in. The length of time it lasts will depend on how strong the product is and how well your body responds to it. A series of consistent applications is needed for long-lasting relief over a period of days.
From my experience, internal Cannabis products and external Cannabis topicals work together in tandem to scale down the amount of discomfort that comes with a menstrual cycle but they can also be used individually. With the pair, I was able to stop my excessive use of pain reliever and take a more natural approach to treat a natural occurrence. Each option has distinct effects and choosing what works best is a personal decision.
Here are a few women’s health issues for which cannabis may be beneficial.
Pain
Pain, inflammation, and cramping associated with a woman’s menstrual cycle can often be debilitating and managing your pain when you are on your period can be a daunting task. Often, traditional pharmaceutical options provide limited pain relief and result in a variety of side-effects.
When it comes to pain, cannabis has a proven track record to help alleviate the experience of pain. Cannabis has a unique ability to provide women with pain relief by acting on our own body’s endocannabinoid system and mimicking naturally occurring cannabinoids produced by our body.
The cannabis plant is made up of over 100 cannabinoids, many of which can help decrease the experience of painful stimuli. The two most well-researched cannabinoids, Delta-9-Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and Cannabidiol (CBD) are believed to be primarily responsible for providing pain relieving and anti-inflammatory effects.
Conditions such as endometriosis pose additional challenges to women looking to manage their pain effectively. Endometriosis is a condition characterized by abnormal extra-uterine growth and severe pelvic and lower back pain. Hormonal therapy and surgery are usually the recommended treatment options for the management of endometriosis but these options are often accompanied by severe side effects and are unfortunately largely ineffective.
Studies show that our body’s endocannabinoid system extends to our sexual organs and is involved in helping regulate symptoms of endometriosis and associated uterine pain. This means that cannabis has a high potential to help alleviate pain associated with endometriosis and to manage the condition more holistically.
Migraines, Nausea and Vomiting
Research indicates that women are more likely than men to suffer from a variety of chronic headaches and migraines.
For some women, the presence of chronic headaches or migraines is tied to their menstrual cycle and hormonal fluctuations. If you are a woman who suffers from migraines associated with her period, cannabis may be a good option to help you manage your PMS and help decrease the frequency and severity of your headaches at the same time.
Studies show that cannabis reduces the frequency of migraines and helps with associated nausea and vomiting.
Patients suffering from migraine headaches tend to be long-term sufferers, and may have been managing this difficult condition since their teenage years. Accompanying the often debilitating pain, many patients also experience nausea, vomiting, photophobia and a sensitivity to noise. In addition to providing pain relief and helping reduce the frequency of migraines, cannabis can also reduce nausea and vomiting and help induce a sense of calm and relaxation during this difficult time.
Anxiety & Sleep
Hormonal fluctuations related to your period can lead to increased levels of anxiety and difficulties sleeping. Although this may not seem like a huge issue, studies show that lack of sleep can significantly impact your quality of life. A lack of sleep can have serious implications on our immune system, our mood and our ability to cope with daily stressors. Additionally, a lack of sleep isn’t very good for helping you juggle a multitude of responsibilities during the day.
Cannabis has proven anxiolytic properties and advances in research show that CBD, the non- psychoactive compound in cannabis, is an excellent alternative to the highly addictive world of benzodiazapenes. In addition, research shows that high levels of cannabinoids make for better sleep and that THC is highly sedative. A good night’s sleep is essential for helping manage daytime pain and menstrual symptoms during that time of the month.
So, if you are a woman looking for novel and natural approaches to your health management and to be empowered by your health practices, decrease your pain, better manage your anxiety and help improve your sleep this month, a variety of cannabis products may be right for you.
Please email us if you have any questions about which products would work best for you. info@cannabiscraftproducts.com