Cannabis for PMS
It’s 2019 and cannabis isn’t a secret anymore. Today weed is on the main stage, and it is stimulating new popularity in every sector imaginable. It seems as if just about everyone has some reason to be excited about cannabis. For many, it’s the medicinal benefits, and today we are going to dive into one remedy in particular, menstrual pain. It’s likely that you’ve heard about cannabis being good for premenstrual syndrome (PMS), but is it true? If so, how can you personally get your fix to keep your monthly pain away? We hope to answer that and more for you today.
Given the federal legal status of cannabis in the United States, research on the drug is not as readily available or occur as one would like, which can make it difficult to discern what information you hear is fact versus what is fiction. A lot of evidence is anecdotal, which isn’t the best for questions of health and well-being. In the case of PMS, there is a plethora of anecdotal evidence that supports cannabis use for PMS. Some controlled research exists, but much is still to be discovered on the relationship between the two.
HISTORICAL EVIDENCE
Before we look at some of the latest research, it’s worth mentioning that the basis for this specific claim comes in part from the historical record. Cannabis was used widely throughout history for medicinal purposes spanning as far back as 2737 B.C. in ancient China. In terms of specific menstrual symptoms, Queen Victoria was known to utilize cannabis for her own PMS and in 19th century Ireland, William B. O’Shaughnessy wrote that cannabis was a viable method for relieving menstrual related pain. This paired with the countless claims you can find online about cannabis’ efficacy in treating PMS, is a good indicator that there may be something of value to this information. What you want though is the facts and so we are here to give them to you. Let’s take a look at what current research is saying on this topic.
CURRENT RESEARCH
The latest research is limited, but from what we do have, we can say confidently that cannabis is beneficial for treating a variety of symptoms that come with PMS. This includes cramps/abdominal pain, migraines, nausea, and irritability. Now PMS is a result of hormonal imbalance because of Aunt Flo’s upcoming visit. There is no current research that looks at cannabis’s effect specifically on the hormones that are related to PMS, but there is evidence that addresses the individual symptoms that are brought along with PMS. For example, a 2016 study concluded that cannabis reduces migraines, while a different study provides evidence that cannabis can be used to regulate mood. This paired with numerous studies that show cannabis can relieve inflammation and consequent pain, make cannabis a scientifically backed remedy for PMS.
CBD AND THC
This good news is for everyone regardless of your affinity for getting high. This is because the effect of cannabis on PMS is largely due to the cannabinoid CBD, a non-psychoactive component that is widely available and does not have to be taken with THC, it’s psychoactive counterpart. CBD alone is widely available, it can even be purchased online. If you are looking for benefits without the high, CBD can definitely help you achieve relief. Of course, because of the Entourage Effect, CBD and THC work differently together than they do apart and there may be additional benefits if consumption with both cannabinoids. Which leads us to terpenes, more compounds in cannabis that when mixed can affect your experience.
TERPENES
As usual, terpenes play just as great a role in your cannabis experience as THC and CBD do. For PMS different terpenes act as agents for specific side effects. For example, if you are looking to treat cramps in particular, you are going to want to find a strain that has high pinene levels as well as beta-caryophyllene. Both of these terpenes have anti-inflammatory effects that when paired with THC or CBD can serve to reduce your pain. In another example, strains with linalool can add to treating the moodiness you experience from PMS. As the science advances, we will likely see strains that are bred with specific terpene profiles specifically for the treatment of conditions such as PMS.
HOW TO USE
If you think that cannabis might be a suitable treatment for your PMS, or you’re at least hoping to give it a shot, you probably want to know how much you should take or how. Depending on what specific symptom you are looking to relieve, your method of consumption will vary. There are many topical products available to use for abdominal pain, but it can also be relieved through flower, edibles, or tinctures. As a general rule, you should not exceed 10 mg on your first edibles dose, and if you are new to cannabis, no more than 5 mg for you first dose. If you are taking CBD only products, your dosage may be different than if you are taking a product that has THC also. Dosing is going to vary from person to person, but we recommend you check out this article to learn more about CBD specific dosing. At the end of the day, you have many options and you should experiment with what will ultimately work best for you.
PRODUCTS
With so many pain relief options on the shelf it may be hard to pick something that will work. At the bottom of this article there are a list of popular products you can find on the shelves.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Weed can certainly help ease your ghastly symptoms from the monthly red wave. That much has been verified by scientific research as well as women for generations. When it comes to the specifics, you might need help finding exactly what you’re looking for. The Cannacopia App is designed to help you find the perfect weed every time. Find it in the App and GooglePlay Stores and use it to help you find a product personalized for you and your symptoms. As always, stay high, and we’ll see you next time!
