CBD continues to draw attention in the natural health and wellness space due to it’s growing list of health benefits, of which include being able to help with the symptoms of PMS! In this article we’re going to help you understand a little more about what exactly CBD is, where it comes from and also how CBD can help with PMS symptoms, and add many other benefits into your daily life.
PMS stands for premenstrual syndrome and it’s the symptoms that happen before the menstrual phase. PMS symptoms usually begin to develop after ovulation, within a week or so before menstruation.
It’s still not understood exactly why the change in hormones triggers both psychological and physical symptoms, but it’s though that it’s due to the link between estrogen and serotonin production in the brain. The entire menstrual cycle is a rollercoaster of hormones, each one taking their turn to rise up before crashing back down again. All of this is a well-choreographed dance designed to prepare the body for falling pregnant.
CBD is also known as cannabidiol, which is a cannabinoid found in the cannabis plant. Unlike other elements found within the plant, CBD doesn’t get you high and is not psychoactive. This is what makes it safe and legal to take in the form of your choice. You can find many different forms of CBD available to help with pain, such as oils and gummies.
It does this, as well as providing a host of other beneficial effects, by promoting homeostasis within the body. This is essentially a healthy balance of all the elements needed to promote healthy living in humans.
How does CBD interact with the endocannabinoid system?
CBD is also known as cannabidiol, which is a cannabinoid found in the cannabis plant. Unlike other elements found within the plant, CBD doesn’t get you high and is not psychoactive. It does this, as well as providing a host of other beneficial effects, by promoting homeostasis within the body. This is essentially a healthy balance of all the elements needed to promote healthy living in humans.
Many believe that CBD works by preventing endocannabinoids from being broken down. This allows them to have more of an effect on your body. Others believe that CBD binds to a receptor that hasn’t been discovered yet. While the details of how it works are still under debate, research suggests that CBD can help with pain, nausea, and other symptoms associated with multiple conditions.
How does CBD help with PMS symptoms?
1. Helps to relieve stress & anxiety
CBD is considered a non-allosteric modulator — which is a fancy term that suggests it works by indirectly inhibiting certain activities in the brain. It uses the endocannabinoid system as the intermediary to stop the brain cells from firing, as opposed to allowing them to send signals.
While research on the endocannabinoid system is still being explored, this inhibitory behavior may explain why cannabidiol is known for being an anti-anxiety, anti-inflammatory, anti-convulsive, and anti-epileptic therapy.
2. Can help to balance your mood
CBD has been show to help improve brain function by reducing the amount of dopamine in the brain. Dopamine is responsible for activating certain brain cells. Since CBD helps to reduce the amount of dopamine in the body, brain cells function will return to normal.
CBD has also been shown to help increase energy levels through CBD’s ability to increase blood flow throughout the body. An increase in energy levels can help to improve your mood and reduce depression.
3. Alleviates Pain
CBD is a highly effective pain killer. It acts to alter pain signalling in the brain which will help you to manage the pain of PMS and make you less reliant on pain killers and other over the counter prescription drugs.
4. Reduces inflammation
CBD has a remarkable anti-inflammatory effect. When CBD starts interacting with the endocannabinoid system, it causes the macrophages to inhibit the release of cytokines. Cytokines are pro-inflammatory proteins, while macrophages are white blood cells that react to infections.
By taking CBD, you can help to reduce the inflammation that is associated with the premenstrual cycle.
5. Helps with muscle tension & cramping
Most of the research on CBD and muscle has to do with treating spasticity in those with multiple sclerosis. Going back to the fact that CBD interacts with the endocannabinoid system and muscles are controlled by nerves, it is a logical step to think that CBD could have an effect on reducing muscle spasms.
Since the uterine cramping and spasms before and during menstruation, CBD, could in theory, affect and reduce cramping.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you take CBD?
The most common way to consume CBD is by placing CBD oil directly under your tongue. This is due to the fact that CBD can easily be absorbed underneath the tongue through the thin mucous membranes there.
Is CBD a drug?
Due to it’s link to marijuana, some people may be worried that if they are taking CBD, they are taking a drug. The first thing to know is that in the UK CBD is completely legal.
When thinking about a drug, we typically think of narcotic or pharmaceutical agents. CBD has, at times, been leveraged in pharmaceutical formulas but is not a narcotic or medically controlled drug.
Is CBD addictive?
Once question we are often asked is, is CBD oil addictive? The answer is that CBD does not have an addictive effect, as it is not psychoactive. In the UK, CBD is made exclusively with the hemp plant, which does not contain THC. THC is the main psychoactive compound that is found in marijuana.
Does CBD increase your heart rate?
Adding CBD into your daily routine can help reduce your heart rate, as well as helping to improve your resting heart rate. The impact in the first few days may be steady as the body gets used to the effects of CBD. It may provide a sense of calm to the mind and could help reduce the heart rate and blood pressure, too.
