If THC is the cannabinoid that grabs all of the headlines for its psychoactive effects, research suggests CBD may be even more impactful. The “second cannabinoid” in cannabis may not impart the euphoria of THC, but it’s hard at work with thousands of people using it everyday to help relieve inflammation and discomfort or to soothe stress. And increasingly, many women are turning to CBD for menstrual pain.
Does CBD help with menstrual cramps? As a growing body of research suggests, CBD’s natural anti-inflammatory properties may present a gentler and more effective remedy than the NSAIDS and other drugs typically recommended for menstrual cramps. Not only that, but CBD may also help us find better sleep, which in turn helps us stay positive even when we’re not feeling our best. Here’s the story.
CBD, Menstrual Cramps, and You
Even though menstrual pain—medically known as dysmenorrhea—is a frustratingly common symptom, researchers aren’t entirely sure of its exact cause. What is known is that a high percentage of women experience menstrual pain, and that many current remedies aren’t completely effective at controlling it.
That’s where CBD may have a role to play. One 2019 review found that, because of its demonstrated ability to help relieve inflammation, stress, and sleeplessness, CBD may be a viable treatment for many of the symptoms associated with premenstrual syndrome (PMS), of which menstrual cramps are a major component.
These are positive initial findings, however more clinical research is needed to fully understand how CBD’s interactions with the endocannabinoid system and other bodily symptoms impact female fertility and PMS symptoms.
CBD for Cramps: Treating the Body, Not Just the Symptom
While this post is focused on CBD for menstrual pain, it’s important to point out that when it comes to complex syndromes such as PMS, it’s not unusual for several symptoms—such as headache, lower back pain, or bloating—to present all at once. That’s why CBD’s potential to help improve sleep is so crucial.
If you or someone you love suffers from PMS, you know that any of these symptoms by themselves can disrupt our sleep. And when our bodies don’t have an opportunity to rest and naturally recharge, it can lead to a potentially disruptive “cascade effect.”
CBD can help. As we’ve written previously, studies suggest CBD helps lull us to sleep without resorting to sedatives or other drugs that leave us feeling groggy the next day. Instead, the cannabinoid interfaces with our endocannabinoid system, a crucial regulatory network, to elicit gentle, effective, and sustainable results. If you’re attempting to get a handle on cramps or other menstrual symptoms, having extra sleep support can make all the difference when it comes to staying rested, upbeat, and productive.
We’re such big proponents of a good night’s sleep we’ve developed a whole line of products that can help you get to sleep and stay asleep. Our line of sleep solutions harness the power of CBD and are available in a variety of strengths.
CBD for Menstrual Cramps: Wrapping Up
With all that said, not all CBD is created equal. As many clinical studies point out, lesser-quality CBD products carry the risk of adulterants or spurious ingredients.
That’s one of the major reasons we’re so focused on quality and purity here at Papa & Barkley. Building on our reputation as California’s #1 Cannabis Wellness brand, we’re proud of the natural hemp products we produce. We freely share our Certificates of Analysis because we’re beholden to some very important people: The tens of thousands of people who rely on our products every single day.
You can count on our CBD Releaf Drops, available Regular and Double-Strength potencies, to be made with only the solventless infusion methods used for everything we create. It’s our pledge to you and a very important part of our process.
We hope today’s post sheds light on the challenges of menstrual cramps and other symptoms (and the potential for CBD to help you manage them in a natural way). If there’s anything more you’d like to know about CBD for cramps, please don’t hesitate to ask. We’re here to help!
