Even as research into cannabis unlocks a number of potential uses for cannabinoids such as CBD, there's one little-noticed detail: Men and women tend to use it for different reasons. Let's drill down into the stats to see how different genders use it (and how they could derive even greater benefits from this gentle and sustainable plant-based medication).

CBD for Women, CBD for Men: What the Science Tells Us

In previous posts, we’ve focused on some of the many benefits of using cannabis to boost mood and support better sleep, among others. In addition to supporting deeper, more restorative sleep, clinical studies suggest that this remarkable plant-based compound has a role to play in reducing the changes in wellness associated with aging, empowering faster muscle recovery from overexertion, and supporting our mental health and wellness.

Exciting as these developments are, they ignore an intriguing fact about CBD for women: They tend to use it differently than do men. Here are a few examples of how—and why—this might be the case.

When it comes to CBD for stress relief, a study indicates that women tend to absorb it differently than men. One study done at Yale’s Cchool of Medicine suggested that women absorb more CBD more quickly than men, and researchers there hypothesize that women may in fact derive greater anxiety relief from CBD as compared to men.

This idea is supported by a cross sectional study that found, in general, women tend to use CBD for sleep and stress relief, while men tend to use it to relieve post-workout muscle discomfort. In addition, that study suggested that women tend to derive more subjective effects from CBD, an effect generally supported by the Yale study.

But here’s a crucial aspect of that study: One of its goals is to determine whether there’s a “ceiling” on the effects of CBD for stress relief in women. According to Dr. Sarah Lichtenstein, who headed the Yale study:

“If there is a point at which higher doses trigger a neurobiological mechanism that blocks the anti-anxiety effects of CBD, that could very likely lead to different effects for women and men.”

This would be an illuminating discovery. As we’ve shared previously, while CBD is well-tolerated even in very large doses, it’s important to determine your optimal dosage for best results.

When it comes to CBD for men, the trend appears to be more towards treatment of specific complaints—such as helping overexerted muscles recover—than for generalized health and wellness support. There’s another intriguing detail about CBD for men: According to one animal study, CBD may suppress the natural breakdown of testosterone in the liver.

Does this have any effect on libido? It’s hard to say, but the concentration of endocannabinoid system receptors in male sex organs suggests that cannabinoids such as CBD have a role to play in regulating the production and breakdown of this crucial sex hormone. The fact that CBD may reduce levels of the “stress hormone” cortisol—a known suppressant of testosterone production—may add weight to this argument.

CBD for Women, CBD for Men: Shopping Differences

The differences between men and women do not stop at how active compounds from cannabis may work in their bodies: Men and women tend to purchase differently, too.

While historically there have been more male than female cannabis consumers, more and more women are seeking out cannabis to support health and wellness. When shopping, women purchase topicals, tinctures and edibles more frequently than men. In contrast, men purchase more cannabis flower and concentrates.

CBD for Health and Wellness: In Conclusion

We’re passionate about our customers’ health and wellness and the potential of this all-natural plant medicine. Do you have other questions about how to use CBD to support your health and wellness? Reach out anytime; we’re always here to help!