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When discussing the many health benefits of CBD, we rarely do so through a gender-specific lens. That’s because most diseases and illnesses affect men and women equally.
It turns out that men and women are differentially predisposed to specific health conditions. For example, women are more likely to suffer from anxiety and depression in adulthood than men. The Mental Health Foundation avers that women are three times more likely to experience common mental health disorders than the opposite sex.
Also, women bear exclusive health concerns such as menopause, pregnancy, uterine fibroids, and endometriosis. So, today, we focus on CBD for women. CBD is huge right now and is touted to be beneficial for pain relief, sleeplessness, anxiety, and inflammation, among other conditions.
So, let’s talk about some of the CBD benefits for women that could advocate the use of regular CBD by females.
CBD Benefits for Women: Key Takeaways
- CBD has an array of potential health benefits for women.
- Mounting evidence suggests CBD may help with post-menopausal symptoms, pain, sleep problems, gut health, stress and anxiety, and hormonal imbalance.
- CBD is well tolerated by most. However, pregnant women are advised to avoid CBD in whatever shape or form.
A Quick Look at Some of the Best CBD Products for Women
- Botany Farms CBD Gummies
- Dragon Hemp Relief Tincture
- FAB CBD Oil
- Green Roads CBD Relax Bears
- Joy Organics Organic CBD Gummies
- Avid Hemp CBD Oil
- Healer CBD Oil Drops
- Diamond CBD Oil
Potential Benefits of CBD for Women’s Health
You’ve probably heard of CBD’s immense potential health benefits. And it appears we might soon stop using the term “potential” since research studies are increasingly finding evidence supporting these claims.
But what are the CBD benefits for women? Well, we scoured numerous studies to find out what they say about this. Here is what we found.
Quality Sleep
CBD is hailed for its sleep-promoting qualities, but on closer inspection, it seems to do so indirectly. In a 2019 study investigating the effects of CBD on sleep and anxiety, it displayed significant efficacy in reducing stress but had little impact on sleep.
Although most participants posted improved sleep scores initially, sleep quality fluctuated over time. However, anxiety levels remained low throughout the entire study period.
Pain Relief
While cannabis has been used for millennia to help people cope with pain, CBD’s role as a painkiller is not well established. Study findings have largely conflicted with results ranging from “highly effective” to “placebo-equivalent.”
For example, a 2003 study found CBD significantly effective in reducing intractable pain due to multiple sclerosis. In another 2018 study, CBD was “seemingly effective” in treating chronic pain caused by kidney transplants.
A 2019 study also found CBD effective in managing chronic pain in patients with peripheral neuropathy. Moreover, patients with fibromyalgia have reported reduced pain when treated with CBD.
However, in this 2020 study, “CBD treatment did not significantly reduce measures of pain” in participants with generalized chronic pain. It also failed to produce positive outcomes in patients with Crohn’s disease.
As such, CBD’s painkilling effect may be context-dependent and vary with the disease state. Therefore, more research is needed to establish precisely how CBD affects pain.
Anxiety and Stress
We all get anxious, so knowing whether CBD might help is essential. Incidentally, stress/anxiety relief is among the most cited reasons for CBD use. But can this cannabinoid help reduce stress and anxiety?
Well, a 2019 study concluded that “CBD may hold benefits for anxiety-related disorders.” In another 2011 study, CBD treatment significantly reduced anxiety and cognitive impairment and improved speech performance in participants in a simulated public speaking test.
CBD also appears to improve mood. Research shows that CBD may stimulate the serotonin receptors that regulate anxiety and mood. Other studies indicate that CBD supports neurogenesis (creating new brain cells), helping the brain find new ways of thinking and solving problems.
Gut Health
A lot of women suffer from digestive problems, especially IBS. CBD displays potent anti-inflammatory effects that may be valuable in dealing with inflammatory diseases.
CBD’s anti-inflammatory effect can be traced to its interaction with the CB2 receptors within the endocannabinoid system. These receptors are implicated in immunomodulation as well as in regulating inflammatory responses.
Other studies also show that CBD may help reduce symptoms associated with digestive problems such as bloating, nausea, and cramps. As a result, CBD may enhance gut health by regulating digestion and mitigating bowel movements.
Hormonal Imbalance
Hormones like estrogen and testosterone are critical components of women’s health. When they go out of balance, women experience problems like irregular menses, low sex drive, weight gain, and acne.
Fortunately, CBD may provide relief for women suffering from hormonal imbalances. In one study, CBD was shown to regulate cortisol (stress hormone) blood plasma levels. In high concentrations, cortisol can interfere with other hormones, including estrogen, testosterone, and progesterone.
Beauty
The rise of CBD skincare products has been meteoric. And it is easy to see why. Besides its medicinal properties, CBD may have properties rivaling those of conventional skincare products.
For example, CBD can suppress excess sebum production by the sebaceous glands, potentially reducing inflammatory skin conditions like acne, eczema, and rashes. And because it is also rich in antioxidants, CBD may mitigate the effects of oxidative stress on the skin, thus minimizing dark spots and sagging skin that contribute to premature aging.
Menopause
Hitting menopause can be concerning for most women. It is typically accompanied by symptoms such as hot flashes, vaginal dryness, painful sex, night sweats, loss of scalp hair, and sleep disturbances. It can, indeed, be a trying moment.
However, research shows that CBD may help with some post-menopausal symptoms. A study established that estrogen-deficient mice showed marked improvement when fed CBD. The mice showed better energy expenditure, higher bone density, less gut inflammation, and improved blood glucose levels. They also exhibited higher levels of beneficial gut bacteria.
Other studies suggest that CBD may alleviate chronic pain, inflammation and even improve sleep – conditions commonly seen in menopausal women.
How to Find Ethically Sourced CBD
Finding ethically sourced CBD should not be that hard. Here are the key factors to take into consideration.
Hemp Source
Legal CBD is derived from hemp, not marijuana. Hemp has THC levels of 0.3% or less. As such, the crop’s growing conditions can impact its CBD quality and quantity.
Hemp can absorb toxic chemicals and heavy metals from the soil. So, companies whose crop is grown organically in clean, fertile soil. Also, check whether pesticides and herbicides are used, as these can compromise hemp quality.
Extraction Process
Hemp undergoes special extraction processes to isolate its bioactive compounds. Therefore, the extraction process also impacts the quality of CBD.
The two most efficient processes today are solvent and supercritical carbon dioxide extraction. Both methods are good although most companies prefer the CO2 method.
Third-Party Lab Tests
Third-party lab test reports are the number one thing you should check. It’s the best way to protect yourself from potentially harmful or low-quality products. The more comprehensive the test, the better.
Reputable brands affix CoAs of their products on their website. These are typically issued by independent third-party labs after certifying the CBD product is compliant. Check for potency and cannabinoid profile tests to verify if the product contains the stated amount of cannabinoids.
Don’t forget the purity test to know whether the CBD product contains heavy metals, contaminants, and residual solvents. This is a great way to tell if the crop was grown organically in clean soil.
Reviews
Consumer reviews are also a great way to know more about a company’s CBD products. Preferably, check these on the company’s website. LeafReport is another credible site that provides unbiased information about a company’s products. Reddit is always a great place to find authentic user reports.
Transparency
Choose brands that provide a lot of information about themselves and their products. This can include information on how they source their hemp, extraction processes, third-party tests, when they were founded, location, the people behind it, contact information, etc. The more information they provide, the better.
How to Use CBD Safely
Generally, CBD brands provide guidelines on how to use their products. Adhere to these. CBD has an excellent safety profile, but this doesn’t mean all caution should be thrown out the window.
We always advise users to “start low and slow.” This allows you to assess how your body responds to CBD. Should you experience any adverse side effects, discontinue use immediately and seek medical attention.
Where to Find the Best Wellness CBD Online
Given the health conditions women are predisposed to, we’ve reviewed CBD products that might have therapeutic benefits. We’ve selected them based on customer reviews, product quality, and brand. Let’s quickly walk you through them.
1. Botany Farms CBD Gummies
These little fruit chews are packed with 25mg of premium broad-spectrum CBD per gummy and enriched with natural flavors for an enjoyable chewing experience while getting the relief you seek. And if you want to unwind and relax without losing focus, these are the go-to CBD gummies. What’s more, they can be used on the go!
2. Dragon Hemp Relief Tincture
This tincture is practitioner-formulated to alleviate pain and discomfort of whatever nature. It contains 1200mg of premium, cold-extracted, full-spectrum CBD and a blend of potent herbs like corydalis, turmeric, myrrh, frankincense, and other Chinese herbs to improve blood flow, reduce inflammation, relax the body, and support healing.
3. FAB CBD Oil
If ever there was a CBD oil for women, this would be worthy of consideration. It is made with full-spectrum hemp extract processed with proprietary methods to preserve its profile of beneficial terpenes and cannabinoids.
It is available in four strength levels and five flavors and comes with easy-to-follow dosing instructions. So whether it is pain, insomnia, or inflammation, this CBD oil is potent enough to hopefully give you that desired relief.
4. Green Roads CBD Relax Bears
These classic Relax Bear gummies contain premium hemp CBD to aid relaxation. Choose either the 5ct or 30ct package, depending on your health needs. Each gummy contains 10mg of CBD to help you decompress. These gummies come in an assortment of flavors to maximize the fun when chewing.
5. Joy Organics Organic CBD Gummies
These USDA-certified organic gummies are formulated for on-the-go stress management. Each gummy gives you 25mg of broad-spectrum CBD enriched with a variety of phytonutrients to promote balance and support mental and physical wellness. These guilt-free treats have no artificial ingredients or colors to ensure they are all-natural.
6. Avid Hemp CBD Oil
Meticulously handcrafted with care, Avid Hemp’s CBD Oil comes loaded with 500mg of whole-plant hemp CBD extract to ensure a true-to-cannabis experience. What’s more, it is available in multiple flavors, including peach, strawberry, lemon, and many more. There’s also an unflavored version for users who want to keep it simple.
7. Healer CBD Oil Drops
This non-impairing CBD formula is designed to support your wellness. This is because of its unique formula that combines CBD and CBDa in a 6:1 ratio for higher potency and even better results. There are four different potencies to choose from; 200mg, 700mg, 1500mg, and 3000mg.
8. Diamond CBD Oil
This product comes in both unflavored and flavored variants to suit all users. It contains full-spectrum CBD to relieve your body and help maintain overall wellness. This product is highly versatile and can be used in many ways – orally, topically, or as vape liquid.
Moreover, it is available in eight different strengths, so you get what matches your health needs. Full-spectrum CBD products are known for the authentic cannabis experience and “entourage effect.” As a result, they are considered more potent and effective.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about CBD Benefits for Women
Does CBD affect men and women differently?
Yes, CBD may affect men and women differently owing to its pharmacokinetics. Factors such as weight, age, and body fat, are shown to affect CBD’s absorption.
Is CBD safe for pregnant women?
No, the FDA strongly advises pregnant women against taking CBD or any other cannabinoid. The risks of cannabinoids to an unborn child are still unknown, so it’s better to err on the side of caution.
Can pregnant women use CBD lotion?
No, pregnant women should not use CBD in any shape or form. Theirs is no evidence showing that taking CBD during pregnancy is safe (or not).
CBD Benefits for Women: Final Thoughts
CBD is a unique cannabinoid with incredible potential benefits for women’s health. However, before taking CBD products, you should talk to your doctor. CBD may be safe, but it could interact with other medications affecting their potency.
Hearst Newspapers participates in various affiliate marketing programs, which means we may earn a commission when you purchase products featured here. Please consult your doctor before starting any new supplement to see it is right for you.