When discussing the many health benefits of cannabidiol (CBD), we rarely do so through a gender-specific lens. That’s because most diseases and illnesses affect men and women equally. However, there are many CBD benefits for women that may stand out.
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.
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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—and highlight some of the best products out there.
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
- Sunday Scaries Vegan CBD Gummies
- Endoca Raw CBD Capsules
- Aspen Green CBD Oil
- CBDFx CBD Gummies with Turmeric and Spirulina
- Joy Organics Organic CBD Gummies
- CBDistillery CBD + CBG Drops
- Medterra Manuka Care Cream
- ExtractLabs Sleep Capsules
Potential Benefits of CBD for Women’s Health
You’ve probably heard of the wide potential of CBD for a variety of uses. 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.
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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. Preclinical evidence has 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.
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, depression and anxiety relief are 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.
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, mood swings, 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.
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. Sunday Scaries Vegan CBD Gummies
These little fruit chews are packed with 10mg of premium full-spectrum CBD per gummy and enriched with vitamins B12 & D3. And if you want to unwind and relax without losing focus, Sunday Scaries Vegan CBD gummies are perfect. What’s more, they can be used on the go!
2. Endoca Raw CBD Capsules
These potent capsules contain 50mg of raw CBD and CBDA. This means you get a big dose of CBD for maximum relief. Endoca Raw CBD Capsules are made using a simple CO2 extraction, so you get all of the benefits of CBD in an easy-to-swallow morsel.
3. Aspen Green CBD Oil
If ever there was a CBD oil for women, this would be worthy of consideration. Aspen Green CBD Oil is made with full-spectrum hemp extract processed with proprietary methods to preserve its profile of beneficial terpenes and cannabinoids. It’s also physician-formulated, making it one of the top-quality oils on the market today. The product comes in unflavored, citrus, or mint, meaning there’s an Aspen Green CBD Oil for everyone.
4. CBDFx CBD Gummies with Turmeric and Spirulina
Get a wide range of benefits from this unique product containing a blend of potent antioxidants. CBDFx CBD Gummies with Turmeric and Spirulina are perfect for busy women looking to integrate more wellness compounds into their diets as you get three in one. The gummies contain broad-spectrum CBD, meaning they’re THC-free.
5. Joy Organics Organic CBD Gummies
These USDA-certified organic gummies are formulated for on-the-go stress management. Each Joy Organics Organic CBD 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. CBDistillery CBD + CBG Drops
Formulated to promote feelings of calm and clarity, CBDistillery CBD + CBG Drops are the perfect way to stay energized on long days. Each bottle contains 500mg of both CBD and CBG, so you’re getting a powerful blend with adjustable dosing. From the office to school pickup, you’ll be on your game all day long with CBDistillery.
7. Medterra Manuka Care Cream
Whether dealing with dry skin, aches and pains, or just looking for a bit of “me time,” Medterra Manuka Care Cream does it all. Blending CBD and high-quality Manuka honey, this rich and luxurious cream offers maximum moisturizing and leaves you with a silky glow.
8. ExtractLabs Sleep Capsules
Let’s face it: many women struggle to get enough sleep. ExtractLabs Sleep Capsules are the answer. Each softgel contains CBD as well as CBN, a cannabinoid shown to promote a better night’s rest. You’ll wake up rejuvenated and ready to tackle the day when using ExtractLabs.
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 cannabis plants, not marijuana. Hemp has tetrahydrocannabinol (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.
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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. These products do not have FDA approval, so it’s important to do your due diligence—and always talk to a doctor before starting a CBD regimen.
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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.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about CBD Benefits for Women
How does CBD work?
CBD interacts with cannabinoid receptors via the endocannabinoid system (ECS). The ECS is responsible for maintaining homeostasis throughout the body.
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. There 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.