People have reported that their anxiety is reduced greatly using CBD, and science backs that up. It allows users to unplug and relax without any negative side effects. It’s been proven that CBD helps alleviate depression and anxiety, which can be a monthly visitor for many women during the last part of their menstrual cycle.
There are cannabinoid receptors on the glands of the endocrine system all over the human body. Endocannabinoids like CBD can influence hormone secretion levels, which can change a variety of processes.
Hormones allow parts of the body to communicate with each other through chemical signals. The parts that go into this swap of chemical signals between hormones and other bodily functions is known as the endocrine system. In a way, cannabinoids control the signal strength of hormones by making them more or less effective as they’re received by receptors around the body.
CBD also influences our hormonal systems by helping to balance them when they’re a little haywire. This helps reduce irritability which is a classic of PMS moodiness. PMS also affects the brain, and CBD can help with the production of certain neurotransmitters that help regulate anxiety, depression, and the ability to relax.
CBD can help control estrogen, an important hormone in the female body. Since estrogen levels affect how much serotonin is produced in the brain, a dip in estrogen during the premenstrual phase can lead to depression, loss of interest, and mood swings.
The main cannabinoid that our body makes is anandamide. Ananda means bliss in Sanskrit, and this hormone is responsible for feelings surrounding happiness. When levels of this compound are up, stress is reduced. When the stress hormone cortisol is released, anandamide levels go up to try and bring everything back into balance. CBD also slows the reabsorption of anandamide, helping to keep elevated amounts in the brain. It’s shown that anandamide levels vary widely at different times in the menstrual cycle, so it’s not surprising that our emotions are fluctuating right along with it.
Emotionally, CBD can help women stay grounded by keeping them from stressing, feeling hopeless, or worrying about the future. Since CBD affects the systems that regulate emotions, it can be the perfect leveling out you need when the predictable and emotional PMS beast is on your shoulders.
Lower doses of CBD are effective for anxiety without bringing on drowsiness or sedation. If you’re wanting to take CBD for those pesky PMS mood swings, start with a 20 mg dose and slowly raise it to 180 mg as needed.