Over the last two decades, there has been a huge increase in interest in cannabis products and the many psychological and physical benefits they produce. Pure CBD derived from hemp is legal throughout the United Kingdom, but now is officially recognised as a novel food since the 1st of April 2021.
Pure CBD products are made without other chemical additives or blends. People have been using hemp plants to treat medical conditions for thousands of years. Researchers continue to study the benefits of CBD oil for a wide variety of physical and mental conditions.
What is CBD?
Cannabidiol, often referred to simply as CBD, is the most prominent, naturally occurring active compound found in cannabis plants. Cannabis plants create a wide variety of compounds and more than 100 different compounds have been identified. CBD is not psychoactive, meaning it does not produce a “high” feeling. CBD is more like taking a multivitamin, you might not feel the effects, even if it is working hard inside the body. It is safe to drive, operate machinery, and perform other tasks while taking pure CBD products. CBD has been widely researched in recent years and has been shown to have a wide variety of health benefits. The most widely accepted benefits include (1-3):
- Anxiolytic benefits (stress relief)
- Neuroprotective benefits (memory-boosting)
- Antiemetic benefits (nausea relief)
- Analgesic benefits (pain relief)
- Anti-inflammatory benefits
- Regulation of appetite
CBD May Be Useful in Treating Women’s Health Concerns
While both men and women face many of the same health issues, there are certain conditions that affect women at a higher rate than male counterparts. Additionally, women have many health issues that do not affect men at all. Here is a list of some of the most prevalent health concerns specific to women’s health.
- Gynecological Health and Conditions
Some of the most common gynecological health issues women face include polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), endometriosis, premenstrual syndrome (PMS), premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), and fertility issues. (4-6)
- Breast Cancer
Breast cancer is the number one leading type of cancer in women, regardless of age or race (two markers that affect the rates of other types of cancer). Breast cancer in men is very rare and men account for less than one percent of all breast cancer cases. (4,5)
- Ovarian and Cervical Cancer
Cervical cancer originates in the lower uterus and can be detected by a pap smear during a regular yearly exam. Ovarian cancer originates in the fallopian tubes and is not easily detected during a regular exam. Both conditions cause similar pain and affect only women. (5)
- Mental Health Conditions Including Depression and Anxiety
Mental health conditions can affect anyone. However, according to the Office of Women’s Health, women are significantly more likely to be affected by a mental health condition than men. Women are more likely to face anxiety, depression, and bipolar disease. Women may also develop a mental condition tied to hormone changes, such as postpartum depression and depression and anxiety linked with their menstrual cycle. (4,5)
- Eating Disorders
The three main types of eating disorders all affect women at higher rates than men. Women are three times as likely to develop anorexia and bulimia and 75 percent more likely to experience binge eating disorder than males. It is estimated that around five percent of women will develop an eating disorder during their lifetime. (7)
- Autoimmune Diseases
According to the American Autoimmune Related Diseases Associate (AARDA), 75 percent of people affected by autoimmune disorders are women. The most common autoimmune illnesses for women are lupus, diabetes, and arthritis. (4,5)
- Cardiovascular Health, Heart Disease, and Heart Attack
Cardiovascular disease is the number one killer of women and accounts for one in every four deaths in women in the United States. Although heart attacks kill both men and women at a high rate, the symptoms of a heart attack can manifest differently in women, leading to misdiagnosis. These misdiagnoses lead to a greater number of deaths for women. The signs of a heart attack in women can include nausea, jaw pain, and overall discomfort. (4,9)
- Acne
Women are more likely than men to have acne beyond the teenage years. In fact, more than 50 percent of women reported experiencing acne into their 20s and the rate of women still experiencing acne into their 50s is more than double the rate of men. (8)
- Metabolic Syndrome
While metabolic syndrome is not a disease in itself, it is a group of symptoms that serve as a marker of overall health and it is related to a variety of serious health conditions, such as cardiovascular disease and diabetes. Metabolic syndrome includes abdominal obesity, dyslipidemia, glucose intolerance, and hypertension. (4)
- Osteoporosis
Women have smaller, lighter bones than men, so it is no surprise that an estimated 80 percent of people suffering from osteoporosis are women. One in two women over 50 will experience a bone fracture related to osteoporosis during their lifetime (versus one in four men). (4)
- Neurological Diseases
Neurological diseases, such as epilepsy, Lou Gehrig’s disease (ALS), Parkinson’s disease, and Alzheimer’s disease are more prevalent in men than women. However, women typically experience neurological diseases differently than men and because women tend to experience these diseases at lower rates, they are often misdiagnosed in women. This leads to later diagnoses and is linked to a lower quality of life in females with these diseases. (9) One exception is chronic migraines, which do affect women at approximately three times the rate of men. Women who experience hormonal-linked migraines may experience migraines that are more severe, longer lasting, and less responsive to treatment during their menstrual cycle. (9)
How Can CBD Help?
- May Provide Relief from Pain
Cannabis plants have been used to treat pain for as many as 5,000 years. The human body creates a type of neurotransmitters called endocannabinoids. This system of neurotransmitters and their receptors, called the endocannabinoid system (ECS) helps to regulate a wide variety of functions including pain, sleep, appetite, and immune functions. Studies have shown that CBD impacts endocannabinoid receptors, reducing inflammation and pain responses. Several studies have also shown that CBD is effective in treating multiple sclerosis and arthritis. (6) (9)
There have been many studies on the link between CBD and pain relief and this is perhaps the most well-established benefit for CBD within the medical community. PMS and PMDD are both conditions caused by the cyclical nature of women’s hormones. Both PMS and PMDD include symptoms of physical pain, and PMDD can include pain so debilitating that sufferers experience a negative impact on their overall quality of life. There is a massive amount of anecdotal evidence of CBD being used as an effective treatment for PMS and PMDD, and hopefully researchers will provide more information on treating these conditions with CBD in the coming years. (6)
- May Relieve Cancer-Related Symptoms
CBD may ease cancer symptoms as well as side effects of cancer treatments, like nausea, vomiting, and pain. (6) One study looked at participants who did not experience pain relief from traditional pain medications. The researchers found that CBD oil provided significant pain relief, even more than participants who took a THC extract. (10)
Even more impressive, test-tube and animal studies have shown that CBD may have anticancer properties. While these studies have not yet been conclusive in humans, this research shows great promise for the anticancer and antitumor properties of CBD. (10)
- May Reduce Anxiety and Depression
Anxiety and depression are two of the most common mental health disorders worldwide. Unfortunately, the pharmaceutical drugs typically used to treat anxiety and depression are known to cause a variety of side effects including drowsiness, insomnia, agitation, sexual dysfunction, headaches, and more. Additionally, some of these medications can be addictive and are correlated to substance abuse. (6)
CBD oil has demonstrated efficacy as a treatment for both depression and anxiety through its ability to act on brain receptors for serotonin, another neurotransmitter that regulates mood and social behaviors. One study found that CBD reduced acute anxiety in people who were given a public speaking task. CBD has been used to safely treat anxiety and other symptoms in women with post-traumatic stress disorder. It has also been shown to create antidepressant effects in women and has become a commonly prescribed treatment for anxiety. (6,9)
- May Aid in Treating Eating Disorders
The three most common eating disorders are anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge eating disorder (BED). Eating disorders can lead to damage of the heart, digestive system, bones, and teeth and mouth, and are linked with other physical health conditions. (7,11) Eating disorders are linked with mental health conditions including anxiety, depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). In fact, a study of more than 2,400 women hospitalized for an eating disorder found that 94% of participants had a coexisting mental health disorder. (7)
CBD has been found to regulate appetite and ease mental health conditions including depression and anxiety. This combination makes it an effective treatment for women with anorexia. Additionally, CBD has been studied as a treatment for BED as well. CBD is able to regulate the brain’s reward system, which has been shown to reduce cravings for food and reduce the mental satisfaction that women with BED feel during a binge. CBD also impacts hormones through the endocannabinoid system in the body, which leads to a reduction in appetite linked to hormones and hormonal cycles. (7)
- May Treat Autoimmune Diseases
Current research into the effects of cannabinoids in the immune system have shown that CBD possess immunosuppressive properties and can be useful in treating autoimmune disorders. In studies involving mice, CBD has been shown to successfully treat rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, Crohn’s disease, autoimmune myocarditis, encephalomyelitis, and other autoimmune disorders. One promising study involving humans found that CBD was a successful management treatment for autoimmune myocarditis and possibly other autoimmune disorders and also helped to facilitate acceptance of organ transplantation, which is related to the autoimmune system. (1)
- May Encourage Heart Health
Pure CBD oil has been linked with several benefits to the heart and circulatory system. The main reason is CBD’s ability to lower high blood pressure, which is linked to a number of potentially fatal health conditions including stroke, heart attack, and metabolic syndrome. (12)
One notable study looked at a group of healthy individuals who were given a single dose of CBD and found that it reduced their resting blood pressure. The same study also gave the participants stress tests while taking either CBD oil or a placebo. The participants who took the CBD oil experienced a smaller blood pressure increase compared to the placebo, indicating that in addition to lowering blood pressure, CBD oil also helps to maintain healthy blood pressure. (12)
- May Provide Relief from Acne
Acne is a common skin condition which is caused by a variety of factors, including inflammation, genetics, bacteria, and overproduction of sebum. (8) Acne can be both painful and embarrassing to those who suffer from it. Pure CBD oil has been shown to treat acne through its anti-inflammatory properties. Additionally, CBD has been shown to reduce sebum production in sebaceous glands in the skin. (6)
- May Reduce the Symptoms of Metabolic Syndrome and Prevent Development of Diabetes
Research has found that CBD benefits those suffering from metabolic syndrome through multiple pathways in the body. Several studies have connected CBD treatments with symptoms of metabolic syndrome. CBD has been found to promote weight loss through regulation of appetite. It has been shown to be a possible prevention for diabetes by improving insulin sensitivity promoting regulation of blood sugar levels and protecting the insulin-secreting cells of the pancreas. CBD also protects the liver from damage caused by fatty liver disease and some studies have concluded that CBD may reverse liver damage after it has occurred. CBD also alleviates neuropathic pain and inflammation that are linked to metabolic syndrome. (12)
- May Prevent and Possibility Treat Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis is caused by a loss of bone density. Two types of cells affect bone density in humans, osteoblasts, which produce bone cells and increase bone density, and osteoclasts, which degrade bone. Research has found a receptor in the body (GPR55) which increased the bone-degrading activity of osteoclasts. CBD has been found to bind to this receptor and stop the binding of osteoclasts, leading to a reduction in bone-degrading activity. This study concluded that CBD can be effective in preventing osteoporosis. Another study found that CBD increased the activity of osteoblasts in rats, leading researchers to believe that CBD may be an effective treatment for those already suffering from osteoporosis, in addition to working as a preventative measure. (13)
- May Possess Neuroprotective Properties
Perhaps the most impressive benefit of pure CBD oil is its effects on neurological disorders, including epilepsy. This benefit has been recorded many times anecdotally, and several clinical studies have shown promising results in treating epilepsy, Dravet syndrome (a complex childhood epilepsy disorder), multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, and Alzheimer’s disease. (3)
- Other Potential Health Benefits
Researchers continue to study CBD as a treatment for a variety of other ailments including (1-3,10,12):
- Inflammation
- Chronic pain
- Sciatica
- Muscle spasms
- Cognition dysfunction
- Movement disorders
- Psychotic symptoms
- Substance abuse
CBD Products Made for Women
Many CBD manufacturers and retailers have realized the powerful effects that CBD offers women and have products tailored specifically to female consumers.
One such retailer is Winged Women’s Wellness. Their website explains that the founder was “battling crippling anxiety” when she discovered CBD and wanted to formulate products that would help other women like her. Their products include chocolates, gummies, and drink mix powder all with CBD and their labels make it easy to select which product is right for the consumer. Their products are aimed towards mental health and feature names such as “Relaxation,” “Chilled Out,” and “Sleepy.” (14)
Another CBD retailer focused on products for women is Our Remedy. Their founder shares a similar story of anxiety, coupled with fertility and health issues. The CBD products available at Our Remedy include teas and oils infused with CBD and their focus is on mental and physical health associated with menstruation. (15)
The CBD brand FORIV specializes in CBD products for sexual and reproductive health. Their website explains that “used topically, CBD promotes increased blood flow – a vital part of arousal and sexual pleasure.” Their line of products includes lubrication oils, bath salts, suppositories, and vape pens designed to enhance arousal and sexual intimacy. (16)
Are There Any Side Effects?
Pure CBD oil is generally considered safe and is well-tolerated by most people. However, some studies have noted the following adverse reactions (2):
- Diarrhoea
- Fatigue
- Changes in weight and appetite
Final Thoughts
CBD oil is considered safe and effective in treating many medical conditions. It is effective in treating acute pain and promoting overall health, making it a useful supplement to healthy individuals as well as those suffering from a medical condition. CBD can provide relief and treatment for many health issues that disproportionately or only affect women.
References
- Autoimmune Disorders – Hemp CBD Science (hempcbdsciences.com)
- CBD For Metabolic Syndrome: What the Research Says — Daily CBD
- How CBD Affects The Brain: Is CBD Neuroprotective? | NoHigh
- The 6 Most Common Health Concerns for Women — Female Health Issues (womansday.com)
- 8 Common Women’s Health Issues to Know About | Regis College
- Suffering From Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder? Here’s How CBD Can Help | Powder Rooms
- Eating Disorder Statistics | HealthyPlace
- Women More Likely Than Men To Be Affected By Acne As Adults — ScienceDaily
- How Women Experience Neurologic Diseases Differently Than Men (brainandlife.org)
- Breast Cancer and CBD Oil: Current Research and Potential Benefits | CBD Oil Review
- CBD for Eating Disorder – April 2021 – CBD Clinicals
- Cannabidiol (CBD) Lowers Blood Pressure – Lower Blood Pressure (mylowerbloodpressure.com)
- Osteoporosis & CBD Oil: Best Products & Research on Building Bone Density | CBD Oil Review
- CBD Products for Women | Winged CBD
- Our Remedy CBD | Our Remedy CBD
- The Sex & Intimacy Collection – Foria (foriawellness.com)