Women in their 40s or 50s will endure menopause, which can prove unbearable for some. Treatments can help, but the condition is incurable.

So, how can you make this stage of your life as comfortable as possible? Cannabis for menopause could be the answer.

What is menopause?

To put it simply, menopause is a natural process that occurs when the ovaries stop producing hormones. Every single woman will go through menopause. However, the levels of severity and symptoms that a woman experiences may differ.

Common symptoms of menopause include:

• Vaginal dryness
• Mood swings
• Hot flashes
• Weight gain
• Emotional instability
• Anxiety
• Sexual complications

Cannabis may provide relief from the symptoms of menopause, which could effectively simplify the transition.

Endocannabinoid levels are linked to estrogen levels

Just like estrogen levels, endocannabinoid levels reach their peak during ovulation. Estrogen is responsible for regulating fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH).

A naturally-occurring endocannabinoid called anandamide, or the “bliss molecule,” is broken down by FAAH. You may have heard of anandamide before. It is a mood-enhancing chemical and can even be found in chocolate.

Lack of estrogen will throw FAAH levels out of sync. As FAAH levels rise, anandamide gets obliterated and as a result, mood swings ensue. Thankfully, cannabis contains a chemical compound (known as a cannabinoid) called THC, which is short for tetrahydrocannabinol. This is cannabis’ very own version of anandamide.

By supplementing the lack of anandamide with THC-rich cannabinoids, the symptoms of menopause (caused by endocannabinoid deficiency) will lessen. 

Early onset menopause is thought to be caused by clinical endocannabinoid deficiency, making cannabis a welcome addition to a female’s life.

Cannabis as an alternative to estrogen replacement therapy for menopause

Many women who suffer during the menopausal stage will undergo hormone replacement therapy (HRT), or estrogen replacement therapy (ERT) as it is commonly known. However, some women cannot be administered with ERT, due to underlying health conditions, such as heart disease and ovarian cancer.

Cannabis may be used as a safe and natural alternative to ERT.

Cannabinoids like CBD, CBG (Cannabigerol), CBC (Cannabichromene), and TCHV (Tetrahydrocannabivarin) have been shown to hinder the onset of osteoporosis and encourage bone growth following menopause.

Using cannabis to relieve menopause symptoms

It’s not just the THC-rich cannabis strains you can use to relieve the symptoms of menopause but also, CBD-rich cannabis strains.

Cannabidiol (CBD) is a medicinal cannabinoid praised for its powerful effects, which range from pain relief to improved mental clarity.

Studies have even shown CBD’s ability to increase blood flow and lubrication, which could ease discomfort during sexual intercourse and boost sexual motivation.

Consult with your doctor prior to using cannabis for medical purposes.