CBD Food Supplements and Menopause: Q & A

cbd_for_menopause

It may sound like a random combination, but CBD health food supplements and menopausal symptoms are a complimentary pair. I am a little too young to speak for myself on this topic but my mother and female parents of friends of mine are really seeing the benefits and positive effects of CBD oil drops for menopause.

CBD cannot be classed as any sort of health treatment but as a food supplement due to Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA) regulations. Research studies on CBD products like CBD oils and others for example are growing in numbers as is the amount of anecdotal evidence available online.

What is Menopause?

Menopause is a massive hormonal shift within the female body and typically occurs later in life from mid 40’s to mid 50’s. However, that is not always the case as menopause can occur for younger women in their 30’s or later at 60.

What happens is the body stops producing hormones from the ovaries like oestrogen and progesterone which results in the end of the menstrual cycle. Menopause can have profound effects on the human body in this way due to this hormonal difference.

What are the symptoms & side effects of Menopause?

So, what happens exactly? Women stop getting periods completely and can no longer conceive naturally i.e., get pregnant. Periods can decrease slowly over time or simply disappear completely depending on the individual person.

Menopause and menopausal symptoms are known to last for a number of years but can continue for much longer in some women, even up to a decade. Symptoms include period loss, insomnia, anxiety, depression, and the symptom that everyone associates with menopause – hot flashes. Hot flashes and sweats at night are referred to scientifically as vasomotor symptoms and can be very uncomfortable for women. They cause an increase in temperature in the body quite suddenly for a short period of time.

menopause_symptoms_cbd

Women can also suffer from forgetfulness during the menopause as a major change takes place within the body. Just like a pregnant woman can suffer from ‘baby brain’ due to hormonal shifts and changes, women can find it hard to concentrate or forget things easily at this point in their lives.

What is a CBD Food Supplement?

A CBD food supplement is just like other vitamins or minerals which can be added to an everyday diet. It is not meant to substitute or replace any foods in a balanced diet but to supplement it with extra nutrients and of course the cannabinoid called CBD.

CBD also known as Cannabidiol is a cannabinoid which comes from the hemp plant. The hemp plant is a member of the cannabis plant family and contains cannabinoids CBD, THC and many, many others. CBD is the primary cannabinoid found in the hemp plant and is a non-toxic chemical compound. THC is only found in small amounts in the hemp plant and can be a toxic compound when consumed in large amounts.

More Reading: CBD Gummies & Where to Buy in Ireland in 2021

Thankfully CBD oils are made by extracting cannabinoids from the hemp plant, so THC is only present in tiny, trace amounts or not at all. At such a level it has no toxic effect on the body or mind. However, many people still have negative associations of CBD. That is because the cannabis plant has another family member, marijuana, that contains large amounts of THC and when used causes that well known ‘high’ to users.

So, it is important to note that CBD taken from hemp is very different and will not cause any sort of ‘high’ to those that use it. 

What is the Endocannabinoid System?

The Endocannabinoid System (ECS) is a regulatory system that exists within the human body. It is known of and confirmed by scientists but not known by many men and women. Those who venture into the CBD health supplement world will hear and learn about this system and just how much it effects our bodies.

Used to regulate areas like the reproductive system, stress responses, and even our sleep cycle, among others, the ECS is controlled and regulated by Endocannabinoids naturally produced within the body. This system uses signals to send messages around the body and target areas that may be unbalanced.

hemp oil research study

Cannabinoids found in the cannabis plant like CBD for example mirror the Endocannabinoids which are produced naturally in the body. These cannabinoids are so similar that they bind to Endocannabinoid receptors and perform the same regulatory tasks.

This is how a CBD supplement can help to rebalance certain parts of the body which you feel are out of whack. It’s like an extra for the Endocannabinoids which you naturally produce already.

How do CBD Supplements affect the Menopause?

CBD oils and other CBD products can work to regulate the reproductive system in the body by supplementing the Endocannabinoid system with compounds like CBD. The cannabinoids in the CBD supplement bind to receptors in the body and send signals to re balance and regulate areas that are not functioning as they should.

There is more to be learnt about the Endocannabinoid system and its full function but scientists do know that it plays a major role in health and wellness within us. The ingredients of CBD doses include chemical compounds from the cannabis plant i.e. CBD, CBG and others. Dosage depends on what you are taking your CBD product for and what level of quality you purchase.

Some people use CBD drops under their tongue everyday while others use CBD cream on their skin. Such products can be used in combination with each other also. If you are not sure about adding CBD to your diet then you should always consult your doctor first.

Women Using CBD Oil to Combat Menopausal Symptoms: Q & A

I asked a woman who uses CBD oil to tackle symptoms of the menopause what she feels CBD supplements do for her. I also asked if and how it helps to ease symptoms of the menopause and what form of CBD supplements she takes:

Q. What symptoms do you get from Menopause?

A. “I get hot sweats (hot flashes) and I get very tired…”

Q. Do you use any other vitamins, minerals or supplements to help with menopausal symptoms besides CBD?

A. “I take other vitamins and tablets for health reasons but none for the menopause…only CBD Gummies.”

Q. How often do you take them (CBD Gummies) in order to see effects?

A. “One (CBD Gummy) a day would do me.”

Q. How do you feel the CBD Gummies help with these symptoms?

A. “They really calm the sweats, I’m not so sure about the tiredness always but they definitely calm the hot flashes.”

Q. Do you get instant effects or over time only?

A. “It’s fairly instant but I would want to be taking the gummies every second day at least to keep them at bay.”

Q. How often do you get ‘sweats’ and how long does each last?

A. “I get them a good few times a day…they could last a few minutes.”

Q. Have you recommended CBD oil or Gummies to your friends?

A. “Yes I certainly have”.

How Can I add CBD Supplements to my Diet?

As mentioned in the Q&A above CBD supplements can be added through food or drinks like CBD gummies, CBD sweets or CBD coffee even. However other popular ways of getting a daily intake of CBD include CBD oils, CBD vape oils or vape juice, CBD cream and CBD paste.

cbd_gummies_supplement

Whatever form of CBD food supplements you choose to use or menopause it’s important that you are consistent with your dose. CBD needs to build up in your body in order to work effectively and react with the endocannabinoid system. So, make sure to

Final Note on Cannabidiol

Although this personal testimonial from a family member of mine is anecdotal in nature it still puts a positive light on the use of CBD oil or CBD products as a natural food supplement for menopause and associated symptoms.

As always I must confirm that CBD is not recognised as having any medicinal benefits and should not be used to replace any foods in your diet. It can be used however as an additional supplement to your everyday diet.

Shannon O’Sullivan
Shannon is an avid CBD user and health writer whose years of experience trying many different brands including Dr. Hemp Me, Endoca and more. Sign up for her free newsletter here or visit her Linkedin profile.

How useful was this post?

Click on a star to rate it!

Average rating 5 / 5. Vote count: 2

No votes so far! Be the first to rate this post.

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *