Cannabis is not a new phenomenon. Maybe you know it better by the term “weed or reefer”. I usually opt out of calling it weed because as a cannabis educator there are far too many spectrums and modalities to consider. Propaganda from the 1930s has done a great job at demonizing what was once a pharmacological drug.

In this article we’re going to address the fundamental uses of cannabis from a medicinal perspective.

A Few Numbers

According to the National Institute of Health cannabis was reported as helpful for over 75% menopausal respondents in a survey done in Alberta Canada.

Uses

The use of cannabis will range by states and countries. Cannabis is used for a variety of reasons; recreational and medicinal. Cannabis is to be used responsibly regardless of either.

What is Cannabis?

Cannabis is a psychoactive drug produced by the Cannabis sativa plant. It has over 350 constituents with THC being the main ingredient that causes the psychoactive effect. Note that cannabis strands can be created and used without the THC (delta9-tetrahydrocannabinol). That means you can get the healing benefits of the plant without zoning out or having euphoric experiences.

Note: Cannabis is not to be abused, overused or treated as a coping mechanism to escape reality. If you are prone to addiction or other self-harming tendencies reach out to a health and/or mental health professional. Our goal in this article is to promote the responsible use while educating on its medicinal properties.

Cannabis and Menopause

Cannabis was considered in the list of treatments for menopause due to the following symptoms:

vasomotor symptoms (VMS), genitourinary effects, mood changes, muscle and joint pain, sleep disturbances and decreased libido.

Symptoms can appear prior to the final menstrual period and last into post menopause, with the median duration of VMS reported to be 7.4 years. Management of menopause symptoms includes lifestyle changes, menopausal hormone therapy (MHT), non-hormonal prescription medications or complementary therapies.

The Cannabis study that was done was a cross sectional of adult women ages 35+. The data collected included women in pre and perimenopause (thus the age range). There were over 1400 participants representing white, black, indigenous, Asian and south Asian women. 44% women used cannabis recreationally prior to the study. The common forms used included edibles, oils and smoking.

A Dr’s Findings

It makes sense that midlife women reported cannabis improves anxiety, mood, and sleep, Dr. Hirsch says. The drug likely helps all of these symptoms by “dimming the prefrontal cortex, the decision-making part of our brain.”

For many women, anxiety spikes during perimenopause, she notes. Common stressors during that time, such as aging parents or an emptying nest, add to the effects of dipping hormones. “It’s that feeling of, ‘I can’t turn my brain off.’ It’s really disturbing because they get in bed and can’t fall asleep, so they’re more tired, moody, and cranky the next day,” she explains. Dimming the prefrontal cortex enables people to calm down.

Hot flashes, often cited as the most common menopause symptom, did not improve as much from cannabis use, according to survey respondents. That too makes sense, Dr. Hirsch says, because the hypothalamus — the brain region considered the body’s thermostat — isn’t believed to be significantly affected by the drug.

Cannabis 101

It is important to allow a cannabis specialist/medical advisor to coach you through the usage. Remember, you can opt for products that do not contain THC and experience the relief of menopausal symptoms. There are oils, creams, edibles and vaping/smoking for those who prefer. WWC does not promote inhalation methods simply because chemicals are still entering the lungs. We advise you to do your research, understand dosing and choose what works best for you.

Final Thoughts

There have been a few FDA approved cannabis products that women are using. Also many women-owned cannabis companies and dispensaries are available to strictly support women’s health. We recommend the podcast How To Do The Pot It’s all about cannabis for women and will educate you on every topic you’ve been curious about.

We are versed in Cannabis Health. If you need assistance feel free to schedule a consultation.

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