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Oregon’s easy access to CBD, a core ingredient of the cannabis plant, is good news for Portland women dealing with health issues in various life stages. CBD is available in different strengths and forms; it can be absorbed through the skin, ingested, or inhaled. It can also help bring relief and healing to specific, time-sensitive needs.  

Studies suggest that CBD may benefit women’s well-being and improve overall quality of life. Now we’re learning more about how it specifically interacts with the endocannabinoid system (ECS) to alleviate female health issues. 

Understanding the ECS 

Common issues such as anxiety and insomnia—in addition to diagnoses like PMS, endometriosis, infertility, migraine, menopause, osteoporosis, and Alzheimer’s—can be impacted by cannabis and the body’s more recently discovered  endocannabinoid system. Most of us are intimately familiar with our body’s sympathetic nervous system (of fight-or-flight-response fame). But fewer have heard of the ECS, which regulates and controls some of our most critical bodily functions: think learning and memory, emotional processing, sleep, temperature control, pain control, inflammatory and immune responses, and eating, too.  

The ECS is made up of an extensive network of chemical signals and cellular receptors, densely packed throughout our brains and bodies. It’s present in the male and female reproductive tracts and organ networks such as the urologic and gastrointestinal systems.  

ECS and CBD

Our brain’s "cannabinoid" (CB1) receptors outnumber many other types of receptors. Think of them as traffic cops in controlling the levels and activity of most other neurotransmitters. They can adjust factors such as hunger, temperature, or alertness. And since the ECS interacts with nearly every system found in our bodies, women’s health and wellness, which fluctuates and evolves throughout the life cycle, can be greatly impacted by both endocannabinoids and phytocannabinoids contained in the cannabis plant. 

The plant’s combination of cannabinoids, terpenoids, and other naturally occurring bioactive compounds work together to create the “entourage effect,” a term coined by neurologist and cannabis researcher Ethan Russo. Ultimately this means that plants contain multiple compounds that work in partnership to create a benefit at the cellular level.  

How Women Are Impacted 

Inevitable parts of the female life cycle range from PMS and hormonal imbalances to pregnancy and menopause. Each one comes with its own challenges and discomfort. Thankfully, studies suggest CBD can help.  

The ECS plays a crucial role in menopause. A recent small-scale study suggests that CBD may help to reduce symptoms, including chronic pain, inflammation, and poor sleep. When it comes to female-related pain in general (whether linked to headaches, cramps, arthritis, fibromyalgia, or other woes), research shows that CBD may help to decrease these challenges by interacting with the endocannabinoid system to reduce inflammation and interact with neurotransmitters. 

CBD may also reduce women’s stress and anxiety; it can help regulate digestion and modulate bowel movements, too. This feels significant since studies reveal that almost 72 percent of women have suffered from digestive problems (like IBS) within the past year, on top of frequent cramps, bloating, and nausea. 

CBD may also provide relief for women who suffer from hormonal imbalances. A small-scale study indicates that CBD may help regulate the secretion of one of our stress-activating hormone, cortisol. High cortisol can impact levels of other vital hormones — including thyroid-stimulating hormones and sex hormones. In short, overall hormone balance is positively affected by any cortisol-reducing activity. As an added bonus, hemp-based CBD product also offer a boost of omega fatty acids and gamma-linolenic acid—great for hormone health.