CBD and PMS Pain
If you’ve ever experienced truly horrible PMS symptoms and period cramps, you know just how debilitating they can be. I can’t tell you how many days I’ve spent on my couch, clutching my hot water bottle and binging on chocolate and Kardashians reruns. If you’re out of commission one week out of the month, you’re not alone. Almost 85% of American women suffer from PMS during their childbearing years, and 5% of those women are rendered disabled by extreme PMS symptoms.
Chances are you’ve tried every version of Midol and every flavor of Ben & Jerry’s on the market. If you’re looking to really relieve PMS pain, decrease inflammation and bloating and get some much needed R&R, take a look at cannabidiol, also known as CBD.*
What is CBD?
CBD is the compound naturally found in the cannabis plant. The non-psychoactive cousin to THC, CBD can’t get you high. Instead, when ingested, CBD gets to work on your body’s endocannabinoid system. Our body’s endocannabinoid system is in charge of regulating sleep patterns, appetite and general mood. Our bodies already produce cannabinoids in its regulation of emotion and sleep – ingesting CBD can trigger the release of more.*
What does CBD do?
In addition to triggering the release of cannabinoids, CBD also works with the nervous system to intercept the transmission of pain signals in the body. It also influences the release of specific hormones and enzymes that can aid in digestive health and cognitive function. CBD has been used for centuries to help soothe discomfort, relieve anxiety, decrease nausea and quiet even the most persistent pain symptoms.*
CBD Reduces Nausea
PMS messing with your digestion? I’ve got good news for you. People have relied on CBD to treat nausea and upset stomach for years. How exactly? When our bodies experience nausea, the brain, the gastrointestinal (GI) system and the nervous system all play a role. One key to controlling nausea lies in the receptors in the brain and in the GI tract that produces and bind with the neurotransmitter serotonin. On a chemical level, CBD interacts with serotonin releasing receptors in our brains, which helps to alleviate both nausea and vomiting.*
CBD Calms Headaches & PMS Cramps
I know my time of the month is on the horizon when I start getting non-stop, splitting headaches. Whether you’ve been staring at a screen too long or your head is pounding from not enough sleep and too much caffeine, CBD offers a welcome relief. CBD actually blocks the neurotransmission to pain receptors in the brain, stopping a debilitating headache in its tracks. Used for centuries to treat chronic pain, CBD has proven especially beneficial for hard-to-treat pains like muscle spasms, arthritis and persistent pre-menstrual cramps.*
CBD Reduces Inflammation
Inflammation is the body’s natural response to harmful stimuli, but some diseases cause the body to respond with excess inflammation. Inflammation is even linked to painful periods and excessive bloating! Because CBD is a natural anti-inflammatory, many people who suffer from inflammatory diseases or monthly inflammation rely on CBD for a naturopathic treatment.*
CBD Boosts Mood
The rush of hormones around your period can make your moods unpredictable, and make you feel more anxious or depressed than normal. Luckily, CBD works with your body’s nervous and endocannabinoid systems to stimulate the production of hormones that aid in mood regulation, making you feel calm and relaxed. CBD helps naturally boost your mood, calm anxiety and even out your emotions for a happier, calmer visit from Aunt Flo.*
CBD Promotes Sleep
Sometimes when you feel rotten, all you really wanna do is sleep it off. CBD quiets anxiety and relieves body aches and pains so you can relax and get a good night’s sleep. CBD stimulates the endocannabinoid system, which plays a huge role in regulating sleep patterns. This means that CBD can help enable longer periods of undisrupted sleep. This helps you feel more rested even with fewer actual sleep hours logged. Some research indicates that CBD may even promote more REM sleep – the type of deep sleep that gives you the rest your body really craves.*
CBD & PMS Health
Whether your period are apocalyptic or just a blip in your monthly cycle, CBD is a fantastic, holistic way to relieve discomfort and boost your mood. While there are many ways to take CBD, ingesting CBD in tea form releases the cannabidiol into your system more slowly and won’t irritate your lungs if you are sensitive to respiratory issues. Plus, incorporating CBD into your tea gives you the added bonus of drinking a relaxing mug of herbal tea. Packed with antioxidants and vitamins, tea detoxifies your body while providing you valuable nutrients your body might be craving.*
Brothers Recommends
Our pick for a soothing cup of PMS-busting CBD Tea? The deliciously tropical, caffeine-free Highbiscus CBD Tea from Brothers Apothecary! This intoxicating blend features Hibiscus, Lemongrass, Spearmint, High CBD Hemp, Orange Peel, Lemon Peel, Rose Petals and Cranberry Powder. Hibiscus has been used for centuries to help lower body temperature and blood pressure. The flower even treats heart disease and soothes sore throats. Stomach settling Spearmint and Lemongrass combat nausea, while Rose Petals help reduce irritability and menstrual cramps. Last but certainly not least, antioxidant-rich Cranberry Powder helps prevent UTIs.
For a topical option, look no further than the Brothers Apothecary Pain Away CBD Essential Oil Roller. This essential oil roller is specially formulated to target muscle pain, soreness and inflammation. (Goodbye, period cramps!) Powerful pain-relieving essential oils like Copaiba, Marjoram, Sweet Basil, Frankincense, and Arnica have been used for thousands of years in pain management and anxiety relief. We’ve combined these herbs with 100mg of our local, organically grown Hemp-derived CBD. This blend makes Pain Away an ideal topical treatment of both minor and severe pain management.*
*The Apothecary LLC are not doctors and we do not provide medical advice. None of the information on this site, including information in any press release or blog post, constitutes legal or medical advice by us.
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed in the text belong solely to the author, and not necessarily to the author’s employer, organization, committee or other group or individual.
Want more?
Jesse Richardson is the co-founder of The Brothers Apothecary. He's an avid tea drinker and the primary creator behind The Brothers' products. An undergraduate of UCLA for Political Science, Jesse currently studies Medicinal Plants at Cornell University and The International School of Herbal Arts & Sciences.
