Does using CBD for endometriosis really work?
Endometriosis is a very common problem that affects many women. This causes painful periods (also called dysmenorrhea) with heavy and excessive bleeding. Some women suffering from dysmenorrhea also complain of painful intercourse, infertility, pain upon urination and defecation, bloating, fatigue, and nausea.
Treatment for endometriosis consists of analgesics, anti-inflammatory drugs, and hormone therapy. For endometriosis symptoms that can’t be controlled by conventional treatment, surgery may be prescribed to remove the uterus and the ovaries.
Today, an increasing number of women are finding relief in CBD. They find that CBD can not only control the symptoms but has also improved their quality of life.
The Endocannabinoid System and CBD
The endocannabinoid system is an important biological system that’s involved in many physiological functions. It plays a crucial role in regulating sleep, emotions, mood, fear, anxiety, stress, memory, learning, pain, appetite, and sleep. These effects are mediated by its cannabinoid receptor type 1. The ECS is also involved in modulating our immune response, an effect facilitated by its cannabinoid receptor type 2.
Now, the main compounds that activate the endocannabinoid system are our endogenous cannabinoids or endocannabinoids. Our cells produce these compounds in response to a stimulus such as pain. The endocannabinoids, in turn, bind to and activate the cannabinoid receptors type 1 and 2, resulting in pain control and inflammation.
Unfortunately, the effects of the endocannabinoids don’t last long since they’re quickly degraded by special enzymes.
CBD, studies found, can influence the endocannabinoid system. It binds very well to the cannabinoid receptor type 2, making it a powerful anti-inflammatory agent.
CBD can’t bind that well to the cannabinoid receptor type 1 though. However, it binds well to other non-cannabinoid receptors that also modulate these physiological functions. These receptors include adenosine, vanilloid, serotonin, orphan, and GABA receptors. CBD’s activation of these receptors results in symptom control.
How Does CBD Help with Endometriosis?
CBD has many properties that can help with some of the symptoms of endometriosis.
Pain and Inflammation Control
CBD, as mentioned earlier, has potent anti-inflammatory effects, and it can address one of the hallmark features of endometriosis — inflammation.
In endometriosis, tissues that act very similarly to the normal endometrial tissue develop outside the woman’s reproductive organs. As she nears her menstrual period, the abnormal tissue also responds to the hormonal changes. It builds up and accumulates, and it also breaks down and sheds. This results not only in inflammation but pain and scarring around the abnormal tissues as well.
CBD helps control inflammation by inducing the apoptosis or cell death of abnormal immune cells. This effectively prevents the immune cells from attracting more immune cells to the site.
Amazingly, CBD also functions as an antioxidant. Antioxidants, according to studies, also reduce inflammation and pain associated with endometriosis.
CBD also activates many receptors that help regulate pain. Their activation prompts the cells to slow down their release of pain-generating chemicals. The vanilloid receptor, in particular, also desensitizes cells to pain.
Both these CBD effects make CBD beneficial to women suffering from endometriosis.
Anxiety and Depression Control
It’s also common for many women with endometriosis to develop anxiety and depression problems. They become anxious as their menstrual period draws near, and this chronic, recurring problem makes them more vulnerable to depression.
CBD also has calming and mood-stabilizing properties that can help ease the symptoms of anxiety and depression. It works its magic through the cannabinoid, serotonin, MMDA, vanilloid, and opioid receptors, among others.
The activation of these receptors produces a calming effect on the mind. It prompts the cells to reabsorb the chemicals that trigger these negative emotions. By helping to stabilize the brain’s chemical levels, mood can improve. You feel calmer and more in control, and you feel less anxious and more uplifted.
Sleep Improvement
Women suffering from endometriosis also have trouble sleeping and staying asleep. Their symptoms keep them up at night and prevent them from having a good night’s sleep. Sleep loss contributes to the lethargy and fatigue associated with endometriosis.
CBD reduces endometriosis symptoms, and by reducing them, women with endometriosis can have a more restful, restorative sleep. It also helps them feel more refreshed, alert and invigorated upon waking up.
CBD also has an effect on sleep itself. At higher doses, CBD helps you fall asleep faster. It also increases the duration of sleep.
Can CBD Cure Endometriosis?
CBD can help control many symptoms associated with endometriosis. It can relieve pain, inflammation, anxiety, depression, and even sleep loss. These CBD effects allow women to be more in control of their health conditions.
What CBD can’t do is cure endometriosis. It may help relieve endometriosis symptoms, but this condition has no known cure.
How to Choose CBD Oil for Endometriosis
If you want to use CBD for your endometriosis, be sure to only buy CBD oil and other products that underwent third-party testing. Make sure, too, that their certificates of analysis are readily available on the manufacturer’s website. You should also read reviews about the CBD brand and its products, and only choose those that received high ratings and good customer reviews.
If you can’t see these factors in a certain product, then choose another brand.
How to Use CBD Oil for Endometriosis
To use CBD oil for endometriosis, simply place a few drops under your tongue. Let it stay under your tongue for about a couple of minutes, so your cells can absorb more CBD. In under 15 minutes, you’ll start feeling some of the effects of CBD.
As for the dose, you may check our ICARIA CBD dosage chart:
- Mild symptoms — 6.25 to 12.5 mg of CBD or 5 to 10 drops
- Moderate symptoms — 18.75 to 25 mg of CBD or 15 to 20 drops
- Severe symptoms — about 25 to 50 mg of CBD or 20 to 40 drops
- Extra-strength CBD — 100 mg of CBD or 80 drops
Where to Buy CBD Oil for Endometriosis in Canada
CBD oil for endometriosis in Canada is readily available in many dispensaries and online health shops across the country. But if you want premium-grade CBD oil, then visit our shop at ICARIA.
All our products are laboratory tested, and we always make sure to use hemp-derived CBD extracted from organically grown hemp in North America. We value our clients’ health and safety, so we make use of a state-of-the-art process in creating our ICARIA CBD oils.
To know more about our products, you may visit our review page or get in touch with us. We look forward to hearing from you!
