Compare the Best CBD for Hot Flashes in 2022

How CBD May Help With Hot Flashes

Hot flashes are common symptoms of menopause⁽¹⁾, which marks the end of a woman’s menstrual cycle.

Hot flashes (hot flushes) are characterized by a sudden feeling of warmth in the upper body that is usually intense over the chest, neck, and face⁽²⁾. 

Aside from hot flashes, menopause is linked with an abundance of additional changes⁽³⁾, including:

• Inflammation⁽⁴⁾
• Depression, mood swings, anxiety⁽⁵⁾
• Night sweats, sleep disturbances, and joint pain⁽⁶⁾ 

Cannabidiol, also known as CBD, is an active compound of cannabis. While CBD is an essential substance of medical marijuana, the non-psychoactive compound is mostly derived from hemp plants. 

Cannabidiol has purported analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and anxiolytic (anti-anxiety) properties⁽⁷⁾.  

Currently, no study has directly examined how CBD may help with hot flashes. However, CBD’s therapeutic potential and activity in the ECS (endocannabinoid system) may help elucidate its effect on hot flashes. 

The ECS maintains balance in the body. CBD, and other cannabinoids like THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), may interact with the cannabinoid receptors (CB1 and CB2), which are ECS components. 

Unlike CBD, THC is psychoactive. However, CBD is believed to offset the psychiatric side effects of THC⁽⁸⁾. 

Meanwhile, CB1 receptors found within the pain pathways of the central nervous system may affect CBD-induced analgesia (loss of pain perception) and anxiolysis (anxiety relief)⁽⁹⁾. 

Feelings of anxiety are common among individuals with hot flashes⁽¹⁰). 

According to the ASA (American Society of Anesthesiologists), chronic pain treatment may cool hot flashes in menopausal women⁽¹¹⁾. 

CBD has purported pain-relieving effects⁽¹²⁾, which may help with chronic pain⁽¹³⁾. 

On the other hand, CB2 receptors affect immune cells and may likely influence CBD-induced anti-inflammatory properties⁽¹⁴⁾. 

A research article from the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism suggested that increased severity of hot flashes in early menopausal women appear to be linked with adverse changes in vascular inflammation (inflammation of the blood vessels)⁽¹⁵⁾. 

Meanwhile, CBD’s anti-inflammatory potential may help reduce inflammation⁽¹⁶⁾. 

These findings may seem promising. Still, a direct study examining how CBD may help with hot flashes is warranted. 

Benefits of Using CBD for Hot Flashes

In a study from the Endocrine Society’s Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, researchers examined the link between menopausal symptoms and bone health among menopausal women⁽¹⁷⁾. 

Results showed that women who experience night sweats and moderate to severe hot flashes during menopause may have lower bone density and increased hip fracture rates than those who do not have menopausal symptoms.

After menopause, most women are at increased risk of developing osteoporosis, a condition that causes bones to become brittle and weak⁽¹⁸⁾. The body of a postmenopausal woman breaks down old bone tissue faster before it is replaced. 

Meanwhile, Tel Aviv University researchers hypothesized that CBD administration may help heal bone fractures⁽¹⁹⁾. 

In the study, the experts experimented on rats with mid-femoral fractures and observed that CBD, even without THC, significantly enhanced the healing process of the rats’ femora (thigh bone) after eight weeks. 

Meanwhile, some women experience hot flashes after breast cancer treatment due to lower sex hormones in the body⁽²⁰⁾. 

It is believed that CBD’s purported antiproliferative activity may help with breast cancer⁽²¹⁾. Antiproliferative action occurs when substances prevent the spread of malignant (infectious) cells into surrounding tissues.

During perimenopause (around menopause), women undergo hormonal changes. The level of estrogen, the main female hormone, rises and falls unevenly during this period.

Perimenopausal women may start having menstrual cycles during this stage in which their  ovaries do not release an egg (ovulate). Other menopause-like symptoms inlcude vaginal dryness, hot flashes, and sleep problems⁽²²⁾.  

Low estrogen levels can lower norepinephrine⁽²³⁾, another hormone that aids in regulating body temperature. Low norepinephrine levels may result in a rise in core temperature, resulting in a hot flash. 

Hormone replacement therapy, a medication that contains female hormones, replaces the estrogen that the body stops producing during menopause⁽²⁴⁾. 

A research article from the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism suggested that estradiol (estrogen) therapy after menopause may mitigate the effects of stress on cortisol and memory⁽²⁵⁾. 

Cortisol is known as the stress hormone. High cortisol levels may result in weight gain, muscle weakness, and health conditions like osteoporosis and high blood pressure⁽²⁶⁾. 

A study published by the Brazilian Journal of Medical and Biological Research suggested that CBD may interfere with cortisol secretion⁽²⁷⁾. 

Cannabis products, mainly CBD oil, are being marketed as a natural remedy for various women’s health concerns⁽²⁸⁾. 

One of the purported benefits of CBD advertised by most CBD brands is the compound’s potential to ease hot flashes⁽²⁹⁾. Still, there is no direct evidence suggesting the positive effects of CBD on hot flashes. 

Nevertheless, although the studies mentioned are inconclusive and some are derived from animal research, the results may be helpful to researchers who want to explore the potential benefits of using CBD for hot flashes. 

How to Use CBD for Hot Flashes

Cannabidiol has been touted for numerous health issues, including anxiety, insomnia, chronic pain, and addiction⁽³⁰⁾. If you want to try CBD for hot flashes, below are important details to consider:

Administration Methods

These administration routes are categorized by the path by which cannabidiol is brought into the body:

• Inhalation
• Ingestion
• Sublingual (under the tongue) route
• Topical absorption 

CBD users utilize different routes to optimize the therapeutic effects of the compound⁽³¹⁾. 

Inhaling CBD using vape pens is the fastest way to benefit from CBD⁽³²⁾. The onset time of CBD via the inhalation route is between 2 and 15 minutes, and its effect usually lasts from 2 to 4 hours⁽³³⁾. 

However, Mayo Clinic indicates that women who smoke are at a high risk of getting hot flashes⁽³⁴⁾. Hence, vaping or smoking CBD may exasperate these symptoms. 

Moreover, the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) and the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) warn people against the use of THC-containing e-cigarettes or any vaping products, mainly from informal sources⁽³⁵⁾. 

It has been reported that most lung injury cases in the United States are linked to vaping⁽³⁶⁾.  

Meanwhile, taking CBD sublingually may also ensure prompt compound delivery in your system⁽³⁷⁾. 

Unlike smoking, taking CBD under the tongue does not expose the lungs to heat. Hence, you can avoid dealing with a smoky taste, dry mouth, and throat irritation⁽³⁸⁾.

The capillaries under the tongue and within the mouth absorb CBD into the bloodstream before being swallowed⁽³⁹⁾.   

Usually, the onset time of CBD via the sublingual route is between 15 and 30 minutes, and the effect of CBD may last from 2 to 4 hours⁽⁴⁰⁾. 

On the other hand, if you develop red blotchy skin during a hot flash⁽⁴¹⁾, applying CBD to your skin may provide localized relief. 

CBD may help with inflammation, itching, and sunburn when applied topically⁽⁴²⁾. 

The onset time of CBD via the topical route is between 15 and 30 minutes, and its effect may last from 2 to 4 hours⁽⁴³⁾. 

CBD Dosage

The FDA has not recognized CBD as a medical treatment for a hot flash. Thus, there is no standard CBD dosage for it.  

However, a study from the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism suggested that hot flash severity may be linked to alterations in inflammatory processes⁽⁴⁴⁾. 

It is suggested that mid-range doses of CBD, ranging between 10mg and 100mg daily, may help with inflammation and anxiety⁽⁴⁵⁾. Feelings of anxiety are also experienced by women with hot flashes⁽⁴⁶⁾. 

Still, make sure to talk to a doctor experienced in cannabis use before using CBD oil for hot flashes associated with perimenopause or menopause. They can advise you regarding the use of CBD oil and provide proper dosage recommendations.  

How Long Does CBD Take to Help With Hot Flashes?

How long CBD takes to help with hot flashes depends on several factors, including the administration route, individual body weight, and CBD type. 

For instance, you may feel the effect of CBD via the sublingual route within 15 to 30 minutes⁽⁴⁷⁾. For topical absorption, CBD’s onset time is also between 15 and 30 minutes⁽⁴⁸⁾. 

How Long Will CBD Help With Hot Flashes?

How long CBD will last after it starts to help with hot flashes depends on its bioavailability.

Bioavailability is the extent to which a particular substance becomes entirely available to its intended biological destinations. 

The bioavailability of CBD via the sublingual route is between 6% and 20%⁽⁴⁹⁾. 

Meanwhile, since CBD does not enter the bloodstream when applied to the skin, its bioavailability is zero via topical application⁽⁵⁰⁾. 

Since topicals are not absorbed into the entire body, that could make them safer considering how little is known about CBD’s long-term safety⁽⁵¹⁾. 

Choosing a Quality CBD Product for Hot Flashes

Common CBD products in the market include vapes, tinctures, topical CBD products like lotions and creams, and CBD edibles like gummies and capsules. 

Consumers should consider the following when choosing the right CBD product for hot flashes:

1. Choose a CBD company that is transparent with its farming practices. Make sure that the company has enlisted the services of a third-party lab to test all of its products. 
2. Ensure that the COA (certificate of analysis) is readily accessible on the brand’s website. This document verifies that all CBD products contain ingredients consistent with the information on the product label. 
3.  Learn about the different hemp extracts. A full-spectrum CBD product contains all compounds of the cannabis plant. It also has less than 0.3% of THC concentration. 

On the other hand, broad-spectrum CBD oil also contains all of the natural compounds of cannabis except for THC. Lastly, CBD isolates are made of pure CBD. 

Risks and Side Effects of Using CBD for Hot Flashes

The WHO (World Health Organization) reported that CBD is relatively safe and well tolerated in humans and animals⁽⁵²⁾. Still, CBD may carry some risks and induce minor side effects, such as⁽⁵³⁾: 

• Dry mouth
• Diarrhea
• Reduced appetite
• Drowsiness
• Fatigue 

One of the best things to relieve the discomfort brought by hot flashes is to take estrogen⁽⁵⁴⁾, a hormone that plays a crucial role in a woman’s sexual and reproductive development. 

Antidepressants and anti-seizure drugs may also help reduce hot flashes, although they are less effective than hormones⁽⁵⁵⁾. 

Additionally, if you are considering taking CBD simultaneously with either antidepressants or anti-seizure medications, be sure to consult your doctor. They can advise you regarding possible risks and drug interactions.

Remember that CBD is not a biologically inert compound⁽⁵⁶⁾, so it has the potential to interact with other medications. 

Moreover, antidepressants and anti-seizure or antiepileptics use the cytochrome P450 enzyme system⁽⁵⁷⁾. 

Cytochrome P450 enzymes are a protein superfamily involved in the metabolism of most pharmaceutical drugs.   

It is believed that CBD at high doses may inhibit these enzymes’ activity, leading to an increased effect and duration of the metabolized drugs⁽⁵⁸⁾.   

Legality of CBD

The United States Congress ratified the 2018 Farm Bill, decriminalizing the commercial use of industrial hemp and products obtained from hemp plants⁽⁵⁹⁾. 

The bill indicates that Cannabis sativa L. and other derivatives of cannabis with less than 0.3% THC content on a dry weight basis are deemed legal under federal law⁽⁶⁰⁾.