Compare the best CBD Oil for Menopause in 2021

How CBD Helps With Menopause

Cannabidiol (CBD) is an active element of cannabis. While CBD is a vital substance of medical marijuana, the compound is derived from hemp plants⁽¹⁾. 

CBD is a plant-based cannabinoid (phytocannabinoid) with anti-inflammatory properties⁽²⁾. 

Menopause is linked with an abundance of additional changes, including inflammation⁽³⁾. CBD’s antioxidative and anti-inflammatory properties⁽⁴⁾ may help alleviate symptoms of menopause. 

CBD has structural similarities to tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the primary psychotropic congener in the cannabis plant that produces a high. However, cannabidiol is non-psychoactive⁽⁵⁾. 

CBD works by interacting with the ECS or the endocannabinoid system. The ECS is present nearly in all parts of the body and functions by maintaining homeostasis⁽⁶⁾. 

Homeostasis is a process by which biological systems maintain stability while adapting to changing external environments⁽⁷⁾. 

This self-regulating system is achieved through a negative feedback loop that releases the endocannabinoids as they target the cannabinoid (CB) receptors⁽⁸⁾. 

Cannabinoid receptors CB1 and CB2 can be found on cells throughout the body⁽⁹⁾.

 CB1 receptors play a significant role in motor regulation, memory processing, sleep, appetite, and pain sensation. Meanwhile, when activated, CB2 receptors stimulate a response that fights inflammation⁽¹⁰⁾.  

The human body naturally produces endocannabinoids that interact with the CB receptors⁽¹¹⁾. 

In case there is a shortage of endocannabinoids, phytocannabinoids may mimic their actions⁽¹²⁾. Therefore, administering CBD and THC may help the endocannabinoid system retain its proper function⁽¹³⁾. 

However, it is difficult to measure how many CB receptors are stimulated and how much plant-based cannabinoids enter the bloodstream⁽¹⁴⁾.  

Hence, significant studies must still be conducted to understand the impact of the interaction between CB receptors and cannabinoids. 

In addition, more research is also needed to verify CBD’s therapeutic effects and ability to help manage menopausal symptoms.    

Benefits of Using CBD for Menopause

Women experience physical and physiological changes as a result of hormonal alterations. 

Anxiety, mood swings, forgetfulness, stress, and sexual dysfunction are a few symptoms of menopause⁽¹⁵⁾. Women also complain of sleep disturbances during menopause⁽¹⁶⁾. 

A study from the journal Neuropharmacology examined the effects of cannabidiol on sleep quality and the sleep cycle on animal models⁽¹⁷⁾. 

The study determined that CBD may block anxiety-induced rapid eye movement (REM) sleep alteration through its anxiolytic (anti-anxiety) effects⁽¹⁸⁾. 

Another research hypothesized that CBD may promote anti-anxiety effects in humans⁽¹⁹⁾. 

The results showed that cannabidiol’s anxiolytic effects are dose-dependent and may affect the function of brain structures associated with the control of anxiety-like states.

Aside from sleep disorders and anxiety, women undergoing menopause may also experience inflammation that may increase their health issues. 

For example, individuals going through menopause are at an increased risk of having Alzheimer’s disease. 

Research published in the Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience stated that estrogen is a potent anti-inflammatory agent⁽²⁰⁾. 

Inflammation increases when estrogen levels decline, resulting in the possible onset and progression of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). 

Moreover, estrogen is deemed to protect the brain from cognitive decline. Thus, women going through menopause may experience changes in their cognition at this stage⁽²¹⁾.

Due to cannabidiol’s antioxidative and anti-inflammatory properties, CBD may prevent inflammation usually accompanied by pain⁽²²⁾. 

In addition, a 2019 study from the Journal of Pharmacopuncture implied that the CBD components of marijuana may help with Alzheimer’s disease⁽²³⁾. 

Based on the research, CBD components may suppress the primary causal factors of AD. The researchers also suggested that using CBD with THC may be more beneficial than utilizing either compound alone⁽²⁴⁾. 

Another study showed that women lose approximately 50% of their cancellous (trabecular) bone and 30% of their cortical bone during their lifetime. Moreover, about 40% of all postmenopausal women may also experience fractures⁽²⁵⁾. 

Osteoporosis is one of the main public health problems in the U.S.A. It causes the bone to become weak and brittle⁽²⁶⁾. 

The condition affects over 20 million people in the United States and leads to approximately 1.5 million fractures yearly. 

For midlife women, a risk factor for osteoporosis is menopause⁽²⁷⁾.

An animal study from the journal Cell Metabolism determined that cannabinoid receptor type one (CB1) may protect against age-related osteoporosis by regulating peak bone mass through a reaction to osteoclast activity⁽²⁸⁾. 

Osteoclasts are cell types responsible for bone resorption in which the bones are absorbed and broken down by the body⁽²⁹⁾.     

All these studies may be promising and indicate CBD’s potential in managing menopausal symptoms. However, these studies are inconclusive. 

More research is required to determine cannabidiol’s therapeutic effect on menopause. 

How Long After Taking CBD Will It Start to Help With Menopause?

Inhaling cannabidiol using vape pens is the fastest way to benefit from the effects of CBD⁽³⁰⁾. However, vaping may cause damage to the lungs⁽³¹⁾. 

Meanwhile, a sublingual method of ingestion is the second quickest way to absorb CBD. Taking cannabidiol under the tongue ensures prompt delivery of the compound into your system⁽³²⁾. 

You may also use a dropper for CBD oil or CBD tinctures to dispense the content straight into your mouth. Usually, CBD takes 15 to 30 minutes to take effect via this method⁽³³⁾. 

On the other hand, topical CBD products may not take effect quickly since they are not absorbed only in targeted areas of the body. However, since information about cannabidiol’s long-term safety is limited, CBD topicals may be a safer choice⁽³⁴⁾. 

After CBD Starts to Help, How Long Will It Last? 

Bioavailability refers to measuring the rate and fraction of a drug’s initial dose⁽³⁵⁾. 

A systematic review published in Frontiers Pharmacology indicated that CBD’s bioavailability after smoking is 31%⁽³⁶⁾. 

A half-life refers to the time it takes for a substance in your system to be reduced by 50%⁽³⁷⁾. 

Results of a study showed that CBD’s half-life is between 1.4 and 10.9 hours after an oromucosal spray, two to five days after chronic oral administration, and 24 hours after intravenous medications⁽³⁸⁾.   

Risks and Side Effects of Using CBD for Menopause

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (USFDA) does not regulate the production of CBD products. Before using CBD to manage menopause symptoms, you must first consult with a physician experienced in cannabis use. 

Although CBD is relatively safe⁽³⁹⁾, the non-psychoactive cannabinoid may still have a few side effects, including⁽⁴⁰⁾:

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

CBD Dosage for Menopause

There is no standard dose for menopause. However, most CBD brands may provide a recommended dosage for every product they have.

You may either start with a low dose or follow the recommended dosage by the CBD supplier and adjust it accordingly until you achieve your desired results. 

A review from Current Drug Safety suggested that humans can tolerate up to 1,500mg of CBD per day⁽⁴¹⁾. 

Still, it would help if you spoke with a physician before trying any CBD product to manage menopausal symptoms.  

CBD Usage Guide for Menopause

Menopausal women must choose high-quality CBD products if they want to maximize the benefits of CBD. 

However, with so many CBD brands in the market, you may have a hard time finding the best product for your needs. 

When choosing the best CBD oil for menopause, below are a few things you need to consider:

1. Always check the ingredient list. You may opt for a full-spectrum CBD oil or CBD isolates. A CBD product is considered full-spectrum if all extracts of the cannabis plant, like terpenes and essential oils, are present. Full-spectrum CBD oil has a THC level of not more than 0.3%⁽⁴²⁾.Meanwhile, CBD isolates are a pure form of CBD⁽⁴³⁾.
2. Support CBD brands that are transparent with their farming practices. A third-party laboratory must have tested all their products for consistency and potency. A certificate of analysis (CoA), which determines whether the product contains contaminants, is also necessary.
3. There are many ways to administer CBD. You may try CBD edibles, topicals, or vapes.However, if you want to ingest CBD through vaping, make sure to do it with caution. Although vaping may provide immediate relief, this method of ingestion can trigger pulmonary illnesses⁽⁴⁴⁾.  It is always best to talk to a physician knowledgeable in cannabis product use before trying any CBD ingestion method to manage menopausal symptoms.   

Legality of CBD 

The U.S. Congress ratified the 2018 Farm Bill, legalizing the commercial use of industrial hemp and products obtained from the hemp plant⁽⁴⁵⁾. 

About 36 states in the U.S. have legalized medical marijuana. Meanwhile, the remaining 14 states have passed laws allowing the use of CBD extracts, typically in oil form, with minimal or no THC content⁽⁴⁶⁾.