Is CBD Good for Period Cramps?

There are many uses for CBD. The question we examine here – Is CBD good for period cramps? 

What is CBD?

CBD is the acronym for cannabidiol, which is an oil extracted from the cannabis plant that has been showing real promise in the treatment of many medical issues. Research has shown favourable results in the use of CBD for the treatment of anxiety, pain management, and even cancer. Users report also feeling a generally calming effect, and it is becoming a more popular treatment of choice for many medical complaints.

Despite its effectiveness, CBD continues to see a great deal of controversy. Being obtained from the cannabis plant, many people still tend to associate it with illicit drug use. But this could not be further from the truth. Like hemp, another popular product also derived from the same plant, it does not contain the active ingredient tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which is responsible for the “high” feeling people tend to associate with recreational marijuana use.

A small note of caution is needed here, however. You should ensure you obtain your CBD only from trustworthy, reliable sources. Lower quality CBD oil may not have been extracted correctly and could contain higher levels of THC. These higher levels can result in potentially unwanted side effects.

How can CBD help with pain management?

One of the most promising research areas into CBD has been on its effectiveness in pain management. CBD has natural anti-inflammatory properties, which means that pain caused due to inflammation tends to respond very well to this kind of treatment. Arthritis, in particular, has shown a remarkable response to CBD. Even in pains not directly caused by inflammation, CBD has some ability to aid with relief. All pain in the body has an element on inflammation, which is what prompts the brain’s pain response. Because CBD can treat this inflammation, the pain felt is therefore reduced.

What about side effects?

This is a fair question, and one that you should ask about any medical treatment you may be considering. You will no doubt be pleased to hear that CBD has been rigorously tested for safety, including the possible presence of side effects.

Research has firstly found that CBD oil is safe to take, even in large quantities, daily, without risk of overdose. No users are reported to have overdosed on CBD oil, leading some researchers to conclude that it may not even be possible. Likewise, in examining possible presence of side effects, no study has found anything of note. Some users report experiencing a slightly calming effect from regular, daily use. While more research is of course needed, these results so far are extremely encouraging.

Does CBD show up in drug tests?

As explained above, CBD does not contain any THC, or, perhaps more accurately, contains such a small amount as to be entirely negligible. It is important to understand that drug tests do not seek to detect “marijuana” or “anything from the cannabis plant.” These tests specifically look for the presence of THC, the active ingredient in marijuana. This is because it is THC that causes the “high” effect, which is ultimately the purpose behind many tests for illicit drugs. To determine whether a person is “high” or has been “getting high.”

A reminder, however, to only source quality CBD from trustworthy sources. Because lower quality CBD may contain higher levels of THC, it is possible this will show up in a drug test. You owe it to yourself to ensure you are getting your CBD from a reputable supplier.

So, should you use CBD for period cramps?

Period cramps are caused by an excess of prostaglandins being released from the uterine lining at it is preparing to be shed. These hormone-like compounds help the uterus relax so the uterine lining can easily detach and be shed from the body. The severity of period cramps varies from person to person, but in extreme cases, can be very painful and debilitating.

CBD oil has shown real promise in the treatment of many forms of pain and there is no reason to expect that it would not be effective in helping manage period cramps. However, the research on this is limited at present. Some studies have shown beneficial results, while others have failed to find a link between CBD oil and reduction in period cramp severity. More research is needed into this area to be certain, but given CBD oil has no side effects, it has the benefit of being a safe treatment option to explore. If you are considering trying CBD oil for management of your period cramps, you should speak to your doctor for more advice.