7 Things to Know How Marijuana Affects Women
When you think of marijuana, the image of That ‘70s-Show smoke circle comes to mind. Just like in the sitcom, women are no strangers to passing one around at the end of a long day.
Even though modern entertainment paints men as predominant marijuana users, hundreds of women enjoy cannabis, too. With the legalization of recreational and medical marijuana, women like Miley Cyrus, Lady Gaga, and Natalie Portman have come forward about their love affair with weed.
It’s obvious that women reap the benefits of marijuana just like men, but could marijuana affect women differently? If you’re an avid smoker or looking to get your feet wet, there are 7 things you should know about marijuana for women.
1. Women are More Sensitive to Marijuana than Men
If you have shared a bowl with your guy pals, you may have noticed you are more sensitive to THC. Marijuana cannabinoids work with the endocannabinoid system in the body. The effects of weed can be stronger in women, especially if you are ovulating.
This is because CB1 Receptor Density changes with the fluctuation in sex hormones around the time of ovulation. This causes marijuana to be more easily absorbed into the body. But don’t worry, ovulation isn’t the only time you’re more sensitive to cannabis.
Estrogen can also lead to more sensitivity to marijuana, and women have plenty of that! The downside to this sensitivity is women tend to build a tolerance to marijuana faster than men. Studies show that women also have a higher likelihood of becoming dependent on weed with a higher risk of relapse when trying to quit.
Women also demonstrate higher signs of withdrawal symptoms in the form of irritability, lack of appetite, and poor sleep patterns. Keep this in mind when dabbling with marijuana and remember to smoke responsibly.
2. Marijuana Can Ease PMS Symptoms
The advancements in medical marijuana have led to a broader understanding of how marijuana affects women, more specifically how marijuana affects the menstrual cycle and PMS.
If you’re someone with a female anatomy then you’re no stranger to shedding your uterine lining every 28 days. Menstruation is usually accompanied by symptoms such as mood swings, cramps, headaches, nausea, and fatigue.
Experiencing symptoms like this three to four days out of the month can really put a damper on your schedule. That’s why women have been using marijuana to treat PMS symptoms for centuries.
Now, research has proven cannabis has the ability to treat symptoms of PMS. Women most commonly use marijuana to relieve menstrual cramps. Cramps can occur in the days leading up to your period and throughout menstruation. Cramps are a result of hormones signaling to shed the uterine lining.
Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC,) the psychoactive component of marijuana can relax muscles and relieve period cramps. Marijuana can also help relieve PMS-related headaches. Paired with traditional over the counter pain relievers, marijuana can increase headache relief exponentially.
For women who suffer from extreme menstrual cramps, you can now order top quality marijuana seeds in 2020. That way you always have relief available.
3. Marijuana Can Ease Symptoms of Menopause
Just like PMS, menopause is a fact of life for those with female reproductive organs, and it’s no fun. Menopause occurs when the ovaries stop producing sex hormones and menstruation stops.
Menopause comes along with plenty of undesirable symptoms like vaginal dryness, hot flashes, anxiety, and depression. Menopause is a part of life, and there’s no cure. But you can treat the symptoms.
Marijuana was used to treat menopause in ancient history, and even though research around the effects of cannabis on menopause is new, there are promising results that reveal its benefits.
Marijuana has been found to help with one menopause symptom in particular: hot flashes. Anandamide is a cannabinoid found in marijuana that can regulate body temperature and relieve hot flashes.
Even though researchers have only scratched the surface on understanding the effects of marijuana on women, plenty of ladies can vouch for the benefits of weed. As interest grows in the medical use of cannabis, women have more resources at their disposal.
4. Marijuana Can Help You Sleep
Sleep trouble plagues over 50 million people across the world, women included. Instead of relying on prescription or over the counter sleep aids, women have started using marijuana to relax before bedtime.
THC has the ability to reduce stress, relax the body, and ease you into sleep. It can also reduce the amount of REM sleep, which leaves more time to enjoy the deep sleep portion of the sleep-wake cycle.
Occasional use of marijuana procured from reputed a cannabis dispensary can reset sleep cycles disrupted by jet lag or a busy schedule. But using too much marijuana could have the opposite effect. Balance is key when using cannabis as a sleep aid.
5. Marijuana Can Reduce Anxiety
Did you know that women are twice as likely to experience Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) than men? Anxiety is the leading illness in the United States.
Recently, women have been turning to weed to cope with anxiety, and there is proof to back up what some women have known for years.
A study from the University of Vanderbilt showed the presence of cannabinoid receptors in the area of the brain in charge of panic and anxiety. The cannabinoids from marijuana interact with these receptors to calm feelings of panic and stress.
6. Marijuana Can Increase Libido
The hidden taboo around marijuana and libido is coming to light. Giggling with your girlfriends about the effects of marijuana on your sex drive has started to trend. Now, the director of The Center of Sexual Health at Saint Louis University, Becky Lynn is studying how marijuana and libido interact.
Lynn suggests that weed does play a role in increasing women’s desire to do the deed. It revolves around the mind-body-connection. It’s no surprise that women’s sexual pleasure starts in the brain.
Weed decreases anxiety and relaxes the body. It also slows time perception and increases sensation. This is the recipe for the perfect aphrodisiac, and plenty of women have made marijuana a part of their sexy-time routine.
Women Have Used Marijuana Through Out History
Although the use of marijuana to treat symptoms associated with women seems fairly new, cannabis has been a staple for women throughout history. Even Queen Victoria used cannabis to help with PMS.
Since women are no stranger to marijuana throughout history, it’s no surprise that so many are now flocking to the herb for everything from anxiety to menopause. Now that marijuana is popular on the scene, researchers will be able to explore the relationship between women and cannabis to further understand its benefits.