- Relieves stress & anxiety symptoms<\/strong><\/li>
- Can help balance mood<\/strong><\/li>
- Alleviates pain<\/strong><\/li>
- Reduces nflammation<\/strong><\/li>
- Relaxes muscle tension & cramping<\/strong><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
1. Relieves Stress & Anxiety Symptoms<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
CBD\nis considered a non-allosteric modulator \u2014 which is a fancy term that suggests\nit works by indirectly inhibiting certain activities in the brain. It uses the\nendocannabinoid system as the intermediary to stop the brain cells from firing,\nas opposed to allowing them to send signals. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
While research on the endocannabinoid system is still being explored, this inhibitory behavior may explain why cannabidiol is known for being an anti-anxiety, anti-inflammatory, anti-convulsive, and anti-epileptic therapy<\/a> [2].<\/p>\n\n\n\n
2. May Help Balance Mood<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
While PMS is too complex of a topic for any single therapy to work as a cure-all, cannabidiol may be a good alternative to treat some of the symptoms related to serotonin \u2014 such as fluctuations in mood. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Since serotonin levels<\/a> are thought to be affected by the changes in hormone levels during the luteal phase [3], cannabidiol\u2019s interaction with serotonergic receptors<\/a> may help relieve some of the symptoms arising from low serotonin levels [4]. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Specifically, depression and anxiety are two negative emotional side effects that may benefit from taking cannabidiol through this interaction with serotonin. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
3. Alleviates Pain<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Cannabidiol has also been shown to relieve pain by blocking the signaling pathway for pain [5].<\/p>\n\n\n\n
While the current research mainly focuses on cancer pain management and bone or joint problems (osteoarthritis)<\/a>, it isn\u2019t too far of a stretch to think that cannabidiol may help relieve the muscle aches that happen as a result of PMS as well [6].<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The endocannabinoid system regulates both the central and peripheral nervous systems. Since pain is transmitted via these nerves, ingesting cannabidiol has been shown in rats to help with reducing pain and inflammation [7].<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Unfortunately, a review of clinical experiments in people shows conflicting results [8].<\/p>\n\n\n\n
4. Reduces Inflammatory Load<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Inflammation\nassociated with premenstrual syndrome might also respond to cannabidiol. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
However, inflammation is a complex immunological process involving many chemical cascades, feedback loops, and various cells from both the innate and the adaptive immune systems. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
More research, specifically double-blind studies involving larger sample groups, need to be conducted to see if the cause of inflammation during PMS corresponds with the anti-inflammatory actions of cannabidiol<\/a> [9, 10].<\/p>\n\n\n\n
5. Alleviates Muscle Tension & Cramping<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Most of the research on CBD and muscle<\/a> has to do with treating spasticity in those with multiple sclerosis<\/a>. Going back to the fact that CBD interacts with the endocannabinoid system<\/a> and muscles are controlled by nerves, it is a logical step to think that CBD could have an effect on reducing muscle spasms [11].<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Since the uterine cramping and spasms before and during menstruation, CBD, could in theory, affect and reduce cramping. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Related:<\/strong> How does CBD work for cramping?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
What is PMS? What Causes It? <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Premenstrual syndrome happens before the\nmenstrual phase (hence the name). If you\u2019re not familiar with the phases of the\nmenstrual cycle, don\u2019t worry, we\u2019ll cover it in greater detail below. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
PMS symptoms usually begin to develop after\novulation, within a week or so before menstruation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Scientists aren\u2019t able to say exactly why the change in hormones causes both the psychological and physical symptoms<\/a>, but the theory is that it has something to do with the link between estrogen and serotonin production in the brain [12].<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The entire menstrual cycle is a rollercoaster\nof hormones, each one taking their turn to rise up before crashing back down\nagain. All of this is a well-choreographed dance designed to prepare the body\nfor falling pregnant. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
How Hormone Changes May Lead to\nPMS<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
- Progesterone and estrogen rise and then drop quickly after ovulation<\/li>
- During this rise is when you start to feel physical symptoms such as breast tenderness. You can think of this as the body getting ready for pregnancy<\/li>
- Because estrogen is tied to serotonin, the drop in estrogen causes a drop in serotonin as well<\/li>
- Drops in serotonin (the neurotransmitter that makes you feel happy) can then cause the psychological symptoms<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"http:\/\/dailycbd.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2019\/09\/menstrual-cycle-1024x724.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nThe 3 Stages of the Menstrual Cycle<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
The menstrual cycle can be broken down into 3\nphases: follicular, luteal, and menses. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
1. <\/strong>Follicular Phase<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Eggs develop in little nests in the ovaries called follicles. During the follicular phase, the follicle that will eventually release a mature egg produces the hormone estrogen. This follicle is stimulated by a pituitary hormone called the Follicle Stimulating Hormone<\/a> (FSH) [13]. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
FSH also stimulates the production of yet\nanother pituitary gland hormone called Luteinizing Hormone (LH), which causes\nthe egg to go through meiosis (cell division). <\/p>\n\n\n\n
As estrogen levels rise with the growing\nfollicle, the uterus lining thickens with tissue and blood vessels to get ready\nfor implantation of a fertilized egg and pregnancy. Once the egg is mature,\nthere is a spike in LH and the egg is released from the follicle \u2014 this marks\nthe point of ovulation. The body is now ready to conceive a baby. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Estrogen, LH, and FSH levels begin to drop\nwhile progesterone starts to rise as it\u2019s released from the same follicle that\nreleased the egg previously. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
2. <\/strong>Luteal Phase<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
After ovulation is achieved during the follicular phase, we enter the luteal phase [14]. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Here, estrogen rises again with progesterone\nand the uterus lining continues to grow. From the ovary, the egg will travel to\nthe uterus via the fallopian tubes. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
If fertilization were to occur, it would\nhappen during this period of 3-4 days. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
If no fertilization occurs, there\u2019s no need to\ncontinue to support the highly vascularized and dense tissue of the uterus\n(using up a lot of the body’s resources). The corpus luteum dies and both\nestrogen and progesterone levels drop once again. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
3. <\/strong>Menses or Menstruation<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Menstruation is the process through which the cells lining the uterus go through programmed cell death (apoptosis) and shed [15]. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Blood and tissue are expelled from the vagina\nand women may suffer from cramping which is the contraction of the uterine\nmuscles to help shed the lining.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Signs & Symptoms of PMS<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Because there are four different hormones at\nplay here, PMS can present itself in various ways. Not all women get all the\nsymptoms and not every symptom occurs every month. Jet lag, sleep, alcohol<\/a> and\nsmoking, and stress can all affect PMS.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Psychological Symptoms of PMS<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
The\nemotional changes that happen post-ovulation, during the luteal phase, may\ninclude the following:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
- Depression<\/strong><\/li>
- Tension<\/strong><\/li>
- Anxiety<\/strong><\/li>
- Irritability<\/strong><\/li>
- Fatigue<\/strong><\/li>
- Emotional sensitivity<\/strong><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Physical Symptoms of PMS<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Along with the changes in mood, physical symptoms will also occur.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
These\nphysical symptoms include:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
- Tension<\/strong><\/li>
- Depression<\/strong><\/li>
- Can help balance mood<\/strong><\/li>
![\"\"](\"http:\/\/dailycbd.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2019\/09\/dark-chocolate.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n