Research reveals that nearly 80% of middle-aged American women use cannabis to combat insomnia and mood swings, while Australian and New Zealand studies highlight its potential in controlling pelvic pain caused by endometriosis
BY JANAINA GIMAEL ON IN HEALTH
A study conducted at Harvard and published in 2022 in the journal Menopause showed that nearly 80% of middle-aged women in the United States use cannabis to relieve symptoms such as insomnia and mood swings; and that the imbalance of the endocannabinoid system at this stage can be improved due to the plant’s phytocannabinoids.
In this specific study, 131 women in the perimenopausal period and another 127 women who had already gone through menopause were evaluated. 86% made medicinal use of cannabis and, among them, 79% said they had better nights of sleep due to use. Improved mood and anxiety were reported by 46% of them.
Another potentially beneficial use related to women’s health is to control pelvic pain generated by endometriosis. Researchers from Australia and New Zealand have shown, with research, that the microbiota – a set of bacteria present in the intestine – and endocannabinoid neurons bind to receptors located in the central nervous system, playing an important role in the development of the disease. These endocannabinoids, like the cannabinoids in cannabis, may help control pain by suppressing the processing of pain signals in the brain. The study also indicated a decrease in inflammation and an improvement in intestinal permeability.
Naturally, to have the positive results of the medical use of cannabis, every woman needs medical supervision. Much research already indicates the benefits of the plant to improve pain, inflammation, sleep disorders and mood swings, but only a specialist can assess whether medical cannabis is the best indication for each case.