Why Women Benefit More from Cannabis Consumption

The Top 5 Benefits of Cannabis Use for Women

Research has shown that women respond differently to the effects of cannabis compared to their male counterparts. Females are reportedly experiencing a greater “high” than the male participants in the study when allowed to consume a relatively low dose of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), around 0.015 mg/kg. The study also shows that women are more likely to progress to tolerance and dependence quicker than men after initial cannabis use.

Cannabis consumption is often associated with improved sexual function among women, but this isn’t necessarily the case among men. A recent study has shown that cannabis helps women achieve orgasms more consistently. This is quite beneficial to females who have difficulty getting orgasms. Cannabis use doesn’t help women achieve orgasm, but it enhances the frequency and the quality of the orgasms they’re getting. For clinical relevance, consuming cannabis can also benefit women suffering from a female orgasmic disorder.

When it comes to women, the neurobiological and behavioral effects of cannabis come in varying magnitudes, as it depends on the current level of sex hormones. The latest studies are aimed at figuring out the interaction between exogenously administered cannabinoids and the fluctuations in the levels of estrogen and prolactin, the female sex hormones.

Experts and researchers have known for quite some time that cannabis increases the release of prolactin in males, which causes gynecomastia or “man boobs.” But the same can’t be said about its effects on prolactin levels among women.

The sex hormone fluctuations among females, especially the estrogen hormone, have been known to alter the function of the brain’s endocannabinoid system in a way that’s region-dependent, while several cannabinoid receptors in the limbic system do not fluctuate. However, the responsiveness of the CB1 receptor, the receptor that allows us to experience euphoria or get a euphoric response to the effects of cannabis, becomes greater as the level of estrogen increases.

These are all a bit too scientific, no argument here. But the female sex hormones have a lot to do with some of the reasons why women can benefit more from cannabis use than men.

The 5 benefits of cannabis consumption for women

As cannabis use become more common and the stigma around the plant starts to wane, more people are opening themselves up to experiencing cannabis, for the first time or as a returnee (since their youth). And a large portion of cannabis users nowadays is of the female persuasion. A lot of women are now discovering the many health benefits of using cannabis, regardless of whether it’s being consumed through a flower smoke machine, a traditional joint, vaporizer for cannabis, in edible form, dab, or via a laser bong.

But as the studies have shown, women experience the “high” quite differently from men, down to the hormone level. Suffice it to say, some of the benefits of cannabis consumption may also be quite different between women and men. The following are the top five benefits of cannabis consumption for women:

Cannabis for chronic pain relief

Yes, cannabis can serve as a pain reliever for both men and women. However, it can be an instrumental pain relief solution for women suffering from chronic pain because the plant affects them at a greater level, according to studies.

For example, a percentage of women suffer from a disease called endometriosis, which causes severe chronic pain. This is a type of disease in which tissue similar to the lining of the uterus grows outside the uterus. Cannabis use can help alleviate the pain that is caused by this debilitating disease. This is the kind of pain that only biological women will ever know, like childbirth.

Of course, there are a lot of proposed solutions to ease the pain that sufferers experience, including exercise, dietary changes, heat packs, and even yoga. While these solutions might work with some women, others are getting better and more consistent results from simply consuming cannabis. A simple vaporizer smoking device or desktop cannabis vaporizer that takes dry cannabis flowers can do wonders for women suffering from endometriosis, especially those living in states where cannabis use is legal.

Cannabis can also be used as a pain management solution for other illnesses and symptoms, not just endometriosis.

Cannabis for easing menstrual symptoms

Women go through menstrual cycles, an experience that no man will ever know. Their bodies go through changes like a rollercoaster ride, as their hormones are constantly fluctuating. Because of this, there are many adolescents and full-grown adult females out there that suffer from painful menstrual periods and hormonal imbalances.

Men will never know the pain and discomfort of menstrual cramps, just as women will never know the pain of getting kicked in the nuts. But menstrual symptoms are more unbearable since they happen regularly and there’s very little that can be done to avoid them.

While there’s not much research that has been done on the effects of cannabis on menstrual symptoms, there is something to be said about the plant’s ability to ease nausea, stomach cramps, and muscle aches that are caused by severe menstrual symptoms. Research suggests that the effects of cannabis as a pain reliever make a stark difference for women and their menstrual symptoms.

The symptoms of premenstrual syndrome, also known as PMS, may vary from mild to severe. But in severe cases, the pain can have a significant impact on the person’s physical and mental health. Without some kind of relief, severe PMS symptoms can be debilitating for a lot of women who experience them monthly.

So, cannabis consumption will not only help ease the pain women experience during their menstrual period, but it can also improve their mental well-being.

Cannabis for mental health and wellbeing

A relatively recent study has shown that responsible cannabis consumption may help decrease depression, as the use of cannabis in low doses produces serotonin. This means that consuming cannabis at the right doses can serve as an effective anti-depressant. While both men and women can suffer from depression, of the more than 264 million people around the world suffering from this serious mental illness, women are more impacted than men.

The controversy surrounding anti-depressants like Prozac is still extremely high, and a lot of people are suffering even more from its negative effects instead of getting better. This is one of the reasons why the number of people turning to cannabis as an anti-depressant is continuously growing. Apart from combating depression, using cannabis in the appropriate doses can also be beneficial for women suffering from anxiety.

While the effect of using cannabis to alleviate anxiety is short-term, it can be a sustainable and effective solution in day-to-day situations. The key here is to find the right dose, as higher doses of cannabis may result in the anxiety level increasing instead of decreasing. With the right dose, cannabis works by regulating the body’s fight-or-flight response (what individuals feel as anxiety) and it dampens the signals that are sent to the brain, thus keeping the person calm and relaxed.

Cannabis for women’s skincare

Cannabis doesn’t always have to be ingested or taken internally to experience its benefits. It can also be applied externally, like on a person’s skin. For example, a by-product of cannabis known as hempseed oil is widely used as a skincare product, especially among women. Hempseed oil is a legal by-product of cannabis, and it is packed with fatty acids that both hydrate and soothe irritable or sensitive skin.

Hempseed oil also has anti-inflammatory effects, as researchers are looking into its potential benefits for combating acne and other skin disorders. This means that cannabis creams can be of some relief for women with dry, sensitive skin or if they have problems with skin acne or eczema.

In addition to hempseed oil, cannabidiol or CBD is another by-product of cannabis plants, and it may also have some beauty benefits according to studies, as CBD is found to be anti-inflammatory and acts as an antioxidant. And just like hempseed oil, it is a good choice for women with dry and irritable skin. It may even help with skin problems like eczema or psoriasis.

Cannabis as an aphrodisiac for women

Cannabis, for a lot of women, may also function as an aphrodisiac and can be used in appropriate doses to increase libido and boost sexual health. A niche study found that about a third of women in the US have at some point in their lives used cannabis before engaging in intercourse. According to this study, women reported that they experienced an increase in their sexual drive (a.k.a. libido) and they also stated that they get better orgasms when having sex just after consuming cannabis.

Unfortunately, there isn’t much research to go on when it comes to the role that cannabis plays in increasing libido or improving female orgasms. There are just not enough studies out there at the moment that go more in-depth on the subject matter. But there are studies, though, that revealed how cannabis affects the cannabinoid receptor of the brain, the receptor that is associated with sexual function.

There is an alternative theory that is more psychological rather than physical. Some people believe that cannabis, because of its euphoric and relaxing effects, eliminates the pressure to perform and helps women to relax and enjoy their carnal activities. In other words, using cannabis at the right doses can alleviate performance anxiety. This applies to both male and female connoisseurs.