Can Cannabis Help with PMS

PMS is something that a lot of women experience every single month, where they deal with it before they get their period, and right after ovulation. This is typically something that begins with the symptoms, and the period marks the end of this. The symptoms do vary, and some barely notice them, but others, almost 30% of women get some form of them, and it can be so bad that it totally messes with the lives they’re trying to live. Some of the symptoms include: 

• Anxiety 

• Appetite issues 

• Irritability 

• Feeling sad 

• Major mood changes 

• Lower libido 

• Pain in the abdomen 

• Issues with concentration 

• Constipation along with diarrhea 

• Cramps 

• Pain in muscles 

• Headaches 

The symptoms are numerous, diverse, and they targe the mind and the body, and these hormonal and neurochemical changes drastically impact a woman’s happiness and general energy and mood levels during this time. 

Cannabis and PMS 

While there are some other ways to treat this, including medication for hormones, different therapy, antidepressants, and dietary changes along with supplements, exercise, enough sleep, you also may want to use cannabis for this. In one survey, it was discovered that 85% of women that were there said they tried the herb, and about 90% of that group also mentioned that it was helpful for these effects. They usually used it either through smoking, or through edibles. 

The relationship between PMS and cannabis isn’t a modern-day miracle though. Instead, more and more previous cultures in the past utilized this, in order to offer more concentrated, and natural menstruation, and it was even mentioned that Queen Victoria would use cannabis tinctures to help with her PMS. Now, there are some women who ask if weed really does help with cramps. Well, traditional and historical accounts are one side of it, but our best decisions are further created through evidence, based on trials which are human-controlled. 

These trials do have women trying this, along with other natural items to see if cannabis would actually work. However, because of cannabis controversy, the science has stunted the further research within this area. 

So what does the research say? Well, there isn’t some exact, concrete research, but there ae some people who have found that period cramps do benefit from this.  Period cramps are benefitted by cannabis due to the vasodilation that happens with this, and it can help to reduce pain. 

Plus, there is a fact that the ECS also can be impacted by this, dulling pain perception, and also reducing inflammation. In one study which was done by the Journal of the International Association for the Study of Pain, it was found that cannabinoids, the ECS, and pain, along with the authors of this found that the analgesic developments do possibly happen, and to be able to use tis is worthwhile. However, the development of this into medicines that are useful is still a major challenge for a lot of companies. 

As for mood swings, the endo cannabinoids can impact the chemistry of the brain, binding to the ECS and other receptor sites. It can help with impacting mood. There are ongoing studies that look at beta-pinene, a terpene that’s responsible for piney scents, as a way to possibly be used as a means to counteract antidepressants. 

While there isn’t a ton of research, there is a chance that cannabis can be useful for the development and treatment of PMS symptoms, helping women everywhere have a better, more rewarding life as a result of this, and to truly offer marked effects in this. 

How long can Marijuana Be in the system

With more and more reforms to the current system regarding marijuana, and different regulations being changed for marijuana, people have started to question the use of medical cannabis. With a lot of local and state sects and governments still keeping the “zero tolerance” policy that comes with this, it’s something that some private groups have started to follow as well. While states and their laws have stopped employers from discriminating those who use medical cannabis, there is still that gray area for some people, especially if they do work in the government and the like. For those who want to avoid getting a positive test, here is what we know about how long it can stay within the body.

The Way It’s Detected 

Marijuana is detected either through the saliva, blood, and the urine, but blood tests are very rarely utilized, since THC moves fast.  Some people have found that the THC levels start to decrease within a minute, and then, ten minutes after they stop, they peak, and then they’re gone after a couple of hours.

But they’ve found as well that THC can linger in the body for up to 24 hours through inhalation. Plus, THC gets absorbed within the tissues of the body, releasing itself as time goes on, being metabolized within the liver, in the form of metabolites.  These are found in feces, urine, saliva, and samples of your hair.  They look for certain metabolites in these tests. 

Usually, in urine, it can peak up to four days, or in as little as one day, and usually, in habitual users, it can reach high concentrations, and then, it lowers within five days. But they can be detected up to the next month. 

So how long is It? 

Getting past the science of this, there is still the question of how long before you can get a negative test with medical cannabis.

It might take about the duration of a screening of a urinalysis, and this of course, is dependent on a ton of different variables, but there are different timelines that are accepted. For occasional users, you’ll have a negative test within 3 days. For the moderate users using it up to four times each week, up to 7 days.

Chronic users that use it daily can take up to 15 days. For heavy users that use it every day, and in heavy amounts, this can be up to a month . This is based on research from papers, where the authors work to challenge that acceptance and assumption that the cannabinoids are within the body for up to a month or even longer. 

But, based upon the research, it was found to be unlikely that chronic users would have positive tests for over 10 days since the last time they smoked.  Then of course, for urine tests, it was found that it didn’t create positive tests if it was over 21 or more days after being able to use this 

For occasional people, it was very unlikely for you to have that test be positive for up to 4 days after that. Then of course, for those who had a single event, don’t have to worry about it at all, especially after seven or so days.

With that said, it’s important to factor this in, and understand that the tests do vary, so there isn’t one specific point or another. If you do think you’ll be drug tested though, keep this in mind when you’re preparing for it, and take the measures as needed as well. 

Hybrid, Sativa, or Indica: What to Choose

The moment you step into a dispensary is a big change from what you might be used to with marijuana. There is a ton that’s available, with all of them falling into one of the three major categories, indica sativa or hybrids. While this doesn't tell you everything that you need to know, it does offer some valuable insight to hit the needs that you have.

Sativa: The Strains for Energizing 

Hybrid, sativa, and indica all fall into these categories because of the way that the plants look. Sativa is basically thin, tall, and features leaves that have slender, long points to them. The buds on this are thin, long, and very light. Hybrid, indica, and sativa types also tell you about the effects.  Sativas are going to give you energy, and they usually are great for stimulating the mind, boosting motivation, creativity, and your focus too. So if you’re struggling to get through your day, or have no idea how to finish a project, this is definitely the best strain.  It’s also the best for work too, as it can help you feel motivated too! 

Indica To Relax 

For those days when you just want to kick it on the couch, indica is the best one. Indica comes from plants that are wider, thicker, and shorter. The leaves tend to be fat and stubby too.  Unlike the buds that are light and long, the buds that you get from indica tend to be firm and compact too.  They offer less of a mental high, and more of a body high. It’s great for helping to relax the muscles you have, reduce the pains and aches you deal with, and calms the mind down when you’ve got thoughts that race. 

Some of the stronger strains can actually make you feel couch locked, so you’re unable to get up usually, which is good for helping with sleeping, and allowing you to wake up with a more energized, and refreshed state. 

Hybrids 

Then, there are the hybrids.  These usually come from crossbreeding both sativa, and indica, creating a combination, and is basically a mixture of both.  Those that are similar to indica, tend to have a bit of a wider stature, but they also might be a little bit longer in terms of leaves. 

In a sense, you’re getting a plant that’s kind of a combination, and for a lot of people, they are the best kind.  Why is that? Usually, for people to enjoy weed, they need something that typically offers a high for both types of situations. Sometimes, some strains might start off very cerebral, so you feel focused and motivated. Then when it’s done, you feel totally relaxed.  It’s pretty cool, and there’s a reason why these are the most popular on the market currently. 

Choosing the Right Strain 

So what is the right strain? Truth is, it depends on the needs that you have.  No matter how specific the symptoms that you have are, there is some benefit to all three of these kinds.  The best way for you to get the most out of this is to talk to a budtender to figure out the relief that you’re going through, and the differences between both. Talk to someone, and then ask them what kind of experience you’d like to go for. 

When you choose this, take it, and see for yourself if there is a possible benefit to that strain. If there are some drawbacks, you can talk to a budtender and they might be able to hook you up with another strain.

How Cannabis Can Help with Opioid Usage

If you’re someone who uses opioids a lot, you might wonder if there is an alternative out there. Opioids can help with pain, but they are addictive and they put peoples lives in jeopardy. There are treatments that can be rough for people to deal with this, and there is a desire for people to recover.  There are so many overdoses that happen, that people are looking for a solution. Fortunately, medical cannabis might be the answer. Medical cannabis might be the answer for opioid addiction and dependency.  Here, we’ll discuss what that may be. 

An Alternative to Opioids 

If you’re someone who has seen the many studies regarding medical marijuana, you know that this is definitely a choice for those that are suffering from addiction. There are researchers who have found that the usage has gone down where the usage of this does go up. There was a study that showed that the opioids prescribed did fall down to about 2.11 million doses every single year, and it went down even further as more and more dispensaries were opened up.

Not just that though, it was also discovered that the mortality rate for this was a lot lower too. It’s important to also note though that this also helps those in recovery too. With many injuries and situations creating needs for these prescriptions, addiction is likely, and marijuana might be the solution to relapsing. 

Relief from withdrawal symptoms 

One thing that they don’t tell you about opioid usage, is that the withdrawal symptoms are just as bad as some of the symptoms of being on them. The nausea, the chills, and the bodily pain and stress that medical opioids cause when withdrawing can be utterly harrowing. That's why, using marijuana can be the option for those looking to not relapse once more.

Keeps Cravings at Bay 

Another study that was done in 2019 did also prove that cannabidiol actually helped with the cravings that happened among those who were abstaining from drugs. When you compared this to the placebo that was there, this actually reduced plenty of the cravings that were induced by the drug cues and the presentation, and this actually was found to happen up to seven days after being exposed. 

Helps with Anxiety 

Most people that use opioids actually use this for mental health concerns, and it’s something that a lot of people may substitute cannabis for, especially for generalized anxiety disorders, PTSD, panic disorders, OCD, and also seasonal affective disorder. 

If you’ve got anxiety, it could be the option for you.

Great for those with histories of the usage of this 

Some people who struggle with opioid dependency, especially if they have in the past, have felt overwhelming pain when trying to relieve themselves of them. Many people who haven’t ever touched cannabis may also look at using opioids for the rest of their lives, since that’s what they know.

A lot of times, those who still have the stigma of their past with opioid addiction may look into using cannabis. It’s less addictive, is better for you, and there is less risk of overdosage when you’re taking this.

If you’re someone that struggles with dependance on opioids you’re not alone. In fact, this is a legitimate crisis that can be quite stressful for those that are involved in it.

It’s vital to make sure that you’re careful with the usage of opioids, and you’ll want to definitely consider using this as an alternative, and you’ll get to feel the difference with this when you start to use it today.