This article is by Scott Mazza, Co-Founder and COO of Vitality CBD
CBD has taken the wellness world by storm. The non-psychoactive compound found in cannabis plants purportedly has a host of health benefits, especially for women. But, with all these big claims it can be hard to know what’s fact and what’s fiction.
On the heels of International Women’s Day, let’s explore the research and separate the truth from the hype when it comes to the effects of CBD on women’s health.
Early Research Is Promising
Let’s begin with what we know so far. In this sense, early research shows promising therapeutic potential for a variety of conditions affecting women. For instance, a first-of-its-kind preclinical study suggests that CBD could help alleviate the symptoms of menopausal estrogen deficiency.
The researchers suggested the results indicate that CBD positively impacts the immune system and gut microbiota, potentially offering protection against menopause-related inflammation, bone loss, impaired energy metabolism and glucose intolerance.
Further, there is evidence to suggest that CBD can be effective in reducing anxiety. Anxiety disorders affect nearly 20% of women in the United States and can lead to other health problems if left untreated. CBD has been shown to have anxiolytic properties, which means it can reduce feelings of anxiety and promote relaxation.
Conditions such as arthritis and eczema affect millions of women worldwide. CBD has been shown to have anti-inflammatory properties, which means it can reduce inflammation and potentially alleviate symptoms of these conditions too.
While more research is needed to fully understand the therapeutic potential of CBD for women’s health, the early indications are certainly promising.
The Industry Is Unregulated
Despite these likely benefits, not all that glitters is gold in CBD. The compound is generally considered safe and is legal throughout the United States. However, the industry itself is largely unregulated. As a result, there are bad actors with bad products.
Users must therefore be careful with products that promise too much. Don’t buy products that make unrealistic guarantees. Some may promise to cure a wide range of health issues, which can be misleading and potentially dangerous if they do not deliver on their promises. This is compounded by the fact that some products may not contain the amount of CBD advertised on the label. Worse, some even contain harmful additives that can cause adverse health effects.
The truth is that many snake oil salesmen are active in our industry. So, the onus is on customers to approach CBD products with a healthy dose of scepticism.
The Future Is Bright
CBD has many big claims when it comes to women’s health. But the early signs are positive. It’s exciting to see promising research on the effects of CBD on menopause symptoms, anxiety and inflammation. However, more research is needed before our industry can draw concrete conclusions.
The good news is that women are safe to integrate the compound into their wellness routines. Those starting should dose low and go slow with a reputable brand. Talk to your doctor before starting any new supplement, especially if you have a pre-existing medical condition. Also, remember that not all products count the same purity and potency levels. If you cannot find this information on the product label, ask the company to provide analysis certificates from third-party testing.
CBD shows great promise for women’s health. Moving forward, we should all look forward to more research in this direction. As time passes, the buzz and newness surrounding this compound are diminishing, leaving us with more credible companies and products. This is a positive development for the maturation of our field. More research and better companies will help achieve better outcomes for all.
