How CBD Helps With Body Cramps
About half of all people will deal with period cramps and PMS symptoms at some point in their lives. Many of those people deal with cramps and symptoms every single month. If you’re one of those people, you’re probably looking for natural remedies or effective solutions to help make menstrual discomfort a little more bearable.
Many of the holistic wellness benefits that CBD oil supports can be especially beneficial during the premenstrual stage of your cycle, as well as during your cycle when cramps begin to kick in. Here’s what you need to know about using CBD for cramps.
Why Do Periods Cause Cramps?
Every month, your uterus builds a lining to support a fertilized egg. If you were to become pregnant, a fertilized egg would attach to this lining and begin to grow. If it doesn’t, your uterus needs to get rid of the lining. That’s what’s happening during your period.
Your body built that lining to stay on very well, because it had an important job to do if your body needed to use it. Your body has to work hard to get rid of it so it can try again next month. Your body sends inflammatory markers called prostaglandins to your uterus, causing discomfort and swelling. In response, your muscles contract in an attempt to loosen and expel the superficial lining of your uterus.
This process is often very uncomfortable, and it can last for up to a week. Both intermittent and near-constant cramps are common as the body expels the lining. They’re unavoidable, but they can be manageable if you’re taking proper care of yourself during your period.
What Is CBD and How Does It Work?
CBD is a cannabinoid commonly found in the cannabis plant. Most CBD is derived from hemp plants, which are cannabis plants with minimal amounts of THC. There are also other ways to produce CBD, like using orange peels to create a bioidentical version of CBD that won’t contain any THC.
CBD interacts with the cannabinoid receptors in your body’s endocannabinoid system. Your body’s endocannabinoid system supports many processes and can change the way your body works and feels.
When you supply your endocannabinoid system with CBD, the stimulation causes the system to get to work performing its functions and providing support to your body.
Since there are cannabinoid receptors almost everywhere in your brain and body, the effects that CBD produces are often broad. CBD can influence or interact with many systems and processes, and this can produce noticeable effects in a myriad of ways.
When you hear people talk about the potential benefits of CBD and are overwhelmed by how many benefits make the list, that’s the reason why.
How Can CBD Oil Help With Period Cramps?
You’ve probably tried over the counter pain relievers, including those specifically marketed as period cramp reducers. You might find that they work to some extent, but they don’t quite address everything that’s contributing to the way you feel.
Over the counter drugs like ibuprofen are designed to help the body manage redness and swelling, and pain relievers like acetaminophen are designed to help with discomfort. If your doctor says that you can take these as directed, they certainly won’t hurt. They also won’t tend to the full picture.
You have a lot of other stuff going on that’s making you feel bad. You’re probably tense, in a not-so-great mood, and you might be having trouble sleeping. Ibuprofen and acetaminophen won’t address those symptoms, but CBD oil will.
By Improving Your Mood
Although it’s somewhat of a trope to attribute a bad mood to PMS, it’s extremely rational. No one feels good when their body is cramped up for several days. It’s not a positive thing to endure. Combined with the fact that hormones significantly fluctuate around your period, you’re in for a few rough days.
CBD helps the body reach a natural state of mental calmness and clarity. Use some CBD and take a breather. Do something meditative and move your body a little bit. CBD oil and light yoga are a divine match for clearing your mind and putting yourself at ease.
If you like to color, paint, knit, or garden, use CBD and give yourself a positive distraction. You’ll be able to focus on what you’re doing and drown out some of the background noise in your mind.
By Easing Physical Tension
When coping with stress, it’s common for the body to experience increased discomfort. Since CBD works to restore homeostasis, the body is better able to reach its ideal balance. This balance can relieve the sensation of tension, as can CBD’s ability to promote a calmer mood. Both benefits are intertwined.
Many people find that light movement helps period cramps to subside, which is another scenario in which the CBD oil and yoga combo works so fantastically well. If you’re not a yoga person, try using a stationary bike at a modest speed while you catch up on your favorite show. If you don’t have a stationary bike, some good old fashioned stretching or walking in place can achieve a similar effect.
By Helping You Sleep
Taking a nap or calling it early can often be the right call when you’re dealing with cramps. It’s not unusual to feel a little more fatigued than usual when you’re on your period, and giving your body adequate time to rest is usually the right call.
If the tension in your body and mind makes it difficult to fall asleep, CBD already works to support relief. The two benefits combined may make it easier to fall asleep and stay asleep.
It also helps to make sure you’re comfortable. If you’re wearing tight clothes to bed, this can exacerbate the sensation of your cramps. Find a comfortable position, keep your room nice and cool, and put away your phone. Set yourself up for a good night’s sleep.
How Much CBD Should You Take for Period Cramps?
The goal is to feel mentally and physically relaxed, which will ease the sensation of your cramps. For body recovery and support, we recommend 25 mg of CBD oil. To promote better sleep, we recommend 34 mg of CBD oil. If your discomfort is intense, use the sleep dose to promote relaxation. Read a book, sip a cup of tea, and chill out for a while.
The safe upper limit for CBD use is generally regarded as 2,500 mg per day, which is way more than you’d ever need. If you’re having a tough day, it’s completely safe to use a 25 mg dose in the morning and go back for a 34 mg dose at bedtime. You won’t be anywhere near the max cap.
How To Use CBD for Cramps
The best way to experience relief from CBD is to use CBD oil. CBD oil is easier for your body to utilize.
You place the drops under your tongue and hold them there for about a minute, swallowing the remnants. The tissue under your tongue absorbs the CBD and sends it directly to your system, allowing it to bypass the digestion process and reach its destination sooner.
It can be hard to know when to take CBD for cramps because it can be difficult to determine when cramps will be at their worst. Some people have predictable cramps, while others are struck with surprise when the discomfort starts to set in.
If you take your CBD in the morning, it will begin to work sooner and the effects will last throughout the day.
You’ll receive pre-emptive support, which may diminish the sensation of cramps when they occur. If you take your CBD at night to make it easier to sleep through your cramps, take it about an hour before bedtime.
While you can use CBD exclusively while you’re on your period, it works best if you use it every day. Some of the benefits of CBD will begin to get to work within an hour, but other benefits are cumulative. If CBD is a part of your daily ritual for at least a month, you might notice that your cramps and low mood aren’t as intense when your next period rolls around.
The key is to remain consistent.
Make Your Period Easier with Peels
Peels CBD is derived from orange peels, rather than hemp. This means our CBD is completely free from THC, making it a valuable option for people who cannot use products containing THC or choose to avoid it. The CBD in peels works exactly the same way CBD derived from hemp works. You don’t have to sacrifice benefits by choosing an alternative.
Make Peels a part of your period cramp fighting ritual and relax a little more.
Sources
Menstrual cramps - Symptoms and causes | Mayo Clinic
PMS Symptoms | How to Relieve Premenstrual Syndrome Symptoms | Planned Parenthood