Endometriosis is a condition where tissue similar to the lining of the uterus is found in other parts of the body, usually in the pelvic area. That condition affects 1 in 10 women of reproductive age. That means that over 176 million women worldwide suffer from it. Endometriosis itself is not a life-threatening condition, but it can cause severe pain and discomfort. Although some women experience mild symptoms and pain, and for others – it can be life-changing. At Moon Mother Hemp you can find excellent quality CBD products that can soothe pain. If you want to learn more about CBD and Endometriosis, keep reading this article.
The percentage of those struggling with mental health issues such as depression and anxiety is increasing significantly among sufferers. There is still not enough one opinion on what causes endometriosis. Women of different ages experience diverse symptoms. And the development is specific for each woman, which makes diagnosis and, accordingly, finding appropriate treatment difficult.
Not all women experience pain and heavy periods associated with the disease. However, even if the conditions are less severe, if left untreated, they can get worse. One thing is important to mention now, endometriosis can rarely lead to infertility.
What is CBD?
Cannabidiol, known as CBD, is one of over a hundred chemical compounds known as cannabinoids found in the cannabis plant. They have been found in particular in Cannabis sativa. Although many people know cannabis as a plant, it has a psychotropic effect. That is not the case with CBD. CBD has no psychoactive effects, while at the same time, it can relieve pain and help with relaxation. It is gaining popularity as scientific research has shown that it can help with anxiety symptoms of depression, and chronic pain.
First, it needs to be clear that CBD is not a cure for endometriosis. However, it can certainly help manage some symptoms associated with the condition, including pain and cramps.
An official Australian online study, interviewing women from an endometriosis support group, found that cannabis and CBD oil were the most effective of all other techniques for managing endometriosis pain.
How Can CBD Oil Help Treat Endometriosis?
There is growing evidence suggesting that CBD may be beneficial for women suffering from endometriosis. Inflammation, one of the most significant causes of endometriosis pain, is reduced by the anti-inflammatory properties of CBD. CBD also has mild analgesic properties that can also help reduce pain. There are very few studies on the effect of CBD specifically on endometriosis. However, we know that there is evidence to support the treatment of chronic pain with CBD and CBD oil. In addition, there is a possibility, supporting the function of cannabinoid receptors, which can be controlled by taking CBD, could help to reduce the overfunctioning of endometriotic cells, although, this thesis has yet to be investigated further and is only in the initial stages. At Moon Mother Hemp there are many CBD soothing products available for women.
There are some theories as to why Cannabidiol can help with endometriosis:
The cannabinoid CBD works with our internal endocannabinoid system to help regulate bodily processes. It is also helpful in regulating cell growth, stopping excessive cell proliferation. For these reasons, there is scientific evidence that cannabis can help treat cancer by stopping cells from multiplying. The same may be possible with endometriosis. CBD may also stop endometriosis cells from migrating to other body parts. That may be because it blocks the activation of the GPR18 receptor. As noted earlier, in order to thrive, endometriosis cells need blood vessels and capillaries. It has been suggested that CBD can inhibit this process in cells. For some patients, nerve damage can be the most painful element of endometriosis. If it’s a specific type of endometriosis, known as deep infiltrating endometriosis, the tissue sinks deeper into the organs, it can grow and spread. That can cause bigger lesions. Cannabidiol may be able to regulate this process as well. At Moon Mother Hemp you can find excellent quality hemp and CBD oil products to help sooth pain, especially made for women.
Endometriosis and Endocannabinoid Dysfunction
While cannabis brings pain relief to thousands, if not millions, of women worldwide with endometriosis, the plant’s therapeutic potential may extend beyond pain relief and curbs the uncontrolled proliferation of endometrial cells in the body. Similar to cancer cells, endometrial cells stubbornly refuse to die (apoptosis) and migrate to other parts of the human body. When functioning optimally, the endocannabinoid system (the body’s innate regulatory system) should be able to induce apoptosis (natural cell death) and prevent unwanted cell proliferation. However, in the case of endometriosis, for reasons not yet understood – the cells continue growing.
At the end of the day…
Exactly how and why this happens has not been fully established by scientists to date. Despite much information and evidence from patients on the efficacy of cannabinoids in relieving symptoms, the effects are still not officially recognized. Internet forums of endometriosis patients are full of stories of women finding pain relief from taking CBD oil. That is likely due to activation of the TRPV1 vanilloid receptor by CBD, which may be overexpressed in patients with endometriosis, particularly. TRPV1 is a gated ion channel that causes pain when stimulated.