CBD continues to make a name for itself. As interest in natural products increases, more consumers are turning to CBD, and the trend is noticeable in the projections that experts have for the industry.
By the end of 2020, research from Nielsen suggests that CBD sales could reach $1.7 billion to $2 billion. However, if sales fall somewhere between that range at $1.85 billion, that would still showcase a 54% growth in year-over-year sales.
This increase is not surprising as many consumers have shown a real interest in using CBD for various conditions. Most commonly, people are turning to CBD to naturally decrease anxiety, reduce inflammation, soothe pain, and deepen their relaxation.
However, there are other ways that consumers can experience relief from CBD. And one of those ways may help further the adoption of the cannabinoid.
Hormonal imbalance is an issue that can affect anyone. In fact, everyone encounters at least one or two periods of hormonal imbalance throughout their lifetime. But as researchers and industry experts dive deeper into CBD, they’re learning that it may be a natural remedy that men and women can use to restore balance in their bodies.
What is Hormonal Imbalance?
Hormonal imbalance is a condition that’s marked by a period of time when someone has too many or too little of a hormone in their bloodstream. Given the significant role that hormones play, a small disruption can lead to discomfort.
Hormones are chemicals that the glands in the endocrine system produce. When they’re created, hormones journey through the bloodstream to deliver messages to the body’s organs and tissues. These messages detail what exactly the organs should do and when they should do it.
However, hormones play an even bigger role by regulating key functions in the body. Hormones help regulate a person’s sleep cycles, heart rate, appetite, metabolism, mood, reproductive cycle, body temperature, sexual function, and stress level.
The Symptoms and Causes of Hormonal Imbalance
With a role in so many critical bodily functions, hormones can create many different issues when there’s an imbalance. Common symptoms include trouble sleeping, diabetes, excessive or unexplained sweating, weight gain or weight loss, weak or brittle bones, anxiety, depression, and changes in heart rate or blood pressure.
These symptoms can occur in men or women. However, there are particular side effects of hormonal imbalance that are specific to men and specific to women.
For example, when men experience hormonal imbalance, they may notice decreased muscle mass, erectile dysfunction, tenderness in the breast, overdevelopment of breast tissue, and reduced sex drive.
Women, on the other hand, encounter slightly different side effects. Their symptoms may be vaginal dryness, hot flashes, indigestion, infertility, deepening of the voice, and heavy, irregular, or painful periods.
All of the symptoms that men and women can experience from hormonal imbalance are rooted in one primary source: the endocrine glands. There are several different types of endocrine glands working in the body:
- Pituitary gland
- Pineal gland
- Thyroid and parathyroid gland
- Adrenal glands
- Pancreatic islets
- Gonads
Hormonal imbalance can only happen when these glands are not working properly. They are specialized cells that create, store, and deliver hormones into the bloodstream, so they can cause imbalance if they don’t do their job correctly.
Medical conditions, environmental factors, and lifestyle habits can all impact whether the endocrine glands create hormonal imbalance. Common causes include a poor diet, ongoing or chronic stress, hereditary pancreatitis, underactive thyroid, and exposure to pollutants, toxins, and pesticides.
How to Use CBD to Restore Hormonal Balance
Given the discomfort that hormonal imbalance causes, it’s normal to seek out solutions that can help. Most people use typical remedies, like hormone replacement therapy, gabapentin, and low-dose antidepressants.
But for consumers who want to use a natural remedy, they may find relief in using CBD. While researchers need to conduct more studies, people can utilize CBD to soothe symptoms of hormonal imbalance in three significant ways.
1. Use CBD to Enhance Mood
CBD interacts with the natural bliss molecule to enhance a person’s mood. By acting on this part of this body, CBD helps decrease depression and anxiety to increase a person’s quality of life.
A 2018 study found that cannabis significantly reduced depression, stress, and anxiety in participants. Even more interesting is that the findings conclude that remedies with low amounts of THC and high amounts of CBD work best in “reducing perceived symptoms of depression.”
Because anxiety and depression are two symptoms of hormonal imbalance, CBD can help reduce these side effects to restore balance to a person’s life.
2. Use CBD to Soothe Menopausal Symptoms
One of CBD’s most significant benefits is its ability to decrease inflammation. This advantage is especially important for women who are experiencing post menopause symptoms, such as aches and joint pain.
In 2016, researchers looked at whether transdermal CBD could reduce inflammation and pain in rats. And after conducting the study, the researchers found that CBD topicals could reduce inflammation and swelling, making it a great contender for post menopause side effects.
3. Use CBD to Balance Metabolic Hormones
An endocrine disease that’s become too common in many lives is diabetes. This condition occurs when the pancreas experiences a decrease in insulin, which helps balance the metabolism and energy levels.
By regulating the nutrients that the body absorbs and stores, insulin completes its function. But if an imbalance occurs, it can lead to diabetes, obesity, and heart disease.
CBD may help restore balance by acting on the pancreas’ function. Some studies indicate that CBD has a positive influence on the pancreas and the body’s insulin. This positive interaction affects blood sugar levels, which means CBD may help reduce imbalances in insulin to prevent conditions like diabetes.
Restore Balance with CBD
Researchers are still looking at other ways that CBD may help improve hormonal balance. However, the current body of work shows that CBD has great promise in this area of life.
As more studies come out, men and women should consider whether CBD may be a therapeutic option for their hormonal imbalance. If their symptoms align with the benefits of CBD, they may find that this natural remedy is the best way to restore and maintain balance in their body.
- How to Use CBD to Naturally Improve Hormonal Balance - December 29, 2020
