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Why You Might Need Extra Cannabis During Menstruation

cannabis menstruation
Written by Alexandra Hicks

Ladies, if you’ve ever felt like cannabis doesn’t cut it like usual during your period; well don’t worry, you’re not alone and it’s not in your head.

Menstrual cramps, endometriosis, and other cycle-related pain can be downright horrible. The pain can be completely debilitating because of its intensity. Many of us will reach straight for the buds (or vape, edibles, whatever you prefer) only to find that they’re not working their usual magic. As it turns out, there’s a scientific reason for this.

There is an endocannabinoid called anandamide – or The Bliss Molecule – which is responsible for regulating many different systems in our bodies. Included in anandamide’s role is to reduce stress and thus, increase happiness and “blissfulness”. Apparently, anandamide levels vary tremendously during the menstrual cycle, making the symptoms of pain more intense and the effect of cannabis less powerful.


Another factor is the low levels of estrogen in our bodies during menstruation. When estrogen levels are low, the body doesn’t metabolize THC very well and makes it almost useless for some women. When estrogen levels are higher, THC is quickly broken down, making it more potent. The reason for this needs to be studied further.

It’s important to remember that while this does seem to be increasingly common for some women, not everyone will have the same experience. Some ladies feel absolutely no difference when using cannabis during menstruation as opposed to any other time of the month.  

“Some women may find that they may require a little more cannabis to improve their symptoms prior to, during, and directly after menstruation,” said Marissa Fratoni, RN-BSN in an interview with High Times Magazine. “Some women may need to use cannabis minimally to improve the symptoms they experience during this time.”

If you are someone that’s sensitive to THC during your period, try taking a break from regular cannabis buds and try some CBD-dominant strains (or products) instead. Not only does CBD have no psychoactive effects, but it’s known to counteract the effects of THC – so it can be beneficial in many ways.

At the end of the day, there is no one-size-fits-all solution to managing menstrual pain. But it’s important to know why your body might be reacting a certain way to different remedies.

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About the author

Alexandra Hicks

Managing editor at Cannadelics and U.S based journalist, helping spread the word about the many benefits of using cannabis and psychedelics.