People with endometriosis experience chronic pain that can be difficult to manage. Although there is limited research, some people say that CBD (cannabidiol) reduces its symptoms.
CBD is a cannabinoid, which is one of the active plant compounds found in cannabis. However, unlike its cannabinoid partners THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), it does not intoxicate the user or give him a “high”.
Studies and clinical trials suggest that CBD has a variety of possible therapeutic uses, including reducing inflammation and pain. There is limited research on the use of CBD for endometriosis specifically, but anecdotal evidence indicates that it may help control symptoms.
Read on to learn how to use CBD for endometriosis, how it works, and more.
Clinical evidence for the effectiveness of CBD in treating endometriosis is limited, but some people say it helps relieve its symptoms.
A 2021 survey of 253 people showed that 62% had tried a CBD product, including products that contained THC. Of these people, 59% said these products helped their pain and 67.6% said the products allowed them to reduce their painkillers.
This indicates that while CBD may help relieve pain and reduce the need for pain medication, it may not work for everyone. Because it was a survey, it did not show a causal link between CBD and pain relief.
According to a 2021 study, the placebo effect may explain the results of CBD oil.
The researchers gave some participants a placebo and some CBD. They told some of them the formulation they were given, but others said they had received the formulation.
People taking active CBD reported a reduction in pain. However, participants who were told they were taking CBD but were actually taking placebo also reported pain relief.
It is important to always read the label before taking any form of CBD. People should consider the strength of the CBD oil they plan to take.
The products have a variety of potencies, for example, 300 milligrams (mg), 600 mg or 1,000 mg. It is also possible to buy CBD products as strong as 2,000 mg or even 4,000 mg.
CBD also affects people differently, depending on a wide range of factors. Therefore, it is recommended that people consult a doctor about which dose is best. They may suggest an appropriate dose or advise a person against CBD if they are taking certain medications that may cause an interaction with dangerous medications.
If it is safe to take CBD, a person could start with a dose of 20 mg a day and increase it slowly until it achieves the desired effect. People should always stay within the manufacturer’s safe upper limit recommendations unless recommended by a healthcare professional.
In general, people usually take CBD oil sublingually, which means that it falls into the mouth, under the tongue. Other methods of using CBD include:
- CBD patches applied directly to the skin
- CBD creams applied directly to the skin
- CBD inhalers inhaled into the lungs
- CBD gums in sweet chewable form
Although there is limited research on CBD specifically, some researchers have studied the use of medicinal cannabis for endometriosis.
Medicinal cannabis may include CBD. Describe any cannabis product recommended by a doctor to treat a disease.
A 2020 study investigated CBD and its ability to control pain. The researchers focused on nabiximols, which are pharmaceuticals that combine THC and CBD in a 1: 1 ratio. This is because CBD-only products are not approved for pharmaceutical use. However, it is important to note that nabiximols are not currently approved in the United States, but are approved for use in other countries such as Canada and the United Kingdom.
The researchers were unable to conclusively state the therapeutic properties of CBD solely because of the available products containing both THC and CBD. Although there are currently many CBD-only supplements available, they are not pharmaceuticals, so there is a lack of clinical studies to determine their effectiveness.
However, research has shown that THC alone can be effective. A systematic review of 16 medical cannabis studies for gynecologic pain conditions showed a reduction in pain after medical cannabis use. Of the respondents, 61–95.5% reported pain relief.
Another 2018 study concluded that current evidence supports the use of medicinal cannabis to treat chronic pain in adults. Despite this, he said that larger and longer studies are needed to determine the safety and long-term efficacy of these products.
There is limited research on the use of CBD for endometriosis, but many people with this condition report that it provides pain relief. However, there is more research supporting the use of THC alone and products that contain THC and CBD.
CBD oil has a variety of different strengths and is usually taken under the tongue. To decide on a safe dose, it is advisable to contact a doctor.
