Menstrual Cramps – Medical Marijuana Research Overview – IndyCann – Higher Society of Indiana Inc.
Through vast research, cannabis has established itself as highly effective for relieving pain. Two of cannabis' major cannabinoids, cannabidiol (CBD) and tetrahydrocannabinol), have shown to manage pain associated with an array of conditions, suggesting that they would be effective for menstrual cramps1. The cannabinoids interact with the endocannabinoid system's two cannabinoid receptors, CB1 and CB2, to help regulate the release of a neurotransmitter to manage pain levels10. Studies even show cannabis to lower pain levels that had otherwise proven refractory to traditional treatments2.
The first recorded use of cannabis to treat menstrual cramps dates back to ancient Mesopotamia, as Queen Victoria would reportedly consume monthly doses of cannabis tinctures to reduce menstrual discomfort3. Research specifically examining cannabis' effects on menstrual cramps, however, is severely lacking. Findings in a small collection of studies do indicate cannabis' efficacy for treating menstrual pain in those with endometriosis6,7. In addition, studies have determined that there are CB1 and CB2 receptors located in many cells throughout the uterus, suggesting that cannabinoids' pain-relieving effects could help address menstrual discomfort8. Research also shows that the CB1 receptor is associated with the management of dysmenorrhea-related pain7.
Using cannabis has been shown to significantly improve pain that had otherwise shown to be refractory to traditional treatments.
Sanchez, A.M., Vigano, P., Mugione, A., Panina-Bordignon, P., and Candiani, M. (2012, December). The molecular connections between the cannabinoid system and endometriosis. Molecular Human Reproduction, 18(12), 563-71.
Sanchez, A.M., Cioffi, R., Vigano, P., Candiani, M., Verde, R., Piscitelli, F., Di Marzo, V., Garavaglia, E., and Panina-Bordignon, P. (2016, August). Reproductive Sciences, 23(8), 1071-9.
Taylor, A.H., Abbas, M.S., Habiba, M.A., and Konje, J.C. (2010, May). Histomorphometric evaluation of cannabinoid receptor and anandamide modulating enzyme expression in the human endometrium through the menstrual cycle. Histochemistry and Cell Biology, 133(5), 557-65.