Our hormones are incredibly powerful forces within our biology. They will affect and impact our mood, appetite, fertility, sex drive, metabolism and energy levels. They form a communication network which is giving and receiving constant feedback which helps maintain our optimal bodily function and homeostasis.
Our hormones are responsible for essentially every function in our bodies. Hormones are chemicals secreted by our glands in order to send “messages” through the bloodstream. Those messages then tell our organs what to do to keep us alive and healthy.
When we think “hormone,” we usually think about the sex hormones testosterone or estrogen, but there are actually more than 50 different hormones circulating inside your body right now.
When your hormones are balanced and working in sync, you won’t notice them, of course, and that’s a good thing. It’s when they’re imbalanced that you could start seeing cascading health issues take over.
Hormonal imbalance stems from your body making too little or too much of a hormone or a series of hormones. There are many hormones, such as insulin or adrenaline, that everyone shares, but specific hormones can affect men and women in different ways. For example, women may see an imbalance in estrogen and progesterone levels, while men may experience an imbalance in testosterone.
You have or will likely experience a hormonal imbalance at some point in your life, especially if you have an endocrine disorder. Age and lifestyle are factors, too. The symptoms of hormonal imbalance can vary widely, as each hormone is uniquely responsible for its role.
We have a system within our bodies call the endocannabinoid system (ECS).
The endocannabinoid system (ECS) is complex. Doctors still don’t fully understand how this cell-signalling system works but know it has three components: enzymes, endocannabinoids, and two types of receptors, CB1 and CB2.
The ECS is known to regulate stress, mood, memory, fertility, bone growth, pain, immune function, among other things. CBD interacts with the ECS and with many other receptors in the body.
CBD can influence major hormones, including insulin, cortisol, and melatonin.
Its primary function is to control how your body releases the neurotransmitters that affect nerve impulses. The ECS could also be involved in regulating:
CBD, or cannabidiol, is one of the main organic compounds found in the Cannabis sativa plant. The medicinal use of CBD oil is growing in popularity because it confers health benefits without a ‘high’. Taking CBD oil boosts your endocannabinoids so that the ECS can work more effectively.
CBD might be able to help with the symptoms of normal monthly hormone fluctuations and those that happen during puberty and menopause.
• Mood swings
Many women experience anxiety and depression as part of their menstrual cycle and during menopause. Oestrogen and progesterone affect levels of serotonin, the so-called happy chemical that influences mood.
Research shows that CBD activates serotonin receptors and that in animal models, it shows anti-anxiety and antidepressant effects.
• Bloating
During menstruation, the uterine contractions that occur throughout your cycle are more intense. This causes food transit through the digestive system to slow down, leading to constipation and bloating.
The drop in oestrogen and progesterone before your period can also cause water retention.
There are cannabinoid receptors in the digestive system, and research confirms that the ECS is involved in the physiological control of colonic motility. CBD could, therefore, help with bloating issues by increasing gut motility.
• Pain and cramps
Some women find the pain associated with menstruation debilitating, others merely uncomfortable. Studies have shown that CBD works to relieve pain and relax cramping muscles.
The way that CBD and the Endocannabinoid System (ECS) work are complicated and further research is needed, but there is some evidence to suggest that CBD could help with the symptoms of a hormone imbalance.
To learn more about PMT and hormonal imbalance join LabFemme at www.labaroma-education.com. Empowerment begins when we understand the challenging but beautiful world of hormones while also embracing and embodiment our formidable femme energy.
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