3

CBD Oil and hormones

8 December 2021

Hormones play an incredibly important role in your health. They are produced by your endocrine system, travelling through your body like messengers to regulate all sorts of processes. If all goes well, they get you plenty of energy, good sleep, healthy blood pressure, and an overall sense of wellbeing. However, disruptions to your hormonal balance can cause serious problems ranging from PMS to sleeping problems and from high blood pressure to anxiety issues. CBD Oil can have a positive effect on production of hormones, and restore potential imbalances. This blog explains how.

The function of hormones and the endocrine system

Hormones are always present in the background. You may not notice them, but you should be happy they are doing their job. Hormones are produced by glands that form the endocrine system. These glands generate hormones and distribute them for various purposes throughout the body. The endocrine system consists of a large number of glands including the following:

• Hypothalamus;
• Pineal gland;
• Pituitary gland;
• Pancreas;
• Thyroid;
• Ovaries;
• Testicles;
• Womb;
• Adrenal glands

Together, these glands and the hormones they produce have tremendous influence on your mental and physical health. They regulate vital functions such as circadian rhythms, blood pressure, breathing, metabolism, growth, reproduction, and blood glucose levels. Minor fluctuations in the production of just a single hormone can have severe repercussions on the body as a whole. Both men and women can suffer from hormonal imbalances, resulting in physical and psychological problems. CBD Oil can influence hormone production by means of the body’s endocannabinoid system (ECS), which may enable it to help restore the balance when it is disrupted.

How does CBD Oil affect hormones?

The endocrine system mentioned above regulates production of hormones. However, you also have your own endocannabinoid system (ECS), which consists of a network of receptors spread throughout the body. The goal of this system is to preserve the status known as homeostasis: a dynamic state of internal balance that adjusts as external conditions change. The ECS does this using cannabinoids.

The body produces its own cannabinoids; but it can also use phytocannabinoids produced by plants, such as CBD. Although CBD (cannabidiol) is derived from hemp plants, your body accepts it as if it were its own. This enables CBD Oil to influence hormone production by working together with your ECS.

In some cases, the endocrine system produces either too much or too little of a certain hormone. This can cause all sorts of problems resulting from a lack of balance. If this happens, the ECS can attempt to restore the balance. On moments like these, CBD Oil can support the ECS to influence production of hormones.

Cortisol

Cortisol is also called the stress hormone. It is produced in the adrenal cortex, and it plays vital parts in both stress responses and the immune system. Cortisol can help release the energy you need to make it through difficult situations. However, excessive cortisol levels can cause sleeping problems, anxiety, or even depression. Research has demonstrated that CBD Oil can directly affect production of cortisol hormones. This may help prevent excessive cortisol levels that can cause feelings of unrest, stress, and anxiety.

CBD Oil and hormones: insulin

You need insulin to keep your blood sugar levels in check. Insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas. If insulin levels drop below certain values, serious health issues can occur including cardiac disease, obesity, and diabetes. The exact interactions between CBD and insulin are still being investigated, but the cannabinoid does have anti-inflammatory properties. There appears to be a link between chronic inflammation of the pancreas and insulin production issues. This link may help explain why CBD Oil can help keep hormones such as insulin under control.

A 2013 animal study on subjects with acute pancreatitis showed that CBD was capable of drastically reducing inflammation in the surrounding area. Scientists suspect that this effect could be beneficial for insulin production, too. Of course, more research is needed to clarify the exact potential of CBD here.

Melatonin

One of the other hormones that could be affected by CBD Oil supplements is melatonin. This ‘sleep hormone’ is produced by the pineal gland. CBD has soothing and relaxing properties. It promotes melatonin production. CBD also activates CB1 receptors that reduce the time required to fall asleep as well as improving quality of sleep. The positive influence of CBD on sleep is one of the main reasons for the initial popularity of this natural supplement.

Can CBD Oil help regulate female hormones?

Women tend to experience more hormone-related issues than men do. These can include menstrual cycle problems (painful cramps, PMS) as well as menopause symptoms. Fortunately, CBD Oil can prove helpful for such problems caused by hormones. Menopause can come with hormonal fluctuations that can trigger hot flashes, aching joints, and mood swings. CBD Oil can help restore balance; both by regulating hormones and by its soothing and analgesic properties. CBD can be a real source of relief for PMS, too.

Restoring balance between hormones with CBD Oil

Since hormones are so crucial for such a great number of different processes, they can cause a huge diversity of symptoms. Take high blood pressure for instance: this can be caused by various factors, including thyroid or adrenal problems. Hormonal issues can also be underlying causes of seasonal affective disorder or depression. CBD Oil is a wonderful natural supplement capable of working in concert with your body to keep problems involving hormones under control. Picture your endocrine glands as experienced dancing partners: they have to dance together, but every now and then, one goes off-beat. In such cases, CBD can take them by the hand to help them find the right rhythm and swirl back onto the dancefloor.

If you want to try CBD for controlling issues involving hormones, you could opt for either Full Spectrum CBD Oil or CBD Tablets, which are easy to use both at home and on the go.