Does CBD Impact Progesterone and Estrogen?

Progesterone along with estrogen are known as female sex hormones, which play a big role in the reproductive system and organs, improving the well-being of the body for women. CBD can modulate the way that these are expressed, but right now, this is still at the early stages. 

How these hormones Work 

The hormones are used as ways to receive messages that are impacted by the endocrine glands, and this triggers the changes.  You have a master gland, which is the pituitary gland.  Men along with women actually have the same hormones, just expressed differently. Progesterone along with estrogen are what’s seen in women, testosterone in men. But men can produce the same, but it’s at lower levels. 

For those who don’t know, progesterone is basically the building block which makes the sex hormones that’s there. the ovaries and testes both create these, but they play a role in the regulating of menstrual cycles, and it can impact how sperm production happens in guys. 

Progesterone also helps with a lo of functions, such as: 

• Improving blood sugar 

• Controlling and increasing bone mass 

• Controlling brain activity 

• Converting fat stores into energy 

• Controlling the production of thyroid hormones 

• Improves libido 

• Improves mood 

• Supports sleep 

Estrogen is pretty much what helps with sex drive, erectile function, and sperm production in men.  For women, this s what helps with the egg follicle growth, the thickness of your uterus, uterine health, forming breast tissue.  This is something that is also changed based on the different stages people are in. 

It also helps increase the following: 

• Bone density 

• Changing physical features when puberty hits 

• Maintaining emotions and mood 

• Skin that’s healthy 

• Improving your cognitive skills 

• Boosting muscle mass 

• Metabolism 

The Science of CBD and these hormones 

Right now, the effects of CBD on these are still in the early stages. Right now, most of the research that’s there looks at the whole plant, on these hormones 

The interaction of both of these offer an increase in the production of hormones, followed by the entourage effect, so it can help with improving this in a person. 

But they can also modulate the way the hormones work within the ECS, and it can help with increasing the hormonal functions. 

In a study done in 1980, it was found that the high levels of CBD didn’t change our estrogen levels, but it wsa found that CBD actually did suppress the production, since it can inhibit aromatase production.  This is important for the production of this. It can also deregulate the decidualization, which is something that plays a part in pregnancies. It wsa found that it can lead to problems with fertility, but it requires more research before the agree to conclude that.

The findings of this on progesterone were done mostly on rat studies. It wsa found hat it can actually inhibit progesterone expression within the rats. Some do theorize that this might’ve bene created due to the metabolic interactions between the enzyme and the cannabinoid which creates this. This is something that it  could possibly be an issue, but we need more studies. 

Right now, ther is nothing that says CBD can ruin pregnancies, or impact the production of this, but as you use it, know that this is a study without too much behind it, due to the fact that most of the studies are done with the whole plant, rather tan just an isolate, so it’s important to look at this, and also note that it may create hormone imbalance. 

Protecting Cannabis Concentrates

The battle to legalize medical marijuana in the United States has been a slow, uphill one. Many people would say that it has not been without its ups and downs. However, if we take a moment to reflect on the progress that has been made in our country regarding cannabis legalization and acceptance, we have come a long way in the course of a decade or so. 

Pretty much every state now, with the exception of a couple that shall remain nameless, have constructed some sort of medical marijuana program that gives patients with certain conditions the option to use legalized marijuana products. Of course, the fight for cannabis never ends. Many states that do have medical marijuana programs are still extremely restrictive with what types of products are allowed to be used, where they can be bought, and so forth. One of the many problems that are beginning to occur in various states is the potency of cannabis concentrates. 

After a state legalizes medical marijuana, the next step is to determine what type of products are allowed to be used, and the potency that they can have. Concentrates, for example, are basically just THC extracts that can be inhaled through a vape pen or such product. As the name suggests, these products are highly concentrated THC and are very potent. This means that marijuana patients only need to take one or two hits before they begin to feel its effects. But can this be a problem if not used properly? Well, that is the question that fuels the fire for banning high potency cannabis. 

You see, research suggests that there are safety concerns with using highly potent cannabis concentrates over a long period of time - and that is true. Concentrates are more potent with THC than any product ever has been before. Some products can even contain up to 65% or 80% THC - that is a lot! So there are some serious concerns among legislatures in several states that are looking to cap the potency allowed for marijuana concentrate products. 

While it is always a good idea to be cautious about how much THC one is ingesting at any given time, concentrates do offer great benefits to medical marijuana users. Firstly, using a vape or pen is more discreet and portable, and overall less complicated than trying to roll and smoke a joint, for example. Plus, for the medical marijuana patients that are dealing with severe chronic pain, high levels of THC in concentrated doses make the most sense in order to manage their symptoms. At any rate, this issue is up for debate in a lot of states. 

Washington, for example, which is renowned for being one of the most cannabis welcoming states, has introduced Bills to cap cannabis concentrates for sale at medical and adult-use dispensaries at 10% THC. People in opposition of this Bill feel that it is too low - 10% THC does not offer medical users the proper treatment that one seeks out marijuana usage for. Arizona has seen similar Bills attempt to cap all medical cannabis, including concentrates, flower, and tinctures, at a maximum of 2% THC. This is almost a slap in the face for anyone that actually uses marijuana. With 2% THC, you might as well not even be using marijuana anymore.

In any case, I think it is important to find a balance when it comes to using cannabis concentrates. I do not recommend using highly potent THC unless you absolutely have to for a medical condition. If you are someone using cannabis concentrate with 80% THC, you may need to rethink some things about your life.