Cannabis Edibles Ease Endometriosis

The “endometrium,” is the tissue that lines the uterus. A painful, chronic disease in which endometrial tissue grows outside the uterus is what’s known as endometriosis. Roughly, 10%-15% of women within reproductive age are diagnosed with this severely painful, life-impacting condition. The global statistics account for 6.5 million women in the US alone and over 190 million worldwide. It is most noticeable during periods, sexual intercourse, bowel movements and/or urination. Patients suffer through chronic pelvic pain, abdominal bloating, nausea and fatigue. Due to the severity, endometriosis can lead to depression, anxiety and infertility. Medical marijuana can readily be found in edible form and some patients have reportedly gained relief from chronic pain, fatigue and depression after consuming them.

What are the risk factors for endometriosis?

• Genetics (mother, sister or daughter who has been diagnosed with endometriosis)
• A diagnosed abnormal uterus
• Menstruation prior to age 11
• Short periods between menstruation (less than the average 27 days)
• Heavy menstrual periods lasting more than seven days
• Toxic heavy metal exposure
• High-fat/high-protein diet o eggs, milk, cheese and butter
• Foreign growth hormones from animal products and synthetic, manufactured sources
o food, water, laundry and cleaning products, perfumes and colognes, air fresheners,
scented candles, pesticides, fungicides, herbicides, plastics and more

“With the recent discovery of the cannabinoid receptors (CB1 and CB2) and the endocannabinoid system, research in this field has expanded exponentially. Cannabinoids have been shown to act as potent immunosuppressive and anti-inflammatory agents and have been shown to mediate beneficial effects in a wide range of immune-mediated diseases such as multiple sclerosis, diabetes, septic shock, rheumatoid arthritis and allergic asthma.”

What might lower the risk of developing endometriosis?

• Pregnancy and breastfeeding
• Having your first period after age 14
• Consuming 16 oz of pure celery juice every morning on an empty stomach
• Consuming citrus fruits
• Consuming medical marijuana to support the immune system

Some studies, “identified progesterone as a common characteristic of endometriosis patients, suggesting hormone imbalances that subsequently trigger inflammation due to the local infiltration of immune cells. These cells establish new cells, which have been found to activate pathways associated with invasion, proliferation, metastasis and angiogenesis.” Researches explain the results of studies. performed with cell cultures and conclude that the popular phytocannabinoid, CBD acts as a switch in inflamed cells whereby it changes the process from cell proliferation to inhibiting, thus offering new therapeutic strategies for treating diseases which increase inflammation, such as endometriosis.

Laparoscopy is a minimally invasive surgery, which can be used to histologically diagnose and treat endometriosis. However, a global concern with endometritis is that diagnosis is frequently delayed, because laparoscopy is required for a definitive diagnosis of the disease. “This delay increases symptom intensity, the risk of central and peripheral sensitization and the costs of the disease for the patient and their nation. Current conservative treatments of presumed endometriosis are pain management and birth control. Both of these methods are flawed and can be entirely ineffective for the reduction of patient suffering or improving ability to work, and neither addresses the severe infertility issues or higher risk of certain cancers.”

Studies confirm that cannabinoids, including THC, inhibit proliferation of some types of cancer cells and reduce cancer growth. “Cannabinoids inhibit tumor initiation, metastasis, vascular adhesiveness, tissue invasiveness, and angiogenesis, while selectively stimulating apoptosis (death) of cancer cells.”

In order to increase the quality of life for patients suffering from this debilitating disease, some decide on alternative therapies, such as Ayurveda, Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), raw diet, juicing and/or medical marijuana. Patients who use medical marijuana report that they find relief for many symptoms associated with this condition, including, but not limited to:

• Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
• Chronic Pelvic Pain (CPP)
• Cramps
• Inflammation
• Quality of Life
• Muscle Relaxant
• Psychological Burdens
• Headache
• Insomnia
• Migraines
• Muscle Tension and Spasms
• Nausea
• Stress
• Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
• Psoriasis
• Rheumatoid arthritis (RA)

Some indica-forward cannabis strains that may offer relaxing relief for many of associated symptoms include Grape Ape, Blueberry Kush and Critical Cure, while there are also sativa-forward strains, which tend to be more reviving, such as Strawberry Jam, Ghost Train Haze and Sour Diesel.