Although recent statistics from Nesas Hemp reported no gender difference in CBD use in 2023, it is pertinent to note that cannabis may affect men and women differently. One potential explanation to this fact, lies in the physiological makeup of the sexes. Women typically have a higher percentage of body fat compared to men, which may result in weaker effects as more cannabinoids are retained by fat cells. Additionally, variations in the metabolism of cannabinoids to active and inactive metabolites between men and women could contribute to the observed disparities.
Other possible reasons for this may arise from biological, hormonal, and psychological differences between sexes. A 2016 research suggests that women may be more sensitive to the effects of cannabis, experiencing greater pain relief but also a higher risk of negative side effects such as anxiety or paranoia. Additionally, hormonal fluctuations during the menstrual cycle may influence how women respond to cannabis, with some evidence suggesting that cannabinoid sensitivity fluctuates throughout the menstrual cycle.
Furthermore, there's ongoing research into how cannabis use may affect reproductive health and fertility differently in men and women. A 2021 study suggest that chronic cannabis use may have adverse effects on male fertility by decreasing sperm count and motility, while others indicate potential impacts on female reproductive health, including disruptions to menstrual cycles and ovulation.
Men vs. women cannabis effects
The observed possible difference between men and women in response to cannabis use are summarized in the table below.
Effects
Men
Women
Pain relief
Men may require higher doses of cannabis to achieve the same level of pain relief as women.
Women may experience greater pain relief from cannabis due to differences in pain perception and sensitivity.
Psychological effect
Men may exhibit more euphoria or relaxation in response to cannabis use.
Women may be more prone to experiencing negative psychological effects such as anxiety or paranoia.
Hormonal influences
Testosterone levels in men may influence their sensitivity to the effects of cannabis.
Fluctuations in estrogen levels throughout the menstrual cycle may impact how women respond to cannabis.
Metabolism and Fat Distribution
Men may metabolize cannabinoids differently, affecting the duration and intensity of the effects experienced.
Women typically have a higher percentage of body fat, leading to differences in how cannabis is stored and metabolized.
Cardiovascular Effects:
Some research suggests that cannabis use may have a greater impact on cardiovascular health in men compared to women.
Women may have a lower risk of experiencing adverse cardiovascular events associated with cannabis use.
Conclusion
While it's known that cannabis affects men and women differently, variations in effects can also stem from the diverse combination of cannabinoids in products. No two cannabinoid products are identical, with some containing high levels of CBD, while others have a balanced ratio. There are also several product with no cannabinoids in them. Quality and purity vary, with some products lacking regulation. A lot of products in the CBD industry are heavily contaminated with pesticides, heavy metals and microbial toxins. This increase may be fueled by the lack of regulation in the hemp industry.
In the midst of all these chaos, genuine hemp brands and products are emerging to serve as a standard to identifying quality hemp products. These products like Nesa's Certified Organic CBDa Hemp Extract are redefining quality and safety standards. They prioritize quality over the quantity of hemp products released in the market. By prioritizing transparency and integrity and conducting rigorous third-party laboratory testing from FDA/ISO-approved labs, companies like Nesas Hemp ensure product safety and efficacy. Founder and CEO of Nesas Hemp, Inesa Ponomariovaite underscores the importance of thorough testing to ensure products are free from contaminants such as heavy metals, mold, bacteria, and pesticides at part per billions to ensure quality and safety.
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