Cannabis and Women: Confidence in Pain Relief
Doctor: Do you smoke? Me: Smoke what?
Cannabis and its use for both medicinal and recreational purposes has been a controversial topic over the years. As more studies are conducted, we learn that the picture painted of cannabis being a dangerous substance is nothing further from the truth. Society finally began to recognize the benefits of cannabis for pain, both chronic physical pain as well as emotional trauma, and the overall attitude is starting to shift. And while noticeable progress has been made, many cultural groups still battle with the stigma that weed brings and are hesitant to implement the use of cannabis and its products into their life, despite the great benefits that come with it. We know why that is don’t we? The war on drugs and global drug prohibition has a deep social class and racially biased history, but that’s not what we’re exploring for now, read here for further reflection.
There is one group that has been reluctant to adopt cannabis into their routine: women. This trend is especially true for Black women who, while we have a plethora of physical conditions that can be helped with the use of cannabis. We are still largely unaware of the therapeutic benefits this beautiful plant has. Women experience physical and emotional pain at rates much higher than men do; it's time we put them on an equal footing in this area as well! Cannabis has proven quite effective when managing both mental health issues like anxiety or depression (which disproportionately affect Black women) and also more general ailments such as painful periods and chronic back pain.
Our aim, in everything we do, is to help empower Black women, and what better way to do so than to share the knowledge that will enable them to take ownership of their health and wellbeing. Through the use of cannabis and hemp-related products, women can finally get the relief they’ve been searching for, without the unwanted side effects that western medicine is known for. Below, we will explore the benefits of cannabis for women and how you can begin to safely implement it into your devotional practice.
Benefits of cannabis for women
The stigma of being seen as irresponsible is one reason many women refuse to use cannabis. It has not been until recently that it became more socially acceptable for a woman to openly explore the benefits of using weed, especially if they're in need of some relief from chronic pain or emotional distress and don't know where else to turn. But what are the advantages? There's an increased awareness on how this plant can provide both physical & mental relief without any riskier side effects like addiction, which some prescription opioids cause; so much that we've even started seeing medical weed dispensaries pop up all over! So whether you have menstrual cramps, endometriosis, PCOS, or fibromyalgia - now could be your chance at experiencing natural treatments with less toll on your bodily temple.
Lets be clear, cannabis is not some new approach to healing from what afflicts us. Cannabis has a very rich history, it has been cultivated in diverse ways, and is known around the world for its potent medicinal and healing properties. Plant medicine is ancient, and we are inherent stewards of the land. Indigenous, Aborigines, African, Black whatever identity you’ve assigned to yourself; if you’re melanin rich you are the original people, and it’s time to get back to YOUR roots and experience a relief. Let the stigma and programming fall away.
There are a few key ways in which cannabis helps improve the quality of health and wellbeing. It aids with the balancing and improvement of emotions, helps reduce physical pain, and assists in the management of mental health conditions.
Mental Health
An unfortunate fact is that women are more likely to experience anxiety, depression, and insomnia than men. As the daily stressors of life weigh you down and the pressure of being a woman in this masculine dominated modern world persists, it can be quite difficult to cope. Even a small dose of cannabis, also known as micro-dosing, can help to relieve the effects of emotional trauma or help to ease the symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Cannabis has been shown to reduce anxiety levels in patients diagnosed with Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD). It also soothes depression for sufferers by increasing serotonin, the happy chemical in the brain.
Cannabis has therapeutic advantages because of its ability to act like an antidepressant and an anti-inflammatory agent. However, improving people’s moods and mental well-being is only half of the potential benefits that come with introducing this medicinal plant into our lives, let’s not forget about the physical health benefits that come with it as well.
Physical Pain
Cannabis is a plant that has the ability to relieve chronic pain. Cannabis, whether smoked or consumed in food, can be used as a treatment for inflammatory disorders such as arthritis and multiple sclerosis. Cannabinoids have also been shown to help with nausea and vomiting caused by chemotherapy treatments.
The cannabinoids in cannabis work as pain relievers because they attach themselves to receptors throughout your body that are responsible for regulating inflammation and pain responses. Some people experience relief with just CBD while others require THC as well but those who use both have reported feeling less discomfort than before taking it. This is also true when treating chronic pain caused by muscle spasms, headaches, joint pains, etc.
Cannabis is particularly helpful for women battling conditions such as endometriosis, PCOS and other reproductive health disorders. Women are three times more likely than men to suffer from arthritis and twice as likely to experience migraines. Chronic pain is also associated with anxiety disorders in women which may lead to other long-term problems such as depression or substance abuse issues. Cannabis can help relieve some of these symptoms by providing an alternative way of managing the condition without relying on prescription medications that often come with side effects like drowsiness, nausea, and vomiting among others.
Black women and weed
Cannabis and Black women. Sounds like a match made in heaven, right? Wrong. Black women have been marginalized and discriminated against for centuries for our very existence, so it’s no surprise we haven’t been properly represented in the current global green rush. As cannabis legalization continues and myths are debunked, we are still being discriminated against for being smokers, growers and entrepreneurs. But no one can take our sovereignty; our freedom to heal ourselves is deeper and stronger than any systems of oppression. Black women deserve to take up space in every way! There are many women that are taking on the industry and advocating not just for Black women, but for all to have the right to safely partake. Luckily, information and knowledge is spreading quickly and organizations are finally starting to make the effort to educate women and release them from the stigma that surrounds them thriving in the cannabis industry.
Efforts to educate and provide resources are being made by organizations like Women Grow, a female-focused cannabis industry advocacy group. The organization hosts events in cities around the world that help break down stigma with networking opportunities for women of color who work in or represent various aspects of the cannabis community such as legal professionals, doctors, wellness coaches, dispensary operators, edible chefs, and more. Events usually have an educational component which could be anything from panels on how to grow your own medical marijuana at home; to addressing myths about THC (the psychoactive molecule found in weed); highlighting historical research on cannabinoids ability to heal, or talking about CBD products including their impact on skin disorders such as acne.
Implement cannabis into your lifestyle
There are so many options when it comes to using cannabis as medicine. It’s becoming common knowledge that notable people such as medical professionals, athletes, artist, traditional herbalist and many more have a healthy relationship with cannabis, and rely on the plant daily for its healing benefits. If the dilemma lies in finding the effective way to integrate this herb and it’s extracts into your daily routines. Some of the ways cannabis is consumed include:
Inhalation the most well-known consumption method is smoking as the effects are almost immediate. When smoking cannabis flower, all the active compounds, including THC, are absorbed through the lungs.
Edibles like brownies, gummies or cookies are common, but the world of food and cannabis is expansive and there are many cannabis-infused fine dining experiences to experiment with. Cannabinoids are absorbed through the digestive tract. Traveling first to your stomach then to your liver before getting into your bloodstream and brain. Because of this, edibles have a delayed onset, between 20 minutes and three hours. (Newbies be advised!)
Topicals like lotions, salves and suppositories are products that allow you to absorb cannabinoids through the skin, where they may provide localized effects for things like pain or muscle soreness. With there topicals, you won't experience any psychoactive effects.
Tinctures created by steeping cannabis in alcohol or glycerin, tinctures are absorbed through the blood vessels under the tongue (sublingually). Holding a few drops under your tongue to allow the cannabis to absorb. Any cannabinoids not absorbed sublingually will be absorbed through the digestive tract. Tinctures usually have rapid onset of effects as well as another onset later.
On average, people spend up to 12 hours every day feeling things they don't want to feel because of chronic pain. You deserve better than that and cannabis can be the answer you’ve been looking for. Things to consider as you explore your options with weed; dosage matters, terpenes are important, and you can always explore CBD. Cannabidiol (CBD) is one of the essential cannabinoids found in cannabis and is very popular for its potency yet lack of psychoactive effects unlike tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the main psychoactive compound in cannabis.
Ways our founder works with cannabis
Chronic pain relief
I have dealt with chronic pain for most of my adult life. I don’t think a lot of people are aware of it because for one, I don’t talk about often. When your pain is chronic and “invisible”, it’s hard for others to understand that even if I look absolutely fine, my body is not always fine. I had to abstain from the healing benefits for five of the nine years I lived in Dubai and let me tell you…I suffered! Cannabis is an essential supplement for my pain and inflammation management.
Mental health support
2020-2021 has had a major impact on the quality of my mental and emotional health. I’ve dealt with losing my job and facing financial insecurity, moving six times across three countries in the middle of a pandemic, to navigating the effects of a spiritual awakening and grieving the changes in my father as he battles dementia. Cannabis has been a faithful companion during this time. Weed has helped me with my appetite when I battle with the anxiety of nurturing my baby Rooted & Crowned. It uplifts and comforts me when I deal with the exhaustion of high functioning depression.
Elevated yoga and meditation
When I studied yoga in Rishikesh, India back in 2017 my teachers were very transparent about the deep relationship between yoga and weed. Although some yoga practitioner have strong personal feelings about the validity of bringing weed into our practice. I've meditated while rolling ganja and practice asana along The Ganges river, it felt right. Look to the Yoga Sutras and Ayurveda to see how herbs and plant medicine support a yogic lifestyle if you choose it.
Heightened sense of pleasure
I love pleasure. I love sensory experiences. I love relaxing. I love feeling stimulated and creative. I love mind-body-breath connection. I love weed. Blend all of this together and I have a recipe for heightened pleasure. As a woman who prioritizes her pleasure I enjoy the way weed shifts my self intimacy explorations. Weed helps me to get out of my head and into my body so that I can enjoy the full spectrum of my emotional self, especially joy and love.
Women heal thyself
No matter what you believe about cannabis. It’s medicinal and therapeutic benefits for women can not be denied. There is money to be made in making you believe that your pain management is outside of your control. There is power in reclaiming how you self determine. Many women have been exploited and carry an internalized belief that chronic pain and illness is their fault and therefore they must suffer. Blanketed statements like “eat healthy” and “get enough sleep” without offering solutions will not help any of us have a better quality of life. Education is key. Learning the tools to implement lifestyle modifications tailored specifically to you is essential.
If you feel called to 1:1 immersive support explore here. Be well.
By Rooted & Crowned
