Flowers and your flow
Flowers and Flows: why do tolerance levels change during your period?
During your period you may find that you're smoking or consuming cannabis a lot more than you normally would on other days. You might be feeling like you're not getting high, and you may notice that your tolerance has gone up, so you smoke more and you add more topicals and you still don't feel the results that you usually feel. You may change your strain or even go as far as changing your consumption method but still find that you aren’t getting as high as you normally do. WHY?!!!
The answer is simple and complex:
Hormones, and the hormonal changes that occur in our bodies at any given moment. During our cycles (which last 28-35 days) we experience a plethora of hormonal fluctuations; these changes determine how we experience our flowers.
Let me say this: the whole cannabis plant and the human body go together like lock and key.
Our bodies have an ECS or endocannabinoid system. According to the NIH the endocannabinoid system is a complex cell-signaling system, it is known for the important role it plays in regulating a variety of functions and processes in the human body.
Functions and processes regulated by ECS include:
sleep
mood
appetite
memory
reproduction and fertility
So how do flowers work in the body?
The ECS involves three major components: endocannabinoids, receptors, and enzymes.
Endocannabinoids, also called origin cannabinoids, are molecules made by your body. They’re similar to the cannabinoids found in cannabis, but they’re produced by your body.
So far researchers have identified two key endocannabinoids:
anandamide (AEA)
2-arachidonoylglyerol (2-AG)
It is believed that they help keep internal functions running smoothly. Our bodies not only have endocannabinoids, but we also have endocannabinoid receptors. These receptors are found throughout your body, and endocannabinoids bind to them in order to signal that the ECS needs to take action.
The two main endocannabinoid receptors:
CB1 receptors, which are mostly found in the central nervous system
CB2 receptors, which are mostly found in your peripheral nervous system, especially immune cells
Endocannabinoids can bind to either receptor. The effects that result depend on where the receptor is located and which endocannabinoid it binds to. For example a CB1 binded receptor may send messages to pain receptors; while CB2 binded receptors send messages to decrease inflammation or improve circulation. And of course Enzymes which break down the molecules for absorption.
Let’s talk about cannabis for a moment; As I mentioned earlier cannabis like the human body has naturally occurring cannabinoids; when these cannabinoids bind to the receptors in our endocannabinoid systems the results are extremely beneficial.
For the purposes of this article I'm only going to talk about two major cannabinoids but scientists are discovering new cannabinoids regularly. The most commonly found and widely known cannabinoid found in cannabis is THC.
Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is one of the main cannabinoids found in cannabis, this cannabinoid is psychoactive; it will make you “high”.
Upon consumption THC interacts with your ECS by binding to receptors, the same way our endocannabinoids do. THC is special because it can bind with both CB1 and CB2 receptors, this allows you to treat a range of ailments and conditions.
Many of us know CBD because recently it’s been peddled as a cutting edge cure all, from gas stations to grocery stores CBD is everywhere.
CBD or cannabidiol is a major cannabinoid found naturally in most cannabis plants, but more prevalent in craft or industrial hemp. CBD doesn’t make you “high”, like it’s big cuz THC. When it comes to CBD the research is still out about how it actually works in the body, there are different schools of thought. For the purposes of this article we will not get into any; instead we will focus on the benefits of combining THC and CBD through what many call the entourage effect.
The belief is that Cannabis is a whole plant, and should be used as such if you want the best experience.
What we know so far:
Our bodies are regulated by our ECS
Our ECS regulates our hormones.
The Cannabinoids found in cannabis bind to the receptors in our ECS.
During our cycles hormonal changes can occur from minute to minute in some cases, but most often they change day to day, and weekly. The most noticeable changes happen during ovulation, and again during your period. Those changes determine your tolerance level. As menstruating women Our bodies produce the hormones progesterone and estrogen, these hormones have a tremendous impact on your tolerance.
Estrogen regulates a number of systems in the female and male body, but most specifically the female reproductive system: Ovaries: Estrogen helps stimulate the growth of the egg follicle, In the vagina, estrogen maintains the thickness of the vaginal wall and promotes lubrication, in the uterus estrogen enhances and maintains the mucous membrane that lines the uterus. When estrogen levels are high tolerance levels are shown to be low, which means it’s easier for you to get high.
Progesterone is similar to estrogen, but supports the system in different ways; by thickening the lining of your uterus for egg implantation, regulating bleeding during menstruation, supporting a pregnancy once conception occurs, helping to improve your mood, supporting thyroid function, and much more. Studies have shown that progesterone affects tolerance levels, by increasing them, this means you may have to consume more than you normally do to get your desired result. During the week leading up to your period progesterone levels spike and lower as you period progresses.
What we know now:
Our bodies are regulated by our ECS.
Our ECS regulates our hormones.
High levels of estrogen = low tolerance.
High levels of progesterone= high tolerance.
So what is the takeaway here? The takeaway here is that yes your period does affect your tolerance levels, but we can do something about it. Here are somethings to consider:
Anandamide in some circles is known as the bliss molecule, it is linked to all the feel good hormones released in the body for example dopamine, oxytocin, and serotonin. Studies have shown that anandamide levels fluctuate during your period. In the course of your period when estrogen levels are low, less CB1 receptors are available to receive THC cannabinoids, which is why your tolerance levels get higher. This is because estrogen slows the enzyme breakdown process, which gives cannabinoids time to work. Your period is the optimal moment for you to experience the entourage effect in action. Enter CBD: by combining both CBD and THC you can improve your cannabis by leaps and bounds during your period. During your period when estrogen levels are low you can add CBD to the mix; it acts in the same way as estrogen to slow enzyme breakdown, which gives the THC time to work, and as an added bonus CBD is known to combat the paranoia associated with THC.
You are now armed with the knowledge you need to navigate your fluctuating hormones.
