Last Updated on January 21, 2025 by Caesar
The fastest-growing group of new users is women, who are increasingly using cannabis. The Brightfield Group’s market research indicates that 59% of people who have recently begun using cannabis are female. We always recommend speaking with an MMJ doctor before beginning to use marijuana for medical purposes if you’re a woman wishing to include it in your regimen.
Find out how you can join the growing number of women who are using cannabis to treat a variety of illnesses or just to feel better.
Why Marijuana Use Is Increasing Among Women
Since most marijuana users are self-reported, we are unable to determine the exact reasons behind each woman’s use. However, women generally find cannabis as medicine (CaM) useful for a few common reasons.
Stress-related illnesses like depression, anxiety, and insomnia have been brought on by the COVID pandemic since 2020. Millennials are the group with the highest prevalence of cannabis use, with 13% of them self-reporting their use. At the same time, marijuana use has increased among both men and women.
Insomnia
When the pandemic started in 2020, the inability to fall and/or stay asleep, known as insomnia, was already on the rise, primarily as a result of the widespread use of digital devices. For many women, the stress of working remotely and providing round-the-clock childcare during the pandemic only made their sleep problems worse.
Thankfully, some studies have shown that cannabis might be a useful treatment for insomnia. Two weeks of sublingual (under the tongue) cannabinoid administration decreased insomnia in participants, the majority of whom were women, according to a recent clinical trial conducted in 2021.
People who need a good night’s sleep are said to benefit from CBD products in particular. While tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) may eventually affect the quality of sleep, cannabidiol (CBD) has been demonstrated to help treat chronic insomnia and even lessen PTSD-related nightmares.
The brain struggles to process and recover from distressing events, which is linked to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The COVID pandemic is becoming more and more associated with new PTSD cases, particularly among healthcare professionals, including women, who make up an astounding 70% of the global healthcare workforce.
Anxiety & Depression
Compared to men, women are over twice as likely to receive a diagnosis of an anxiety disorder. Women who want to reduce their anxiety have long turned to yoga and meditation, but cannabis is also becoming a more popular complementary therapy. More than 21% of all female patients in 2021 had anxiety or depression, making these conditions the most common qualifying conditions for women using West Virginia MMJ Card Doctor to obtain their medical cannabis certificate.
Numerous studies have suggested that cannabis may be used to treat anxiety disorders. Certain CBD products are made especially to aid in the treatment of anxiety. Although Charlotte’s Web CBD Oil has long been a favorite among those looking to reduce anxiety symptoms, we lack clinical evidence to support these claims.
Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS)
PMS manifests in a range of symptoms that vary from woman to woman. Some people may get headaches, mood swings, and cramps more than once a month. Others, like those who suffer from migraine headaches, might only have one symptom.
There is a dearth of research on the specific effects of cannabis on PMS. Other studies, however, point to cannabis’s potential for treating common PMS symptoms like migraine headaches and general pain.
Beauty Treatments
The use of cannabis and CBD topicals as natural beauty remedies has grown in popularity. Cannabis and CBD are now frequently listed as active ingredients in cosmetic and skin care products. Products that may contain cannabis-based ingredients include lotions, creams, balms, oils, and bath salts.
Businesses like Joy Organics and Green Roads have developed whole product lines specifically for cannabis users. And with good cause. Certain cannabinoids, like CBD, may have skin-benefitting properties, according to some research. Because of its nourishing and moisturizing qualities, CBD may help with certain dermatological conditions like psoriasis and eczema.
Sexual Pleasure
Cannabis is being used by more women than ever before because it enhances sexual pleasure. Certain products for sexual intimacy, such as oil-based lubricants and gel, contain ingredients derived from cannabis, mainly CBD. Products for sexual intimacy that contain CBD, such as the well-known Awaken Arousal Oil with CBD, are marketed by the company Foria Wellness.
Cannabis may improve women’s sexual experiences in ways other than vaginal lubrication. According to a 2019 survey in the Journal of Sexual Medicine, cannabis increased physical sensations and sexual pleasure while promoting relaxation. For those seeking additional support for sexual wellness, incorporating a high-quality vulva cream can complement these experiences by enhancing comfort and sensitivity.
Autoimmune Disorders
Autoimmune diseases such as multiple sclerosis (MS), rheumatoid arthritis, and lupus are more common in women. This is due to the fact that women typically have stronger inflammatory reactions than men, which can be advantageous in the fight against infections but also raises the risk of autoimmune diseases.
It has been demonstrated that medical cannabis has immunomodulatory (immune system regulating) qualities that can aid in lowering inflammation linked to autoimmune conditions like Crohn’s disease and multiple sclerosis.
Men vs. Women: Key Differences in Cannabis Use
According to recent studies, men and women use cannabis in different ways. Women, for instance, are more likely to use a range of cannabis products, with gummies reportedly being a favorite. According to data from the Brightfield Group, women are also more likely than men to use cannabis topicals and vape cartridges. Additionally, studies indicate that women are more likely than men to use medical cannabis in place of other drugs.
In addition, women are more likely than men to use cannabis in some US markets. For instance, it is said that women make up the majority of cannabis users in Colorado and Washington. Notably, women use cannabis to treat a variety of ailments, including endometriosis and other painful gynecological conditions.
Both men and women may benefit from medical cannabis. Find out more about the potential benefits of cannabis and discuss online Charleston medical marijuana card applications with one of West Virginia MMJ Card Doctor licensed healthcare professionals.
