Curious about cannabis yoga? Explore why people combine cannabis and yoga, what they report experiencing, what the research says, and potential risks to consider.
Editor's Note (August 2026):
This article was originally published in 2023 and has been substantially updated to reflect newer research and the evolving conversation around cannabis, the endocannabinoid system, and menopause. Despite menopause affecting roughly half the population that lives long enough to experience it, surprisingly little research has examined cannabis and menopause together—a gap shaped by the broader historical underrepresentation of women's health in research and longstanding barriers to cannabis science. Fortunately, both fields are receiving greater attention, giving researchers new opportunities to explore questions women have been asking for years. 1
“. . . Where did I leave my keys?”
Menopause is a normal part of aging, but the transition to it—known as perimenopause—can bring changes that are anything but simple. This natural stage of life comes to all women who live long enough to meet it. As levels of hormones, including estrogen and progesterone, fluctuate and eventually decline, women may experience hot flashes and night sweats, sleep disturbances, mood changes, brain fog, headaches, changes in sexual desire, vaginal dryness and discomfort, and other symptoms that can affect the quality of everyday life. 3. But being natural doesn’t make it any less challenging or painful.
Every woman's experience is different. For some, the transition is almost a non-event, with relatively few noticeable symptoms, while others may experience symptoms that significantly affect their sleep, mood, relationships, work, and overall well-being—and some symptoms can continue for years. 3
As interest in cannabis for everyday wellness has grown, some women are also exploring cannabis to help manage symptoms they experience during perimenopause and menopause, and many report it helps make their symptoms more bearable.
Sleep problems and mood or anxiety are among the most common menopause-related reasons women report using cannabis. 4 While research specifically studying cannabis as a treatment for menopause remains limited—and menopause and women's health more broadly have historically been understudied—there is a body of research examining cannabinoids in relation to many of the individual symptoms that can accompany menopause, including pain. 1
Women’s growing interest in cannabis for menopause-related symptoms has raised an important scientific question: Is there a biological connection between cannabis and the changes that occur during menopause? One place researchers are looking for answers is the endocannabinoid system (ECS)—a signaling system involved in regulating many processes affected during the menopause transition.
Read on to learn what scientists know about the connection between the endocannabinoid system, menopause, and menopause symptoms; what research tells us about cannabis and some of those symptoms; and where cannabis may fit within the broader conversation about menopause and wellness.
Researchers have noticed some connections between menopause and the endocannabinoid system (ECS). This natural system in the human body is one of the primary systems cannabis interacts with to produce its different effects. The ECS helps maintain balance, or homeostasis, in our body across many different functions, including pain, sleep, mood, memory, temperature, inflammation, and appetite.
The ECS is made up of cannabinoid receptors, including CB1 and CB2; naturally produced signaling molecules called endocannabinoids; and enzymes that make and break down those endocannabinoids as needed. Cannabinoids found in the cannabis plant can also interact with the ECS and other signaling systems in the body, although different cannabinoids—including THC and CBD—do so in different ways. 5
What makes this especially interesting in menopause is that the ECS and reproductive hormones don't operate independently of one another. Research has found interactions between the endocannabinoid system and hormones including estrogen and progesterone, suggesting that changes in reproductive hormones can influence endocannabinoid signaling. 6
One example involves anandamide, one of the body's primary endocannabinoids, and an enzyme called fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH), which helps break anandamide down. Research suggests that estrogen can influence FAAH and other components of the endocannabinoid system, although much of what scientists understand about these mechanisms comes from laboratory, animal, and reproductive research rather than clinical studies of women going through menopause. 6
These overlapping relationships—between reproductive hormones and the ECS, and between cannabis and the ECS—give researchers a biological reason to investigate cannabis and menopause together. But they don't tell us whether using cannabis actually improves menopause symptoms.
So, what does the research tell us?
While there are strong biological reasons to investigate whether cannabis could help with some menopause symptoms, it’s important to look at the clinical research in humans to understand what we actually know. Research specifically examining cannabis and menopause remains limited, and many questions are still unanswered. Still, cannabis has a long history of use for women’s health concerns, with medical texts documenting its use for menopause-related discomfort as far back as 1924. 7 We also have broader research examining cannabis and cannabinoids in relation to individual symptoms that can arise during menopause. 1
Today, women continue to report using cannabis during the menopause transition, while researchers are beginning to examine those experiences alongside what is already known about cannabinoids and individual symptoms. 4
Let's look at what we know so far.
Hot flashes and night sweats—often referred to together as vasomotor symptoms—are among the most common symptoms of the menopause transition and can disrupt sleep and everyday life. 3 These sudden bursts of heat can be really uncomfortable, and there is a scientific reason cannabinoids have attracted interest here.
The endocannabinoid system is involved in thermoregulation—how the body maintains its internal temperature—and research has shown that THC can alter body temperature. Experimental animal research has found that THC can lower body temperature under certain conditions, with higher doses producing greater decreases in some studies. Other research involving cannabinoid receptors has similarly found dose-dependent effects on body temperature. 8
These findings offer one possible explanation for why cannabinoids have been explored in connection with hot flashes. What we do have is an intriguing biological connection, a history of women using cannabis for menopause-related symptoms, and modern reports of women continuing to explore it for symptom relief. What researchers don't yet know is whether THC's effects on body temperature translate into consistent relief from menopausal hot flashes or night sweats, which cannabinoids or formulations might matter, or what role dose may play. 1
Cannabis is also known for its potential to ease certain types of pain, another symptom that can occur during menopause. This connection makes sense because pain is one of the processes the endocannabinoid system helps regulate. 5
While studies have not focused specifically on menopause-related pain, reviews of the cannabis literature have found substantial evidence that some cannabis and cannabinoid preparations can provide relief for certain types of chronic pain. 10 More recent reviews continue to support this connection, although the benefits vary depending on the type of pain and the cannabinoid preparation studied. Much of the strongest evidence involves chronic neuropathic pain and THC-containing products. 10
CBD has also been widely studied for pain and inflammation. Research has demonstrated analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties of CBD, with both preclinical research and a growing body of human studies exploring its potential for pain relief. 11 Results vary depending on the type of pain, dose, and formulation studied, and research continues into where CBD may be most useful. Research has also examined THC and CBD together, with some studies suggesting that cannabinoid combinations may provide pain relief in certain conditions.12
Menopause can also have a large effect on mood, and cannabis may be able to help some women with these changes. Fluctuating and declining levels of hormones such as estrogen and progesterone during the menopause transition can affect brain signaling and are associated with an increased vulnerability to mood changes, anxiety and depression.13 Estrogen can have a powerful influence on emotional well-being, and research suggests that the endocannabinoid system may play a role in some of those effects. 6 The endocannabinoid system itself also plays a role in regulating mood and the body's response to stress, providing another interesting connection between cannabis and menopause. 6
Women themselves are increasingly exploring that connection. In one survey of medical cannabis use during perimenopause and postmenopause, nearly half of those using cannabis for menopause-related symptoms reported using it for mood or anxiety. 4
Cannabinoids have also been studied for their effects on mood, anxiety, and stress in other contexts, with some research—particularly involving CBD and anxiety—showing promising results. CBD interacts not only with the endocannabinoid system but with other signaling pathways, including the serotonin system. In particular, research has explored CBD's interaction with the 5-HT1A serotonin receptor as one possible contributor to its effects on anxiety, stress, and mood. 15
Human research supports these findings. Reviews of the cannabis literature have found evidence of anxiety reduction in some studies of CBD and medicinal cannabis, although results vary depending on the cannabinoid, dose, formulation, and population studied. 15 One study also found that chronic cannabis users showed a smaller increase in both perceived stress and the stress hormone cortisol during an acute stress test than non-users, although researchers could not determine whether that blunted stress response was beneficial or potentially problematic. 17
Still, cannabis can affect mood very differently from person to person. While some people report relaxation or improved mood, THC can increase anxiety, uneasiness, or paranoia in others, particularly at higher doses. 18 CBD, which has been widely studied for its potential anxiety-relieving effects, does not produce the intoxicating effects associated with THC and may offer a different experience for people who are sensitive to THC. 15
Research into cannabinoids and depression is also growing. Preclinical studies have explored possible antidepressant effects of CBD and the role of the endocannabinoid system in depression and emotional regulation, while human research continues to investigate its potential.19 The evidence around depression is less developed than the research on anxiety, but it remains an active area of cannabinoid research.
Cannabis isn't one-size-fits-all when it comes to mood. For women who find it helpful, it may offer another tool for navigating mood changes during menopause; for others, particularly those who are sensitive to THC, a different cannabinoid profile or another approach altogether may be a better fit.
Difficulty concentrating, forgetfulness, and the feeling often described as “brain fog” are also common during the menopause transition. While these changes can be frustrating—and sometimes unsettling—research suggests that small changes in memory and other aspects of cognition can occur during perimenopause, even though cognitive performance generally remains within normal ranges. 20
Hormones are part of this picture, but they aren't the only factor. The physical and emotional changes that can accompany menopause can also take a toll on concentration, memory, and mental clarity. The endocannabinoid system plays a role in learning, memory, and other cognitive processes, adding another layer to the relationship between hormones, the ECS, and the brain. 20
Cannabinoids can influence cognition as well—but not necessarily in the same way. THC, particularly at intoxicating doses, can temporarily affect attention, concentration, and memory. Research on cannabis-based medicines paints a more nuanced picture, however: a systematic review found that most studies did not show significant cognitive changes, with the higher-quality evidence suggesting relatively minor negative effects when THC doses were low to moderate. 22
CBD is also being studied for its effects on the brain and cognition. Unlike THC, CBD is not intoxicating, and systematic reviews have not found the same pattern of cognitive impairment associated with its use. Research has explored CBD's effects on brain activity, memory, attention, and other cognitive processes, and small studies of full-spectrum, high-CBD products have reported improvements in some measures of executive function. 23 However, research into whether CBD or full-spectrum cannabinoid products can consistently improve cognition or focus remains mixed, and results may depend on the cannabinoid profile, dose, and population studied. 23
For women experiencing menopause-related brain fog, this makes the cannabis connection particularly interesting—but also complicated. Cannabis may indirectly affect how someone feels and functions by influencing other symptoms that can interfere with concentration, such as sleep problems, pain, or anxiety. At the same time, too much THC could make memory or concentration feel worse rather than better. The connections among hormones, the endocannabinoid system, sleep, mood, and cognition give researchers and women looking for answers plenty to continue exploring.
Another frustrating impact of menopause can be difficulty sleeping. Cannabis may help with this as well, and many people report using cannabis to help with sleep. In fact, cannabis has been used as a sleep aid since ancient times.
Sleep is also one of the most common reasons women report using cannabis during the menopause transition. In one survey of medical cannabis use during perimenopause and postmenopause, sleep disturbance was the most frequently reported menopause-related reason for cannabis use, cited by more than two-thirds of participants using cannabis for menopause symptoms. 4
Modern research also provides some support for cannabis and cannabinoids as sleep aids. Studies of cannabis and cannabinoids have found improvements in measures such as falling asleep, sleep quality, and insomnia symptoms, although results vary depending on the cannabinoids, dose, formulation, and population studied. 25 A recent systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized studies found that cannabinoids improved subjective sleep quality compared with placebo, particularly among people with insomnia or poor sleep. 25
CBD has also been studied both alone and in combination with THC for sleep. Some studies have reported improvements with CBD-predominant products and THC/CBD combinations, while other research has found stronger sleep effects from THC-containing or other non-CBD cannabinoid formulations. 25 As with many areas of cannabis research, the effects appear to depend on what is being used, how much, and by whom.
Sleep itself is complex, and feeling that you slept better doesn't always mean every objective measure of sleep changes in the same way. Researchers continue to study how cannabinoids affect sleep stages, nighttime awakenings, sleep duration, and next-day functioning. 26
For women navigating menopause, the combination of widespread reported use, a long history of cannabis as a sleep aid, and a growing body of modern research makes sleep one of the more actively studied reasons for using cannabis during this stage of life.
Cannabis isn't the only option women may be exploring for menopause symptoms. Menopausal hormone therapy (MHT), also commonly called hormone replacement therapy or HRT, uses estrogen—sometimes together with a progestogen—to address the hormonal changes that occur during menopause. MHT has a substantial body of research supporting its use for symptoms including hot flashes and night sweats and is also used for other menopause-related concerns, including vaginal symptoms and prevention of bone loss in some women. 27
For years, many women approached hormone therapy with considerable caution following widely publicized concerns about its risks. Today, the picture is more nuanced. Current guidance emphasizes individualized decision-making based on factors such as a woman's age, health history, symptoms, type and route of hormone therapy, and when treatment is started in relation to menopause. 27 In 2026, the FDA also approved changes removing several risk statements—including those concerning cardiovascular disease, breast cancer, and probable dementia—from the boxed warnings of certain menopausal hormone therapy products as part of an ongoing update to MHT labeling. 28
So where does cannabis fit? Cannabis and MHT work very differently. Hormone therapy replaces or supplements hormones such as estrogen, while cannabinoids interact with the endocannabinoid system and other signaling systems involved in functions including sleep, pain, mood, and temperature. And as we've seen throughout this article, reproductive hormones and the endocannabinoid system themselves interact—one reason the relationship between cannabis, hormones, and menopause continues to be scientifically interesting. 5
Cannabis and hormone therapy don't necessarily need to be viewed as competing approaches. Women may be interested in cannabis, MHT, other nonhormonal options, or some combination of approaches depending on their symptoms, health history, preferences, and treatment goals. As research into cannabis and menopause continues to develop, understanding where cannabinoids may fit within that broader range of options will be an important part of the conversation.
Research specifically examining cannabis and menopause is still developing, but the broader evidence surrounding cannabinoids and many of the symptoms women experience during menopause continues to grow. Just as importantly, women themselves continue to report finding cannabis helpful for symptoms ranging from sleep disturbances and pain to mood changes and other challenges of the menopause transition.
As we've seen, the connections among reproductive hormones, the endocannabinoid system, and functions such as temperature regulation, pain, mood, sleep, and cognition give researchers compelling reasons to keep asking questions. Cannabis won't be the right choice for every woman, and what works can vary considerably depending on the symptom, cannabinoid, dose, formulation, and individual.
If you're interested in exploring cannabis for your own menopause symptoms, consider talking with a healthcare professional—ideally one knowledgeable about both menopause and cannabinoid medicine—particularly if you're taking prescription medications or using menopausal hormone therapy. An informed conversation can help you consider where cannabis might fit among the options available to you.
For some women, cannabis may become one useful tool for navigating menopause; for others, a different approach may make more sense. What matters is having credible information, understanding the options, and being able to make choices that reflect your own body, needs, and wellness goals.
Some women report finding cannabis helpful for menopause-related symptoms, particularly sleep disturbances, mood or anxiety, and pain. Research also provides biological and clinical evidence supporting the potential role of cannabinoids in several individual symptoms that can accompany menopause. However, research specifically studying cannabis as a treatment for menopause remains limited, and experiences can vary depending on the symptom, cannabinoid, dose, formulation, and individual. 4
There is no established blanket rule that women using menopausal hormone therapy cannot also use cannabis, and survey research shows that some women use both. However, cannabis and MHT have not been well studied together, so we don't yet have a clear picture of how different cannabinoids, doses, formulations, or types of hormone therapy may interact. 29
Cannabis and CBD can also affect how the body processes some prescription medications. If you're using—or considering—both cannabis and MHT, talk with a healthcare professional who can consider your particular hormone therapy, cannabis products, other medications, and health history. 30
There isn't one cannabinoid that is necessarily “better” for menopause. CBD and THC interact with the body differently, and research suggests their effects can also differ depending on the symptom, dose, and formulation. THC has been studied in areas including pain, sleep, and thermoregulation, while CBD has attracted research interest for pain and inflammation, anxiety, sleep, and cognition. Products containing both cannabinoids have also been studied for some conditions. Which profile makes sense may depend on the symptom a woman is trying to address and how she responds to each cannabinoid.
The connection between cannabis and menopause-related brain fog is an emerging area of interest. The endocannabinoid system plays a role in learning, memory, and cognition, and research is exploring how CBD and other cannabinoids may influence cognitive function. Small studies of full-spectrum, high-CBD products have even reported improvements in some measures of executive function, although these studies were not specifically conducted in women with menopause-related brain fog. 23
THC adds another consideration because intoxicating amounts can temporarily affect attention, concentration, and memory. For women already experiencing brain fog, cannabinoid profile, dose, and individual response may therefore be especially important. There is much more to learn—and hopefully, growing interest in both women's health and cannabinoid science will bring better answers.
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Curious about cannabis yoga? Explore why people combine cannabis and yoga, what they report experiencing, what the research says, and potential risks to consider.
Planning a trip? Learn how cannabis laws, transportation policies, and product types affect travel with CBD, THC, hemp-derived products, and medical cannabis so you can make informed decisions before you pack.
Learn how smoking and vaping cannabis differ, what researchers are studying, and how understanding your options can help you make more informed decisions with confidence.
Learn what a cannabis decarboxylator is, how it works, and why consistent decarboxylation matters for edibles, tinctures, and infusions. A practical guide to choosing the right machine for your needs.
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