36 - Nobody Told Us Cannabis Would Feel Different in Perimenopause with Kyla de Clifford.

Women, Hormones & Cannabis: Why Your Body Changes How the Plant Feels.In this episode, we explore why so many women notice that cannabis feels different depending on where they are in their cycle, throughout perimenopause, or during periods of stress and hormonal change.We unpack what’s actually happening in the body, why this experience is common (and normal), and how women can work with their changing physiology instead of blaming themselves or assuming something has gone wrong.This episode builds on last week’s conversation about the endocannabinoid system and brings the focus specifically to women, hormones, and lived experience.In this episode, we cover:Why cannabis can work beautifully one month and feel overwhelming the nextHow the endocannabinoid system interacts with estrogen and progesteroneWhy midlife women notice these changes more clearlyThe difference between microdosing as restriction versus microdosing as body literacyWhy timing and nervous system state matter more than strain namesPractical ways women can adjust their approach during hormonally sensitive timesKey ideas discussedThe endocannabinoid system plays a central role in regulating mood, pain, sleep, inflammation, and stressEstrogen has been shown to influence cannabinoid receptor sensitivity, particularly CB1 receptorsHormonal fluctuation, rather than hormone loss, is a major factor in why experiences change during perimenopauseWomen often experience stronger subjective effects from THC at lower doses compared to menCannabis tends to amplify the existing state of the nervous system rather than override itLearning to work with context, timing, and subtle dosing can make cannabis feel more supportive and less destabilisingSupport the showCanna Curious is produced independently. If you’d like to support the podcast, you can Buy me a coffeeShare this episodeIf this conversation might help someone you love — a friend, a partner, a patient  feel free to pass it on.Thank you for listening, and for being part of this community.Research and further readingCannabis, estrogen, and the endocannabinoid systemThe Endocannabinoid System and Sex Steroid Hormone Signalling A comprehensive review exploring how estrogen and progesterone interact with endocannabinoid signalling pathways. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3863507/Sex Differences and the Endocannabinoid System A review outlining biological sex differences in cannabinoid metabolism, receptor expression, and subjective effects. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8216879/Estradiol Regulation of Endocannabinoid Signalling Research examining how estradiol affects endocannabinoid tone and cannabinoid-related behaviours. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5028287/Anandamide and Estrogen Correlations Overview of how endocannabinoid levels, particularly anandamide, fluctuate alongside estradiol during the menstrual cycle. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9422771/"Send us a message"Support the showConnect with Kyla de CliffordInstagram: @cannacuriousausTikTok: @cannacuriousauYouTube: @cannacuriousIf you enjoyed this episode, please follow, share, and leave a review - it helps the podcast reach more curious minds just like you.Sovereign Creator • https://sovereigncreator.ioDisclaimer:We are not doctors, and this is not medical advice. Everything shared here is based on our personal lived experiences and the stories of others. Always speak with a qualified healthcare professional before making any changes to your health or wellness routine.