Open Book Extracts (OBX), a company specializing in cannabinoid research, production, and formulation, and Purissima, a health and wellness biotechnology company, are recruiting participants for a study on cannabinoids and menstrual pain relief. The two cannabinoids the researchers will assess are CBC and CBDV.
 
Under the guidance of Cheruba Prabakar, MD, board-certified OBGYN based in Lafayette, California, researchers will evaluate the effects of both CBC and a combination of CBC and CBDV on menstrual pain and premenstrual symptoms, over a time frame of two full menstrual cycles.
 
Participants will take either their usual over-the-counter products for PMS, in month one, or cannabinoid gummies, in month two, and report pain scores across period pain and other PMS symptoms. The study participants will be between the ages of 18 and 35, and must report suffering from menstrual pain and other PMS symptoms such as mood and bowel changes.
 
The companies report that over 80% of women report having menstrual pain, and referred to a recent Dutch study which concluded that more than a third of women had menstrual symptoms which stop them from performing all of their normal daily activities.
 
The study won’t involve products that contain THC, and because the study is placebo-controlled, some participants will receive gummies that are not formulated with cannabinoids.
 
“For this study, Open Book Extracts and Purissima want to reach women who take ibuprofen-type products such as Midol, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, or other OTC products to alleviate their pain and symptoms or just wanted to try a natural pain reliever,” said Nicole Brown, chief innovation officer for OBX. “Many women have also tried ginger root, and other herbal supplements and CBD products for pain or other health concerns and are curious to explore alternatives.”