Are all menopause supplements hype? This plant-based treatment hopes to prove otherwise
We hear about research being undertaken at Washington State University to explore the efficacy of plant-based cannabinoids for menopause symptoms.
A recent Guardian investigation spotlighted the lack of evidence in the growing menopause supplement market - a global product market, valued at £16.93 billion.
While Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) remains a standard treatment option, many women either cannot or choose not to use it due to health risks or personal preferences. In the Guardian piece, Journalist Rebecca Seal revealed that countless products make sweeping claims without scientific backing, leaving women to navigate an expensive and confusing maze of options with little evidence of effectiveness.
What’s disappointing is that the reputation of supplements for menopause and other non-HRT treatments is now casting a shadow over even reputable companies who are doing the work to test and evidence their claims.
In this guest article, written by Natasha Meinertzhagen, Founder & CEO of Terra Botanicals, we hear about research being undertaken at Washington State University to explore the efficacy of plant-based cannabinoids for menopause symptoms. (And if this is an area that interests you, read to the end for a chance to take part in the clinical trial!)
Studying a natural, plant-based treatment
An ongoing clinical trial at Washington State University (WSU) is one study which is prioritizing rigorous science - but perhaps in a surprising space.
The trial is testing a natural, plant-based treatment for peri/menopause symptoms before it reaches consumers: exploring how plant-based cannabinoids, like those derived from cannabis or hemp, may help restore balance.
Women aged 40-60 experiencing peri/menopause symptoms will receive either the legal hemp-derived study treatment or a placebo, with researchers closely monitoring physical and psychological outcomes to evaluate its effectiveness.
This research could provide women with a much-needed, hormone-free, evidence-based solution. It’s a natural, and contrary to assumptions is non-intoxicating.
The endocannabinoid system - and why it is a key to balance
The science behind plant-based cannabinoids lies in how they may support the endocannabinoid system (ECS)—the body’s internal balancing mechanism. Think of the ECS as a sophisticated thermostat, maintaining harmony across numerous functions.
For women, the ECS plays crucial roles in:
Reproductive health and menstrual cycles
Mood regulation during hormonal changes
Sleep quality
Stress response and emotional well-being
Pain management, including menstrual discomfort
What happens to the ECS during menopause
During menopause, declining estrogen disrupts the ECS, reducing endocannabinoid signalling. This disruption may explain many common menopause symptoms, including anxiety, mood swings, and sleep disturbances.
Endocannabinoids—natural molecules produced by the body—act as wellness messengers. However, as estrogen levels drop, the body produces fewer of these critical molecules. Imagine the ECS as a traffic light system: when signalling diminishes, traffic (or bodily functions) becomes chaotic, leading to physiological and emotional imbalance.
And that’s where plant-based cannabinoids come in. Emerging research, such as that being carried out at Washington State University, suggests that supplementing the ECS with plant-based cannabinoids, like those derived from cannabis or hemp, may help restore balance.
For many women, this approach offers a promising, natural, hormone-free alternative to traditional treatments. Notably, anxiety is one of the most common reasons cited for medical cannabis use.
The studies also consider the therapeutic potential of whole-plant cannabis extracts compared to isolated CBD. While CBD alone shows promise, full-spectrum extracts may provide more effective relief at significantly lower doses.
Is it legal? The regulatory landscape for cannabis & hemp
Cannabis regulation varies widely across the globe. In the United States, despite its federal classification as a Schedule I substance—indicating a high potential for abuse and no accepted medical use—38 states have legalized cannabis for medical purposes, and 24 states permit recreational use. The U.S. Farm Bill defines legal hemp as cannabis plants containing less than 0.3% THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), the psychoactive compound responsible for intoxication.
Despite federal restrictions, U.S. cannabis research has flourished. Over the past decade, studies have significantly advanced understanding of the ECS’s therapeutic potential, particularly in pain management, inflammation, and neurological disorders. These findings continue to drive interest in cannabis-based therapies, even as regulatory hurdles persist.
In Australia, medicinal cannabis has been federally legalized since 2016 under the Special Access Scheme (SAS), allowing approved healthcare practitioners to prescribe cannabis-based medicines. While recreational use remains federally prohibited, enforcement and penalties vary across states. Prescription rates have risen dramatically since 2019, and Victoria recently reformed its drug-driving laws to protect medical cannabis patients from prosecution if they are unimpaired—a progressive step forward.
In the United Kingdom, cannabis remains a Class B controlled substance, with limited medical access available through specialist prescriptions. Meanwhile, CBD is widely available as a dietary supplement across the UK and Europe. However, consumers often face challenges in verifying product quality and cannabinoid content. The UK Food Standards Agency is currently reevaluating CBD’s classification, which may lead to stricter regulations requiring safety data and compliance with novel food standards. These changes aim to address concerns around product consistency, labelling accuracy, and consumer transparency.
Globally, two cannabis-derived medicines have achieved significant international regulatory approval:
Epidiolex: A purified CBD formulation approved in the U.S. and >35 other countries for treating intractable epilepsy syndromes.
Sativex: A THC:CBD extract approved in over 30 countries outside the U.S. for managing spasticity in multiple sclerosis.
These developments highlight the growing acceptance of cannabis-based medicines as legitimate pharmaceutical options in select cases.
Get involved - join the WSU clinical trial
Would you like to contribute to groundbreaking research, advance understanding of the ECS, and explore scientifically validated, natural treatments with minimal side effects?
Take part in this observational trial, open exclusively to U.S. residents.
To learn more, visit www.naturalmenopauseresearch.org or email Dr. Carrie Cuttler at carrie.cuttler@wsu.edu.