Survey study, 2026
What substances do people use to manage premenstrual symptoms?
People most commonly use cannabis, alcohol, and psychedelics to manage premenstrual mood symptoms. People with PMDD use cannabis much more often than others, but we don't yet know how well these substances actually work.
What they did
An online survey asked 703 people age 18 and older about their use of various substances to manage premenstrual or perimenopausal symptoms. 634 people reported having a menstrual cycle in the past year and were included in the analysis.
What they found
Of the 634 people with a recent menstrual cycle, 167 had PMDD. To manage premenstrual mood symptoms: 30% used cannabis, 16.1% used alcohol, and 5.9% used psychedelics. In the PMDD group, higher percentages were reported: 51.5% used cannabis and 16.2% used psychedelics. In the 45 people with perimenopausal symptoms, cannabis was the most frequently used substance.
What it means for you
This is the first study to examine psychedelic use across the menstrual cycle. Many people use these substances to manage symptoms, but this study was based on what people remembered and reported, not a controlled test. We still need research to show how well these substances actually work for premenstrual symptoms.
30.0%
used cannabis for premenstrual mood symptoms
51.5%
used cannabis in the PMDD group
5.9%
used psychedelics for premenstrual mood symptoms
About the study
- Original title
- Cannabis, Psychedelics, and Other Substance Use to Manage Premenstrual Symptoms: A Survey Study
- Authors
- Nazareth M, Paone V, Yaden ME et al.
- Journal
- Journal of women's health (2002)
- Year
- 2026
- Study design
- Survey study
- Participants
- 167
- What was tested
- Self-reported use of cannabis, alcohol, psychedelics, and other substances
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1177/15409996261459360
Topics
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