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Cannabis, Psychedelics, and Other Substance Use to Manage Premenstrual Symptoms: A Survey Study.

Michelle Nazareth, Victoria Paone, Mary Elizabeth Yaden, Angela Getachew, Liisa Hantsoo

Journal of Women's Health June 19, 2026 DOI: 10.1177/15409996261459360 (opens in new tab)

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Study at a glance

AI-extracted from the abstract
Characteristics Cross-sectional survey Peer reviewed
Sample size 634
Population Individuals aged 18 and older who had a menstrual cycle within the past year
Topics Cannabis
Keywords Menstrual cycle Premenstrual Psychedelic Substance use
Key findings Cannabis is the most commonly used substance to manage premenstrual mood symptoms, with higher use among those with PMDD, and both cannabis and psychedelics are used more frequently in the luteal phase than the follicular phase.

Abstract

Despite increasing interest in the medical use of substances such as cannabis and psychedelics, little is known about their use to manage premenstrual symptoms. This study assessed self-reported use of substances to manage premenstrual mood and physical symptoms, including among those with premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) and in perimenopause. Inclusion criteria were age 18 and older with a menstrual cycle within the past year. Participants responded to an online survey querying the use of substances (alcohol, nicotine, cannabis, psychedelics, cocaine, stimulants, opiates, benzodiazepines) to manage premenstrual or perimenopausal symptoms, including frequency in the follicular and luteal phases of the menstrual cycle. Premenstrual symptoms were assessed via the Premenstrual Symptoms Screening Tool (PSST). Participants were categorized as PMDD if diagnosed by a health care provider via daily symptom tracking for two menstrual cycles. Seven hundred and three individuals responded; 634 reported a menstrual cycle in the past year (n = 167 PMDD). To manage premenstrual mood symptoms, participants most commonly used cannabis (30.0%), alcohol (16.1%), and psychedelics (5.9%), with higher percentages within the PMDD group (51.5% cannabis, 16.2% psychedelics). PSST score positively correlated with luteal frequency of cannabis and nicotine use (ps < 0.01). Cannabis (p < 0.01) and psychedelics (p < 0.005) were used more frequently in the luteal phase than the follicular. Among n = 45 who reported perimenopausal symptoms, cannabis was most frequently used to manage symptoms. This study was the first to assess psychedelic use across the menstrual cycle. These data underscore the need for research to assess the efficacy of these substances for premenstrual and perimenopausal symptoms.

Comparable studies

Other cross-sectional and survey studies on cannabis, most cited first.

Study Year Design Participants
Cannabis use before age 15 and subsequent executive functioning 104 chronic cannabis users (49 early-onset before age 15, 55 late-onset after age 15)... 2011 Observational cross-sectional study n = 148
Patterns of simultaneous polysubstance use in drug using university students Drug-using university students 2006 Cross-sectional survey n = 149
Persisting Reductions in Cannabis, Opioid, and Stimulant Misuse After Naturalistic Psychedelic Use: An Online Survey Online survey respondents 2020 Cross-sectional survey
User perceptions of the benefits and harms of hallucinogenic drug use: A web-based questionnaire study Users of hallucinogenic drugs who completed a web-based questionnaire 2010 Cross-sectional survey n = 600
Illicit Use of LSD or Psilocybin, but not MDMA or Nonpsychedelic Drugs, is Associated with Mystical Experiences in a Dose-Dependent Manner Adults recruited from the MAPS website and newsletter, most reporting use of various... 2012 Cross-sectional survey n = 337

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