Excessive Sweating: Could CBD Be the Solution?

Excessive sweating, or hyperhidrosis, refers to excessive perspiration and affects about 3% of the population. It typically affects the hands, feet, armpits, and face. It is very often a source of embarrassment for those who suffer from it on a daily basis. A recent case report highlights the “unexpected” success of CBD in treating hyperhidrosis. But how can CBD help reduce excessive sweating?

Excessive sweating, from the Greek word *hidrôs*, meaning sweat, refers to the excessive production of sweat. What criteria can be used to classify sweating as “excessive”? While excessive sweating seems obvious in cases of fever or hot flashes, it is more difficult to determine when it is not related to a specific illness or condition. Hyperhidrosis is a form of sweating that is unpleasant and difficult to control with antiperspirants.

Between 1% and 3% of the population suffers from hyperhidrosis. Since it is a taboo subject, few people dare to see a doctor. However, there are ways to better control sweat production.

In most cases, hyperhidrosis is not associated with any other health problem. It is therefore classified as primary or idiopathic hyperhidrosis. Primary hyperhidrosis can be localized.

Only certain areas of the body produce excessive sweat. The hands and feet are most commonly affected, usually at the same time. The armpits may also be affected, either on their own or along with the hands and feet. Less commonly, excessive sweating may affect the face and scalp in isolation.

Sweat is pouring profusely from all over the body.

Sometimes, a health problem or another very specific cause leads to excessive sweating. In such cases, hyperhidrosis is referred to as secondary. The cause may be, for example, an infection, an overactive thyroid gland, diabetes, or hypoglycemia.

Exposure to a biochemical agent can also cause secondary hyperhidrosis. In such cases, it is necessary to address the underlying cause when treating hyperhidrosis. This section focuses on hyperhidrosis not associated with any other medical condition.

Excessive sweating usually begins during adolescence. It occurs primarily in people who experience social awkwardness, hot flashes, heart palpitations, etc. It occurs during the day, never at night.

When you exercise or when it's hot, your body produces more sweat under the control of a gland called the hypothalamus. In cases of excessive sweating, two things may happen. At least, this has been observed in cases of excessive sweating associated with anxiety or stress experienced in social situations.

First, the normal circuit would become hyperactive, triggered by the hypothalamus. In addition, other neural circuits controlled by the anterior cingulate cortex would be involved. This area of the brain plays an important role in regulating emotions and adapting to different situations.

Sweating is a normal physiological process. Sweating cools the body when body temperature rises, such as during physical activity or in hot weather.

This is usually the hypothalamus, a gland in the brain that acts as a control center. The hypothalamus maintains body temperature at around 37 °C. When internal temperature rises, it responds by dilating the arteries and increasing sweat production. As it evaporates, sweat cools the body.

There are between 2 and 5 million sweat glands on the surface of the skin. On average, they produce 1 liter of sweat per day. In cases of excessive sweating, sweat production can be three to four times higher.

Depending on its severity, excessive sweating can be difficult to cope with. It can be a constant source of worry and cause significant embarrassment in public places (sweaty hands, body odor, soaked clothing, etc.). This traps the person in a vicious cycle: the sweating itself is perceived as embarrassing, and that embarrassment triggers more sweating. Research has also shown that about one-quarter of people with social anxiety disorder experience excessive sweating, which in itself tends to exacerbate the phobia.

As for the physiological effects, people who sweat excessively are, of course, more likely to become dehydrated. In addition, sweating makes the skin more susceptible to various health problems, such as heat rash, fungal infections, nail fungus, and warts.

Various types of treatment are available, particularly for focal or localized hyperhidrosis.

The main forms of treatment are:

Topical medications contain a higher concentration of aluminum salts than regular antiperspirants. They are used to treat milder forms of hyperhidrosis. Some irritation, including a burning or tingling sensation, may occur with this type of treatment.

Certain medications may be prescribed to reduce sweating by acting on the cholinergic nerves. Side effects associated with these medications include dry mouth, constipation, rapid heart rate, urinary problems, drowsiness, and blurred vision.

This treatment is used for focal hyperhidrosis of the armpits or palms. The treatment involves injecting a chemical into the affected area that blocks nerve signals to the sweat glands. The injections are administered into the skin (intradermally) every few months. Side effects include pain at the injection site, itching, and headaches.

Surgical destruction or disruption of the nerve pathways that cause the sweat glands to produce sweat may be used in people who do not respond well to other treatments. The risks of surgery include infection, bleeding, and certain types of nerve damage. There is also a risk of compensatory hyperhidrosis, characterized by excessive sweating in another area of the body after the procedure.

In this form of treatment, the affected area is submerged in water and an electric current is passed through it. It is not exactly known how this treatment works. However, it is possible that the electrical charge affects sweat production in the glands. This method takes a long time (several weeks of treatment) to restore sweat levels to normal. Side effects of this treatment include dryness and peeling of the skin.

Unfortunately, there is no way to prevent excessive sweating. Treatment can, however, provide relief. In addition, other, more natural alternatives such as CBD (cannabidiol) are also available.

The first step is to reduce the emotional factors that increase sweating, such as stress and anxiety. CBD can then help reduce these stressors.

A recently published study revealed that CBD unexpectedly led to a significant improvement in the symptoms of hyperhidrosis, which causes hyperhidrosis.

In the first case, a 43-year-old man who had suffered from social phobia since adolescence experienced symptoms such as tachycardia, extreme anxiety, and increased sweating before giving presentations at work. He took 300 mg of CBD one hour before work and noted that he “no longer needed to wipe his hands with a tissue” to say hello to people. Months later, he “still wasn’t sweating,” and after stopping the CBD, his symptoms returned within a few days.

The second case involved a 27-year-old woman diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder, autonomic nervous system disorders, and epilepsy. She reported sweaty hands as well as other symptoms such as pain, anxiety, and persistent thoughts. After taking a CBD product containing up to 0.3% THC, she noticed an improvement in her symptoms, particularly her sweating.

The researchers concluded that "CBD appears to have a broad spectrum of antipsychotic, sleep-regulating, antidepressant, anxiolytic, mood-stabilizing, antiemetic, antiepileptic, anti-inflammatory, and analgesic properties."

"These reported cases have shown unexpected success in controlling hyperhidrosis and suggest that CBD could be used as a new treatment option."

"This alternative therapeutic approach requires further research, as it has not been widely discussed in the published scientific literature."

When choosing a CBD solution, someone suffering from hyperhidrosis may turn to CBD oil.CBD oil, which is easy to consume, is the most common way to take cannabidiol. Although it has many different effects, it primarily interacts with the body through the brain’s endocannabinoid receptors.

As with most substances, heavier individuals will need a higher dose to feel the effects of CBD. That said, a good rule of thumb for determining the appropriate CBD dose is to take between 1 mg and 6 mg of CBD per 5 kg of body weight, as needed.

Let's say you have a friend who weighs no more than 90 kg and takes 50 mg of CBD twice a day, which provides him with many benefits. Since you weigh about the same, he recommends the same dosage. Here's why that's not the best way to choose your dose:

Not only are we all created differently, but we each have our own history of using substances, medications, supplements, and other things we put into our bodies. For this reason, we all have different body chemistries, and this affects how the body reacts to CBD.

That said, it’s important to first determine your theoretical dosage based on your body weight and assess how your body reacts to that amount of CBD. You should then gradually increase the dose while monitoring your sensations and results until you find the right CBD dose.