CBD and Hyperhidrosis (Excessive Sweating)

Hyperhidrosis is a medical condition where a person sweats excessively. The excessive sweating can be generalised, meaning it occurs all over the body, or localised, meaning it involves particular body parts. Localised excessive sweating can happen anywhere, but is most common on the soles of the feet, palms of the hands, armpits, face, chest or groin.

Hyperhidrosis can have repercussions on social or work life. For example, if you do manual work or work which requires precision, like a surgeon, or even just due to embarrassment – offering a sweaty hand to another person during a handshake or sweating through your clothes.

Over time, situations of this type can become a source of stress and can have a negative impact on the quality of life, even causing depression and anxiety.

Hyperhidrosis may be caused by a disease, depending on its causes, and can be classified as:

• Secondary:Due to underlying diseases such as obesity, neoplasms, diabetes, hyperthyroidism.
• Primary:Without an obvious cause. Primary hyperhidrosis affects about 5% of the population, can occur at any age and affects men and women equally.

What Treatments Are Currently Available?

Hyperhidrosis can be difficult to treat. Excluding the causes of secondary hyperhidrosis, the current treatments for primary hyperhidrosis are medical or surgical. Medical treatments such as antiperspirants containing aluminium salts, localised injections of botulinum toxin A (botox), iontophoresis and prescription of anti-anxiety medication or tranquillisers, are only temporary, with the risk of causing severe adverse reactions (irritation, burning, allergic responses).

The surgical approach is reserved for the most serious cases. There are two main surgical options – either the removal of the sweat glands or Endoscopic Thoracic Sympathectomy (interruption of the nerve fibres that stimulate the sweat glands). However, they may not be conclusive and/or may cause serious side effects such as compensatory hyperhidrosis or reflex hyperhidrosis (increased sweating in other areas of the body, especially the back).

CBD and Hyperhidrosis

According to recent studies, CBD, one of the non-psychoactive phyto-cannabinoids in cannabis, may represent a new therapeutic strategy for the treatment of hyperhidrosis. In fact, researchers have found that daily intake of CBD, especially a full spectrum CBD, can lead to the complete elimination of excessive sweating in patients (with its reappearance within a few days of discontinuing treatment) and a consequent significant improvement in quality of life.

It’s known that CBD, in addition to having anti-inflammatory, analgesic (in the case of muscle pain, for example), and anti-epileptic properties, also has anti-anxiety effects in both humans and pets.

Furthermore, CBD facilitates serotonin neurotransmission, commonly known as the “feel-good hormone”. In this way, CBD could exert positive effects on anxiety levels and emotional states which subsequently affect the appearance of local hyperhidrosis.

A Case Study of CBD and Hyperhidrosis

A recent case study published in the Einstein (São Paulo) Journal in 2022 showed the effectiveness of CBD in the management and treatment of hyperhidrosis.

The person was a 43-year-old man who has been suffering from hyperhidrosis since adolescence. He tried most of the recommended pharmacological treatments. However, none was effective in treating the condition. They also caused serious side effects.

The patient was unable to work under pressure. Before any stressful situations at work, the patient had an increased heart rate, excessive sweating, anxiety and laboured breathing. The researchers provided him with 300 mg of THC-free CBD, one hour before work, on top of a regular 50 mg daily CBD dose

The patient was able to greet people normally without the need to dry his hands regularly.

The study continued for several months. The patient kept taking 50 mg of CBD daily. When he decided to stop taking CBD, the condition returned after a few days. After that, he decided to continue the CBD therapy. Since September 2019, he’s been taking 50 mg of CBD, two times per day and his excessive sweating is now under total control.

Final Thoughts

CBD, especially full spectrum CBD, could be the optimal solution for hyperhidrosis. Other studies show very promising results. However, more studies are needed to determine whether CBD products can be used as a treatment.

Of course, you should consult your doctor before taking CBD for hyperhidrosis, especially if you have a medical condition or take any medications.

If you’re looking for a store to buy the best full-spectrum product Australia has to offer, Down To Earth is the answer. You can buy full spectrum products in addition to any other CBD products. All our products are tested by independent labs to ensure their quality and purity. You can find these independent lab reports on our website

Of course, if you need more information, you can drop a comment, contact us, or check out our blog for more posts about CBD. We’re here to help!