CAN I TAKE BCP WHEN I’M ON HRT?

I just love it when I get asked a question I don’t know the answer to -it means I get to go hunting for research and information that helps me better understand the compounds in our products. One such question was: Does Beta-Caryophyllene (BCP) interact or clash with HRT (hormone replacement therapy)? Great question, ladies!

Let’s get straight to the bottom line—there is no known contraindication to using beta-caryophyllene (BCP) alongside HRT. Mechanistically, they act on different systems, and BCP may offer adjunctive benefits for inflammation, pain, stress, and sleep during menopause. However, in the absence of large clinical trials in menopausal women on HRT, BCP should be used thoughtfully and with open communication between you and your GP.

So, let’s take a closer look at how we came to this conclusion: –

WHAT IS HORMONE REPLACEMENT THERAPY (HRT)?

HRT is a treatment used to manage changes that occur during menopause. It works by replenishing hormones that are at lower levels as women approach menopause.

Healthdirect.gov.au says, “Many menopausal symptoms, such as hot flushes and night sweats, are due to low estrogen levels. HRT/MHT can restore hormone levels, which may improve some menopausal symptoms and quality of life”.

Along my research journey I found that because HRT influences hormone levels, it’s very important to consider what supplements or herbs you might be taking that may affect the efficacy of the therapy. For example, NHS.uk says St John’s Wort is known to affect liver metabolism and may reduce HRT effectiveness—so it’s generally recommended to avoid it while on HRT.  So just because it’s natural doesn’t mean it’s safe to use with HRT.  So, that led me to…

WHAT DOES THE RESEARCH SAY ABOUT BCP AND HRT?

Currently, there is no research directly investigating BCP use alongside HRT. However, there are existing studies on BCP that give some insight into how it interacts with the body:

• BCP primarily acts on CB2 receptors in the endocannabinoid system, which are involved in immune and inflammatory pathways—not directly on estrogen or progesterone receptors.
• There is no evidence that BCP affects hormone levels.
• BCP is naturally found in foods like black pepper, cloves, and oregano, which means that we are already exposed to BCP at low levels.

Although BCP is not a hormone, studies have explored its effects on biological systems relevant to inflammation, pain, stress, and sleep. Some examples that may support menopause symptoms include:

• Inflammation:
  BCP has been shown to interact with CB2 receptors and influence inflammatory signaling pathways in cell and animal studies.
  Gertsch et al., 2008 | Cerri et al., 2018 | Zou et al., 2023
• Pain modulation:
  Preclinical studies indicate that BCP may modulate pathways associated with pain.
  Gertsch et al., 2008 | Chung et al., 2020
• Stress, anxiety, and mood:
  Research suggests that BCP may influence stress-related signaling pathways.
  Chung et al., 2019 | Zhao et al., 2018 | Zhou et al., 2023
• Sleep:
  Some preclinical studies indicate BCP may affect neural pathways disrupted by sleep deprivation, although its direct impact on human sleep has not been established.
  Sun et al., 2023

SAFETY AND PRACTICAL CONSIDERATIONS

• There is no known contraindication to using BCP with HRT.
• Because everyone’s body is different, it’s sensible to start at a low dose and monitor for any changes.  Instead of starting with 4 drops, maybe start at 2 and stay there for a few days before increasing.
• Always discuss supplements with your GP or specialist, especially if you have recently started or changed your HRT or BCP regimen.

I hope that you found this helpful.

Sources:
https://oxford-origins.com/blogs/learn/what-vitamins-should-you-not-take-with-hrt-essential-interactions-to-consider
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33114564/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30281175/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38675427/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24210682/
https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/25/1/106?utm_source=chatgpt.com
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31862467/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30469079/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38542177/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41167414/