If preliminary findings are confirmed, it looks like women who consume weed regularly get stronger hankerings for bud than their male counterparts, according to Technology Networks. And these more intense cravings may be associated with estrogen levels.

“Researchers also found preliminary evidence that ovarian hormones may modulate this differential response and may be related to different levels of estrogen. Further investigation is needed in this area,” reports the Center for Brain Health at the University of Texas at Dallas.

Although the sample size was small — 58 male and 54 female — all participants had consumed weed at least 5,000 times, notes the new study recently published in Drug and Alcohol Dependence. To pinpoint any differences, participants were asked to rank their cravings from one to 10. While the average craving rating for women was 5.5, it was 4.6 for men.

Female consumers had a significantly higher craving response when their estrogen levels were higher during their self-reported menstrual cycle.

FILE: A young woman lights a marijuana joint during a march for the legalization of cannabis in Santiago, on May 5, 2012, as part of the 2012 Global Marijuana March which is being held in hundreds of cities worldwide. / Photo: MARTIN BERNETTI/AFP/GettyImages MARTIN BERNETTI / AFP/GettyImages

The findings may be illuminating on a number of fronts, since males are usually the subjects of studies exploring weed’s effects on the body.

Addressing sex-related differences with regard to substance use is crucial, notes the university statement. While women generally start using cannabis at a later age than men, they progress more quickly through the milestones of addiction, the statement notes, with the study abstract adding, “likely due to greater subjective craving response in women relative to men.”

Ultimately, the university adds, women enter into treatment programs at a younger age. “Women also report greater withdrawal symptoms and higher negative impact of withdrawal,” it adds.