The cannabis plant comes from an adaptable, non-intoxicating active compound called CBD. It is used to alleviate symptoms of various conditions, including headaches, migraines, acute and chronic pain, anxiety, and cancer pain. CBD contains over 400 compounds that work as an anti-inflammatory and pain reliever to reduce migraine frequency and severity. Using CBD for migraines is a promising alternative to traditional migraine treatments, which offer relaxing nutrients.
Migraine
Migraine is a neurological disorder that can disturb daily life activities with intense pain. According to the Migraine Research Foundation, one billion people are suffering from migraine worldwide. For many people, migraines start from headache pain (usually on one side of the head) and lead to severe throbbing pain that lasts for almost five days. Migraine attacks are more serious than regular headaches, which may come from allergies or stress. Migraine attacks occur anytime and last between 4 to 72 hours. There are several types of migraine which affects at any age, such as:
- Prodrome: occurs two days before migraine
- Aura: During migraines that last from 20 minutes to 2 hours
- Migraine attack: It lasts from 4 hours to 72 hours
- Post-Drome: After the attack, people felt confused and lethargic
Migraine headaches get more severe due to physical activity, loud noises, and bright lights. Generally, migraine is treated with pharmaceutical drugs. Still, research shows that CBD also has the potential to overcome the symptoms of severe migraines like headache, Nausea, visual disruption, Dizziness, high pulses, etc.
Do migraines have common triggers?
Yes, migraine does have common triggers, including stress, anxiety, sensory stimuli like loud noises and sharp lights, certain foods such as gluten, environmental changes, etc. These triggering points are happening due to the prodrome stage of migraine appearance, which means migraine attack has already begun. In the prodrome phase, people may come into contact with the following symptoms, including:
- Specific food cravings
- Nausea
- Dizziness
- Excessive Urination
- Neck and back pain
- Irritable mood swings
Effects of CBD on migraine sufferers:
CBD for migraines shows game-changing results in migraine suffers due to its anti-inflammatory properties. These work as an agent in our body to provide relief from chronic headaches and pain and reduce Nausea. CBD has non-psychoactive properties that help to reduce stress and anxiety due to the regulation of serotonin and dopamine. Moreover, CBD also has the potential to reduce migraine frequency by up to 50%, but there is still a need for more research for precise results.
CBD and migraines: what does the research say?
Life can be more difficult for many people who experience headaches and migraine on a daily basis. Medical Cannabis is becoming prominent by showing a significant reduction in managing migraine symptoms. There are a few recent researches that show promising results, including:
- A recent research found an 11% reduction in migraine frequency and Nausea among people with severe migraines who started using medical Cannabis almost six months ago.
- In another study, 40% of people received a recommendation for cannabis use, and they reported positive effects with a decreasing ratio from 10.5 to 4.6.
Additionally, there is a need for more research for clear evidence because many people utilized medical Cannabis but got no such results.
Benefits of CBD for chronic headaches
CBD itself has the possibility to overcome migraine pain due to its more substantial anti-inflammatory properties than aspirin. CBD also helps boost our body’s production of its own endocannabinoids (The body’s natural system to signal pain). CBD for migraine provides several benefits for chronic headaches, including:
- Decreased frequency of headaches
- Improves Nausea and light sensitivity
- Reduce stress and anxiety
- Improve sleep period
- Regulate headache patterns
Side effects and risks of CBD
CBD for migraine is highly tolerated, but mild effectiveness may occur, which also depends on the severity of the headache and migraine. Here are some common side effects:
- Dry mouth and lips
- Nausea
- Lethargic
- Drowsiness and fatigue
- Tachycardia
Some rare risk factors might be due to smoking and in contrast with other medications, such as:
- Heart and Lungs damage
- Confused
- Allergic reactions
- Increased Anxiety
To minimize side effects and risks, you should consult your healthcare professionals for a specific dosage according to the intensity of symptoms and if you have other underlying medical conditions.
Conclusion
Overall, CBD is a well-tolerated and emerging alternative in reducing the severity of headache and migraine symptoms. Embracing CBD as a natural solution may bring hope to millions suffering from migraines, offering a new pathway to relief and improved quality of life. To maximize benefits and minimize risks, consult a healthcare professional and start with low doses according to your preferences. Using quality CBD products and conducting further research is essential to achieve optimal results.
Reference list
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Meissner, H. and Cascella, M. (2020). Cannabidiol (CBD). [online] PubMed. Available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK556048/.
Okusanya, B.O., Lott, B.E., Ehiri, J., McClelland, J. and Rosales, C. (2022). Medical Cannabis for the Treatment of Migraine in Adults: A Review of the Evidence. Frontiers in Neurology, 13. doi:https://doi.org/10.3389/fneur.2022.871187.
Pescador Ruschel, M.A. and De Jesus, O. (2023). Migraine Headache. [online] PubMed. Available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK560787/.
Sexton, M., Cuttler, C., Finnell, J.S. and Mischley, L.K. (2016). A Cross-Sectional Survey of Medical Cannabis Users: Patterns of Use and Perceived Efficacy. Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research, 1(1), pp.131–138. doi:https://doi.org/10.1089/can.2016.0007.
Stith, S.S., Diviant, J.P., Brockelman, F., Keeling, K., Hall, B., Lucern, S. and Vigil, J.M. (2020). Alleviative effects of Cannabis flower on migraine and headache. Journal of Integrative Medicine. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.joim.2020.07.004.
