CBD and Migraines: Is CBD an Effective Treatment for Migraine Pain?
Over 39 million Americans struggle with migraines, and many of them have yet to find a successful treatment to alleviate their pain. Recently, CBD has entered the scene as a possible treatment for migraine sufferers. CBD may relieve neurological pain and reduce inflammation, both of which could aid pain associated with a migraine.
Understanding the research behind CBD and migraines and how CBD alleviates pain can help you know whether this treatment is suitable for your migraine pain. Read on to learn the current research into migraines and CBD and which CBD oil products work best for migraine treatment.
How Does CBD Work With Migraines And Headaches
Cannabidiol (CBD) acts on various bodily processes that contribute to pain, inflammation, and other symptoms of migraines. This substance has the most significant effect on your endocannabinoid system (ECS). This biological system impacts your central nervous system, pain control, inflammatory and immune responses, and numerous other bodily functions.
The ECS consists of two primary cannabinoid receptors: CB-1 receptors and CB-2 receptors. When the ECS senses cannabinoids in the body, their molecules can bind to these receptors to produce varying biological effects. Some of these effects may act as an effective treatment for migraine systems.
CBD and Pain Relief
First, CBD may produce pain-relieving effects by inhibiting the anandamide deactivation processes, thereby enhancing anandamide signaling. Anandamide is an endogenous cannabinoid that nullifies pain by binding to CB-1 and blocking the pain signal. As a result, taking CBD may stop the pain signals from migraines and headaches, helping you experience less pain.
Cannabidiol may also relieve pain by activating the 5-HT1A serotonin receptor. This receptor plays a role in various biological functions, including pain perception.
CBD and Anti-Inflammation
In many migraine sufferers, inflammation plays a significant role in the development of migraines. Some research suggests that inflammatory signals may stimulate neurons and create pain with migraines. As a result, lowering inflammation in the body could provide migraine relief.
CBD oil may promote anti-inflammatory properties. CBD can bind with the CB-2 receptor, the primary mediator involved in cannabinoid regulation of inflammation.
CBD and Nausea
Nausea is another common symptom occurring with a severe migraine attack. However, CBD may reduce feelings of nausea by activating the serotonin receptor 5-HT1A. This receptor can help regulate nausea and vomiting, alongside several other biological processes.
CBD Scientific Evidence Linking To Migraines And Headaches
While further research is needed to determine the exact benefits of CBD on migraine and headache sufferers, several studies provide evidence that CBD may relieve some symptoms of migraine headaches.
A 2017 study found that combining CBD and THC in a daily dose may decrease chronic migraine pain by up to 40%. This combination may also slightly improve migraine headache frequency and pain associated with chronic cluster headaches. However, due to a lack of evidence, the researchers did not recommend cannabinoids as a treatment for headaches.
A 2021 review of several studies deducted that CBD contains anxiety-reducing and antipsychotic properties that could prove beneficial for migraine treatment. However, this review also noted that CBD’s mechanism of action is less clear than THC’s, and further research is necessary to determine its actual role in migraine treatments.
Meanwhile, evidence is slightly clearer about the relationship between medical cannabis and headache treatment. For example, research suggests that inhaled medicinal cannabis may reduce headache and migraine frequency by nearly 50%.
Additionally, men may see larger reductions in pain intensity and frequency than women while using medical marijuana. While these effects are promising, you should still avoid illicit drug use without a prescription or recommendation from your healthcare provider. Medical cannabis is not legal in every state.
An article in Practical Neurology reviews the role of the ECS in migraine production and notes the possible modulatory effects of THC on migraine pathogenesis. Currently, this organization is in the process of conducting a study of different cannabinoids on migraine attacks. This study will analyze the effects of THC, THC mixed with CBD, and CBD on migraine relief.
While CBD shows promising benefits for chronic and acute pain relief, additional research can fine-tune these findings and suggest precise CBD treatment of migraine frequency and intensity.
Is CBD Safe To Use For Migraines?
CBD oil is generally safe for most people. As a form of alternative medicine, CBD contains no harsh chemicals, drugs, or compounds that could put your health at risk.
However, if you’re taking any other headache medicine or have received migraine treatment from a healthcare professional in the past, you may want to seek guidance before taking CBD oil. CBD has the potential to interact with other medications, including both over-the-counter and prescription drugs.
As we will discuss below, CBD can also produce some side effects in a small percentage of the adult population.
Side Effects Of CBD
Some users experience minor side effects while taking CBD products. The most common side effects after ingesting CBD oils or inhaling vaporized CBD include the following:
- Dry mouth
- Reduced appetite
- Drowsiness
- Fatigue
- Diarrhea
- Nausea
- Gastrointestinal issues
CBD can also interact with some prescription medications and over-the-counter drugs, which may produce additional side effects or limit the medicine’s effectiveness. If you take any daily medications, check with your healthcare provider before using CBD oil or other CBD products.
A few factors can exacerbate these symptoms. For example, taking low-quality or unpure CBD oil may increase your risk for side effects. Be sure to purchase reputable, high-quality CBD oil, like the options on our website, to ensure the purity and safety of your CBD products.
Is CBD Oil Legal?
Hemp-derived CBD oil is legal in all fifty states. The 2018 Farm Bill removed hemp, including low-THC derivatives from cannabis, from the legal definition of marijuana. In turn, this bill legalized the cultivation and sale of hemp at the federal level — including hemp-derived CBD.
However, this bill still places a few legal restrictions on CBD production and distribution. For example, the bill only legalized hemp-derived CBD products — not CBD from the marijuana plant. Additionally, the sale of hemp-derived CBD is only legal at the federal level when it contains THC in concentrations of 0.3% or less.
Until cannabis is legal at the federal level, some restrictions will continue to apply across CBD sales. However, you can feel confident that the CBD products available through SUPA Naturals are safe and legal in all 50 states.
Will CBD Get You High?
CBD has a bit of a stigma because of its connection to marijuana. Cannabidiol (CBD) is one of the many cannabinoids from the cannabis plant. However, CBD contains no psychoactive properties that would leave you feeling “high.” This cannabinoid is legal and wholly separate from THC, the cannabinoid within medical marijuana.
Will You Be Addicted To CBD If You Always Use It For Migraines?
A 2020 randomized controlled trial tested for the effects of abrupt withdrawal of CBD. This study found that no symptoms of withdrawal syndrome were present in healthy volunteers after discontinuing short-term CBD oil use. However, results may differ in unhealthy individuals, such as those experiencing chronic migraine struggles.
Altogether, cannabis science suggests that CBD oil is not addictive, but additional research can verify this evidence. In contrast, medical marijuana use can lead to dependence and produce withdrawal symptoms.
Qualities You Should Check When Buying CBD Oil For Migraines
Purchasing high-quality, reliable CBD oil is essential to gain the most benefits for migraine relief. If you’re unfamiliar with CBD oil and CBD in general, you may have trouble distinguishing authentic, top-quality CBD from lower-quality options. Here are a few qualities that indicate a high-quality CBD oil:
- Produced using organically grown hemp
- Manufactured with supercritical carbon dioxide extraction
- Packaged in cGMP-compliant facilities
- Extracted and tested with third-party independent lab testing and strain analysis
Some CBD companies do not disclose their manufacturing processes, making it challenging to determine the safety and purity of their products. If you’re looking for high-quality CBD oil, capsules, edibles, or topicals, you can feel confident purchasing the products on our site.
What Kind Of CBD Product Is Best To Use For Migraines
You can purchase CBD in several different forms and products. You can find CBD in ingestible gummies, pills, oils, topical creams and gels, vape pens, capsules, and a range of other forms.
All of these forms of CBD may produce benefits for migraine relief and related symptoms. However, certain forms may produce faster, stronger results than others.
First, you should consider which form of CBD will reach your bloodstream faster. Once the CBD molecules enter the bloodstream, they can then pass through the blood-brain barrier and enter the endocannabinoid system. As a result, the quicker the CBD reaches the bloodstream, the faster it will begin producing medicinal properties.
CBD vapes and tinctures get to the bloodstream quickly, while topical creams may take longer. In addition, some topical CBD may not enter the bloodstream at all, as it contains such a low CBD concentration that most of the CBD remains on the dermis.
However, you should also consider the CBD dosage in your preferred CBD product. Some of the receptor properties of CBD only occur in high dosages. As a result, you’ll want to use a product with a high enough dosage to produce significant benefits for your migraine relief.
At SUPA Naturals, we offer a few fast-acting hemp-derived CBD products suitable for headaches and migraines. We recommend our 500 mg CBD tinctures as the best option to treat migraine symptoms.
Full-Spectrum, Broad-Spectrum & Isolate: Does It Matter?
There are three primary forms of CBD: full-spectrum, broad-spectrum, and isolate. Knowing the difference between these three types can help you determine the best form to treat your migraine.
Full-spectrum CBD includes cannabidiol and several other cannabinoids and compounds from the marijuana plant. As a result, this form of CBD may contain up to 0.3% THC. However, this minuscule concentration of THC is legal within CBD oil and will not produce any “high” sensations.
Meanwhile, broad-spectrum CBD oil also contains other cannabinoids from the cannabis plant, minus THC. Finally, CBD isolate contains only CBD without any other compounds.
The type of CBD that you use is completely up to your comfort level and preferences. While full-spectrum CBD will not leave you feeling “high,” some users do not feel comfortable taking a product that contains THC. Others would simply prefer a CBD isolate oil that contains only pure CBD.
However, you may see the most benefits for migraine relief by taking full-spectrum CBD rather than isolate. Full-spectrum CBD contains other cannabinoids that may bind to the CB-1 and CB-2 receptors in the ECS. As a result, this form of CBD oil may present a more effective treatment for migraine discomfort.
Other Conditions That CBD Can Help Treat
Current research suggests that CBD can primarily benefit migraine relief by reducing symptoms rather than preventing migraines altogether. These findings indicate that you can also use CBD to treat health conditions with similar symptoms to migraines.
Wellness professionals have recommended CBD as a treatment for the following medical conditions and symptoms:
- Acne
- Anxiety
- Asthma
- Brain fog
- Chronic pain
- Cluster headaches
- Hangovers
- High blood pressure
- Immunodeficiencies
- Joint pain
- Menopause
- Muscle pain
- Neuropathic pain
- Parkinson’s Disease
- Post-traumatic stress disorder
- Tendonitis
- Drug withdrawal
Research into the benefits of CBD is still ongoing. Many of these treatment suggestions come from anecdotal evidence rather than actual proof of the effects of CBD. However, if you’re struggling with migraines, chronic pain, or any conditions on our list, giving CBD oil a try may be worthwhile.
Final Thoughts: Should You Use CBD Oil for Migraine Relief?
CBD oil and other CBD products may provide some benefits to alleviate migraine effects. Specifically, this cannabinoid may relieve pain, inflammation, nausea, and vomiting, all of which can present as symptoms of migraines.
Because CBD does not produce side effects in most users, you can feel confident trying this cannabinoid to alleviate symptoms of a migraine. However, purchasing a high-quality CBD product derived from hemp is essential to producing the most benefits for migraine relief.
Additionally, as an extra precaution, we recommend talking to your healthcare professional before using CBD for medical use.
