CBD and migraines
It is very common to feel headaches sometimes, but it is not the case for many people. People among us suffer from migraines often, and that can be a very uncomfortable feeling.
In this blog post, we will talk about migraines and how CBD can help manage it.
Migraine
It is an episodic and sharp pain that may affect a person for days. They only occur twice a year. We can call it a recurring headache type. A person may feel severe to moderate pain that is pulsing or throbbing. Usually, the sufferer feels pain on either side of the head. It may be accompanied by weakness or headache. The condition gets worse due to bright lights, noise, or any activity.
It can be a hindrance for a person to enjoy or indulge in daily activities. In the United States, including children, twelve percent of the population is affected by migraines. Between the ages of eighteen to forty-four, migraines are very common. Women are more susceptible to migraines than men. 6%, and 18% of men and women respectively complain about migraines.
Types of migraines
Migraines have various types, but the most common among them are the following:
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Classic migraine
These migraines give a warning before the actual occurrence of pain. The warning indicators or aura involves changes in how a person sees. The patient may see shadows, lines, colors or lights. He may also have a temporary loss of vision. The patient may also feel a burning sensation or weakness in muscles. The pain and aura can occur simultaneously, or sometimes you may feel no pain.
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Common migraine
They have not been associated with aura formation. These types of migraines last longer than classic and start slowly. So, they can affect the daily routine. It has many other subtypes.
Symptoms of migraine
The person may start feeling the symptoms of migraines a day or hours before the actual start of the pain. Some of the signs include:
- Strong pulsing pain in the head
- Scalp feels tender
- Stiff neck
- Lightheadedness
- Nausea/vomiting
- Feeling sweaty
- State of being confused and tired
- Getting sensitive to odors, lights or colors
Causes of migraines
Science is still clueless about the cause of migraines.
Some research studies say that migraines may be caused due to low levels of serotonin in the body. Serotonin is the happy hormone, and its low levels can make a person sad and swells the blood vessel that can cause pain. Other studies show that some genes in the family may be responsible for migraine in an individual. Other than hereditary factors, migraine has the following triggers:
- Diet
- Some kinds of foods can be a cause of migraines. If you keep yourself dehydrated or skip meals, it is very likely to suffer from migraines.
- Hormonal changes
- Migraines affect women due to hormonal changes associated with menopause, menstruation, birth control, etc.
- Sensory changes
- Bright, flashy light, strong odors, or loud noises can also start a migraine.
- Stress
- Stress due to any reason can cause migraines.
- Infections
- If you get the flu or cold, you may be susceptible to develop a migraine.
Prevention of migraine
Although there are no exact ways to keep the migraine at bay, you may still do these things to help:
Make a schedule of sleep and follow it. Try to exercise regularly. They will relax your tensed muscles and keep you healthy. Maintain a journal or diary and write about your symptoms or triggers of migraines.
Treatment of migraine
Apart from preventive measures, medicines are used to treat migraine-associated pain. Some medicines are used to stop the pain, and others are used to lessen the duration of recurrences.
You can also try these tips:
- Use cold compression on your forehead
- By using pressure, massage your head.
- Stay in a room that dark, quiet, and peaceful.
How CBD can help with migraines
CBD is a natural compound found in the cannabis plant. It has many medicinal properties. Recently its products have become very famous for their therapeutic benefits.
Research shows that this non-sedating compound has strong anti-inflammatory, anti-anxiolytic, and analgesic properties. It can be very helpful in managing pain, inflammation, anxiety, etc.
CBD can give these benefits to the patient as it interacts with our endocannabinoid system. This system is involved in the management of mood, stress, pain, and inflammation.
It has two most prominent receptors CB1 and CB2. CBD plays a role in this system as it doesn’t directly affect these receptors but influences other receptors. Not only that, but it also enhances natural levels of cannabinoids of ECS by occupying certain enzymes.
Can CBD help with migraines?
There is no definite research on CBD’s effect on migraine specifically. This is due to a lack of rules related to CBD products. Some laboratory obtained results suggest that CBD may help in lowering chronic pain associated with migraines.
But CBD has potent pain relief properties that are proven by research. Studies show that CBD can lessen pain and inflammation related to arthritis. So, we can say that CBD may also help in at least lowering the pain of migraines. It is also very helpful in managing vomiting and nausea.
How to use CBD for Migraines
For migraine, CBD can be used as:
- Pain slaves
- Bath bombs
- Creams
- Lotions
- Capsules, gummies
- Tinctures
- Vapes
What about CBD’s legal status?
Since CBD is extracted from hemp or marijuana, its legal status confuses people. CBD is not illegal in different states of the US. In 2018, the Farm Bill legalized the cultivation of hemp and the production of hemp-derived CBD products. The law states that CBD should have a minimum of 0.3% THC (intoxicating compound). If you plan to travel in any state with CBD, you must check the laws there. If you plan to travel internationally, it would be best to check the country’s laws regarding CBD.
In a nutshell, we can conclude that CBD has the potential to treat many health conditions. But for migraines, more concrete research on CBD’s role is required.
