CBD is being explored as a natural aid for a number of common conditions. From chronic pain to arthritis relief, and beyond. But, what about migraines and headaches? Both are frequent sources of pain that affect a wide range of the population. Does CBD address the type of pain found differing types of headaches? Early research and real user experience, is pointing to ‘yes’. As the medical industry explores long-term side effects from frequent use of over-the-counter (OTC) and prescribed migraine medicines, CBD is more frequently being looked at as a safe alternative to easing head type pains. So, here we’ve compiled the latest in CBD for migraines and headaches, and how the hemp plant’s cannabinoid is providing organic relief for the conditions.
How CBD provides relief
Hemp and marijuana plants contain a variety of cannabinoids that work with the body’s internal endocannabinoid system to release their relief. The endocannabinoid system is made up of internal communicator receptors that send ‘messages’ to properly regulate other systems found in the body. Overall, this system is responsible for a person’s homeostasis. Homeostasis by definition is the ‘steady internal, physical, and chemical conditions maintained by living systems’. Basically, your body’s well-being.
Endocannabinoid receptors also include those that are responsible for sending signals of pain. So, when CBD interacts with cannabinoid receptors found in the body they influence their strength or activation. To know more about how CBD can affect migraine and headache pain specifically, we need to understand more about how migraine and headaches are caused or felt. We’ll explore that next.
Migraine & headache pains
To clarify, migraines are classified as severe and recurring headaches. These aches affect nearly 36 million Americans, which is approximately 12% of the population according to the American Migraine Association.
This substantial number is reflective of the lengthy list of triggers that can cause migraines. The list includes common medications, hormonal changes, physical factors like lack of sleep or low blood sugar, emotional shifts and even diet or environment triggers.
Headaches can be even more wide-reaching. While migraines are included in the ‘primary’ types of headaches, the classification also includes more common types like tension and cluster. Headaches known as ‘secondary’ are symptoms of other conditions or factors. Including ‘rebound’ headaches that stem from the use of other medications.
With both types, the pain is felt by an overactivity or stimulation of pain sensitive nerves found in the brain and head region. Brought on by inflammatory agents that are released by migraine or headache triggers. These are the same sensory nerves that are regulated by the endocannabinoid system that CBD positively affects. Which leads us to our case in point – even though research is in its infancy for CBD and migraines, what we do know about the cannabinoid is showing promise as an effective treatment. Let’s follow the research collected thus far, to see how CBD is being used to soothe migraine and headache pains for many.
CBD for migraine and headache pain
Being anti-inflammatory in nature is one of the most well-known properties of CBD. So, knowing that migraines and headaches are triggered by inflammatory agents leads us to our first CBD connection. Even though direct evidence for this scientific relationship is in the process of being confirmed, researchers are confident in the promise that anti-inflammatory actions of CBD have shown for headache and migraine relief.
In a study conducted by the Frontiers in Pharmacy, the lead author Pinja Leimuranta, of the University of Eastern-Finland supported this by publishing, “Cannabinoids—due to their anticonvulsant, analgesic, antiemetic, and anti-inflammatory effects —present a promising class of compounds for both acute [short-term, severe] and prophylactic [preventative] treatment of migraine pain…”
Analgesic, in other words, means ‘pain-relieving’. As you know, CBD is being widely investigated to confirm its part in providing pain relief that many users have found on their own. Including migraine and headache pain specifically. A recent review on CBD for migraine pain was published in 2019 in the publication, ‘Current Opinion in Neurology’. The evidence proves that CBD positively affects the functioning of pathways that are responsible for pain control in migraines.
Lastly, not only can CBD lessen the pain or inflammation found in headaches and migraines, but it may be able to reduce the frequency of the aches, too. With a full-spectrum CBD oil or product (that includes low levels of THC), a recent study showed a significant reduction in frequency for migraine and headache sufferers. When using medical marijuana, participants of the study reduced the number of migraines from 10 to just 4 per month.
CBD and Anandamide
Beyond just being anti-inflammatory and analgesic, CBD interacts with another important compound that plays a significant role in migraines and headache pain. Anandamide. This lesser known internal compound is associated with the regulation of pain. When you have high levels of anandamide found in your bloodstream, you will feel a reduction in pain. Low levels of anandamide are also a possible sign of an impaired endocannabinoid system.
Specific to headaches, In 2007 The British Journal of Pharmacology published that migraine sufferers showed decreased levels of anandamide in the cerebrospinal fluid. So, what’s the connection to CBD? Research also shows that CBD enhances anandamide signaling, increasing the production and levels of the compound.
This combined with the pain relieving and anti-inflammatory effects of CBD are early signs of the cannabinoid being successful at treating the frequency of migraines, along with the severity of pain.
CBD as healing for headache pain
While CBD is showing promise in directly addressing the pain caused by migraine and headaches, its other soothing properties can also target many common sources or causes. In some cases, headaches can be caused by stress, anxiety, depression and high blood pressure. Separately, CBD works internally to provide relief for these conditions and symptoms, too. With virtually no side-effects, CBD is increasing as a natural source of healing for headache and migraine pain. Especially in contrast with OTC medication that can cause long-term negative effects, or pain medication that can be highly addictive. Those seeking organic methods to alleviate frequent discomforts, like headaches and migraines are steadily turning to CBD for help. For the most premium CBD oils and edibles for calming relief, check out Nature’s Pure wide collection of high-quality CBD goods.
