Cannabis & Migraine

People tend to confuse migraines with short-lasting intense headaches that can happen to literally anyone. And those people, you know – they are to blame. That’s because when someone has a headache, they most often go and say “Oh, I have a migraine attack.” No, you don’t have a migraine attack. You just have a regular headache. Migraines are more complex than we think. Simply put, migraine pain is categorized as a debilitating pain that pulses in a specific area on the head. The pain is so crippling that it’s often accompanied by nausea, vomiting, and increased sensitivity to visual stimuli. Migraines are a widespread problem, affecting 10% of the global population and involving three times more women than men according to the National Institute of Health. A migraine attack can last anywhere from 4 to 72 hours, and even the simplest activities can amplify the symptoms. People suffering from migraines are generally ‘out of order’ until the attack stops. Interestingly, migraines are often onset by triggers such as insomnia, hormonal changes, stress, and other factors. One-third of chronic migraine sufferers can tell you the attack is coming because they can see an “aura.” Prior to the attack, a person can suffer from a temporary loss of vision or see zig-zag lines.

People suffering from migraines are often recommended a simple combination of over-the-counter analgesic substances like Excedrin, which is a mix of aspirin, caffeine, and acetaminophen. Although these compounds are relatively safe when taken rarely, they do pose threat to our health, increasing the risk of ulcers, kidney damage, and even heart attack or stroke for people who pop them on a regular basis. More severe cases of migraines often involve the use of prescription drugs. Doctors usually prescribe trimants like Imitrex or Treximet to their patients. These drugs increase serotonin levels and constrict blood vessels in the brain, which makes them an effective form of short-term relief for migraine sufferers. However, while they are effective to some extent, they’re very likely to trigger dizziness, drowsiness, the feeling of tightness in the chest, and nausea. Finally, patients suffering from an acute migraine are prescribed morphine and Oxytocin to fight their symptoms, even though these drugs can wreak havoc on one’s health. For example, opioid overdose deaths have quadrupled since the last 20 years, and Oxytocin has been well-documented to increase the risk of birth defects in pregnant women, heart attack, stroke, and even the development of toxicosis if accompanied by antibiotics or antifungal drugs. Some doctors recommend preventive treatments for migraines, including drugs like amitriptyline (an antidepressant), verapamil (a substance that blocks calcium channels), and anticonvulsants whose goal is to soothe overactive nerves in the brain. While preventive migraine treatments are not as devastating as opioids or ergotamines, their use often entails a sweeping range of side effects, from nausea and decreased sex-drive to weight gain and low blood pressure. To cut the long story short, treating migraines with the aforementioned methods is like choosing between being hit with a sledgehammer or being cut with a chainsaw.

While science is scant on CBD oil for migraine relief, there are some studies that have suggested CBD oil may help alleviate all forms of chronic and acute pain. As you might have guessed, migraines go by the same token. A 2016 study published in Pharmacotherapy examined the use of medical marijuana for migraines. Researchers found that of the 48 people examined, 40 percent reported fewer migraine attacks in general. Subjects also noted that the relief from pain was long-lasting. As a matter of fact, drowsiness was their biggest complaint, but this side effect might have occurred because of the difficulties with figuring out the right dose. Another study, published in Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research analyzed the positive effects of oral cannabis. The study involved 26 people who took cannabis along with ibuprofen or nabilone to treat headaches caused by medication overuse. Each combination was administered for eight weeks at a time. The subjects also took an 8-week break in between the two mixtures. As reported by participants, the cannabis-nabilone formula turned out more effective. Nonetheless, let’s keep in mind that the researchers evaluated the combination of drugs used and not marijuana alone. Last but not least, one study from 2017 showed that cannabis is a more effective option than prescription drugs for treating migraines. Subjects participating in the study were given a combination of THC and CBD for migraine relief every day for three months. The results were unequivocal. Participants experienced a 55 percent decrease in pain, not to mention that pain relief was more effective and longer-lasting than typically-prescribed migraine drugs. Moreover, they also reported fewer side effects.

How does CBD work for migraine relief? Well, this is pretty simple. CBD, short for Cannabidiol, is one of the major components of the cannabis plant. Unlike THC, it does not bind directly to CB1 and CB2 receptors in the central nervous systems. Instead, it stimulates the Endocannabinoid System to produce more of its own endocannabinoids. Endocannabinoids are released to maintain homeostasis in the body. Whenever there is a lack of chemical balance, the Endocannabinoid System works to bring the situation back on the right track. Alas, the Endocannabinoid System works “on demand”. In other words, doesn’t store endocannabinoids for later. Thus, when the body is overwhelmed and the Endocannabinoid System goes out of whack, the CB1 and CB2 receptors have nothing to bind to, and therefore will not be able to transfer the chemical message required for healthy functioning. CBD helps to rebalance the Endocannabinoid System. For example, it inhibits the breakdown of Anandamide, the endocannabinoid responsible for pain regulation. Maintaining high levels of anandamides in your bloodstream may significantly alleviate the feelings of pain. Since CB1 and CB2 receptors are located in the brain in large concentrations, the relationship between CBD and anandamide may be key to understanding how CBD works for migraine relief. CBD can also reduce inflammation within the body, which may also soothe pain and limit other immune-responses. Still, we need more research to fully comprehend the nature of this cannabinoid.

Although lawmakers in the United States are currently considering rescheduling cannabis from the Controlled Substance Act and more states are joining the legalization bandwagon, the plant’s benefits aren’t a new discovery. As the National Cancer Institute states, cannabis has been used for nearly 3,000 years for medical purposes. The most common uses of CBD included pain management, neurological disorders, and inflammation. Given the variety of conditions medical marijuana can help with, it looks like the history repeats itself. CBD oil can be administered via ingestion or vaping. Oral CBD is less likely to make you experience any side effects, so if you’re new to cannabidiol, you may want to consider adding CBD oil tinctures to your bucket list. If, however, tinctures are not your pair of shoes, you can try CBD capsules, CBD-infused treats, or the aforementioned vape oil. Vaping CBD oil may be extremely beneficial if you’re suffering from a severe migraine attack at home and you need almost instant relief from pain. As explained by the NCI, the inhalation process delivers the cannabis compounds to your bloodstream much quicker than other consumption methods. When it comes to dosing CBD oil for migraine relief, this is a very individual case. If you’re new to CBD oil, start with the smallest dosage possible. You can gradually increase it until you reach the sweet spot so that your body gets used to the oil and the risk of side effects is reduced.

On the whole, the array of side effects is minimal when it comes to CBD oil. This is one of the main reasons why people are opting for cannabidiol instead of over-the-counter or addictive opiate-based pain medications. Still, a person may experience some minor side effects like upset stomach, dry mouth or decreased heart rate. But then again, these side effects appear only when you take CBD oil in large amounts. Besides these slight inconveniences, your risk of side effects may depend on the way you consume the CBD oil. For example, CBD vape oils may cause lung irritation when you inhale them regularly. This, in turn, leads to chronic wheezing, cough, and breathing difficulties. If you suffer from asthma or any other kind of lung disease, we strongly recommend switching to oral CBD oil.

Cannabidiol has no intoxicating effects on the body and brain because it does not bind directly to CB1 and CB2 receptors. Thus, unlike THC, CBD won’t get you high. In fact, Cannabidiol has been shown to block the CB1 receptors in the brain in the areas to which THC wants to bind, therefore mitigating its psychoactive properties.

Being aware of the analgesic properties of CBD, we knew it was only a matter of time until the use of CBD for migraine relief would become popular. No wonder that people are turning to nature for relief; after all, the list of dangerous side effects accompanying the use of over-the-counter or prescription painkillers is, least to say, disturbing. Also, pharmaceutical drugs only mask the symptoms of illnesses, leaving the core of the problem untouched as it is. CBD, on the other hand, gets down to the root of pain, regulating any imbalances in the Endocannabinoid System and thus helping you deal with migraines and other forms of pain. Although we still need more research to explore the analgesic potential of Cannabidiol, current studies and self-reports from patients are positive about it. As they say, you will never find out if you don’t try! Have you ever used CBD for migraine relief?