Exploring How CBD Can Offer Relief for Headaches and Migraines

Headaches and migraines are a common yet often debilitating issue that affect millions of people worldwide. And, as anyone who has experienced migraine headaches knows, finding fast and effective pain relief can be all you think about at the time. You might have heard about using CBD for headaches and migraine treatments. But what’s the science behind it?

While CBD oil has been identified as an effective anti-inflammatory, some studies have also found that cannabidiol, or CBD, delivers results when treating headache disorders.

But does it really work? And if you suffer from migraine pain or regular headaches, is CBD the right choice for you?

Understanding CBD

You may have heard the buzz about CBD products and how it can be used for lots of different applications. In case you’re not up to speed, here is the quick explainer…

Cannabidiol (CBD) is a non-psychoactive compound found in the cannabis plant.

Unlike its more well-known counterpart, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), CBD does not produce a “high” or intoxicating effect. Instead, CBD oils have gained popularity for the potential therapeutic properties, which include anti-inflammatory, analgesic (pain-relieving), and neuroprotective effects (for example reducing anxiety or mental health problems).

Hemp derived CBD products are 100% legal in the UK, and can be purchased over the counter in many pharmacies in the UK.

While anecdotal evidence suggests that CBD oil is an effective treatment for pain, including chronic pain, headaches and migraine pain, studies are still inconclusive. In fact, even though many studies have found positive results, further research is still needed to validate the medical use of CBD products.

This is one of the main reasons why CBD companies have to be careful. One of the legal restrictions of promoting CBD products is that you can’t claim that it is an effective treatment for many medical conditions.

1. So, with that said, what does the scientific evidence say about using CBD to reduce pain related to headaches?

The Cannabis Science: What Do The Studies Say?

The potential benefits of CBD oils for migraines and headaches are primarily attributed to its interactions with the endocannabinoid system (ECS). A key part of the human anatomy, the ECS plays a role in regulating pain perception and inflammation in the body.

One study published in the Journal of Headache and Pain explored the use of cannabinoids, including CBD, for migraines. The findings suggested that cannabinoids may have a positive impact on reducing acute migraine attacks and improving the overall quality of life for migraine sufferers.

A 2016 study published in Pharmacotherapy found that the frequency of migraines was reduced from nearly 10 per month to only approximately four per month in a group of medical marijuana users. This study suggests that cannabis-derived compounds, including CBD, may have a positive impact on migraine frequency.

One literature review in 2021 reported that a combination of CBD and THC had encouraging short- and long-term outcomes for people with headaches and migraines. The review highlighted the need for more research to establish the most effective dosages and formulations for headache and migraine relief.

A clinically validated survey showed that 86% of respondents reported a decrease in headache impact after using a CBD formulation for a 30-day trial period This finding demonstrates that CBD oils may have a significant positive effect on headache sufferers.

Another study published in the European Journal of Pain investigated the use of CBD oil in chronic pain conditions, including headaches. The study found that CBD was effective in reducing pain intensity and improving sleep quality in participants with chronic pain conditions.

While all of this research shows a very promising future for CBD as a treatment for headaches and migraines, more research does need to be done.