The CBD.fr team has translated the Guide To CBD article into French for your convenience… you will find the origin of this article… written by Jeremy. Approximately one in seven adults will suffer from at least one migraine each year. Many of these sufferers end up in the emergency room or at their doctor’s office seeking help.
People with chronic migraines may see their quality of life decline, especially when over-the-counter pain relievers don’t provide fast and lasting relief. This is why many people are now turning to CBD for migraines. What are migraines? Migraines are more intense than the everyday headaches you might experience in response to minor stress or allergies. They present as a throbbing or stabbing pain that may feel more intense on one side of the head. While a standard headache may pass quickly with or without over-the-counter medication, a migraine can last for days and may require prescription medication. Many sufferers must rest in a dark room, trying not to move for hours or days, which interferes with their ability to meet the demands of daily life.
The most common symptoms of migraines include:
Severe head pain
Blurred vision
- Sensitivity to light, sound, smell, and/or touch
- Dizziness
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- These symptoms apply to an active migraine attack. People with chronic conditions may also experience signs of a headache coming on several hours or days in advance. Warning signs often involve mood swings or changes in food preferences or bowel habits. Some people also recognize an aura that appears before a migraine strikes. An aura can involve changes in one of the senses, including difficulty hearing, seeing, or speaking.
- People with chronic migraines often live in constant fear. They are always waiting for the next one to strike. They are always wondering if the next one will disrupt their lives for just an afternoon, a few days, or a week. Others may experience infrequent migraines, but these can come on suddenly and are often debilitating.
How are migraines treated?
Migraines are treated with medication. Most people start with over-the-counter options, but someone with chronic or severe migraines will need prescription medication. In some cases, doctors or neurologists may prescribe narcotics that are highly addictive. Some medications have side effects that limit a person’s ability to drive, operate heavy equipment, or even think and speak clearly. These side effects can add another layer of disruption to daily life.
A doctor may prescribe preventive migraine medication for patients with debilitating headaches that last 12 hours or more. This level of treatment is often applied to patients who do not find relief with prescription medications taken after a migraine has started.
To eliminate the need for constant medication, many migraine sufferers are turning to natural remedies. This often begins with an effort to avoid stress or known headache triggers. Now that CBD products are readily available, many people are finding they can prevent or treat their migraines more easily.
What is CBD? CBD stands for cannabidiol. It’s a substance found naturally in the cannabis plant family, including marijuana and hemp. When CBD is isolated from the plant, it takes the form of an oil widely used in products for humans, dogs, cats, and other animals today. You can now buy CBD extract in the form of oil, edibles, concentrates, creams, and various tinctures. There are even CBD waters on the market, so look out for new inventions as cannabidiol becomes more readily available. THC is another extract from the marijuana plant. It has a psychoactive effect that makes marijuana users feel good. CBD doesn’t have the same effect, so it doesn’t produce a high. Most CBD products you buy online are extracted from the hemp plant and do not contain THC.
Products extracted from the marijuana plant will contain THC, but the amounts can vary. You’re most likely to find these products in dispensaries in states that have legalized marijuana (in the US), at least for medical purposes. It’s still illegal to openly distribute marijuana products online, so most products shipped worldwide are derived from hemp.
How can CBD help with migraines? Researchers are actively studying the benefits of CBD for a variety of medical conditions. Marijuana was considered an illegal and dangerous drug for many years, so there wasn’t much research on its potential medical applications until recently. This means there aren’t many scientific studies on using CBD to treat migraines. This doesn’t mean you can’t relieve your migraines or even prevent future attacks by taking a pure CBD extract. Some studies offer insight into how effective CBD is as a migraine treatment. You can also find many first-person accounts online that prove real people find relief by taking CBD regularly. Now that we know CBD is a safe extract that doesn’t produce the full effect of marijuana, you can expect more research to emerge in the coming years.
An Overview of the Research
A 2017 issue of Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research presented an overview of scientific studies designed to test the effectiveness of CBD for headache disorders. Researchers state that headaches are a major public health concern, costing approximately $14 billion annually due to their debilitating impact on work and quality of life.
The overview noted a lack of scientific studies with control groups and other reliable research markers. This does not mean they found no evidence. Their list of applicable studies included a 1997 case report that found cannabis to be more effective at relieving headaches than opiates and beta-blockers. All participants in this study were women.
Another case report from 1997 documented the successful treatment of a single patient’s migraines with cannabis that “did not produce intoxication.” In a case series of five patients, three migraine sufferers experienced complete symptom relief after taking cannabis. In one case, cannabis was found to be more effective than dronabinol in relieving migraines.
A retrospective study of 121 people with migraines found that cannabis reduced headaches from about 10 per month to fewer than five per month. Migraine pain was completely relieved in about 11% of participants. About 20% of participants reported a decrease in migraine frequency. About 40% of participants reported some level of positive outcomes from cannabis use.
It is worth noting that all of these studies focused on cannabis rather than CBD extract. Some studies allowed patients to smoke cannabis, so THC and other natural compounds found in the marijuana plant may have contributed to the results. Research on CBD for Pain Relief More research on treating migraines with CBD is expected in the future. Perhaps some of these studies will focus on CBD without the full impact of cannabis containing THC. In the meantime, we can also consider research on using CBD to relieve pain in general. Migraines are an intense form of pain, so much pain research is of interest to people who suffer from headaches.
A study published in a 2006 issue of Current Neuropharmacology found that…
It was revealed that CBD is effective in suppressing pain receptors, particularly for neuropathic pain experienced by patients with multiple sclerosis. Researchers noted that further studies were needed, but they also revealed great promise for using CBD to relieve chronic pain.
An overview of research on CBD and pain relief was published in the journal *Therapeutics and Clinical Risk Management* in 2008. Most of the studies included in the overview focused on a whole-plant marijuana oral spray called Sativex. The treatment was found to be highly effective for various painful conditions, including neuropathic pain in patients with multiple sclerosis and intractable chronic pain. While THC may have influenced the outcomes, it is safe to assume that CBD was also helpful in relieving pain. Research on the use of CBD for pain relief is ongoing. Research published in the journal PAIN in January 2019 indicates new findings related to how CBD interacts with the human body to produce pain and anxiety relief. The research was conducted on animals, but researchers will likely attempt to replicate the results in human clinical trials. This could not only provide evidence that CBD is effective in relieving pain, but it could also show us how this pain relief is produced.
How to take CBD for maximum migraine relief?
CBD oil is the most readily available form of cannabidiol today. You can buy hemp-derived CBD oils online, but be sure to research the supplier. Look for pure CBD oil without any unnecessary added ingredients. Purchasing from a reputable brand that is backed by positive reviews from real customers will ensure you get maximum results with minimal side effects.
There are several ways to take CBD. Most people start with pure CBD oil or a tincture that falls under the tongue. You can add CBD oil to food, drinks, and smoothies without noticeably altering the taste. CBD edibles are available, but it can be difficult to determine the dosage in pre-made edibles. You can make your own by adding drops of oil to your favorite homemade treats. There are many recipes online for CBD-infused foods, candies, and other goodies. Vaping is becoming increasingly popular among CBD users, but these methods aren’t for everyone. You’ll need to purchase
CBD vape cartridges and a vape pen if you want to go this route. Dabbing requires a special concentration of CBD, a dabbing device, and other supplies. Dabbing is appealing to many migraine sufferers because it provides faster pain relief, but not everyone enjoys heating cannabis extract. Research the process thoroughly before purchasing concentrates and trying it. Dosage Guidelines
Researchers have found that a low dose of CBD taken for seven consecutive days can effectively relieve pain and anxiety. This explains why many people take CBD oil daily to help manage various sources of chronic pain, including migraines and headaches. When taken daily as a preventative measure, you don’t need a lot of CBD. A low dose taken regularly can produce the results you need. If you have an active migraine and are desperate for immediate relief, you can try vaping or dabbing CBD. These delivery methods are more intense than simply dropping the oil under your tongue, but they provide the fastest results. You’ll also receive a more concentrated dose of CBD when you dab. There is a learning curve to these methods, so you might want to try them before your next severe migraine. This will help you learn how to quickly deliver the CBD you need when you have a migraine.
Since most research on CBD and migraines currently focuses on cannabis with THC, you might consider a prescription for medical cannabis. The combination of THC, CBD, and other compounds naturally present in the marijuana plant may have the greatest impact on severe migraines. This is only an option if you live in a state that has legalized medical marijuana and have a healthcare professional willing to provide a diagnosis and prescription.
Possible side effects of CBD
While more research is needed on the potential side effects of CBD, it is considered safe for most people. This includes children, teenagers, and young adults. Pure CBD without THC does not produce a high, but it is important to buy from a reputable brand that offers a consistent product. One study analyzed over 80 CBD products available online. The results revealed that many products contained less CBD than advertised. Some products even contained THC. With a little research, you can find a CBD product that offers a reliable and effective product.
While most people do not experience any negative reactions to CBD, there are some potential side effects to keep in mind: Dry mouth Nausea Dizziness
Diarrhea
Changes in appetite
Mood swings
Some people report feeling drowsy after taking CBD, so you should take your first dose on a day you don’t need to drive. CBD can also interact with certain prescription medications. It’s important to talk to your doctor to identify potential interactions before taking your first dose. Even if your doctor doesn’t recommend or prescribe CBD, they can tell you if there are any risks with your current medications.
Will CBD cure your migraines?
CBD can significantly reduce the number of migraines some people experience each year. It can also lessen the intensity of a migraine when taken early on. It’s not guaranteed to cure all migraines, so treat it like any other treatment option. Try it first for preventative measures, then decide if you want to explore dabbing or vaping for quick relief in the middle of an active migraine.
There are many potential causes of migraines. Your specific cause may determine the effectiveness of CBD and other treatment options. CBD is just one more resource that can help you create a well-balanced prevention and treatment plan.
