Migraine is a neurological condition that affects millions of people worldwide. Characterised by debilitating headaches and often accompanied by nausea, vomiting and sensitivity to light and sound, migraines can have a significant impact on quality of life.
As well as conventional treatments, more and more people are looking to buy CBD online as a potential, natural option to relieve some of the symptoms associated with migraines. In this article, we look at the relationship between CBD and migraines, based on the scientific research currently available.
What is migraine?
A migraine is not just another headache: it is a complex condition with a wide range of symptoms. Migraine attacks can last from hours to days and are often so intense that the pain is disabling.
The exact cause of migraines is not fully understood, but they are thought to result from abnormal brain activity that affects nerve signals, neurotransmitters, chemicals and blood vessels in the brain.
Conventional treatment of migraines
Conventional treatment of migraines may include painkillers such as ibuprofen or paracetamol, and antimigraine drugs such as triptans. Some supplements studied for migraine relief include vitamin B2 (riboflavin), vitamin D, magnesium, coenzyme Q10 and melatonin. Other complementary therapies that may be helpful include meditation, tai chi and yoga.
What is CBD and how can it help with migraines?
Cannabidiol (CBD) is a non-psychoactive compound derived from hemp that has been studied for its potential to relieve pain and reduce inflammation (1, 2).
Properties of CBD for migraine
CBD interacts with the body's endocannabinoid system, influencing pain regulation and other physiological processes that could be related to migraines (3).
As well as its potential to relieve migraine symptoms, CBD has also shown potential benefits for anxiety, stress and insomnia, common factors that often trigger or worsen migraine episodes.
Can CBD oil help with migraines?
There is a lot of information on the historical use of cannabis to treat headaches. As for the use of drops of CBD oil specifically, research on CBD and migraine is so far limited but promising.
One of the hypotheses supporting the use of cannabinoids to treat migraine is Clinical Endocannabinoid Deficiency (CECD), which suggests that some people may have lower than normal levels of endocannabinoids, which is linked to certain medical conditions, including migraine. According to this hypothesis, by restoring endocannabinoid levels (perhaps through the use of external cannabinoids such as CBD), we could treat migraine more effectively (8).
Although there is no scientific evidence of the effectiveness of CBD oil in treating migraine in humans, it could provide relief from some of its symptoms.
Historically, the cannabis plant has been used to treat headaches.
Mechanism of action
The potential relief that CBD can provide for migraines stems from its anti-inflammatory properties and the effect of cannabidiol on neurotransmitters, in particular its ability to modulate serotonin levels (4, 5), which play a role in pain regulation.
One hypothesis is that CBD could interact with the trigeminovascular system to reduce the sensation of pain experienced during a migraine attack. The trigeminovascular system (TGVS) is a set of nerves and blood vessels in the brain that are activated during a migraine attack (8). A study carried out in rodents indicates that CBD can modulate the perception of pain linked to migraine (6).
Another possible mechanism of action of CBD is the regulation of the production of cytokines, inflammatory substances that the body produces and that play a role in pain, thus contributing to migraine relief (8).
In addition, CBD could inhibit certain endocannabinoid enzymes, such as MAGL and FAAH, which break down endocannabinoids. This inhibition would lead to an increase in endocannabinoids, which could be another way of relieving migraine (8).
However, the exact mechanism by which CBD eases migraine symptoms is still under investigation.
CBD could act on several fronts to help treat migraine: reducing pain, inhibiting enzymes that break down endocannabinoids and offering anti-inflammatory effects. However, research in this area is still young, and more studies are needed to confirm these possible benefits.
The lack of research on CBD in migraine is due to the difficulty of studying such an intensely painful condition in the laboratory: trying to provide a humane environment for animals or people and to spare them the suffering that pain causes can make it complicated to stay within ethical boundaries.
How is CBD used for migraines?
There is no protocol for taking CBD for migraine. The most practical route of administration for taking CBD is CBD oil, although CBD can also be administered via the pulmonary route.
Bear in mind that the effects of CBD can vary from person to person, and it is important to speak to a professional for a personalised diagnosis and treatment. In addition, the regulation of CBD products varies from country to country, and in the European Union, including Spain, taking CBD drops orally is not authorised: find out more.
What is the dose of CBD for migraine?
Studies on CBD specifically for migraines are very scarce and mostly based on animal models. For this reason, CBD doses for migraines are not applicable to humans.
Although specific doses for migraines have not been established, there is evidence on the use of CBD to treat pain in general. These reports vary widely, and most of them report better efficacy of CBD in relieving pain when it is used in combination with THC (7).
As there is no set dose of CBD for treating migraine, it could be used starting with a low dose and increasing it gradually until the desired relief is found (“start low and go slow”).
The dose of CBD can vary depending on factors such as weight, tolerance level and the concentration of the product being used. Consult healthcare professionals for personalised advice before using CBD products.
Does CBD have side effects?
CBD is generally well tolerated, but some people may experience side effects such as dizziness, dry mouth or changes in appetite. In some cases, interactions between CBD and medicines can occur, affecting their efficacy or causing adverse effects.
If you are taking medication for migraines or any other condition, it is essential to consult a doctor before starting CBD, as it can interact with various medicines, altering their efficacy. In addition, cannabis or CBD is contraindicated in pregnancy.
Final considerations on using CBD for migraines
CBD oil offers an alternative for people seeking relief from migraine symptoms. Although research is still in its early stages, initial findings suggest that CBD could play a role in treating migraine. As always, it is advisable to consult a doctor for personalised guidance on whether CBD is suitable for you, on doses and on possible interactions with other medicines.
While CBD is not a panacea, its potential as an alternative treatment option is encouraging and deserves further research. In a few years, once results from ongoing studies are available, we may understand the full range of benefits that CBD can offer migraine sufferers.
Note: This is an informative post, based on ongoing research. It does not attempt or claim to diagnose, prevent or cure any disease or symptom. Its content can complement, but never replace, the diagnosis or treatment of any disease or symptom. Cannactiva products are not medicines and are intended for external use. Consult your doctor before using CBD.
References
- Costa, B., Giagnoni, G., Franke, C., Trovato, A. E., & Colleoni, M. (2004). Vanilloid TRPV1 receptor mediates the antihyperalgesic effect of the nonpsychoactive cannabinoid, cannabidiol, in a rat model of acute inflammation. British journal of pharmacology, 143(2), 247–250. https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.bjp.0705920
- Costa, B., Colleoni, M., Conti, S., Parolaro, D., Franke, C., Trovato, A. E., & Giagnoni, G. (2004). Oral anti-inflammatory activity of cannabidiol, a non-psychoactive constituent of cannabis, in acute carrageenan-induced inflammation in the rat paw. Naunyn-Schmiedeberg's archives of pharmacology, 369(3), 294–299. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00210-004-0871-3
- Greco, R., Francavilla, M., Demartini, C., Zanaboni, A. M., Sodergren, M. H., Facchetti, S., Pacchetti, B., Palmisani, M., Franco, V., & Tassorelli, C. (2023). Characterization of the biochemical and behavioral effects of cannabidiol: implications for migraine. The journal of headache and pain, 24(1), 48. https://doi.org/10.1186/s10194-023-01589-y
- Atalay, S., Jarocka-Karpowicz, I., & Skrzydlewska, E. (2019). Antioxidative and Anti-Inflammatory Properties of Cannabidiol. Antioxidants (Basel, Switzerland), 9(1), 21. https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox9010021
- Russo, E. B., Burnett, A., Hall, B., & Parker, K. K. (2005). Agonistic properties of cannabidiol at 5-HT1a receptors. Neurochemical research, 30(8), 1037–1043. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11064-005-6978-1
- Sturaro, C., Fakhoury, B., Targowska-Duda, K. M., Zribi, G., Schoch, J., Ruzza, C., Calò, G., Toll, L., & Cippitelli, A. (2023). Preclinical effects of cannabidiol in an experimental model of migraine. Pain, 10.1097/j.pain.0000000000002960. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1097/j.pain.0000000000002960
- Mlost, J., Bryk, M., & Starowicz, K. (2020). Cannabidiol for Pain Treatment: Focus on Pharmacology and Mechanism of Action. International journal of molecular sciences, 21(22), 8870. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms21228870
- Leimuranta P, Khiroug L, Giniatullin R. Emerging Role of (Endo)Cannabinoids in Migraine. Front Pharmacol. 2018 Apr 24;9:420. doi: 10.3389/fphar.2018.00420. PMID: 29740328; PMCID: PMC5928495.
