Using CBD for Headaches and Migraines
Migraines can cause debilitating headaches pushing victims to seek various remedies to address the pain. They’re neurological headaches complemented by vomiting, nausea, sound, and light sensitivity. Based on the Migraine Research Foundation, one in every four American households suffers from migraines. Although anyone can suffer from these throbbing headache episodes, it tends to affect women mostly, especially those between 18-44 years old (based on a 2018 survey conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention).
Although you might consume prescribed medications, it doesn’t work for most patients, and the adverse effects can be as severe as the migraine itself. Many individuals suffering from migraines seek effective alternatives that can address headaches minus the adverse side effects. Cannabidiol (CBD) shows potential against normal soreness and stiffness.
CBD and Migraines
Several animal and laboratory studies second the possible utility of marijuana and its compounds against occasional pain. For instance, the 2018 study published in the Journal of Headache and Pain stated that CBD could help address migraine pain.
During a survey involving more than two thousand marijuana patients, the researchers established that a quarter of the participants used cannabis for migraine or headache. These interviewees stated that the O.G Shark Sativa strain was distinctly helpful. This marijuana strain is relatively rich in delta-9 THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) with low CBD levels. Delta-9 THC is the major mind-altering cannabis compound.
Bonni Goldstein, owner and medical director of the Los Angeles-based Cannacenters, points out that research studies indicate that cannabidiol helps promote optimal health. He added that CBD protects our nervous system.
Bonni and other top professionals believe that CBD can also assist with stiffness by supporting your ECS (endocannabinoid system). We produce endocannabinoids that interact with the body’s cell receptors. This process creates a feedback cycle associated with regulating all your body systems and modulating mood, appetite, sleep patterns, pain perception, and so on. How marijuana compounds, such as CBD and THC, network with the endocannabinoid system are still under study.
Russo Ethan, MD, a top clinical marijuana researcher, initially proposed two decades ago that endocannabinoid insufficiency may lead to fibromyalgia, migraine, and other chronic pain ailments.
According to this notion, using cannabinoids may rejuvenate the ECS function (endocannabinoid tone) and help boost mental health. CBD appears to inhibit anandamide breakdown. Anandamide is an essential endocannabinoid.
Other recent studies continue shedding more light on cannabidiol’s potential effectiveness against migraines and headaches. A study in the Neurology European Journal indicated that CBD was more efficient than commonly prescribed migraine drugs.
During a 2016 study, 127 patients suffering from migraines and throbbing headaches were administered a low THC/high CBD dose and saw 55 % less stiffness. The other group of patients ingested an antidepressant (amitriptyline) that healthcare professionals commonly prescribed for migraines. Individuals who consumed CBD experienced fewer episodes of headaches.
Using CBD for Migraines
Regular consumption of CBD oil can help reinstate your endocannabinoid tone, helping address your occasional headaches. Experts advise beginners to start with a small dose and gradually increase according to their tolerance. Also, have a diary to note down any CBD effects on your condition. You can administer CBD oil under your tongue (sublingually) for quicker and more effective absorption than swallowing it or taking an edible.
Although CBD oil is relatively non-toxic, some people may encounter side effects, such as nausea, diarrhea, or drowsiness. Another issue is its potential interaction with other medications, making such drugs more or less efficient.
It’s important to inform your doctor that you’ll be consuming CBD regularly and request him/her for any supplements/drugs that may positively interact with cannabidiol.
Vinocur Leigh, a member of the Cannabis Clinicians Society and a board-approved emergency room doctor, recommends her patients to allow a two-to-three-hour window when taking CBD and other drugs to help minimize their interaction.
If you are searching for instant relief from your occasional sinus headache, vaping CBD is the most compelling option. However, experts advise folks to proceed with care and purchase regulated vape commodities that don’t have toxic additives. An outbreak of fatal lung disease in 2019 was caused by Vitamin E oil incorporated in black-market cartridges.
Topical CBD oils, gels, and creams are fast-acting and straightforward to apply. They might help reduce your recovery time and improve your exercise tolerance. The skin has multiple cannabinoid receptors enabling topical CBD commodities to act fast. Topicals are repeatedly used to relieve normal joint stiffness and muscle soreness. It also helps promote normal emotional balance, boosting your mental and physical health.
Tinctures are derived using multiple approaches such as the ethanol technique and carbon (iv) oxide technique. These approaches are crafted to preserve as many cannabinoids as they can. You can consume tinctures orally or mix them in your favorite beverage.
Edibles are another popular CBD consumption since they’re delicious and discrete. They contain higher CBD concentration, making them an ideal way of consuming higher doses of CBD. If your edible has a significant amount of a different fat or oil, like coconut oil, its formulation increases CBD’s bioavailability.
Finding Safe and High-quality CBD Products
Dr. Goldstein and other healthcare professionals advise that if you reside in a marijuana-authorized state( where Cannabis sativa crops with less than 0.3% THC can be cultivated and sold), you should purchase CBD items from a federally certified dispensary.
Online purchase is another option for purchasing CBD; however, ensure the products are tested by a third party for potency and purity and have a batch-specific Certificate of Analysis documentation.
Our experts advise ensuring CBD products are:
- Created using U.S.-cultivated hemp
- Certified organic
- Produced in adherence to FDA’s Good Manufacturing Practices
- Derived using food-grade ethanol or supercritical CO2, a high-tech technique that leaves little to negligible solvents behind
- Free from contaminants, mold, pesticides, and heavy metals
Choosing between Broad Spectrum, Full Spectrum, and CBD Isolate
- Full-spectrum contains all hemp plant’s components, including less than 0.3% THC content and terpenes.
- Broad-spectrum contains all hemp plant ingredients but no THC
- CBD isolate only has CBD.
CBD isolates and Broad-spectrum CBD commodities are probably the best options if you’re worried about a drug test. You can settle for full-spectrum to experience the entourage effect.