As more supposed therapeutic benefits of CBD arise, it poses the question, “can you harness the power of CBD for migraines and headaches?” CBD has become incredibly popular over the last number of years, and it seems as though you can use it for almost anything. Some of the common claims associated with CBD include that it relieves discomfort, aids better sleep, and improves overall wellbeing.
Migraines and headaches are a reality for many people, and they can significantly impact their everyday lives. In the case of migraines, sufferers often must stop whatever they are doing and sit or lie down in the dark for the day. The pounding sensation not only prevents them from thinking clearly but also doing anything whatsoever.
With migraines and headaches being so common, we must find methods that offer sufferers some relief. Let’s explore what migraines and headaches entail, and how CBD could potentially help.
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How do migraines and headaches differ?
It is crucial to understand the difference between a headache and a migraine. A headache is just as it sounds, aches and pains in your head. The level of discomfort that a headache causes can be anywhere from mild to more severe.
Headaches usually affect the left and right sides of your head too. However, they can also be focused on specific areas, such as the back of your neck, temples, or forehead. Tension headaches are the most common types and are usually triggered by things, such as feelings of stress and overwhelm, in addition to muscle strain.
In saying that, these are not the only kinds of headaches; others do exist. Some of these include thunderclap headaches, chiari headaches, cluster headaches, and sinus headaches. On the other hand, migraines are also a type of headache, but differ from your traditional headache.
Migraines are considered a severe type, and generally have additional symptoms along with discomfort in your head. People who suffer from migraines may experience symptoms, such as:
- Feeling nauseous
- Pain in or behind the ears and in the temples
- Being sensitive to sound or light
- Seeing flashing or spots of light
- Vomiting
- Temporary loss of vision
Migraines can be so severe that many seek out medical care in their local hospital. While headaches often affect both the left and right sides of the head, migraines generally affect one side. In saying that, people do still experience migraines that affect both sides.
The pain of a migraine is also different from a headache in that it features very intense throbbing and pressure. Usually, a migraine means a person cannot do anything for the rest of the day, while with a headache, they can likely go about their regular activities to an extent.
What are the benefits of CBD for migraines and headaches?
Now you know what the difference is between a migraine and a headache. So, let’s look at whether CBD could equal some migraine or headache relief.
CBD could reduce the pain of a migraine or headache
As mentioned previously, headaches are painful. In addition, this is more so the case with migraines, as they feature a throbbing pain. Therefore, if you are to get some relief from your headaches, you need to find ways to reduce this discomfort.
This is where CBD comes in. Scientists have researched CBD over the past number of years, focusing on whether or not it can lessen pain. The studies currently conducted have suggested it could be beneficial for those experiencing acute and chronic pain.
With that in mind, it seems CBD could help in reducing migraine and headache-related discomfort. This is because the pain of a migraine or headache lies somewhere in the middle in that it does not subside immediately, but does not usually last for months on end. Therefore, using CBD for headaches and migraines could help in lessening that pain.
Learn more about: CBD Oil for Pain Relief
It could reduce the feeling of nausea
If you deal with migraines or headaches regularly, another symptom you most likely want to reduce is the feeling of nausea. There is nothing worse than feeling nauseous or as though you are about to vomit. With all that comes with a migraine or headache, it is unwanted.
While research on CBD for nausea is somewhat limited, there have been some promising conclusions. In particular, a 2011 animal study noted that because CBD interacts with serotonin receptors, it can reduce the feeling of nausea. However, the researchers did suggest that perhaps THC would be more effective at lessening nausea and vomiting.
With that in mind, it seems CBD could help in reducing nausea and vomiting. However, it may be best to go for a CBD product that contains some amount of THC.
Does CBD have any side effects I should be aware of?
You now know how CBD could potentially help with your migraines and headaches, so you’re probably curious about the side effects. While there has not been a tremendous amount of research into CBD, the current studies have found it does not have many side effects. In addition, they are minor and usually only occur if you exceed the recommended dose.
The following are some of the most common CBD adverse effects:
- Dry mouth
- Diarrhoea
- Vomiting
- Lack of appetite
- Tiredness or fatigue
Another thing to keep in mind is CBD can interfere with other medications. For this reason, it is essential that if you are on any medicine, to check with your doctor to make sure it is okay for you to take CBD. Medications that have a grapefruit warning label will generally interact with CBD, so look out for this.
Learn more about: Medical Cannabis in UK
Along with side effects, it is also vital to purchase your CBD products from a reputable brand. We would recommend CBD Village, which follows all the regulations and laws around CBD. They also have a plethora of products on their website, which means there is something for everyone.
In summary
Headaches and migraines are prevalent, and they can affect a person’s everyday life. They can be very painful and even prevent you from going about your regular day. This is why it is so important to find ways to reduce the symptoms of migraines and headaches.
It seems there are benefits of CBD for headaches and migraines which may prove useful to sufferers. Research has suggested CBD can relieve pain, nausea, and vomiting associated with migraines and headaches. Given that, it seems worth a try.
However, it is crucial to be aware of the side effects and consult your GP if you are on any medications. In addition, always purchase products from a trusted and reputable brand within the industry.
You may also like to read: Could Cannabis Reduce Headaches?
