If you suffer from migraines often, you have perhaps gone through all sorts of solutions. You may have attempted everything from home remedies, a balanced diet, lifestyle changes.
Traditional, herbal, holistic, and other alternative treatment types are on your radar. But if you still can’t seem to get rid of these pesky aches, consider using CBD for headaches.
Migraines Are a Universal Problem
Even if you don’t have headaches, you may know someone who does. Migraines are indeed one of the most annoying health issues in America and the rest of the world.
Nearly 25% of U.S. households have a member who gets headaches frequently. And almost 20% of women reportedly admitted having a severe issue. Among those, 84% of them said that the migraine impacts their work, education, personal life, and fun.
And migraine is not your headache, but it results in one-sided, throbbing pain episodes. The ache could be debilitating and cause extreme light sensitivity. You may also experience nausea, vomiting, nose pain, and more.
That said, it is shocking to know that a vast majority of people with this issue don’t seek treatment. They leave it undiagnosed or undertreated and practically ignored for the most part.
Does CBD Show Any Improvement in Migraine Treatment?
Research on animals in the lab and human clinical studies have suggested the potential for CBD treatment for migraines. Cannabis compounds like CBD can ease headaches and inflammation.
Studies involving over 2,000 migraine patients revealed that Sativa strains like chemovar were extremely helpful. In particular, OG Shark contained High concentrations of Delta 9 THC. It also has low amounts of CBD and terpenes like beta myrcene.
THC or tetrahydrocannabinol is the primary psychoactive chemical in cannabis plants like marijuana. It produces mind-altering effects in the user and can relieve pain. The compound CBD protects your brain, and the nervous system, and acts as an anti-inflammatory.
Experts also believe that CBD can support the human ECS or endocannabinoid system. CBD interacts with the cell receptors and impacts the neurotransmitters in the brain. Furthermore, it limits the breaking down of anandamide.
Any deficiency in the ECS can also lead to medical issues like IBS, fibromyalgia, and migraine. These chronic pain conditions respond to CBD treatment well by restoring ECS functions. It creates a feedback loop that can modulate pain perception, elevate mood, stimulate appetite, reduce inflammation, etc.
How to Use CBD to Treat Headaches?
When you use CBD for headaches, it is better to start with low doses. Maintain a journal to note down the amounts and the time at which you take CBD. Based on your body’s response, you can increase the dosage gradually.
You can administer CBD in various ways: vaping, sublingually, edibles, topical, and more. A few drops under the tongue will result in instant relief within minutes. It is because the tissues absorb CBD quicker and bypass the digestive system.
But be careful if you are using prescription medications or other cannabinoids. Common side effects are mild, such as nausea and sleepiness. A gap of two or three hours can help prevent the risk of such issues.
CBD combined with other compounds of cannabis like THC, CBN, terpenes, etc., can help create the entourage effect. So, it is wise to choose the best strain for your needs. Typically, THC levels should be below 0.3% in CBD oils, tinctures, and other products.
Where to Find the Best CBD Products?
You can buy CBD capsules for migraines from a local dispensary or online. But check the bottle for the ingredients list to ensure nothing toxic is present. Also, review the lab results conducted by an unbiased third party.
Next comes the batch-specific Certificate of Analysis, which you should cross-check on each product. Typically, you will find these on the website of the manufacturer or seller. You can find out details such as purity, concentration, potency, and extraction processes.
There should be transparency regarding the pricing, returns policy, and customer support. Consider it a red flag if there is no mention of a good manufacturing practices certificate.
Type of Product
Full-spectrum means the product contains other cannabis extracts, too, such as terpenes, up to 0.3%. This amount is not enough to get you high, but it can show up in a drug test.
Broad-spectrum contains all other hemp plant components barring THC. CBD isolates contain pure cannabinoids. If intoxication or drug testing is not your concern, you can go for broad-spectrum CBD.
Maintain a Healthy Lifestyle
Relying solely on CBD or any other supplement may or may not help achieve the desired results. But you can speed it up by cultivating healthy lifestyle habits like exercising and healthy eating, including consuming more fruits and vegetables.
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