Can CBD Alleviate Migraine Symptoms?
Migraines can be debilitating and affect an individual’s daily life from work to school and anything in between. The Migraine Research Foundation states that nearly 1 in 4 U.S. households include someone who is suffering from migraines, and has labeled it as the 6th most disabling illness in the world.
What causes migraines? Researchers believe that migraines have a genetic root, but onset can also be triggered by factors such as emotions, environment or hormonal changes. There are many migraine treatment options on the market today, however, some are not without adverse effects, leaving individuals to wonder if there are other options.
Cannabinoids (CBD) have been known to provide therapeutic benefits, especially in the treatment of pain. In today’s blog post, we are going to go over how CBD works, an overview of research and ultimately if it could be an option for those suffering from migraines! If you are interested in learning more, keep reading:
How Does CBD Work?
Unlike THC, CBD produces therapeutic benefits without causing psychoactive effects. CBD works in our bodies by helping to stimulate the endocannabinoid system by acting on CB1 and CB2 receptors, all of which will be covered below.
The endocannabinoid system is a system within the human body which regulates functions such as mood, appetite, sleep and memory. More information on this complex system is yet to be discovered, however, for the purpose of this blog, it is important to review how this system works in conjunction with CBD.
Let’s start with reviewing the link between the receptors and endocannabinoids:
There are currently two types of known cannabinoid receptors named CB1 and CB2. The CB1 receptors are present in the central nervous system. Primarily active within your brain, lungs, liver and kidneys. CB2 receptors on the other hand are present mainly on immune cells found in the brain and body via bloodstream. CB2 receptors aid in the response to inflammation and injury.
CBD acts upon these receptors to produce a variety of therapeutic outcomes. CBD does not bind directly to these receptors but helps them to work more efficiently and promote homeostasis. By indirectly influencing these functions, CBD can also impact the TRPV1 receptors aiding in the reduction of pain and inflammation. This helps to explain the therapeutic effects and health benefits of CBD. Which brings us to our next topic.
Can CBD Help with Migraines?
Many migraine sufferers ponder this same question. To begin, more research needs to be conducted before drawing a firm conclusion. However, the studies covered below show promising results in the therapeutic benefits of CBD and migraines.
CBD has been shown time and time again to have anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving properties, backing up the claims that state it could be beneficial for those suffering from migraines. To support this, an article published by Medical News Today states that, “There is evidence that CBD oil can reduce inflammation and pain in arthritis. It may work similarly with migraines.”
The best way to conclude if CBD can work for you is to experiment and see how you respond. All in all, many individuals have found personal success with relieving symptoms of migraines through the use of CBD- noting that everyone does respond differently.
Research Overview- CBD For Migraines
Data in this area of study is limited but there have been many studies demonstrating CBD’s benefits on pain relief.
A 2007 study using animal models indicated a potential for therapeutic use of cannabidiol for reducing inflammation and chronic pain. This was done by targeting specified receptors within the endocannabinoid system.
A 2017 study focusing on cannabis for pain and headaches concluded that cannabinoids such as cannabidiol and terpenes are agents that have pain relieving benefits without the psychoactive effects of THC.
A 2018 review conducted by frontiers in Pharmacology summarized recent findings and offer a new hypothesis on the role of CBD in managing underlying migraine pain. It was concluded that cannabinoids present a promising class of compounds for both acute and preventative treatment of migraine pain.