Over the past few years, laws governing the legal, or rather medical use of marijuana have been loosening up. This has created space for scientists and other medical practitioners to focus on other benefits of legal CBD. CBD oils play a very important and relevant role in the medical field since it has proved significant in treating almost everything from chronic pains to arthritis. This also includes migraines.
Now, what are migraines?
Migraines can be simply described as throbbing sensations that tend to occur on one side of an individual’s head. This throbbing causes quite irritating and at times unbearable pain. Migraines are often experienced as headaches which could range from mild to severe. Severe migraines can as well initiate several other symptoms including nausea, vomiting and relatively high sensitivity to sound and light.
Migraine headaches happen to be a very common phenomenon all over the world. In the U.S. alone, over 38 million folks are affected by the same. This population includes both adults and children as well as male and female.
And what exactly is CBD Oil (Cannabidiol)?
One of the most common misconceptions is that BD oil is marijuana.’ You need to understand that this is merely a misconception- Cannabidiol isn’t marijuana.
The Cannabis Sativa plant extract has approximately, or rather more than 120 substances including CBD. This means that CBD is simply a single extract of one among these substances. Science has also indicated that CBD isn’t responsible for getting people igh’ and that’s just another substance referred to as THC. Over its period of research and use, Cannabidiol has left an established and reliable track record of undeniable safety. This is of course, with the exception of a few side effects including diarrhea, fatigue, and changes in one’s appetite.
What is the big deal between the two?
Unlike most of the typical allergy- and stress-related headaches, migraines can persist for between 4 to over 72 hours. That’s not all, in case you are experiencing migraines, even the most uneventful activities can result in amplified symptoms.
As much as painkillers tend to alleviate these headaches temporarily, some of their side effects are rather concerning. This is the concern that has many medical practitioners recommend the use of CBD oils rather than the typical painkillers.
Are there any studies or scientific research to back this up?
Due to the CBD’s regulated nature, as well as several obstacles pertaining to the legalization of cannabis, studies and research on CBD oils for migraines is still quite limited. However, even though so, there are a number of studies that have identified CBD oil’s significant role in alleviating various forms of acute and chronic pains including migraines.
In 2016, there was another study on marijuana’s medical use for migraines published by Pharmacotherapy. Researchers indicated that out of their 48 subjects, about 40 percent of them reported reduced migraine symptoms. In this very research, the most significant side effect was solely drowsiness.
In 2017, a published study explored some of the positive and significant effects of oral cannabis. The study featured 26 participants experiencing headaches who used nabilone together with oral cannabis or ibuprofen to treat their symptoms. By the end of this study, better life quality, as well as a number of significant improvements, were reported by the individuals who used the nabilone-cannabis formula.
These include just but some of the numerous studies on the same. However, note that the above studies only assessed some of the cannabis effects – and not pure CBD oil effects – on pain. Of course, additional clinical trials and scientific studies should fully investigate and report the effects as well as potential benefits of CBD oils in curbing migraines.
So, how does it work in treating migraines?
CBD functions by interacting with specific cells in the subject’s brain as well as their nervous system. These are referred to as cannabinoid receptors, CB1 and CB2. Even though their interaction is not yet fully understood, this is the interaction thought to create an impact on their immune system.
Additionally, CBD has also been established to limit inflammation within the human body. This essentially helps in pain reduction among other responses to the immune system. All in all, further research is required to fully understand how CBD interacts with and affects the body.
Is the use of CBD legal?
The legality of CBD widely varies from one state to another. Some states have seen the medical use of a number of cannabis products legalized. Which products exactly, their acquisition and the conditions they treat differs from one state to another. Nonetheless, you need to note that most products available out there have not yet been approved meaning that its users cannot always be certain of its safety.
Summary and conclusion
Essentially, all facts and figures stated here do endorse and support the use of CBD in the treatment of migraine symptoms. However, as much as it works, any individual considering to use CBD oil in the treatment of migraines should first consult a reputable and certified medical practitioner before using it. Note that since CBD for migraines is not yet FDA-approved, efficacy and safety is quite controversial.
