Can CBD or medical cannabis suppress a migraine?
Migraine attacks far surpass typical headaches caused by stress or allergies and last between 4 and 72 hours. Even the most ordinary activities, such as moving around or being near loud noise and light, can intensify symptoms.
Although the symptoms of migraine attacks can be temporarily relieved by painkillers, the side effects of painkillers should be feared. This is where cannabidiol (CBD) comes in. CBD is one of the many active substances in cannabis. It is growing in popularity, offering natural and effective relief for a range of health problems.
What the research says about CBD
Research on the use of CBD for migraine is limited. Existing studies have looked at the combined effects of CBD and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), another, better-known, cannabinoid. Unfortunately, there are currently no published studies examining the effects of CBD on migraine as a stand-alone ingredient.
The limited amount of research is partly due to the regulation of CBD and the barriers associated with the legal status of cannabis. Still, some laboratory studies suggest that CBD oil may help with all forms of chronic and acute pain, including migraine.
Studies of CBD and THC
In 2017, at the 3rd Congress of the European Academy of Neurology (EAN), a group of researchers presented the results of their study on cannabinoids in migraine prevention.
In the first phase of their study, 48 people with chronic migraine were given a combination of two compounds. One compound contained 19% THC, while the other contained 9% CBD and virtually no THC. The compounds were administered orally. Doses below 100 milligrams had no effect. When doses were increased to 200 mg, acute pain was reduced by 55 percent.
The second phase of the study looked at people with chronic migraine or cluster headaches. 79 people with chronic migraine received a daily dose of 200 mg of the THC/CBD combination (from phase I) or 25 mg of amitriptyline, a tricyclic antidepressant. 48 people with cluster headaches received a daily dose of 200 mg of the THC/CBD combination from phase I or 480 mg of verapamil, a calcium channel blocker. Treatment lasted three months, and a follow-up was conducted four weeks after completion.
The THC/CBD combination led to a 40.4% reduction in migraine attacks, while the use of amitriptyline led to a 40.1% reduction in migraine attacks. The THC/CBD combination also reduced pain intensity by 43.5 percent. Participants with cluster headaches experienced only a slight reduction in headache intensity and frequency.
However, some experienced a 43.5 percent reduction in pain intensity. However, this decrease was only seen in participants who had migraine attacks that began in childhood. The researchers concluded that cannabinoids are only effective against acute cluster headaches if the person experienced migraine attacks in childhood.
Further research on cannabis
Research into other forms of cannabis may provide further hope for those seeking relief from migraine pain.
Medical cannabis studies
In 2016, the journal Pharmacotherapy published a study on the use of medical cannabis for migraine. Researchers found that out of 48 people surveyed, 39.7% experienced fewer migraine attacks overall.
The most common complaint was drowsiness, while others had difficulty determining the correct dose. Most side effects were experienced by those who used cannabis edibles, as opposed to inhaling or taking other forms.
The 2018 study examined 2,032 people whose main problem or ailment was migraine, headache, arthritis or chronic pain. Most participants managed to replace their prescription medications - usually opioids - with cannabis. All subgroups preferred hybrid cannabis varieties. People in the migraine and headache subgroups preferred the high-THC, low-CBD hybrid variety.
The nabilone study
A 2012 Italian study investigated the effects of nabilone, a synthetic form of THC, on headache disorders. Twenty-six people who suffered headaches from medication overuse began taking oral doses of either 0.50 mg of nabilone per day or 400 mg of ibuprofen per day. After eight weeks of taking one of the medications, the study participants remained medication-free for one week. They then switched to the other medication for the last eight weeks.
Both drugs proved to be effective. However, at the end of the study, participants reported greater improvement and better quality of life while taking nabilone. Taking nabilone led to a reduction in pain intensity and also a reduction in dependence on the medication. Neither drug had a significant effect on the frequency of migraine attacks, which the researchers attribute to the short duration of the study.
How CBD works
CBD works by interacting with the cannabinoid receptors in the body (CB1 and CB2). Although the mechanisms are not fully understood, the receptors may influence the immune system. For example, CBD may prevent the body from metabolizing anandamide. The compound anandamide has been linked to pain regulation. Maintaining high levels of anandamide in the bloodstream may alleviate pain sensations.
CBD is also thought to reduce inflammation in the body, which may also help reduce pain and other immune system reactions. More research is currently needed to better understand how CBD may affect the body.
How to take CBD
Cannabis has been used in alternative medicine for over 3,000 years. Some of its uses include medical treatment:
- Pain
- neurological disorders
- inflammation
Forms of CBD use:
- vaporization
- in food
- external administration
Oral use of CBD is less likely to cause side effects than vaporization, so it may be a good place to start for beginners.
Oral use options:
- Put a few drops of CBD oil under your tongue.
- Taking CBD capsules.
- Eat or drink a CBD-containing ingestible.
- Vaping CBD can be beneficial if you are experiencing a severe migraine at home and don't need to leave.
- Inhalation delivers compounds into the bloodstream much faster than other methods.
Currently, there are no formal guidelines for proper dosage during a migraine attack. Therefore, consult your doctor to determine the correct dosage.
If you are new to CBD oil, you should start with the smallest dose possible. Gradually work your way up to the full recommended dose. This will help your body get used to the oil and reduce the risk of side effects. This easy-to-follow guide can also help you with dosing.
Possible side effects and risks
Overall, studies show that the side effects of taking CBD and CBD oil are minimal. This is one of the main reasons people are moving away from over-the-counter or prescription painkillers. Still, fatigue, drowsiness, upset stomach, changes in appetite and in weight can occur. Liver toxicity has also been observed in mice given extremely high doses of CBD-rich cannabis extract.
The risk of adverse effects may depend on the way CBD oil is taken. For example, vaporization can cause lung irritation and cause:
- Chronic cough.
- hoarseness
- breathing difficulties
If you suffer from asthma or another type of lung disease, CBD vaporization may not be suitable for you. If you are unsure about possible side effects or how your body might handle them, talk to your doctor.
If you are taking other medications or dietary supplements, be careful of interactions. CBD can interact with a variety of medications, such as:
- antibiotics
- antidepressants
- blood thinners
Be especially cautious if you are taking medications or dietary supplements that interact with grapefruit. Both CBD and grapefruit interact with enzymes - such as cytochromes P450 (CYP) - that are important for drug metabolism.
Can CBD get you high like THC?
CBD oils are made from hemp, but they don't always contain THC. THC is a cannabinoid that makes users feel what is known as "high" when they smoke cannabis. CBD products with little or no THC have no psychoactive effects.
Is CBD legal?
In the Czech Republic, as of the beginning of 2022, hemp products can legally contain up to 1% THC or less (the upper limit was previously 0.3%). However, the same situation does not apply in all countries. Some countries require CBD users to have a prescription, while others ban the sale of cannabis products altogether. When travelling abroad, it is advisable to check the laws in all the countries you will be passing through.
Consult your doctor
More research needs to be done before CBD oil becomes a common migraine treatment option, but if you're interested it's worth talking to your doctor. He or she can advise you on more than just the right dosage.
If you decide to try CBD oil, approach it just like any other migraine treatment option. It may take some time to take effect, and you may need to gradually adjust the dosage to suit your needs.
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Short and simple:
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