Why do we have headaches?
To be honest, there is no specific thing that causes a headache. In fact, there are dozens and dozens of different pathways that can produce the physiological effects and distressing symptoms of throbbing head pain. The weird thing is that our brains can’t feel pain, so why does my head hurt?
We know you can get a stress headache, a toothache, from drinking too much (i.e. a hangover), from not drinking enough (dehydration), from skipping your morning coffee, from tumors, from concussions, from get too much sun, and so on. As you can see, there are plenty of physiological (and even emotional) reasons why we get headaches.
Can I take CBD for headaches and how does it work?
Yes! CBD works for headaches and this is good news for people who suffer from them and have been taking traditional medications with severe side effects. Many studies have been conducted around the world, and the results are very positive. CBD will interact with natural receptors in the ECS, promoting homeostasis throughout the body. In the case of headaches, CBD interacts with ECS receptors to perform the following functions, A, revert neurochemical release to appropriate levels, and B, reduce headache-induced inflammation in acute muscles , tissues and networks of blood vessels.
But what studies and research have been done on CBD and headaches?
A 2017 study explored the positive effects of oral CBD. Over the course of six months, 26 people who experienced medication overuse headaches took ibuprofen or Nabilone with oral CBD to treat their symptoms. Each combination was used for eight weeks. They also took eight weeks off between the two combinations.
At the end of the study, the participants reported more improvements and better quality of life when taking the CBD-nabilone formula. It is important to note that the researchers evaluated the combination of all substances used and not just CBD.
Previously, in 2016, another study on the use of medical cannabis for migraines was published. But unlike CBD alone, this time the researchers used THC and CBD, but this caused complications due to the psychoactive effects of THC, the researchers found that, of the 48 people surveyed, about 40% reported fewer migraines overall. Drowsiness was the biggest complaint, while others found it difficult to find the right dose, and others found simple tasks difficult and even fun (which doesn’t look good when driving or working in the office)
This 2016 study shows us that taking Cannabis-based medications that contain only CBD or CBD with micro amounts of THC is the preferred option for most people in this fast-paced world we live in.
In what form should I be taking CBD?
CBD comes in many forms, oils, capsules, e-liquids, and even edibles. But what works best for you may not be ideal for someone else, for example, if you suffer from a lot of headaches and are working on a construction site, a glass bottle with your CBD oil might not work for you. I practice, in this case, some CBD capsules could be perfect to take with you. The best advice would be to take your CBD in the way that suits you best.