We’ve all experienced the symptoms: a piercing pain behind the eyes, cramping in the neck, a pounding feeling in between the ears—you know it—migraines. While traditional treatments include over the counter medications and even botox, CBD oil for migraines may be a natural solution to this painful problem.

Migraines and headaches are common health conditions, affecting 1 in every 5 women and 1 in every 15 men, one report found. Migraines are so common because there are so many everyday triggers; screen time, certain foods and drinks, dehydration, stress, lack of sleep, and more commonly in women, hormone and estrogen levels. Migraines impact our productivity, mood, and sleep and preemptive actions don’t always work as it’s difficult to predict when or how a migraine will start. 

Traditional treatments for migraines

When it comes to treating migraines, the most traditional methods include over the counter pain medication such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen (Tylenol, Advil, Motrin B etc.). For those with more severe cases of migraines, prescription pain meds, anti-nausea drugs, opioids can be used. Other methods include using cold or hot compresses, acupuncture and even botox. For migraines, botox is injected around pain fibers that cause headaches, it enters the nerve endings and blocks the release of chemicals involved in pain transmission. 

Light therapy, exercise, diet and nutrition plans have also helped to traditionally treat migraines and headaches.

However, given that almost anything can trigger a migraine or headache, it can be difficult to pinpoint the root cause. Becoming familiar with your stressors or triggers can help you determine the best treatment method for you – and it doesn’t always have to be a traditional route.

CBD oil for migraines

One alternative and natural relief for migraines that’s becoming more popular is CBD oil. 

CBD oil may help treat the pain from migraines because of its natural effect on certain receptors in the brain. These receptors are part of the body’s wider Endocannabinoid System (ECS), a group of receptors in our body’s central nervous system which plays a role in pain and inflammation throughout the body. The ECS helps to maintain a healthy physical and mental balance, or homeostasis. Because of this, CBD oil for migraines is safe for most adults. 

How does CBD work?

The body naturally produces its own endocannabinoids. However, external stresses on your ECS such as anxiety, migraines, or any other mental and physical strain (along with environmental changes) will impact the production of endocannabinoids. This is how cannabidiol (CBD) can naturally help. Derived from the cannabis plant, CBD is a phytocannabinoid that interacts with your ECS. Once CBD is in the body’s system, your enzymes begin to break down the phytocannabinoid; this frees up the endocannabinoids that your body naturally produces to bind with receptors. CBD works by blocking the breakdown of the body’s own endocannabinoids and instead attaching to cannabinoid receptors. Along with blocking the breakdown of your endocannabinoids, CBD can bind to non-cannabinoid receptors such as serotonin receptors that are known to influence pain, mood, and sleep. CBD is also non-psychoactive, meaning it won’t get you high, unlike THC. 

Reducing migraine related symptoms with CBD

While specific research on the impacts of CBD for migraines are still in its infancy, one report from the American Migraine Foundation reported CBD oil may be a viable option for those who experience muscle and joint pain, specifically neck pain and soreness associated with migraines. The report also found that the use of CBD oil for migraines may also help to prevent other common symptoms of migraines that include nausea and vomiting. 

A study in Frontiers in Pharmacology, published in April 2020 found that, although more research is needed around CBD oil and its medical possibilities, it is proven to help improve sleep, treat intractable pain, and the most promising for chronic pain and migraine sufferers, it can be effective as an analgesic or painkiller depending on the ailment.

resolveCBD for migraines

While more studies and research are needed around how CBD oil can work for migraines, what has been discovered so far is encouraging for those looking for natural pain relief for migraines. While research on this topic is still in its infancy, people have already discovered the positive effects that CBD offers to treat migraines and headaches. A few resolveCBD Oil customers have given glowing reviews with their real life experiences.

“The peppermint flavor is oh so good! I have chronic migraine and fibromyalgia. I feel instant relaxation and relaxation using this product. Definitely recommend,” Brittany Z.

“I just want to say thank you!! I’m in my 4th week of using the CBD oil and the results are incredible. I was hardly able to get through two days without taking Tylenol or Advil with my constant headaches. I haven’t taken one since starting with (CBD). I can’t even begin to explain how (grateful) I am. Having a business to run and being a mom while coping with constant body issues and headaches was such a struggle, with each week using the oil I saw a gradual difference and it has honestly been incredible. I can’t thank you enough. I have been telling everybody about it and will continue to do so,” Dana.

“Had a huge migraine this evening and took a Tylenol earlier in the day and it did nothing. Forgot I had the CBD oil, took it and pretty much immediately the migraine was gone!” Colin V.

Other CBD products that contain CBD oil, such as resolveCBD capsules have also proven effective for migraines for some of our customers.

“I have been taking CBD for a long time It helps with migraines and pain I have due to continuous concussions I have (endured) during my work,” Shawn S.

Why the consumption method matters

Choosing a high quality CBD oil is essential in terms of how it works with your body’s ECS and gets absorbed into the body. Not all CBD oils are created equally or at the same standards; some products may contain high amounts of additives or contaminants, which can lead to a reduced quality and potency.

The extraction type of CBD (full-spectrum vs isolate) also plays a factory in efficacy. Full-spectrum CBD is widely considered to be the least adulterated type of extraction because it retains trace cannabinoids, terpenes, flavonoids, and essential oils contained in the raw plant material. The combined benefit of these compounds working together produces an “entourage effect”, leading to elevated levels of absorption of CBD in the body. 

To treat migraines quickly, taking CBD oil sublingually (under the tongue) is one of the most effective methods. Sublingual consumption is the act of placing an amount of CBD oil underneath your tongue letting it dissolve for a minute or two before swallowing. This consumption method helps CBD to be absorbed by mucous membranes located in the mouth, skipping the metabolization process that takes place when CBD is ingested through capsules or gummies. By skipping the metabolization process, CBD enters the bloodstream more rapidly for faster pain relief.

If you suffer neck or muscle pain from migraines and headaches CBD topicals such as resolveCBD Pain Cream can help target and treat the physical discomfort. When applied topically, CBD does not reach the bloodstream, but it works by interacting with cannabinoid receptors on the skin’s surface to treat local pain rapidly.

CBD oil dosage for migraines

How much and how quickly CBD is absorbed in the body also depends on body weight, diet and metabolism, and it’s important to keep in mind there is no overall CBD oil dose that works for everyone. 

A general rule of thumb is about 0.15mg – 0.20mg of CBD per pound of your bodyweight. For example, if you weigh 150lbs, an average dosage would be 22.5mg – 30mg. Increase the dose incrementally every 2-3 days if needed. 

If consuming CBD via capsule or gummy, the package should indicate how much CBD is in each gummy or capsule, to help you accurately dose.

CBD oil for migraines, looking forward

While we may not know the full potential of CBD for migraines yet, we do know CBD has positive impacts on the body already being used as pain relief for muscle pain, anxiety, depression, poor sleep and arthritis. CBD has also proven its efficacy in dealing with certain skin conditions like acne, eczema and inflammation. 

As more people seek out natural alternatives to over the counter or prescription pain relief, CBD and other products continue to grow in availability as well as the science and research to back its effectiveness. We do know the CBD works differently for everyone which could also be a positive, as it becomes the type of pain relief people can customize to treat their personal ailments, like migraines. Being mindful of the product, quality and dose will also help people to naturally treat their pain with CBD – and as an extra measure, it’s best to consult with your physician to ensure CBD is safe for you.