Migraine is a type of intense and painful headache that can affect a person's quality of life. Conventional treatments such as painkillers, triptans, and anticonvulsants may not work for everyone and may have unwanted side effects. Cannabidiol (CBD), a natural compound derived from hemp, has gained popularity as a potential migraine treatment due to its pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory properties.
CBD, short for cannabidiol, is a natural compound found in the cannabis plant.
Unlike its cousin, THC, CBD is not psychoactive, which means it does not cause euphoric or perception-altering effects. CBD has become increasingly popular in recent years, due to its medicinal properties.
It is used to relieve inflammatory pain, chronic pain, neuropathic pain, arthritis, fibromyalgia, nerve pain, as well as to reduce inflammation and help relieve these pains.
CBD has been shown to reduce pain by acting on the body's endocannabinoid system (ECS). The ECS is involved in the regulation of pain, mood, appetite and inflammation. CBD works by binding to ECS receptors to reduce pain and inflammation.
Several studies have examined the effectiveness of CBD in treating pain associated with migraine. A 2017 study published in Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research looked at the effect of CBD on tension headaches. The results showed that CBD reduced pain and improved participants' quality of life.
Besides reducing pain, CBD can also help prevent migraines. Studies have shown that CBD can act as a prophylactic agent to prevent migraines. CBD can reduce inflammation in the brain and reduce the frequency and severity of migraines.
A 2018 study published in Frontiers in Pharmacology examined the effect of CBD on migraines in patients with chronic migraines. The results showed that CBD reduced the number of migraine days per month by 50% in participants.
Cannabigerol (CBG) is another non-psychoactive cannabinoid found in hemp. Although not as well studied as CBD, it shows promise for the treatment of migraines. CBG is a partial CB1 and CB2 receptor antagonist, meaning it can influence the activity of the body's endocannabinoid receptors. It may also interact with other signaling systems in the brain and body to produce therapeutic effects.
Preclinical studies have shown that CBG can be effective in relieving pain associated with migraines. In 2018, a study published in the journal Headache looked at the effect of CBG on migraines in rats. The results showed that CBG reduced the pain and inflammation associated with migraines.
CBG may also act as an anti-inflammatory to reduce inflammation in the brain, which is implicated in triggering migraines. A 2017 study published in Neurotherapeutics looked at the effect of cannabinoids on migraines and concluded that cannabinoids may be effective in reducing inflammation in the brain.
Finally, CBG may also help reduce the frequency and severity of migraines by regulating mood and stress. Studies have shown that CBG can act as an anxiolytic agent to reduce anxiety and depression, which are known risk factors for migraines.
