Around 54 million Germans suffer phases of headache at some point in their lives. With a share of 90 percent, tension headaches and migraines are most common. Although over-the-counter analgesics are usually the first attempt at therapy, they also bring with them unpleasant side effects. Whether
CBD oil can serve as an alternative or a supplement here is explained below:
What types of headaches are there?
Linguistically, we make few differences between different types of headaches - but medically there are clear classifications. First of all, experts distinguish between primary headache, which stands alone as a symptom, and secondary headache, which is a symptom of comorbidities.
Common types of headaches are the following:
Tension headache: The pain does not pulsate, but pushes and cramps the sides of the head. Often the pain occurs in symmetrical patterns. Tension headaches are not associated with nausea and vomiting.
Migraine: Here the pain occurs unilaterally and pulsates. Physical activity aggravates the symptoms. Those affected also suffer from sensitivity to light and noise, nausea and vomiting.
Cluster headache: Here, the pain attacks occur up to 8 times a day in a duration of 15 minutes to 3 hours. Those affected suffer from unilateral pain, usually in the eye area, and have the urge to move. Reddened, watery eyes and a runny or stuffy nose are further side effects.
CBD in migraine - many sufferers recommend cannabidiol
Especially on the Internet, there are several reports from migraine sufferers who report that CBD significantly improved their quality of life. In contrast, the picture is not so clear in research: Although some study results suggest that medical cannabis could alleviate migraine, the studies for CBD as a single preparation are lacking.
In 2016, however, some scientists put forward a thesis that wants to explain not only the pain in
migraine, but also the symptoms of fibromyalgia and irritable bowel syndrome. According to them, all symptoms could be due to a lack of body-produced cannabinoids (endocannabinoids). The syndrome is therefore called chronic cannabinoid deficiency (CED = Clinical Endocannabinoid Deficiency Syndrome). The supply of herbal cannabinoids from the outside, especially CBD, could reduce the symptoms of migraine, according to the researchers.
Including all studies to date indicates that cannabinoids, especially THC and CBD, have beneficial effects in the treatment of pain. In particular, this also applies to migraine and other types of headache.
For tension-type headaches, CBD may also be suitable for the causes. Because these headaches often result from the tension of the neck or masticatory muscles. These muscles harden when we work many hours a day in front of the computer and also with people who grind their teeth at night. Here, stress can be a triggering factor. Relaxation techniques, sports as well as natural dietary supplements such as CBD are suitable as preventative measures. The fact that cannabidiol can reduce anxiety and stress, especially in public situations, proved the results of scientific studies several times.
What are the benefits of CBD as a dietary supplement?
Many headache sufferers often resort to over-the-counter analgesics such as acetylsalicylic acid and ibuprofen. In particular, the latter carries the risk of stomach pain and in the worst case even stomach bleeding. Therefore, medics usually prescribe the analgesic only in concert with a gastric acid blocker (e.g., omeprazole).
Migraine sufferers who prescribe painkillers themselves, however, often do not think of the possible side effects.
CBD is in its form as a dietary supplement, however, free of side effects. His tolerated maximum dose is, according to scientific experiments, well beyond the dosage recommendations of the manufacturers. Who wants to try as a headache patient to increase his well-being with CBD, must therefore not worry about possible risks and side effects. With one exception: If you take medications prescribed by the doctor due to migraine or other underlying conditions, you should ask a physician for possible interactions with CBD.
