Does CBD Oil Alleviate Headaches?

CBD oil and headaches? Is there any positive correlation between the two? It’s not uncommon for us all have a bad headache from time to time, but some certainly suffer more than others. Whether the headache is related to stress, weather changes, illness or if you happen to be one who is prone to migraines, let’s find out if CBD oil for headaches can be the alternative treatment you need.

CBD Oil and Headaches

CBD oil for headaches has not been proven to be effective at treating headaches, like migraines. This is due to the lack of formal research studies. Without more firm scientific evidence, you can’t make fact-based claims of its effectiveness. However, based on a few studies, it could be helpful in reducing joint and muscle pains that are often associated with migraines. CBD actually interacts with receptors in the brain that influence pain and inflammation throughout the body.

Not all hope is lost for CBD, though. It has been proven to help with the following:

• Stress, anxiety and possibly PTSD
• Nausea
• Insomnia

One of the biggest areas of CBD success has been found in treating epilepsy. It has been reported to dramatically reduce seizures, particularly when traditional seizure medication has not been successful.

What is the Source of CBD Oil?

CBD is the acronym for cannabidiol, a component found in the hemp plant. While hemp and marijuana are very similar, there is one distinct difference. A hemp plant is defined as having less than .3 percent of THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) while marijuana plants are defined as having more than .3 percent of THC. This is important to note because THC is what causes the “high” and psychoactive side effects (like hallucinations). Thus, CBD will not have that same effect.

As for the “oil” portion of the term, CBD is diluted with a carrier oil. Then, it is usually ingested orally but there are some forms that can be applied topically.

Controversy Surrounding CBD Oil

This leads us to our next point which is a major issue: safety of CBD oil. Just because a product is sold in stores doesn’t automatically make it safe. This is particularly true for CBD oil and related products because there is no regulation around the products or their use. Since CBD isn’t a medication, the FDA doesn’t need to approve it in the U.S.

So, once it was legalized, CBD products began flooding the market with few constraints. There are no rules that regulate how they label their products and there’s definitely no research that confirms appropriate dosages. Therefore, manufacturers and sellers can make any claims about their products without any repercussions. This means that you don’t even really know what may be in the product, including how much, if any, CBD is actually in the formula. Because of this, you could easily put yourself and your health in a precarious position.

CBD Side Effects

Overall, the possible side effects of CBD are minimal. However, there is the possibility that it could interact with certain types of medications. It is very important to speak to your doctor about using CBD if you are already using other types of drugs.

In rare cases, the following side effects have been reported:

• Dizziness
• Depression
• Low blood pressure
• Irritability

Again, more research is needed to solidify the risk of any side effects.

Closing

CBD oil and headaches aren’t necessarily synonymous, but it is possible that the plant derivative could be effective. Much more research is required to make any fact-based claims. On the other hand, that doesn’t mean you can’t try it. Just remember, before you decide to test its effectiveness, you must speak with your doctor first.