This is a guest post from John Alois, Digital Editor and Lead Content Creator of DidCBDWork.com.
Can
CBD Help Those Living With Migraine?
As many readers,
unfortunately, know, migraine is a chronic and often
debilitating neurological disease impacting
millions around the world.
Migraine attacks
are often characterized by severe headaches of
varying intensity and frequency. They can also include sensitivity to light and
sound, nausea, fatigue, and a host of other potential symptoms.
These attacks can
greatly vary in frequency from patient to patient. While some only experience
episodes a couple of times a month, an estimated 4 million people suffer from
chronic migraine, suffering
attacks over 15 days a month.
Migraine is a
particularly prevalent type of neurological condition, impacting an estimated
39 million Americans and over a billion people the world over. The condition
tends to disproportionately affect women, although people of any sex or age may
develop it. Many are unable to function normally during the span of their
attacks, significantly impacting their own lives and the lives of their loved
ones.
While migraines can be
treatable through the use of analgesic and anti-inflammatory medications, these
are used as acute treatments and
leave the user waiting hours until the drugs take effect. Outside of diet
modifications and lifestyle alterations, many of those living with migraine
are curious if there are any alternative treatments
available that may offer them relief.
What Is CBD?
Cannabidiol, or CBD, is
a non-psychoactive phytocannabinoid found in the cannabis plant. It is the
second most common of 113 identified cannabinoids, which are closely related
chemical compounds that interact with cannabinoid receptors throughout the
body. These interactions make up the body's endocannabinoid system, responsible
for the regulation and balance of many biological functions.
Tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC, is the most common cannabinoid, frequently
associated with cannabis and notorious due to its potent psychoactive effect.
The key distinction
between CBD and THC is that each cannabinoid binds with different cannabinoid
receptors, which in turn produce different effects on the mind and body.
Another key difference is that CBD is non-psychoactive, which means that users
aren't at risk of the intoxication frequently associated with THC and cannabis.
CBD also metabolizes in the body differently than THC, which means that users
aren't at risk of failing drug screenings.
In addition to a trove
of anecdotal evidence noting the incredible effect that CBD has had on their
symptoms and over lives, there is also a wealth of scientific evidence
repeatedly demonstrating the pharmacological benefits that CBD can provide.
There has been a multitude of clinical and preclinical trials demonstrating the
ability of CBD to help treat and manage a wide variety of symptoms and
conditions, including neurological disorders such as migraines.
Can CBD Help Those
Living With Migraine?
As mentioned, there is a
wealth of both anecdotal and scientific evidence noting the efficacy of using
CBD to treat and manage an exhaustive list of symptoms and conditions.
DidCBDWork.com seeks to join the anecdotal and academic evidence together in a
simple, easy to use site.
People all over the
world have written about the impact CBD has had in managing their migraine, as well as the impact it has made
on their overall lives and health. In addition to this collection of anecdotal
evidence, they've also compiled an extensive database of peer-reviewed clinical
trials and academic research, demonstrating specifically how CBD affects a wide
variety of conditions.
For example, a study
from the University of Pavia found that endocannabinoid deficiencies may
contribute to the development of several debilitating conditions, such as migraine. Their research found that systematic CBD usage can correct
these deficiencies, leading to a host of
possible benefits such as the alleviation of pain and discomfort. In addition
to this, researchers also noted reduced sensitivity to the perception and
sensation of pain.
Another critical study
from the University of Manchester demonstrated the efficacy of CBD for the
treatment of various symptoms directly associated with migraine, such as photophobia, nausea, and general pain. In their
research, the team found that supplementation with CBD was shown to provide notable and sustained relief for all three symptoms. While a clear demonstration of
the promise that CBD can provide, the authors of the study recommend additional
research to fully understand the underlying mechanisms behind these
interactions.
In an academic review of
currently available scientific data by GW Pharmaceuticals, researchers found
that the introduction of CBD is effective in correcting chronic endocannabinoid
deficiency, which may be responsible for a variety of symptoms associated with migraine. Systemic CBD supplementation was demonstrated to block spinal,
peripheral, and gastrointestinal pain and discomfort. The authors of the study believe this relief is
achieved through a combination of anti-inflammatory properties and dopamine
regulation.
Likewise, a review
conducted by a team of researchers at the IRCCS Neurological Institute found
that exogenous CBD supplementation was effective at regulating the endogenous
cannabinoid system. This process is known to have a central and peripheral
effect on the ability to handle pain. Experimental and clinical data strongly
suggest that CBD is a promising tool for the reduction and regulation of
physiological and inflammatory pain
commonly associated with migraine.
An assessment of
research by the Boston University School of Medicine, on behalf of the American
Headache Society, note the long and storied history of the use of cannabis and
cannabinoids in traditional and modern medicine. Cannabinoids had been used to
treat migraine, cluster headaches, and other neurological disorders long before
the enactment and repeal of prohibition,
which had effectively undone millenniums of traditional research regarding the
efficacy of cannabis in the modern age. The authors conclude that cannabis'
schedule I status effectively impedes additional and critical investigation
into the effectiveness of cannabinoids in treating a myriad of conditions, such
as migraine. Rescheduling cannabis may be
hugely beneficial toward neurological research in the future.
Does CBD Work?
As previously mentioned,
there is a vast collection of peer-reviewed academic research, scientific data,
and anecdotal evidence that highlight the promise and potential CBD can provide
to those currently living with migraine and similar neurological conditions. Neurologists and
healthcare professionals the world over have advocated the use of a supervised
CBD regimen to help treat and manage a wide variety of symptoms and conditions
associated with migraine.
As with starting any
healthcare or lifestyle regiment, consult with your healthcare provider to
ensure there aren't any conflicts with any other current treatments or
medications. Additionally, they may be able to answer any questions you have
about CBD, as well as help you create an effective treatment plan to manage
your specific symptoms.
Have you or someone you
know used CBD to help treat and manage their migraine? DidCBDWork.com
is currently gathering experiences from millions of people, just like you, who
have used CBD to help treat and manage symptoms of their migraine. No matter if it worked
for you or not, DidCBDWork would love to hear from you about your experience;
these stories help those suffering see that there may be a solution out there
for them to grant them relief.
Informative Blog!
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