Headaches are one of the most common pain people complain about on a daily basis. A strong headache can paralyze even the simplest daily work execution. Migraine is not only a severe headache – it is accompanied by other symptoms that can significantly limit a person’s daily activities – nausea, sickness up to vomiting, hypersensitivity to noise and light are the most common accompanying migraine symptoms that are usually absent with a simple headache. A distinctive feature of migraine from other headaches is the limitation of physical activity – during migraines it is more difficult or impossible to carry on with daily routine as it only exacerbates the headache.

About one million people worldwide suffer from migraines, and it is the most common neurological disease. Migraine occurs in the brain and is closely related to disorders of the parts of the brain responsible for the development of pain and other sensations. Headaches occur when the blood vessels react – expanding or narrowing – to various irritants. For example, during a migraine aura (flicker, visual disturbances that may occur before a migraine attack), the blood vessels are very narrow, but as this narrowing disappears, the blood vessels enlarge and pain begins. Pain is also caused by an incorrect electrical activity in the brain cells – impulses that propagate through the cortex, causing a migraine attack.

Migraine appears as an attack – some people may experience it a couple of times a year, others even several times a month. Migraine may be hereditary, but hormonal changes are also contributing factors, that is why women have migraine three times more often than men. If young children or teenagers suffer from frequent headaches, the cause of the pain should not be anticipated, but it is needed to find out the causes as well. For example, migraines can develop as early as childhood and adolescence.

What are the factors that can aggravate headaches and migraines?

Migraine tends to be unpredictable and it is often difficult to determine what exactly contributed to the migraine attack this time. It can start at any time, but some people are much more susceptible to migraine attacks than others. This is determined by the migraine pain threshold – the lower the threshold, the greater the risk of a migraine attack. So-called triggers are involved in this process and contribute to the onset of pain. Migraine triggers tend to be different for each individual, often the sum of several trigger factors, such as lack of sleep, menstruation, missed meals. Sometimes the main trigger cannot be identified, and some of them are almost impossible to change without triggers being dependent on us – for example, climate, time changes.

Common migraine triggers:

• nutrition, alcohol, late or even missed meals, decaffeination, dehydration. Migraine attacks can also be triggered by active and passive smoking, and the consumption of certain alcohol, most often red wine or champagne, so it is desirable to give up these drinks. There are people who also have migraines caused by various types of cheeses, chocolate or other products. True, these foods may vary from person to person.
• sleep (sleep disturbance, excessive sleep and lack of sleep).
• lifestyle (intense sports, long-distance travel, especially in different time zones).
• environment (bright, flashing light, strong smell and changing weather).
• psychological factors (emotional anxiety or relaxation after a period of stress, so-called holiday headaches). And it is important to find a way to reduce it – relaxation exercises for others, bathing or physical activity for others. The ultimate option for one’s own health would be to change a stressful situation, such as a change of job, for example.
• hormonal factors in women (menstruation, hormonal contraceptives and hormone replacement therapy).

These triggers show that a migraine patient’s body is much more sensitive to various changes in the external or internal environment, which requires the individual to pay more attention to their basic needs and to choose a healthier lifestyle.

It is not possible to cure migraines altogether, but it is possible to reduce the intensity of the disease so that it affects the quality of life as little as possible. Analgesics can temporarily relieve the symptoms of migraine attacks, most often worrying about the side effects they cause. People are looking for other ways to make the most of their bodies, especially when it comes to our long-term health and well-being.

During a migraine attack, people need peace and quiet – a dark space to hide from the hustle and bustle that surrounds them. Occasionally, while sleeping calmly, a migraine may pass by itself, leaving only a pleasant relief, which alternates with mild fatigue. Therefore, during a migraine attack, it is best not to disturb the person and allow them to rest.

If you know that you are suffering from migraine, it is important to follow a strict daily regime – get enough sleep (but do not fall to extremes and sleep too much), do not work, do not sit still for a long time, and do not participate in loud events which may aggravate the attack.

How CBD oil could help?

CBD can help reduce the causes, frequency and consequences of migraine. The endocannabinoid system is active in parts of the central and peripheral nervous system that respond to stress, work to relieve pain and reduce neurodegenerative and inflammatory damage. CBD is one of the many active compounds found in Cannabis. The plant contains cannabinoids and, when used as CBD oil, binds to the human cannabinoid receptors CB1 and CB2. CB1 receptors are located throughout the body, many of which are also found in the brain. CB1 receptors in the brain deal with coordination and movement, pain, emotions and mood, thinking, appetite and memory, and other functions. CB2 receptors are more common in the immune system. They affect inflammation and pain.

CBD oil has the following properties that can reduce migraine by acting on these receptors in our body:

– Analgesic properties.

– Anti-emetic (preventing nausea and vomiting) properties.

– Strong anti-inflammatory effect.

CBD oil can also act on these migraine triggers – relieving stress and anxiety, stress and agitation after exercise, adjusting the sleep cycle and hormonal imbalance.

“Cannabinoids, given their anticonvulsant, analgesic, antiemetic and anti-inflammatory effects, are a promising class of compounds for both acute (short-term, severe) and prophylactic treatment of migraine pain,” the lead author of the study explained. Pinja Leimurant from the Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Eastern Finland. While researchers are still looking for medical evidence and studying the confirmations they already have, she adds that CBD oil could “absolutely help alleviate some of the symptoms associated with migraine.”

You can read the study report HERE.

You can include and try our GWEEPRODUCTS CBD oil into your daily routine and see how your well-being can improve.

The information on the internet about CBD products and their use will be ambiguous, so we always recommend reading safe and reliable sources. We also use websites related to the Cannabis industry, research and education to prepare information.

The content of this site is for informational purposes only. We are not medical experts and this should not be interpreted as medical advice. Be sure to consult your doctor before undergoing CBD or other treatment.

The chemistry of every human body and brain is unique, so the use of CBD to improve mental as well as physical health does not guarantee results. However, many GWEEPRODUCTS CBD oil users have included it into their daily routine as one of the therapies for improving mental, physical health and quality of life.