What is migraine?

Migraine is a neurological disease that can cause various symptoms and is much more than a bad headache. A throbbing, pulsating headache on one side of the head is its most characteristic feature. Migraine occurs in attacks, but their frequency varies from person to person. Triggered by physical activity, light, sound or smells, migraine can last a few hours or several days.

More than 150 types of headache have been identified, divided into primary and secondary headaches. Migraine is a primary headache. Primary headaches do not result from another medical condition, while secondary headaches are symptoms of another health problem. According to worldwide research, migraine ranks sixth among diseases that adversely affect quality of life.

One of the main features distinguishing migraine from other headaches is the set of symptoms called an “aura.” An aura is a visual, physical or sensory symptom that generally acts as a warning that a migraine headache is about to begin. It typically precedes the headache but may occur during or after it. An aura may last 10–60 minutes, although duration varies. Auras have been observed in approximately 15–20% of people with migraine.

Aura symptoms may include:

  • Seeing bright flashing spots, sparkles or lights
  • Seeing blind spots in the field of vision
  • Numbness and tingling in the arms and legs
  • Difficulty speaking and dizziness
  • Ringing in the ears
  • Temporary loss of vision
  • Seeing wavy or jagged lines
  • Changes in smell and taste
  • An unusual, hard-to-describe mood
  • Rarely, partial paralysis and fainting

What are the types of migraine?

Migraine with aura

Approximately 15–20% of people with migraine headaches experience aura symptoms.

Migraine without aura

This type occurs without aura symptoms. The other symptoms are the same, but there is no aura.

Migraine without headache

Called silent or acephalgic migraine, this involves aura symptoms without a subsequent migraine headache.

Hemiplegic migraine

This type involves temporary paralysis or neurological or sensory changes in part of the body. Temporary numbness, extreme weakness in one area, tingling, loss of sensation, dizziness or visual disturbances may precede the headache. Sometimes these symptoms occur without a headache.

Retinal migraine

This involves temporary partial or complete loss of vision in one eye with a dull ache behind the eye. Vision loss can last a minute or much longer.

Chronic migraine

In this type, migraine pain occurs on at least 15 days within a month. Symptoms, and consequently the severity of pain, vary.

Migraine with brainstem aura

Dizziness, speech difficulties, double vision and loss of balance occur before the headache. These sudden symptoms may be associated with difficulty speaking clearly, ringing in the ears and vomiting.

Status migrainosus

A rare, severe migraine that can last longer than 72 hours. Headache and nausea can be extremely severe and unbearable.

Using CBD oil in migraine treatment

The causes of migraine headaches are complex and still not fully understood by medicine. When you have a headache, certain nerves in your blood vessels send pain signals to your brain. This releases inflammatory substances into the nerves and blood vessels in your head. Why the nerves do this is unclear.

According to the Migraine Research Foundation, migraine is one of the world's most common neurological diseases, affecting about one billion people. Unfortunately, studies investigating CBD's effects on migraine are very limited. Although cannabis's potential quality-of-life benefits are attracting increasing attention, particularly from Western governments and the public, unclear laws still prevent the scientific community from focusing on medical cannabis studies. This does not erase the fact that cannabis has been used as an alternative treatment for pain and many other conditions for over 3,000 years.

First, it is important to understand that most research into cannabis-derived cannabinoids for migraine and chronic headaches has used CBD/THC combinations or whole cannabis, rather than CBD alone. There is not yet a study specifically examining migraine and CBD as an isolated compound. Although CBD/THC combinations have therapeutic benefits, the results suggest help with certain symptoms rather than a cure.

A 2019 study by Washington State University scientists published information about migraine pain and frequency. Among 1,959 anonymous participants, a reduction in migraine pain was observed in 50% of those treated with cannabis. The study also suggested that terpenes and other lesser-known cannabinoids, beyond the CBD/THC combination, might affect pain.

A 2015 study found CBD had significant potential as a treatment for several anxiety disorders and had anxiety-relieving effects. This finding offers promising implications for people whose migraine headaches are triggered by anxious feelings.

A 2019 CBD study on anxiety and sleep found that anxiety scores decreased and sleep-quality scores increased in the first month.

A 2018 study on the emerging role of endocannabinoids in migraine described cannabinoids as a promising class of compounds for treating migraine pain. It also suggested that the CBD-based, FDA-approved medicine Epidiolex® could potentially be repurposed for migraine treatment.

A 2017 study suggested cannabis could be effective in treating headaches and migraine. However, it used the whole cannabis plant rather than CBD alone. The American Migraine Foundation has also discussed CBD's potential benefits for neck pain and other migraine-related muscle pain.

A study published in 2016 found that 48 of 121 people who used medical cannabis under medical supervision for migraine between 2010 and 2014 experienced reduced pain and fewer headaches.

Side effects and conclusion

Although most CBD users experience mild or no symptoms, CBD has several side effects, such as dry mouth, fatigue, diarrhea and reduced appetite. Many migraine patients already contend with severe symptoms, so consuming something that could worsen them or add new ones would not be ideal. Click to read “What are the side effects of CBD?”

To summarize, using CBD for migraine may be safe, but it may not work for everyone. As stated above, research into migraine and CBD remains very limited.

Remember to consult your doctor or a healthcare professional before adding CBD to support your migraine treatment. Depending on their ingredients, CBD products can interact with other medicines you take, reducing their effects or increasing them beyond the intended level. This does not always occur, but it must not be overlooked. Click to read “Is it safe to use CBD with other medicines?”

We wish you good health.