A busy day at work, a particularly eventful condominium meeting or excessive stress. These are only a few of the reasons why, in everyday life, it is easy to find oneself struggling with headaches.

The following lines will shed light on this annoying ailment, which is often underestimated and referred to by less than accurate terms. 

Valuable advice will also be given on how to remedy the discomfort of the condition, without resorting to artificial solutions or those who prefer natural remedies. Herbal solutions or CBD oil for headaches are good examples.

If you want to learn more about this topic, understand how many types of headaches exist and how to remedy them, continue reading the following paragraphs.

Types of cephalalgia

It is important to state at the outset that the terms headache, migraine and cephalalgia are often confused. They are words that indicate physical complaints in the head area, but have significant differences in their nature, symptomatology and underlying causes.

A ‘headache’ describes any type of widespread pain in the head and neck region. This localised pain can vary in intensity, duration and location and can be caused by various factors, including:

• muscle tension;
• lack of sleep;
• sight problems;
• dental problems;
• stress.

Headaches can be episodic or chronic and can be classified in different categories, such as tension headache, headaches, cluster headaches or sinusitis headache.

‘Cephalalgia’, on the other hand, refers to a headache that, in most cases, is characterised by more persistent or severe pain and may require specific medical treatment. That said, in general, headache and headache tend to be synonymous in medical terminology.

‘Migraine’ is a particular form of headache characterised by recurrent episodes of intense, throbbing pain, often accompanied by additional symptoms such as nausea, sensitivity to light and sound, and visual disturbances (aura). Migraines may be unilateral (affecting only one side of the head) or bilateral, and may last from a few hours to several days. The causes of migraine are not completely understood, but are believed to involve a combination of genetic, neurological and environmental factors.

That being said, it is possible to simplify by saying that cephalalgias are divided into:

• Primary: attributable to another underlying disorder, such as migraine and tension headaches. These conditions can be autonomous and do not need a specific cause to occur;
• Secondary: caused by another underlying disorder, such as head trauma, infection, vascular disorder or neoplasm. These headaches may be indicative of more serious health problems and often require a thorough medical evaluation to determine the underlying cause.

CBD and headaches: how it works

If you have kept reading this article, it is surely because you have come across this discomfort at least once and love to remedy health problems with natural solutions. Therefore, you will have heard at least once about CBD oil, with its anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties.  

Not surprisingly, CBD and headaches are particularly related terms!

But let’s start with the primary information: what is CBD? 

CBD, or cannabidiol, is a natural compound found in the cannabis plant. From empirical knowledge, it is believed that CBD can help reduce headaches by acting on several mechanisms in the human body.

As already mentioned, CBD has anti-inflammatory properties, which means it can help reduce inflammation in the tissues surrounding the brain and head, which can be a cause of pain. 

In addition, CBD may affect pain receptors in the brain and nervous system, helping to reduce the perception of pain associated with headaches. Some studies also suggest that CBD may have relaxing effects on muscles and the nervous system, reducing tension that can cause or aggravate headaches.

CBD oil and other best methods of intake

In modern society, the use of cannabidiol is widespread due to the wide range of products available on the market. These include cosmetics (such as oils and creams) that are applied directly onto the skin, easily accessible and simple to use. 

CBD oil, for example, is a natural extract derived from legal THC-free hemp that is enriched with natural oils such as coconut, olive and almond. It is usually available in different concentrations of cannabidiol and is widely accessible at pharmacies and specialised online shops. To use it, simply apply 3 or 4 drops to the affected area and wait for it to be absorbed by the skin, thus offering a natural and simple treatment to relieve pain.

Then there is CBD cream, which is perfect for moisturising the skin as well as relieving inflammation. It obviously contains no chemicals and, just like oil, it should be applied to the ‘sore’ spot. In the case of migraine, the cream should be applied to the neck and temples. The massage should be sufficiently energetic and should end with a few minutes’ pause, so that the cream is absorbed deeply into the skin. 

When CBD is applied to the skin, the product’s analgesic power is also quickly noticed.
Finally, there are the herbal teas, which are loved by fans of cooking and relaxing moments based on fiction. Herbal tea made from legal marijuana flowers acts directly on the nervous system by lowering stress levels, the main cause of headaches.

What about nausea?

Headache sufferers also very easily experience cases of nausea, while cases of vomiting are less frequent. Studies have shown that nausea affects at least 73% of migraine patients. Vomiting, on the other hand, occurs in 29% of cases. Nausea is also one of the predominant symptoms associated with migraine, along with increased sensitivity to light, penetrating odours and loud sounds.

To combat nausea with CBD, the oil can be used: ingesting it directly or adding it to drinks (or food) for more discreet administration. Oral intake allows CBD to enter the bloodstream and act on the endocannabinoid system, which is responsible for regulating various bodily functions, including the perception of nausea. Alternatively, CBD oil can be applied under the tongue for faster absorption.

CBD infusions also offer another method of administration, allowing the plant’s properties to be gradually released into the body through absorption from the digestive tract. This method can be particularly useful for those who prefer to avoid ingesting oil or want a more relaxing option.

Of course, the effectiveness of CBD in combating nausea may vary from person to person, and it may be necessary to experiment with different forms of administration and dosages to find the most suitable one.

What does science say about CBD and headaches?

Confirming people’s growing interest in the beneficial properties of CBD, there are numerous foreign university courses that aim to focus on the subject. 

Universities include Northern Michigan University, with its degree course on the science and business of marijuana cultivation. No less important are Cornell University in New York, the University of Maryland and McGill in Montreal, Canada, which offer courses, certificates, and degree programmes on marijuana. Then there is the Max Stern Yezreel Valley in Israel, which has announced a study programme on cannabis for medical uses, and last but not least, Colorado State University, with a course dedicated to the biology and chemistry of marijuana.

But if it is on a scientific basis that we want to base this on, then it is safe to say that research into the efficacy of CBD in the treatment of migraine has also been fuelled by a 2017 study, which showed how effective CBD oil can be in treating both migraine and cluster headaches (with particular success in cluster headache patients from childhood).

During the 3rd Congress of the European Academy of Neurology, researchers presented the results of a study that examined the effects of CBD and THC on chronic migraine and cluster headaches. This was also reported in many newspapers. The administration of marijuana has been shown to reduce both the frequency of headache episodes and the intensity of pain.

Another significant study conducted by well-known researchers was published in 2018 in the Journal of Headache and Pain. This study involved over two thousand patients suffering from various conditions. Patients treated with medical cannabis reported significant relief from twenty-one different conditions, including chronic pain, arthritis and headaches.

Try Maria CBD Oil’s products

Incorporating healthy habits and the use of CBD into one’s daily routine can help prevent many physical ailments. CBD, being an all-natural substance, acts in harmony with the body, helping to maintain its balance and promote proper functioning on many occasions.

Headaches aside, the use of CBD can improve sleep quality and reduce everyday stress and anxiety. It can be used for improving mood and reducing depressive and anxiety symptoms. Some people find that taking CBD can even help improve concentration and mental clarity, promoting greater productivity during the day. 

Finally, many people use CBD as part of an overall wellness strategy to promote overall balance of body and mind! Of course, it is always advisable to consult a doctor before starting any CBD treatment, especially if you are already taking other medications.

In our online shop, you can find a wide range of CBD-based products, all of which have undergone rigorous laboratory tests to ensure maximum purity and quality. We talk about candies, herbal teas, cosmetics, CBD flowers and even some goodies dedicated to your four-legged friends.

Run now to browse our site, browse through the vast assortment of articles and discover what suits your needs best!