Migraine Awareness Week: Could CBD Help with Migraines?

Every September, the Migraine Trust hosts the UK’s Migraine Awareness Week - an event dedicated to raising awareness about the burden faced by those living with migraines. In honour of the 2024 Migraine Awareness Week, we’re taking a closer look at what it means to live with migraines and finding out if CBD could help as an alternative management method.

What are migraines?

Migraines are often misunderstood, with many believing they are simply bad headaches. In reality, migraine is a complex neurological disorder that can be associated with symptoms far beyond head pain. In fact, many who experience migraines find them a debilitating barrier to living a normal life, affecting their mental health and quality of life, in addition to holding them back in work and educational endeavours.

During a migraine attack, patients tend to experience moderate to severe throbbing pain in one side of their head, which may also be intense behind one eye. However, it is also common to experience other symptoms, such as:

• Aura: Sensory disturbances that occur before or during the headache. This can include vision disturbances such as distorted vision, blind spots, or flashes of light, as well as a tingling sensation in the hands and face. Some people experience aura with the absence of a headache.
• Nausea and vomiting: Some patients may feel nauseous during a migraine attack and, in severe cases, may need to vomit.
• Increased sensitivity to light and sound: Lights, sounds, and sometimes odours can seem to make symptoms worse. It is therefore often difficult for migraine sufferers to carry out normal activities while suffering an attack.

Migraines can last from four hours up to 72 hours if left untreated. However, many patients with migraine find it difficult to identify effective therapies for their symptoms.

What is Migraine Awareness Week?

From the 24th to the 30th of September, the UK will observe Migraine Awareness Week. The initiative aims to raise awareness for the 1 in 7 people who live with migraines in the UK. The theme for 2024’s Migraine Awareness Week is providing better care for patients.

The Therapeutic Potential of CBD

In recent years, CBD - a non-intoxicating compound derived from the cannabis plant - has received a lot of attention in the health and wellness world. Consumers from all walks of life, from fitness fanatics dealing with post-exercise soreness to wellness warriors looking for a better method to manage their anxiety.

But CBD has also been making waves in the medical community. This common cannabinoid has been found to possess a number of therapeutic properties that may make it a useful treatment in a number of conditions. For example, in the UK and a number of other countries, a CBD-based medicine has been approved for the treatment of epilepsy.

Survey data also indicates that many consumers find CBD products to be beneficial in managing their own health. For example, a 2021 survey found that people commonly used CBD to manage their anxiety, pain, sleep problems, and more! But could CBD help with migraines?

CBD and Migraines

To date, few studies have explored the use of CBD in the treatment of migraines. However, the findings of a recent study in migraine sufferers may change that. According to the authors of the study, an overwhelming majority of migraine patients who used a CBD formulation as part of a 30-day trial reported relief in their symptoms.

A total of 105 people participated in the study, and 86% reported a decrease in headache impact after using CBD, according to data collected through the Headache Impact Test (HIT-6). Overall, participants reported experiencing 3.8 fewer headache days compared with before initiating CBD treatment - a reduction of 23%. Chronic migraine sufferers (individuals who suffer 15 to 29 headache days over 30 days) experienced a 33% reduction in their headache days.

How could it work?

It is still unclear exactly how CBD could help to mitigate migraine symptoms. In fact, migraine itself is still not fully understood. However, some experts have suggested that the anti-inflammatory potential of CBD may play a role. This anti-inflammatory potential may contribute to many of the potential health benefits of CBD, including its apparent ability to reduce migraine headaches.

However, it is important to note that more evidence is needed to support the use of CBD in this setting. To date, no clinical trials have aimed to assess the potential of CBD for migraines or headaches. Nonetheless, anecdotal evidence may provide some insight into the potential of the compound in this setting.

If you’re interested in discovering the potential benefits of CBD for yourself, take a look at our range of CBD products, including our high-quality CBD oils and our delicious CBD honey.