***KIVA CONFECTIONS CONTENT RELATED TO BOTH THE EFFECTS OF CANNABIS AND THE RESULTS OF CANNABIS USE IS BASED UPON GENERAL USER EXPERIENCES AND TESTIMONY. THIS CONTENT SHOULD BE CONSIDERED ANECDOTAL AND SHOULD NOT TO BE INTERPRETED AS MEDICAL ADVICE. PLEASE CONSULT WITH A MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL BEFORE ADDING OR ALTERING CONSUMPTION OF MEDICATION OR MEDICAL-RELATED ACTIVITIES. THESE STATEMENTS HAVE NOT BEEN EVALUATED BY THE FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION. CANNABIS IS NOT INTENDED TO DIAGNOSE, TREAT, CURE, OR PREVENT ANY DISEASE. ***

In the search for migraine relief, you may have come across the claim that cannabis can be an effective pain reliever for migraines and headaches.

Although using cannabis for migraines has only recently gained prominence, the plant’s connection to pain relief has been known and documented for centuries.

Cannabis And Pain Relief

Cannabis contains phytocannabinoids that affect your body's endocannabinoid system, also known as ECS. The ECS is a massive cell-to-cell communication network found within vertebrates. Its primary function is to maintain homeostasis, which means an optimal state of balance, within the nervous system, the immune system, and the endocrine (hormonal) system. A fascinating fact is that cannabis is able to engage with the ECS similar to how a key engaged with a lock. The keys in this case, are phytocannabinoids, and the lock is the ECS.

Phytocannabinoids are naturally-occurring compounds produced by the cannabis plant which happen to closely mimic the effects of endogenous cannabinoids (aka endocannabinoids) produced by the human body. Some of the hundred or so phytocannabinoids we know of, including THC and CBD, have been found to have effects on our mood, memory, muscle control and a variety of other physiological and psychological functions.

Because of its ability to interact with the ECS, cannabis appears to impact your body's natural anti-inflammatory mechanisms. While cannabis does not necessarily alleviate pain, its effect on the ECS impacts how you perceive pain, with the end result being an experience of reduced pain in the body.

Does Cannabis Reduce Headache And Migraine?

The frequency and duration of migraine attacks may be reduced by medical cannabis, according to a study published in 2021.

A 2019 study of 1,306 participants found that smoking cannabis reduced migraine pain by nearly 50%. People who suffer from migraines or chronic headaches gave real-time input to researchers in this study, which they described as groundbreaking.

CBD Vs. THC: Which Has the Better Effect?

According to a study, migraine sufferers who consumed 200 mg of oral cannabis comprising 0.4 percent THC and 9 percent CBD during an attack reported a 55% reduction in pain severity. Patients who took the same daily amount reported 40% fewer headaches than those who took the drug Amitriptyline, which only reduced headaches by 40%.

A THC concentration of 0.4% at 200 mg may still cause a feeling of intoxication those who are THC sensitive; however, the psychoactive effects of cannabinoids diminish as people become accustomed to it and their tolerance rises. For those that are sensitive to the psychoactive effects of THC, it’s important to note that CBD does not cause a feeling of intoxication. This makes CBD-rich products a great option- since even opioids and other prescription migraine medicines can cause dizziness, drowsiness, and other undesirable side effects.

CBD Products

Here are a few ways you can consume CBD:

Edibles

CBD is used in a variety of food and beverage products, including Kiva’s own confections. Some of our most popular CBD-rich products include our Sparkling Pear Camino Gummies, Orchard Peach Camino Sours, Almond CBD Terra Bites, Dark Chocolate CBD Kiva Bars, and Citrus CBD Petra Mints.

CBD Oil

After being derived from hemp or cannabis plant, CBD is then infused into a "carrier oil," often a medium-chain triglyceride oil (aka MCT oil) like grapeseed oil or coconut oil. This is not the same as hemp oil, an omega-rich culinary oil, which is healthy but does not contain CBD.

CBD Oil is readily absorbed in your mouth, increasing the speed at which its effects are felt.

Tinctures

Tinctures and CBD oils are both types of tinctures. The primary distinction between tinctures and CBD oils is that tinctures can be taken straight from the bottle, whereas the oils are often blended with food or drink before use.

Capsules

CBD oil can also be encapsulated and taken orally.

E-Liquids And Vape Oils

Electronic cigarettes, or "vapes," are a popular tool to help cigarette smokers kick this unhealthy habit. CBD companies use the same technology to make vape pens and cartridges optimized for CBD inhalation.

Dry Herb

Hemp joints, CBD prerolls, and CBD flower are popular in states where even medical cannabis is illegal. Dry herb vaporizers, joints, water pipes (bongs), standard pipes, and other means of smoking the dry herb are all ways to consume dry herb.

Topicals

CBD topical products are designed to be applied directly to the skin and can include lotions, creams, muscle rubs, and even lip balms.

CBD For Migraine

Cannabidiol, also known as CBD, is among the active cannabinoids produced by the cannabis plant. This substance can alter our moods, perceptions and behaviors- but it does not generate a "high" like THC does.

Migraines and other forms of pain are among the many health issues CBD can help support. Medical cannabis advocates promote CBD advantages, which are linked to various health benefits without the high, such as:

  • Lower stress
  • Fewer inflammatory reactions
  • Alleviation of discomfort
  • A better night's rest

Studies show that cannabidiol (CBD) has a calming effect. That's great news for people who suffer from migraines brought on by stress. So, it's no surprise that the American Migraine Foundation considers CBD oil "a feasible option" for relieving migraine-related joint and muscle pain and soreness.

Benefits Of CBD Oils To Relieve Migraines

CBD oil has several advantages, and relieving your migraines may be one of them.

CBD oil is a fantastic complement to conventional western treatment. CBD oil and cannabinoids such as THC have been demonstrated to effectively reduce migraines. Finding the right natural product for the first time may include trial and error.

Consider these advantages if you are new to CBD oils:

Eases Depression And Improves Mood

CBD oil is a natural mood enhancer that supports the treatment of depression. However, it is important to remember that this may not be the best solution for everyone and should be discussed with your doctor.

Has A Calming Effect

Reducing anxiety is among the benefits of CBD. The terpenes in CBD oil have been shown to reduce stress and anxiety, two of the primary causes of migraines.

Enhances Food Cravings

For those battling food aversions or queasiness, cannabis can increase food cravings. Nausea and vomiting are typically reduced with regular use of CBD oils.

Neuropathic Pain Treatment

People with migraine-related neuropathic pain may find relief from CBD oil. It is a great alternative when experiencing symptoms such as headaches, neck pain, facial numbness, or vertigo.

3 Tips For Choosing The Best CBD Oil For Migraines

Here are three things to remember when shopping for the best CBD oils to relieve your migraines.

Choosing Broad Or Full Spectrum CBD Oil

The terms "full-spectrum" and "wide spectrum" may be confusing terms for new users. Full-spectrum and broad spectrum CBD is superior to conventional hemp oil in several ways that make it instrumental in relieving migraines.

Besides relieving discomfort from migraines or headaches, they are packed with antioxidants and help reduce inflammation.

What’s important is to choose a product with a high concentration of CBD and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC-A or CBD-A) that is from a reputable source and is third-party tested.

Take Into Account Third-Party Lab Tests

Unless you have been using CBD oil for a while, you may not know the importance of independent lab testing. It is imperative to choose a product that is tested by a third-party lab to ensure pesticides, heavy metals, and other potentially dangerous compounds aren't present.

You can find the results in various ways, but many professional, trustworthy CBD oil companies will post them on their websites.

Seek Out Coupons And Promotional Codes

Take advantage of the numerous CBD oil coupons and discounts available which are usually available, especially for new users.

Dosage Of CBD Oil For Migraines

Before attempting any new product, you should speak with a CBD professional because most CBD oils don't have dosage recommendations for migraines. Regardless of your history of migraines, you will want to start with a low dose and evaluate how it affects your overall symptoms, state of being, and degree of pain. Dosage should not be increased when the product is working well for you. What’s important is to find your optimal dose.

If you are in a lot of pain and need immediate relief, it is possible to take additional CBD oil- but also important to note that even CBD oil can have adverse effects if used in excessive dosages, so be careful not to overdo it.

Summing Up

Migraine attacks are debilitating. Even fear of the next episode of discomfort exacerbates the problem.

Determining if cannabis can help your migraines is not a one-size-fits-all answer. This is because the effects might vary based on factors including the correct dosage, necessary frequency, your body’s own endocannabinoid system, and the quality of the product.

Talk to a medical professional if you are interested in using medicinal cannabis or CBD for migraines. You can devise a safe strategy for managing your pain as a team.