Can CBD Help with Migraine Pain? Early Research Looks Promising

CBD is a non-psychoactive substance that comes from cannabis. Early research suggests it may help with migraine pain and reduce inflammation.

As cannabis becomes legalized in more and more places, CBD is steadily gaining popularity as a tool for well-being.

This isn’t without reason. A growing body of research indicates that CBD may help relieve inflammation and pain related to various conditions.

You might wonder, what about CBD for migraine? While the answer isn’t yet entirely clear from a clinical standpoint, CBD appears to hold promise as a way to ease migraine pain.

Here’s what we know about how CBD might be able to offer migraine relief.

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What is CBD?

Cannabis is made up of two main chemical substances: THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) and CBD (cannabidiol).

THC is responsible for the psychoactive effects of cannabis, meaning it’s what makes you high. On the other hand, CBD is non-psychoactive. It doesn’t get you high when used without THC.

CBD can be made into oil, then turned into products like:

• oils and tinctures
• creams and lotions
• capsules and pills
• gummies and edibles
• vaping oil

For decades, research into cannabis was slow going, partly due to its legal status. Now, the ongoing legalization of cannabis throughout the world is helping drive research into CBD and THC as medical treatments.

Do people use CBD for migraine?

Studies and anecdotal evidence show that there are people with migraine who use CBD or medical cannabis as preventive or acute treatment.

Researchers from a 2018 study surveying nearly 1,500 people found that migraine, cluster, and tension headaches were the sixth most common condition treated with CBD. Other top conditions were linked to pain, mental health, and sleep disorders.

In another 2018 study, 24.9% of survey participants said they used medical cannabis to treat headache symptoms. Of that group, 88% had migraine.

Does CBD help migraine?

Some people use CBD for migraine, but does it help?

Scientifically speaking, it’s too soon to say with certainty. There hasn’t been enough clinical, large-scale, and long-term research into whether CBD can help migraine specifically — although other conditions have been studied.

Research is underway, and some preliminary findings seem to suggest promising results.

A 2021 literature review examined current research on medical cannabis, including CBD, as an alternative therapy for migraine management. Across all studies reviewed, medical cannabis was reported by patients to:

• ease migraine
• reduce pain intensity
• decrease the use of pain relievers
• have more positive effects than negative side effects

The authors also note that current research in humans is largely limited to surveys and retrospective analyses. Randomized controlled clinical trials, one of the most reliable forms of medical research, are needed in order to fully study medical cannabis and CBD for migraine.

Studies investigating pure CBD as the only treatment used are also needed, as studies tend to examine a combination of CBD and THC.

In the meantime, some research has used animal models of migraine. This non-human research shows promise for the potential effectiveness of CBD in migraine management and treatment.

A 2023 study using animal models found that CBD may be able to block migraine pain reception in the brain, which would help alleviate pain. The researchers note that these findings are promising, but studies using humans are necessary to confirm results.

Similarly, another 2023 study in animals demonstrated that CBD may be effective as both preventive and acute migraine treatment. The researchers also underline that CBD may be less likely to cause rebound headaches than other migraine treatments.

How does CBD help migraine?

Although research into migraine-specific CBD treatment needs further development, scientific knowledge about CBD for other conditions is more established.

Studies in contexts outside of migraine have shown CBD to have powerful pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory effects. Over-the-counter pain relievers, like ibuprofen, aspirin, and other NSAIDs, also have anti-inflammatory effects.

CBD may be even stronger — potentially several hundred times stronger than aspirin, for example.

These CBD powers may mean it could be good for migraine care. However, since research into CBD for migraine is ongoing, it’s not yet entirely clear what could be behind any potential effectiveness.

Some theories suggest that CBD may offer migraine relief by acting on certain neurological chemicals and pathways to:

• regulate neurotransmitter activity
• reduce inflammation
• block pain perception
• calm the brain during migraine attacks

Outside of migraine-specific treatment, some research indicates that CBD may help manage migraine triggers and symptoms.

CBD may alleviate:

• chronic pain
• inflammation
• sleep disturbances
• nausea and vomiting

A 2018 literature review on medical cannabis reports that CBD’s pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory effects could help ease chronic and sporadic pain. The authors also note that more research is needed on CBD as a monotherapy for pain treatment.

A 2020 literature review on CBD specifically shares the same findings: CBD may help reduce inflammation and relieve chronic pain. The review also reports that CBD may improve sleep quality.

Similarly, the authors of a 2023 systematic review suggest that CBD may help alleviate symptoms of insomnia and improve sleep. But they also underline that more research is needed.

As for nausea symptoms, an older 2011 study reports that CBD may suppress nausea and vomiting when taken in quantities below a certain dose. A 2018 study also notes that CBD may relieve nausea, but clarifies that THC may be more effective.

What are the side effects of CBD?

Some people may experience side effects when using CBD, including:

• decreased alertness
• changes in mood
• sleepiness
• changes in appetite
• gastrointestinal symptoms, like diarrhea or vomiting

CBD may also interact with certain medications. This is because CBD can impact how the body breaks down medication, which can affect how you absorb medication.

When medication levels are too high, the risk of side effects increases. When levels are too low, the medication may be less effective.

What to do if you want to try CBD for migraine

If you’re interested in trying CBD for migraine, here are some tips for getting started.

Talk with your doctor

It’s important to discuss with your doctor whether CBD is a safe and viable option for you. You should also understand how CBD could impact any medication you may be taking already.

Check the legal status of CBD in your area

If you’re located in the United States, Safe Access Now provides information about state laws on CBD and marijuana.

Make sure you use pure CBD products only

Using pure CBD products will help you stay safe and avoid harmful added substances.

In states where CBD is legal, there’s likely more government regulation, so products are likelier to be pure and properly labeled. Local dispensaries can also be a resource for ensuring purity and quality.

Monitor your reactions to CBD

Keeping track of your CBD use can help you figure out what works best for you. Migraine journals, medical cannabis apps, or spreadsheets are just a few options for this.

Track factors like:

• migraine symptoms before using CBD
• which CBD product you use
• dose
• side effects
• any symptom changes and when they occur

It’s also important to know that the FDA has ruled that existing regulatory frameworks for food and supplements don’t apply to CBD. There’s no consensus on safe CBD dosage, and CBD laws and regulations are very state-specific.

The bottom line

Some people in the migraine community use CBD for migraine relief. While clinical research into this use is ongoing, preliminary results seem promising.

CBD is a powerful anti-inflammatory and pain reliever. It may help relieve migraine by reducing inflammation and blocking sensations of pain. CBD may also help manage migraine triggers and symptoms, like sleep disturbances, pain, and nausea.

Keep in mind that CBD isn’t a cure for migraine, and it may not be right for everyone. If you’re interested in CBD for migraine, talk with your doctor about whether it could be a viable option for you.