What is CBD and What Does it Stand for?

CBD (also known as cannabidiol) has been making a recent rise in popularity because of its potential to help ease chronic pain without the use of opioids. It is only natural to want to know exactly what we’re putting into our bodies and if it’s safe. Today, many of us would prefer to use something natural compared to a prescribed or over the counter drug that merely dulls the pain and comes with unwanted and potentially harmful side effects. Several research studies have linked CBD oil with pain relieving properties and these same studies have also documented its safety for consumption. 

Cannabidiol oil is an isolated extract of a plant called Cannabis Sativa, whereas some refer to this plant as marijuana. However, the Cannabis Sativa plant includes over 120 other substances aside from CBD. CBD is simply an isolated extract of one of those substances included in the entire Cannabis Sativa plant. CBD is not marijuana and has actually been found to have antipsychotic effects. Marijuana, on the other hand, possesses a high-inducing psychotic chemical called tetrahydrocannabinol, also known as THC. THC is the chemical responsible for the psychotic effects typically associated with marijuana, not CBD. 

What Are the Benefits of CBD Oil?

One of the most alluring aspects of CBD oil is that it is not a pharmaceutically-engineered drug with a host of potential side effects and negative drug interactions. An article published in 2018 in Frontiers of Neurology, studied the anti-inflammatory, antioxidative, antiemetic, antipsychotic, and neuroprotective properties in CBD oil. Since the safety of the product has been established and there are a wide range of potential benefits, CBD oil has been explored as a potential treatment method for diabetes, depression, arthritis, and other chronic illnesses. 

How Does CBD Oil Work?

The effects and interactions of CBD in the body are still being studied, but some studies have shown the promise of CBD oil in treating epilepsy and some types of chronic pain. Even though research has been done on the benefits and potential properties of CBD, we still know very little about how it actually works. Initially, there was some indication that CBD interacted with the endocannabinoid system of the body. The endocannabinoid system is thought to play a role in immune function and mood regulation. More CBD specific research should be conducted to officially establish how this substance truly works inside the human body, especially with respect to migraine headaches.

Overview of CBD Oil and Migraines

Medications and natural methods of pain relief work differently for different individuals and CBD oil is no exception. By testing out pure CBD oil and assessing its effects on you personally, you can determine if CBD oil is an effective natural pain reliever for you and your symptoms. If you’re craving a more comprehensive look at CBD—such as dosage, recent legalization, and more medical literature, see this in-depth article on CBD oil. 

As migraine sufferers continue to search for relief that won’t overload their bodies with pharmaceuticals, science continues to rise to the challenge. CBD oil is one of many tools migraineurs can use to try to reduce their pain and their reliance on pharmaceuticals, with the associated side effects. With its track record of safety and non-addictive nature, CBD oil could be worth a try for many migraine sufferers.

A great thanks to John Martinez (from Axon Optics) for writing this guest post!