CBD and Headache Relief

You may experience pain in different parts of your body, including your head. About 35 million Americans suffer from headaches and migraines. The trouble is that there can be a variety of causes, and different types of headaches.

Different Types of Headaches

Very few people don’t suffer from headaches at some time or another. Even though headaches and migraines are widely shared, there are many differences in their intensity and their types. Some of the most common types of headaches include:

  • Migraine
  • Cluster headaches
  • Exertional headaches
  • Hormonal headaches
  • Sinus headaches

Of the types of headaches, the migraine is the most dreaded and often the most difficult type to deal with. Migraines are different from other types of headaches in its severity and onset. Some people say they have some early warning signs to alert them before the headache actually begins. According to the American Migraine Foundation, the most common warning signs of migraines are visual and include temporary loss of vision, zigzag lines, or flashing lights. After the migraine begins, many people experience other symptoms such as:

  • Dizziness
  • Disorientation
  • Nausea
  • Sensitivity to sound and light
  • Fatigue
  • Restlessness
  • Lack of appetite

As a headache or migraine progresses, it can produce more negative symptoms. Some of them affect other areas of your life such as the sleep cycle, motivation, focus, and sometimes relationships and social life. Symptoms vary from one person to another, but the body is signaling you that something is wrong. It all comes to the forefront as pain.

Impact of Migraines and Headaches

Most people experience a headache now and then, but some experience them on a regular basis. When someone has chronic headaches, it means they have a headache for more than 15 days each month. Others experience episodic headaches which occur less frequently than that. But whether you suffer from chronic headaches or have them less often, they can cause a serious disruption to your daily life.

No one is immune to headaches, but there are some trends surrounding those who experience their effects the most. 75% of people who experience migraines are women. Cluster headaches, on the other hand, are most common in men. Having a headache is just unpleasant, but there are other troubles that come from a domino effect. Dealing with pain regularly can drain you emotionally and mentally. The result is often increased anxiety and depression for those who suffer from chronic migraines and headaches.

The Endocannabinoid System, Serotonin, and Headaches

Serotonin is often called the feel-good hormone since it is linked to happiness. Some experts suggest that dips in serotonin levels correlate with the onset of headaches. This supports the link between mental health and headaches. You cannot always control external or internal factors that cause migraines, including serotonin levels. Eating a well-balanced nutritious diet and regular exercise can help. But maintaining a healthy balance in the body’s endocannabinoid system may also help avoid serotonin dips that lead to headaches as well as depression.

CB1 and CB2 Receptors

The endocannabinoid system (ECS) is an enormous network of receptors in the body. They help the body function to its full extent. The primary receptors are the CB1 and CB2 receptors. CB1 receptors are mostly found on nerves in the brain and spinal cord. Their role involves pain perception, thinking, and motor activity. They also regulate the brain’s circuitry in several ways. CB1 receptors may help modulate pain and help maintain healthy levels of chemicals like dopamine and serotonin.

Serotonin does more than just make you feel good. When the body experiences unsteady levels of serotonin, it creates a physiological stressor that may trigger migraines. The benefits of CBD includes protecting the levels of serotonin and keeping the body balanced. CBD may even interact with 5HTIA receptors to provide pain-reducing effects.

CB2 receptors, however, are found in the organs and work to support other body systems including the immune, peripheral nervous, and reproductive systems. These receptors react when the body experiences pain and inflammation. Their goal is to suppress the pain, like in the case of a migraine. They are not fast and hard painkillers, but when CB2 receptors remain healthy, they can help reduce the ill effects of headaches and migraines.

Endocannabinoid Deficiency

Taking good care of your ECS is important to your overall health. A deficiency in the ECS could lead to migraines. When the ECS is imbalanced, it cause the body more stress, which can deplete motivation, sleep, and energy for relationship and life itself. One way to ensure the ECS remains balanced is by use of cannabidiol or CBD products. CBD may provide some analgesic and anxiolytic effects, and it also helps to slow down the breakdown of anandamide, the uplifting neurotransmitter. By inhibiting the breakdown of anandamide, your mood stays uplifted and reduces the chances of developing headaches while relieving stress and anxiety by boosting feelings of calm.

Wellness Support and CBD

Headache pain that goes unchecked can wreak havoc on your daily life. By caring for your ECS, you can help the body alleviate discomfort and the stress it creates in your day-to-day life. CBD can help support your ECS, so you have more positive results. In addition to using high-quality CBD products, there are a few other ways to help support the ECS system.

  • Hydration: The body needs water, and dehydration can cause many negative effects, including headaches. Once you are rehydrated, your headache may go away. Individuals need varying amounts of water that depend on their gender, health status, level of activity, and diet.
  • Ginger: If you’ve ever suffered from nausea or motion sickness, you may already know that ginger is a natural, powerful way to calm your stomach and nerves. Ginger supplements may be helpful if you suffer from nausea caused by migraines.
  • Lavender: This powerhouse plant contains linalool terpenes, which just happen to be anti-inflammatory. Aromatherapy using lavender essential oil can often bring pain relief and help you relax. This is why it is included in our Brio Drift Balm.

Brio Nutrition CBD

A few simple changes can go a long way to improve your health and wellbeing. But they are certainly not cure-alls. Talk to your primary care doctor to develop a pain management plan that works for you. Discuss exploring natural ways to help restore your body to a balanced state. CBD is a natural product that can help restore your ECS and balance out your body, and possibly help reduce headache frequency or intensity.

Tagged with: Headache

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