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Is CBD Oil Causing Your Headaches?

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Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences – University of Colorado, conducted a study back in 2016 to test the use of medical cannabis to treat migraine headaches and the results were very promising. Research statistics concluded that CBD helped to reduce headache frequency to less than 50% i.e. from 10.4 to 4.6 headaches a month.

Despite such conclusions, there is debate within the medical profession as to whether CBD oil can actually be the cause of headaches. A medicine which minimizes a certain condition may well trigger the same condition in different situations. This is why the validity of the question holds its grounds and there is a need to dig in deeper.

Before moving further, I want to highlight some of the important observations from the above-mentioned study.

  • Vaping or smoking generated reduced headaches quicker as compared to the CBD consumed in the form of edibles.
  • Edible forms of cannabis can cause side effects, including euphoria and sleepiness.

In addition, the 3rd Congress of the European Academy of Neurology, Amsterdam, featured results from a study, according to which medical cannabis offered a better alternative to prescription medication. The participants of this study suffered from chronic migraines and they were given different THC-CBD combinations. A dose of 200mg per day, for 90 days, reduced chronic pain by up to 55%.

Side Effects of CBD

The endocannabinoid system is extremely complex and years more research will need to be conducted before any concrete conclusions are reached regarding the extent to which cannabidiol (CBD) can treat different medical conditions. If a study published in a high-authority magazine talks about some benefits, it doesn’t mean that you need to consider using CBD without further consideration. Research on medical CBD is in its infancy as scientists never considered CBD’s potential before the current decade.

Research studies, one after the other, have been brought into consideration, claiming impressive results in support of CBD oil. CBD side effects are not out of question. Blood pressure, anxiety, depression, heart rate, and sensitivity towards feeling pain are some of the major areas being considered by the researchers. But, until now, nobody really worried about the potential side effects that can occur after using CBD oil as a daily supplement.

First, we need to remember a few important points…

  • CBD is one of the 113 cannabinoids found in cannabis sativa – a plant classified into different categories.
  • In addition to its therapeutic features, CBD is also known for being non-psychoactive.
  • Unlike THC, the non-psychoactive nature of CBD makes it a potentially safer option for the treatment of various minor and major diseases  
  • Despite being one of 113 compounds, CBD is actually 40% of the total extract from cannabis sativa.
  • CBD and CBD oil are two different things. CBD oil is taken from the leaves and it considered non-toxic.
  • Rumors suggest that CBD oil can trigger allergies and headaches.

Can CBD Oil Cause Headaches?

It is your right to consider and anticipate the occurrence of side effects before using a supplement, remedy or medicine. We all do it, and rightly so! Researchers have actually started thinking about the potential side effects of CBD oil. Back in 1986, a study published in the International Journal of Neuroscience concluded that dystonic CBD users are vulnerable to hypotension sedation, lightheadedness, dry mouth, and psychomotor slowing.  The occurrence of these side effects depends on the dose of CBD. The study didn’t find any evidence about CBD’s potential to cause headaches.

According to Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research (2017), CBD may cause diarrhea, tiredness, and issues related to weight and appetite. This study also never mentioned headaches as a potential side effect of CBD oil. Other found side effects are also of mild nature, so there is no life-threatening risks discovered in this regard.

Check Your CBD Oil Dose

You need to keep the dose under check because the above mentioned side effects are basically the result of an uncontrolled dose of CBD. The quality of CBD oil is also an important factor. Poor quality source, not meeting the standard requirements, and buying CBD from unregistered sellers are all things which result in disappointment. Sometimes people ignore these issues and just believe what the advertisements propagate. If a poor quality CBD oil causes headaches in certain conditions, you can consider it a rule for all.

Start from Moderate Dosage

Even if you verify a specific CBD product for its quality and legitimacy, you need to be careful about the quantity of CBD dosage. It is a wise move to begin with less quantity and let the body get used to it. Though CBD oil is non-toxic, you still need to keep it low in the beginning and increase the dose gradually. Don’t forget to consult with your doctor because the disease itself, the body’s requirements and the nature of the illness are three major factors to determine the suitable quantity of CBD dosage.

The Curse of Poor Quality CBD Oil

With the increasing popularity of CBD oil, some businesses have considered it as a quick money-making opportunity. This is a curse which leads to disappointing consumers. Such products may cause severe and consistent side effects, which can include respiratory problems, headaches and allergies.

If a legitimate and good quality CBD brand doesn’t sell its products unless the buyer presents a prescription, consumers tend to look for illegal or otherwise easy access. This is how the real problem begins. There are scores of substitutes and alternatives which you can purchase online without a prescription. You save a few bucks by buying cheap CBD oil, but you risk your health and may let your body suffer in the long run.

Why Quality of CBD Oil is Important

You never know the source of CBD oil if you purchase it from an illegitimate seller. Unfortunately, there are scores of such sellers who never even had the permission to produce and sell CBD oil. It is your duty to consider what’s right and what’s wrong. You need to educate yourself about proper use, rightful sources, and the purity of the product you are going to purchase. The following are some important points to consider when buying CBD oil…

Where is it coming from?

Cannabis plants have different features according to the region in which they grow. These plants are capable of absorbing lead, mercury and other chemicals from the soil. If CBD oil is imported from overseas, you’ll have to research the region where it is coming from. These bottles might contain a low quality imitation of CBD extract, which has not been properly extracted from the plant. Other dangerous chemicals can also find their way into the bottle. We can’t even imagine the level of havoc these things may cause to our health. 

Third-party lab test

Never buy a CBD product which does provide evidence of the results of a third-party lab test. These tests tell the buyer about the residual solvents, quality, terpenes, and potency of the CBD oil. It’ll also tell you if the product shows signs of chemical fertilizers, pesticides, and microbial contamination. There is no reason for ignoring the importance of this test because, after all, it is about your health and safety.

Read the label

Pay attention to the product labeling as this is the only thing which tells you about the brand, manufacturer, ingredients, commodity and other important details.

Final Thought

Just a simple example, suppose you’re suffering from mild fever and the doctor tells you to take just one tablet before going to the bed, but you forget it and consume three tablets – morning, noon and evening – and experience a reaction. Who is to blame? The tablet didn’t do anything wrong, neither did the doctor. Same is the case with CBD oil. Each of us has different bodily features and conditions. We need to carefully select the medication and follow the doctor’s advice. So, can CBD oil cause headaches? Yes, but only if you’re careless about its consumption!

Disclaimer: This article is intended for information and educational purposes only and is not intended to reflect the views of the publication.