Is There A Relationship Between Headaches And CBD? Here’s What You Need To Know.
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According to the WHO, headache disorders are the most common disorders of the nervous system. The incapacitating pain affects your daily life. Sometimes, there are other debilitating symptoms such as poor vision, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, loss of balance, to mention a few. If you suffer from severe headaches, your life grinds to a halt whenever you suffer an episode. To make matters worse, some medications come with the accompanying risk of dependency.
What’s causing your headache? If you’re using CBD products it’s natural to wonder if there’s a relationship between headaches and CBD? If you have used CBD or are about to use these natural products, stop worrying because headaches are not a side-effect.
This post succinctly debunks the misconception that headaches are a side effect of CBDs. Read on to find out more.
Understanding the Working of CBD
Like most people, you’ve likely come across the immense benefits of Cannabidiol (CBD). Cannabidiol, (CBD) is the lesser-known natural product of the cannabis sativa plant. Unlike THC, the other compound extracted from the cannabis plant, CBD is non-psychoactive and doesn’t produce a “high”
Using CBD for medical use dates back to ancient civilizations. The product interacts with your body’s endocannabinoid system and affects different functions of your body. The complex cell-signaling system affects sleep, mood, memory, fertility,memory. The system works through endocannabinoids produced by the body. These are like cannabinoids in the CBD.
The Farm Bill of 2018 legalized the hemp-derived cannabidiol which generated a lot of interest in CBD products. If CBD has less than 0.3% Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), it’s legal and this has boosted the production of CBD products.
Many people have jumped onto the bandwagon on CBD to treat a diverse range of medical conditions or improve overall wellbeing. CBD products are effective in pain relief, reducing anxiety and depression, heart health, treat insomnia, reducing acne, alleviating cancer-related symptoms, among other conditions.
You can choose CBDs from pills, gels, gummies, oils, supplements, and extracts. These fall under:
Full spectrum CBD: A CBD product with several naturally occurring cannabis plant extracts (e.g. terpenes and other cannabinoids such as 0.3% THC).
Broad spectrum CBD: CBD product containing several cannabis plant compounds but free of THC.
CBD isolate: Pure form of CBD with no other cannabis plant compounds.
Are There Any Side Effects of CBD?
There’s a misconception that CBD can cause headaches. With research on the hemp-based CBD still continuing, you should always verify any information you come across.
For a long time, humanity has missed out on the incredible benefits of CBD because of such misinformation. Today, medical research supports the use of CBDs for multiple health issues. Like with most nature-based products, the side-effects of CBD are mild and can include:
Dry mouth: Cottonmouth symptom is more common with THC but you can experience it with CBD and it doesn’t last long.
Diarrhea: It’s possible to suffer diarrhea or liver problems but this is dependent on an individual’s unique medical history
Changes appetite: You might experience an increase or reduction in appetite when using CBD products.
Drowsiness: You might get the feeling of drowsiness or lightheadedness after using CBD but it passes with time.
Nausea/vomiting: You might experience nausea or vomiting but this only occurs with people with a sensitive stomach or if a high amount is ingested
Fatigue: High doses of CBD can cause fatigue and it’s important to follow instructions, especially when using full-spectrum CBD.
Drop in blood pressure: When taken in high amounts, CBD can cause a slight drop in blood pressure though not for everyone. You might get a feeling of lightheadedness.
Can CBD Products Cause Headaches?
Can you experience a headache after taking a CBP product? A headache is not a side-effect of these natural products. If you experience a headache, it’s likely:
You have taken an incorrect dosage (very high amounts of CBD)
The CBD quality is poor and is not produced to the highest standards
The product has not gone through independent laboratory testing
To avoid headaches or other severe side-effects, you should only use CBD products that have undergone independent testing. The best products are from recognizable companies and have well-detailed descriptions of the ingredients used. Don't just try anything you find online.
CBD is a naturally occurring compound that’s extracted from the hemp plant. For this reason, you should not worry about any severe side-effects including headaches. If you have used any product claiming to be CBD-based and suffered a headache, consult your doctor.
