CBD Oil for Migraines and How to Get a Medical Cannabis Card

Do you know that you can use CBD oil for migraines? In this article, we will discuss how you can use CBD oil for migraines, as well as on how to get a medical cannabis card, or how to get a cannabis card in general. For most people, a migraine attack can be a very nasty experience. A migraine attack usually has a duration of 4 to 72 hours, within which some symptoms of this illness are heightened, making everyday chores and simple tasks very painful and annoying. Even though migraine symptoms can be alleviated by pain relievers that can be purchased at your local drugstore, there are side effects that come with them. However, a natural alternative is available as a medication for migraines in the form of cannabidiol or CBD.  Cannabidiol is a chemical that is present in the Cannabis sativa plant, which is commonly known as marijuana or hemp. There are over 80 chemicals, known as cannabinoids, that are present in the Cannabis sativa plant. Marijuana contains delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), while hemp contains cannabidiol and very small amounts of THC. Let’s now take a look at the results of studies done on CBD and migraines. 

Studies on CBD and Migraine

Currently, studies regarding the use of CBD as a medication for migraines are still limited due to the substance’s legal limitations in some states and countries. Cannabis-related products are not yet fully accepted and legalized in these areas.  However, those studies that managed to push through have confirmed that CBD oil can help alleviate chronic and acute pain, including migraines. Additional studies on other forms of cannabis products confirm their potential as treatment alternatives for migraines.

Effects of CBD on the body

The body interacts and processes CBD by activating its cannabinoid receptors (CB1 and CB2). CBD hinders the metabolism of anandamide, which is a body chemical that interacts with pain receptors in the body. Elevated anandamide levels in the body will result in a lower pain threshold, thus reducing pain brought by migraine and its associative symptoms. What's more, CBD has been studied to relieve inflammation within the body, resulting to further pain reduction and control of other immune system processes that may cause migraines and other types of pain. 

Different Uses of CBD Oil

The use of CBD oils can alleviate and manage some common illnesses, such as the following:

• Chronic and body pain
• Neurological symptoms
• Inflammation

Generally, there are three ways of using CBD oil, which are the following:

• Vaping
• Ingestion
• Topical application

For new users of CBD oil, it is recommended that they consume CBD oil via oral intake only since this route gives rise to fewer side effects than vaping. There are various oral forms of CBD oil that you can use, which are listed below:

• Direct CBD oil consumption via oil drops under the tongue
• Intake of CBD capsules infused with oil
• Eating or drinking CBD-infused edibles such as mooncakes and CBD-infused teas

CBD oil vaping is highly advised for severe migraine attacks, in which case, the patient needs to stay at home all day and avoid doing any difficult tasks. It is also the fastest way for the CBD components to get absorbed into the bloodstream, thus hastening the effects of CBD. Consult your doctor for the appropriate dosage of CBD oil, however.

Are there any side effects and risks from taking CBD oil?

As per studies, there are minimal side effects from the use of CBD-infused products and CBD oils. However, there will be still some prominent side effects that the user may experience after consuming these products, such as the following:

• Fatigue
• Drowsiness
• Upset stomach
• Appetite change
• Weight change (loss/gain)

The side effects of CBD oil vaping might sound more serious:

• Chronic cough
• Wheezing
• Difficulties in breathing

People with asthma or other respiratory-related problems are not advised to use the vaping method. Additionally, intake of other medications should not be done while using CBD-related products and CBD oils, since these medicines may interact (good or bad) with CBD’s effects on the body. Some medications that are known to interact with CBD are the following: 

• Antibiotics
• Antidepressants
• Blood thinners

Always ask your doctor about what medications to use while on CBD treatment.

CBD Legality: how to get a medical cannabis card

As mentioned earlier, not all countries have fully allowed the use of medical cannabis and CBD-related products to its citizens. A huge example of this would be the United States, wherein the majority of states have slowly legalized the use of medical marijuana and CBD-related products. There are some locations that only legalize medical marijuana alone, while others legalize both medical and recreational marijuana. If your area has only authorized the medical part, you will need to apply for a marijuana card (in most states that legalized marijuana use) before you can purchase one in your local pharmacy or drugstore. Check with your physician whether you are wondering how to get a medical cannabis card. Obtain recommendation for using a card after both you and your physician agree that medical marijuana can help your treatment.  After doing so, you must get approval from your local state for a marijuana card application. Once approved, you will need to pay a fee for the application, the amount of which varies depending on your state. Take note that this process may vary depending on the state or country you are currently living in. If your state has not yet legalized the use of medical marijuana, then it would be impossible to apply and use a marijuana card on that location, even if it came from a state that has decriminalized marijuana or has supported marijuana. In any other case, getting a medical cannabis card should be easy and it can be your go-to solution for securing CBD oil migraine treatment or for any other conditions you might have.