Headaches—those nagging, often debilitating aches that can impair focus or render you completely incapacitated until the throbbing subsides. While the underlying cause of headaches varies, almost everyone has issues with an aching head at some point. In fact, the World Health Organization suggests that as much as 75 percent of people have at least one headache a year.
Finding a cure for the common headache has been the point of many discussions over the years—even the cannabinoid CBD (cannabidiol) has been suggested to help with headaches and has been shown to help some people with migraines. However, some people have experienced headaches while taking CBD, which leads to the question: can CBD cause headaches? Let’s take a deeper look.
Is a CBD Headache a Possible Side Effect of taking CBD?
Does CBD cause headaches? It’s not likely but also not impossible. One of the reasons CBD has grown so popular is the fact that it comes along with such a short list of side effects or risks. The most commonly reported side effects of CBD use include:
- Nausea or diarrhea
- Fatigue
- Dry mouth
- Dizziness
- Reduced appetite
A mild headache could be a possibility with CBD, as every individual can have their own sensitivities to either CBD or the ingredients in the CBD product. However, headaches may happen so rarely that the issue is not considered a common side effect. What may be more to blame for a CBD headache is the amount of CBD an individual takes or the type of product they are using.
CBD Dosage and Headaches
Researchers have found that side effects associated with CBD use typically emerge when people take especially large amounts of the cannabinoid. Therefore, if you are pretty dead-set on thinking “CBD gives me a headache,” it may be worth examining the dosage you are consuming when you experience a headache with CBD.
While no formal dosage guidelines have been established, the best approach is to start out with a low dose and adjust in small increments to feel the desired effects. If you are not accustomed to taking CBD or you are simply taking too much, you may be experiencing negative side effects for that reason and need to lower your dosage or frequency. If you are having trouble taking a controlled dose, you may consider switching to CBD gummies, as each gummy contains a precise amount of CBD for easy and straightforward dosing.
CBD Quality and Headaches
CBD product quality is a huge factor to consider any time you have a negative experience with CBD. The CBD market is vast and unregulated, so not every product you find is going to be formulated with the highest quality ingredients. To make sure you are taking a high-quality product, look for:
- Products made with mostly natural ingredients
- Products that are supplied by a reputable seller with an established reputation, clear contact info, and customer reviews
- Products that have been tested by a third-party lab for cannabinoid content and contaminants
Another thing to consider, some CBD products can contain ingredients that may cause a headache and the CBD may not necessarily be to blame. For example, some CBD products for sleep may be combined with melatonin, and melatonin is known for causing headaches. Therefore, if the product you are using is generating a headache, take a closer look at the ingredient listing to see if something else could be to blame.
What We Know About CBD for Headaches
Even though some people have claimed to experience headaches with CBD, several studies have examined the cannabinoid as an aid to help people with some of the most intense types of headaches. For example, CBD may be useful for tension headaches, which are commonly caused by stress or underlying issues with anxiety. Further, CBD has been examined for its efficacy for difficult-to-treat pain, which researchers speculate could be valuable for migraines and frequent headaches, both of which are hard to treat.
Historically, cannabis has been recommended for chronic headaches and migraines. A litany of studies has covered how cannabis may help reduce the severity and even frequency of headaches in some cases. Even though the bulk of CBD products available today, including the products available through Jenny’s Baked at Home, are derived from hemp, some of those same valuable cannabinoids are present.
Final Thoughts on CBD and Headaches
So, can CBD oil cause headaches, or could you be getting a headache specifically from a CBD product? While most people don’t get CBD headaches, each individual’s body chemistry is unique. Therefore, you could possibly get a headache while taking CBD. Nevertheless, the quality, ingredients, and dosage you are taking can all be factors to consider.
For most people who believe CBD is causing headaches, they can make a few adjustments with dosage and products and no longer have issues. If you are looking to switch to a purer CBD product less likely to come along with undesirable side effects and offer the best experience, be sure to take a look at our full-spectrum CBD products at Jenny’s Baked at Home. Our products are made from only top-shelf ingredients and always lab-tested.
