High CBD-to-THC Ratio Shows Promise for Migraine Relief

A high CBD-to-THC ratio (100:1) may help reduce key migraine symptoms without cognitive side effects, according to a new study.

A recent study by researchers at the University of Iowa, Leiden University Medical Center in the Netherlands, and the Department of Veterans Affairs Health Center in Iowa indicates that cannabidiol (CBD) can potentially alleviate primary migraine symptoms when taken with a small dose of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).

The research, conducted on mice, examined the effects of varying CBD to THC ratios on light sensitivity, pain reaction, and cortical spreading depolarization (CSD), a neural process associated with migraine pathology. Mice received CBD (100 mg/kg) or THC (1 mg/kg) alone or CBD (1, 30, or 100 mg/kg) combined with THC (1 mg/kg) prior to the presentation of migraine triggers.

Findings indicated that a high ratio of CBD-to-THC at 100:1 efficiently lowered light sensitivity due to migraine triggers in males and females alike. The ratio also lowered squinting, a symptom of migraine-induced pain, but was effective only in males. The combination did not alleviate tactile hypersensitivity near the eyes but lessened facial grimacing, which is a measure of migraine-like pain. More importantly, treatment did not produce cognitive, affective, or motor impairments.

Though conducted in animal models, the research points towards the possibility of using CBD-dominant therapies for the treatment of migraine. The study emphasizes that future research needs to be undertaken to establish whether similar effects can be seen in human patients.

"Our results support a potential therapeutic effectiveness of combined CBD and THC treatments," the scientists concluded, noting that a 100:1 CBD-to-THC ratio was effective on some of the most annoying migraine symptoms.

As more people become interested in CBD as a pain reliever, this study contributes to the mounting evidence for its potential benefits for people with migraines.