Have you ever woken up with a headache and it wasn’t a hangover? Or what about a sudden throbbing behind your right eye for no apparent reason? Or maybe you did a challenging workout and now your sore neck is making your temples pulsate in pain? I’ve experienced all of these headache types (as I’m sure you have, too) and they are equally irritating as they are inconvenient.
While I used to reach for a painkiller to solve the mental strain, I soon stopped after learning that acetaminophen can cause serious liver damage if you take too much. Okay, so I wasn’t technically taking enough of it to do that but I figured it’s best to be on the safe side and find something natural—prevention over cure, after all! Besides, I wanted something that could target the headache and not numb my entire body, so I went on the hunt for alternatives and find out how to get rid of a headache fast.
After many years of trying various natural remedies—lavender oil, essentials oils that you inhale, and exercises—I found that while yes, these have some impact, they didn’t really take my headache away, rather they would reduce the throbbing somewhat. It wasn’t until I was introduced to CBD that things really started to change. I’ve tried so many different forms: CBD balm, CBD tinctures, CBD gummies—until finally, a friend gifted me the Native Atlas Misuli Movement Oil. It comes in a chic roll-on (so it’s small enough to throw in your bag for easy access) and has 125mg of THC-Free Hemp CBD in shea butter and an MCT oil base infused with peppermint, basil, and lavender among other essentials oils—it smells amazing too.
It sat on my desk unused for a few days until one day during a Zoom meeting, a colleague was telling us about a migraine she’d had all day and after nothing worked, she put CBD oil (I can’t remember the brand she used) on her temples and it went away instantly. I was intrigued. The next time I had an eye-twitchingly painful headache, I reached for my Native Atlas and rolled it all over my temples and down to my neck, covering the top of my shoulders too. I kid you not, my headache was gone within minutes. True story. I couldn’t believe how quick and effective it was.
Still not convinced? Let’s dive into what CBD is for a second:
So, what is CBD?
Okay, so let’s get this straight (pun intended), while CBD (which stands for cannabidiol) is a component of marijuana, it does not get you “high.” According to Harvard Health, CBD is an essential component of medical marijuana, derived directly from the hemp plant, which is a cousin of the marijuana plant. According to a report from the World Health Organization, “In humans, CBD exhibits no effects indicative of any abuse or dependence potential…. To date, there is no evidence of public health-related problems associated with the use of pure CBD.”
Dr. Jordan Tishler, a member of the medical advisory board for cannabisMD and president of the Association of Cannabis Specialists, told U.S. News that there are upwards of 100 chemicals in cannabis, and THC and CBD are just two of them. “Frankly, CBD hasn’t been researched nearly as much as THC,” he says. The likely reason for the lack of research is that cannabis has been illegal across the U.S. until recently and much of the funding for new medicines comes from the federal government.
What does CBD do?
While most of the results have been anecdotal, there is some strong scientific evidence for its effectiveness in treating childhood epilepsy syndromes, such as Dravet syndrome and Lennox-Gastaut syndrome. These studies showed that CBD was able to reduce the number of seizures, and in some cases, stop them altogether. It was so effective, the FDA recently approved the first-ever cannabis-derived medicine called Epidiolex, which contains CBD. But there is also a lot of anecdotal evidence for CBD and its ability to reduce anxiety, insomnia, stress, muscle pain, and as an aid in falling and staying asleep.
How does CBD help headaches?
While a 2017 literature review found that there could be some benefit to CBD for migraines, there is still more research required in this area. But many testimonials from people who have used CBD for headaches and migraines have claimed that CBD can reduce inflammation and pain. From my personal experience both ingesting and applying CBD topically, I have found that CBD just helps to take the edge off, to relax and feel calm which is why I think it helps to provide relief for tension headaches (or in my case gets rid of a headache fast) because it relaxes tight muscles to release the tension.
In conclusion…
I highly recommend CBD (especially the Native Atlas roll-on) to anyone who suffers from headaches either sporadically or often to give it a try for themselves and experience the transformative results. Of course, I am not a doctor so please consult your medical professional if you have any questions or concerns.
If you do try it, please report back and comment below to let me know how it worked for you, and be sure to inform me of other game-changing natural products like this that help to treat what ails you.
Shop Native Atlas below along with a few other CBD products I am loving right now:
Native Atlas Misuli Movement Oil
Kamu Recover Full Spectrum CBD 450mg Balm
I use this balm nightly to help calm the tension in my back from sitting at a computer all day or sometimes I even rub it along my neck and shoulders too. I love the balm texture and fragrance of this one too.
Equilibria Relief Cream
I love Equilibria’s range of CBD but I also love their packaging—it looks pretty but it works hard for the money! I know it’s a little on the pricier side but it’s high strength so you don’t need a lot to get the results.
Nature of Things Superlative Body Balm
I love everything about this brand—the packaging, the messaging, the ingredients. It’s just a beautiful line. This one is also an investment but it’s more like a moisturizer than a balm so it sinks into the skin nicely without leaving any balmy residue.
Juna Nightcap Sleep Drops
I have used several CBD tinctures and this one definitely scores high on my list. These certified organic drops help to take the edge off and allow me to unwind before bedtime thanks to Full-Spectrum CBD, CBN, and additional sleep-enhancing ingredients like passionflower, mint, and chamomile.
Foria Relief Suppositories With CBD
Okay, so I know what you’re thinking, and I can see you shaking your head but before you dismiss this product let me explain. These have been a game-changer for treating my monthly menstrual pain because they help to relax muscles, reduce cramping, and inflammation. They can also be used vaginally or rectally. They also make intimacy suppositories which I highly recommend.
Do you have any tips for how to get rid of a headache fast? Share them with us below.
