We all know that we get headaches because we are physically exhausted, worried about an uncertain future, angry, sad, or in shock. But do we know why stress can trigger or intensify headaches, and why CBD is a superior treatment?

Stress dries out

Stress robs the body of water. Since the brain is more sensitive to dehydration than other parts of the body, when it is dehydrated, the body redirects more blood to it to hydrate and protect it. This process can be seen as the throbbing of blood vessels in the shadow area during the onset of certain types of headaches. Dr. F. Batmanghelidij, in his book You Are Not Sick, You Are Thirsty, writes about this: “Histamine, which is released to prevent the brain from dehydrating or overheating, activates certain systems that promote better blood flow. When the brain is dehydrated – which can be the result of not drinking enough water, stress, alcohol or overheating – the action of histamine causes the pain we know as a headache or migraine. To relieve it, we reach for two, three or even four glasses of water…”

Stress raises blood pressure

Stress activates the body’s “fight or flight” response. One common consequence of this is an increase in blood pressure. This can worsen an existing headache, trigger it, and in the worst case, even lead to death (1). The researchers describe in detail how sudden, severe stress can raise blood pressure and cause death: “We assume that the man’s blood pressure suddenly rose sharply when he learned of his wife’s death. Emotional or physical stress can cause disturbances in blood flow, which are partly triggered by the release of catecholamines (e.g., adrenaline, noradrenaline, etc.). This supports Caplan’s hypothesis that a rapid increase in blood pressure or accelerated blood flow in the brain’s blood vessels can cause a tear or rupture in their walls.”

Stress tenses muscles

Have you ever noticed that your neck stiffens before a headache starts – as if the headache is caused by tension, tightness in your neck muscles? Stress can also be the cause of such a headache, which is called a tension headache or a headache associated with muscle tension. In addition to raising your blood pressure, your muscles also prepare for a possible fight or flight – so they are tense like a string and waiting for quick action. Just remember how stress can make us clench, scrunch, and tense – as if we want to hide our heads between our shoulders. When we become aware of this and consciously relax our muscles, our shoulders drop, our head rises, and our neck straightens – breathing is now easier.

If stress lasts too long, such tension in the neck muscles can also lead to tension in the head muscles and thus a headache.

The head hurts on both sides, as if someone were tightening a band around it. Muscle tension caused by stress can also worsen migraines and other headaches.

Stress disrupts sleep

Depending on the intensity and duration of stress, it can also disrupt sleep to varying degrees. Since our brains only clean and repair themselves at night, prolonged sleep deprivation can cause waste products to accumulate in the brain, and damaged tissues can be repaired more slowly and more difficult. Both problems are signaled to us by the brain in the form of headaches.

Stress causes blood sugar to fluctuate

Experts also link chronic stress to diabetes. For example, anxiety can trigger type 2 diabetes in people who are on the verge of being diagnosed with anxiety, as well as in those who already have this diagnosis (2). Again, it is the body's reaction to stress (fight or flight). Its consequence is the release of the body's glucose reserves and thus an increase in its level in the blood. This happens so that we do not run out of energy to fight or flee. It is a desirable and necessary reaction, but if stress is chronic, it is also unpleasant and harmful to health, as it can lead to type 2 diabetes. Fluctuations in blood glucose, whether too much or too little, can also be felt as a headache.

Why can CBD help with stress headaches?

CBD, which is a cannabinoid from industrial hemp, can be a superior aid for stress-related headaches (e.g. CBDex Migreo drops), as it is calming, helps manage anxiety, depression and other mental disorders, relaxes muscles, helps regulate blood pressure and blood glucose levels, and also has analgesic, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective effects and the list goes on. The evidence?

Because CBD prevents the breakdown of anandamide, it can improve our response to stress (relieves stress), as well as our well-being, sleep, etc., which in turn relieves headaches (3).

JA Crippa and colleagues from the University of São Paulo in Brazil also believe that cannabidiol is an important aid in stress management. CBD acts on the serotonin receptor system, thereby having a positive effect on anxiety and depression.

Research from 2018 sees the potential of cannabinoids (including CBD) in managing migraine headaches, as they have anticonvulsant, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and anti-nausea properties (4).

CBD also reduces high blood pressure, which is mainly caused by stress (5).

A 2008 Israeli study conducted on mice showed that consuming CBD, among other things, reduced the incidence of diabetes, and Israeli scientist Mark J. Rosenfeld believes that CBD may improve or even cure diabetes.

Text: Adriana Dolinar, Ph.D.Vet.Med., the president Associations for the Awakening of the Whole Man and an external employee of the information center - Zadravje.net.

Source: https://www.zazdravje.net/zdrava-medicina/od-stresa-mi-bo-se-glavo-razneslo/