Topical Use of Cannabinoid Creams in Headache Therapy
One old folk remedy for relieving headaches involves rubbing a small amount of peppermint oil extract in a thin layer on the forehead, back of the head, and temples. From a scientific perspective, when applied to the skin, the active compounds in the oil are directly absorbed into the tissues of the head, quickly reaching potential sources of discomfort and suppressing their manifestation. But can peppermint oil be replaced with a cannabinoid extract to achieve a similar, or even faster and stronger, pain-relieving effect? This article aims to explore that question.
Of course, due to the lack of clinical trials and data, doctors and scientists cannot guarantee the effectiveness of this method for treating headaches or similar symptoms. Nevertheless, it is well established that certain cannabinoids, particularly CBN and the widely used therapeutic CBD, are effectively absorbed through the skin (this property can be further enhanced by mixing cannabinoid oils with a lipid substrate, such as coconut oil). In addition, many anecdotal reports online and in cannabis-focused publications informally support the reality and effectiveness of this approach for headache relief. In fact, the results of numerous independent scientific studies investigating this phenomenon also support this method, according to a 2017 review analyzing several dozen such works. The review’s conclusions state, “Comparing the results of independent tests and individual user reports indicates the high effectiveness of topical application of cannabis oil extracts for reducing and suppressing pain and other discomfort in the head and neck area.”
Dr. Stefan Kuprovsky, a naturopathic and alternative medicine doctor based in Vancouver, agrees with the theory of using cannabis oils for headache therapy. He notes the widespread use of CBD and CBN in ointments and special patches, thanks to the high bioavailability of these compounds through the skin and the well-documented anti-inflammatory properties of cannabinoids.
“Currently, cannabinoid-based oils and ointments are widely used to treat chronic joint pain, muscle numbness, and various skin conditions, irritations, and infections such as eczema, acne, and psoriasis,” he says. “It’s not surprising that the anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects of cannabinoids may also be present when using such ointments for headaches or similar symptoms.”
Different Types and Manifestations of Headaches and Migraines
Despite many factors supporting the hypothesis that topical cannabinoids can help with various forms of headache, it’s important to note that known scientific facts about how these substances are absorbed by the human body cast doubt on the practicality of this approach. Multiple experiments with cannabinoids, specifically THC and CBD, show that these compounds have a relatively low average bioavailability for the human body. Cannabinoids are lipophilic and hydrophobic, meaning they have difficulty crossing the body’s chemical barriers, which are rich in moisture-containing molecules.
Additionally, most migraines and chronic headaches are associated with the narrowing of blood vessels in the tissues, meaning that to counteract this effect, cannabinoids would need to reach the blood vessels directly. While there have been some successes in treating such issues with cannabinoid oils or patches, not every blend of active ingredients is effective at addressing vascular problems. It’s also worth noting that these products have mainly been tested for arthritis and skin conditions, not headaches or similar irritations.
“At first glance, it may seem that there’s no difference in the effect of cannabinoids when applied to different organs and body parts, but in practice, medical experience shows that these substances cannot have a noticeable effect on tissues they cannot penetrate through the skin and muscle layers,” Dr. Kuprovsky explains. “It’s one thing to use cannabinoid oils for muscle or joint pain, where the active compounds are delivered directly to the affected area. It’s another matter when the substances need to reach deeper tissues, such as organs or blood vessels. In such cases, cannabinoids are more effective if they enter the bloodstream by other means, such as inhalation or oral ingestion, which delivers the compounds directly to the source of discomfort.”
Furthermore, headache symptoms can be caused by various bodily dysfunctions triggered by different biological factors, which also casts doubt on the effectiveness of applying medicinal oils to the head. “If the pain is caused by numbness or physical trauma to the neck muscles, such a remedy may be effective, as it is absorbed directly at the site of pain and discomfort,” the doctor reasons. “However, if the pain is due to vascular constriction or has a neurological origin, these treatment methods are, to put it mildly, completely ineffective. On the other hand, using CBD mixed with THC orally or by inhaling extracts is quite effective at suppressing discomfort from such symptoms, as well as dizziness, nausea, and low energy. In other words, while many anecdotal stories confirm the effectiveness of this method for headache relief, it likely only helps with superficial issues, such as numbness or neck muscle pain. In other cases, cannabinoids are better consumed internally rather than applied over the site of possible inflammation. Of course, it’s hard to draw conclusions about this phenomenon without in-depth laboratory studies.”
The Entourage Effect in Topical Cannabis Extracts
Finally, Dr. Kuprovsky also hypothesizes that in the cases described by independent researchers and users, cannabinoids may indeed have had a healing effect on deeper sources of headache. He notes that in each of these cases, the real therapeutic effect may have come not so much from the active cannabinoids themselves, but from the associated terpenes and flavonoids—volatile, aromatic substances found in cannabis oils. It’s also possible that when applied topically, absorbed cannabinoids have a local enhancing effect on other healing substances already present in the body (for example, other medications being metabolized in the tissues), as well as endogenous healing enzymes and compounds.
“It’s possible that the phenomenon we’re discussing lies in the synergistic interaction between therapeutic cannabinoids and pain-relieving terpenes, such as pinene or linalool, or even in the ability of the mixture’s components to interact with molecules like anandamide or other pain-modulating hormones in the body,” the doctor suggests.
“Finally, we can’t rule out that the entire effect is nothing more than a placebo, amplified by the general or local anti-inflammatory effect of cannabinoids,” he adds. “After all, cannabinoids are now being promoted as a ‘cure-all.’ With such advertising, it’s not surprising that people suffering from frequent and severe headaches might inadvertently convince themselves of a therapeutic effect. Of course, this version doesn’t fully explain the physiological effects of these ointments and mixtures, as documented by independent studies on this phenomenon.”
Original author: Colin Fisher Tully