Migraine is not a simple headache, but a complex neurological disorder. During an attack, the trigeminovascular system becomes overactive, with substances like CGRP (Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide) and nitric oxide (NO) triggering a cascade of pain, neuroinflammation, and sensory oversensitivity. Light, sound, smell, nausea, and sometimes aura are common accompaniments.

The nervous system is, as it were, tuned too sharply.

It's precisely at this intersection—pain transmission, inflammation, neurotransmitters, and stress regulation—that the endocannabinoid system (ECS) comes into play. And that's precisely where the interest in full-spectrum cannabis extracts , and particularly CBDa-rich oils , arises.

Why cannabis extracts are being studied for migraines

In recent years, the number of studies on medicinal cannabis for migraine has increased. Systematic reviews and meta-analyses show that cannabis extracts:

• can reduce the frequency of migraine attacks

• reduce the duration and intensity of attacks

• in some users, it can even completely abort an attack

A recent meta-analysis showed that the average number of migraine days per month decreased from 10.4 to 4.6 , with a reduction in attack frequency of about 40% . Strikingly, this effect was comparable to common medications like amitriptyline, but with generally milder side effects.

Important detail: the best results were seen with combinations of cannabinoids , not with one isolated compound.

The power of the whole plant: cannabinoids, terpenes and flavonoids

Pharmacologically speaking, cannabis is not a single substance, but a complex plant system . Its effects are driven by an interplay of:

• Cannabinoids (such as THC, CBD, CBDa, CBG, CBC)

• Terpenes (such as β-caryophyllene, myrcene, limonene, and linalool)

• Flavonoids (including the unique cannflavins)

CBDa and CBD are non-psychoactive and are known for their anti-inflammatory, anxiolytic, and anti-nausea properties. Terpenes enhance this effect:
β-caryophyllene works anti-inflammatory through CB2 receptors, while myrcene supports relaxation and possibly better cannabinoid absorption.

In experimental research, cannflavins have been shown to be even more potent anti-inflammatory than aspirin , which is relevant in neuroinflammatory processes such as migraine.

This interaction of substances is called the entourage effect : the whole is greater than the sum of its parts.

Why Full Spectrum Oil Works Differently Than an Isolate

A clear pattern emerges in both research and practice:
Full Spectrum extracts perform more consistently and broadly than isolates.

That makes sense, because migraine isn't a single-target problem. It affects:

• pain conduction

• inflammation

• nausea

• stress response

• sleep and recovery

An isolate works narrowly by definition.
A Full Spectrum oil can attack multiple processes simultaneously.

Studies also show that combinations of THC and CBD are more effective than CBD alone, and that CBD can mitigate the side effects of THC. This principle of synergy forms the pharmacological basis for Full Spectrum applications.

CBDa: the value of the raw form

An important, often underestimated aspect is the acidic form of cannabinoids , such as CBDa and THCa . These are formed in the living plant and are converted into CBD and THC when heated.

In their original form they are:

• non-psychoactive

• biochemically differently active

• possibly faster and more subtle regulation

This can make a difference, especially in sensitive systems, such as those with migraines.

Practical experience: migraine under control

Peter Vermeul, founder and owner of CBD Spain , also shares his personal experience. As a chronic migraine sufferer, he experienced attacks for years that lasted several days and completely disabled him.

Since using CBDa-dominant and THCa-dominant Full Spectrum extracts at the first signs of an attack, the impact has changed dramatically. Where migraines used to last for days, they are now often manageable within a few hours.

Not pain free, but functional.
And that difference determines quality of life.

The endocannabinoid system as a logical starting point

In chronic migraines, evidence has been found for reduced endocannabinoid tone , including lower anandamide levels in the cerebrospinal fluid. This does not prove a deficiency as the cause, but does suggest that modulation of the ECS could be therapeutically useful .

Full Spectrum CBDa oil fits perfectly into that approach: not forcing, but regulating.

A nuanced conclusion

The science surrounding cannabis and migraine is promising, but still developing. Large, long-term comparative studies are scarce. At the same time, both pharmacological logic and practical experience show that:

• migraine is a multifactorial problem

• Full Spectrum extracts work more broadly and more stably than isolates

• CBDa can play a valuable role within that whole

That's why this topic deserves further investigation. Download the full article by Peter Vermeul here:

• Cannabis Extracts for Migraine - pdf NL
• Cannabis Extracts for Migraine - pdf EN

👉 For those who really want to understand why Full Spectrum CBDa oil can play such a unique role in diseases and recovery possibilities, check out our science page where you will find many more scientifically substantiated articles by Peter Vermeul.