In female rat models of both acute and chronic migraine, a CBD/THC combination outperformed CBD alone, CBD/CBG, and triple combinations in reducing pain and light sensitivity.
People with migraine; headache researchers; medical cannabis formulators
CBD/THC suppressed chronic migraine-like pain through day 13 in rats
What the researchers found
CBD/THC combination produced the longest-lasting pain relief (up to 3 hours) and was the only compound that reduced light sensitivity in the CGRP-induced migraine model. In the chronic model, CBD/THC suppressed pain through day 13.
Why it matters
Migraine affects roughly 12% of the global population and current treatments are often inadequate.
The numbers in context
CBD alone: reduced pain at 30 min to 2 hours. CBD/THC: reduced pain up to 3 hours. In chronic model: CBD/THC suppressed pain through day 13.
How the study worked
Female Wistar rats received systemic CBD (30 mg/kg), CBD/CBG (2:1), CBD/0.3% THC, or CBD/CBG/THC. Acute and chronic migraine models used.
What this study cannot tell us
Animal model. Only female rats. Doses may not translate to human use.
How to read the evidence
Well-designed preclinical study with multiple models, but limited to female rats.
When this study was published
2025 study using current preclinical models
The bigger picture
This study provides controlled preclinical evidence that adding even a small amount of THC to CBD meaningfully improves migraine outcomes.
Questions still open
- What is the optimal THC:CBD ratio for migraine treatment? Could a CBD/THC migraine treatment achieve regulatory approval?
Common questions
Why was CBD/THC better than CBD alone for migraine?
Can I use CBD/THC for my migraines based on this study?
Read the original research
Efficacy of different cannabinoid compounds on migraine-like responses in female rats.
Cephalalgia : an international journal of headache, 45(10), 3331024251386794
Citation
da Luz, Fernanda Mariano Ribeiro; Kaup, Alexandre Ottoni; Baggio, Darciane Favero; Costa, Flavio Henrique de Rezende; Chichorro, Juliana Geremias. (2025). Efficacy of different cannabinoid compounds on migraine-like responses in female rats.. Cephalalgia : an international journal of headache, 45(10), 3331024251386794. https://doi.org/10.1177/03331024251386794
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