Topical CBD Gel Improved Sleep and Reduced Migraine Disability in Bruxism Patients
In a double-blind RCT of 60 bruxism patients, both 5% and 10% CBD gel applied to jaw muscles nightly for 30 days significantly improved sleep quality and reduced migraine-related disability compared to placebo, with dose-dependent improvements.
Quick Facts
What This Study Found
Both 5% and 10% CBD gel groups showed statistically significant improvements in Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index and Migraine Disability Assessment scores compared to placebo (p < threshold), with 10% CBD showing the strongest effects. Objective measures (sEMG and Bruxoff) confirmed reduced muscle tension and bruxism intensity.
Key Numbers
60 participants, 3 groups of 20. 30-day treatment. Both 5% and 10% CBD significantly improved PSQI and MIDAS vs placebo. 10% CBD showed strongest dose-dependent effect. sEMG and Bruxoff confirmed objective improvement in muscle tension and bruxism intensity.
How They Did This
Randomized, double-blind clinical trial. 60 participants with bruxism allocated equally to placebo gel, 5% CBD gel, or 10% CBD gel (n=20 each). Applied intraorally to masseter muscles nightly for 30 days. Sleep quality (PSQI), migraine disability (MIDAS), muscle tension (sEMG), and bruxism intensity (Bruxoff) assessed.
Why This Research Matters
Bruxism is extremely common, affecting up to 31% of adults, and is linked to poor sleep and migraines. This RCT provides strong evidence that topical CBD can address multiple bruxism-related symptoms simultaneously, offering a non-systemic treatment option.
The Bigger Picture
Most bruxism treatments are passive (mouthguards) or have significant side effects (muscle relaxants, Botox). A topical CBD gel that improves sleep, reduces migraines, and relaxes jaw muscles could fill a major gap in bruxism management.
What This Study Doesn't Tell Us
Small per-group sample (n=20). 30-day follow-up may not reflect long-term outcomes. Intraoral application may not translate to other topical routes. Cannot determine which component of improvement (sleep, muscle relaxation, or pain) drove the others.
Questions This Raises
- ?Would longer treatment periods show continued improvement?
- ?Is the topical route necessary, or would oral CBD work as well?
- ?Could this treatment prevent bruxism-related dental damage over time?
Trust & Context
- Key Stat:
- Evidence Grade:
- Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial with objective outcome measures, though small sample size limits generalizability.
- Study Age:
- Published 2025.
- Original Title:
- Expanding the Therapeutic Profile of Topical Cannabidiol in Temporomandibular Disorders: Effects on Sleep Quality and Migraine Disability in Patients with Bruxism-Associated Muscle Pain.
- Published In:
- Pharmaceuticals (Basel, Switzerland), 18(7) (2025)
- Authors:
- Walczyńska-Dragon, Karolina(2), Fiegler-Rudol, Jakub(2), Baron, Stefan(2), Nitecka-Buchta, Aleksandra
- Database ID:
- RTHC-07899
Evidence Hierarchy
Frequently Asked Questions
How is CBD gel applied for bruxism?
Participants applied the gel directly to their masseter (jaw) muscles inside the mouth each night before bed for 30 days. This delivers CBD directly to the affected muscles without systemic exposure.
Why does treating bruxism improve sleep and migraines?
Bruxism, poor sleep, and migraines are interconnected — jaw clenching disrupts sleep, and chronic muscle tension triggers migraines. CBD gel may break this cycle by relaxing the muscles, which in turn improves sleep and reduces migraine triggers.
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Cite This Study
https://rethinkthc.com/research/RTHC-07899APA
Walczyńska-Dragon, Karolina; Fiegler-Rudol, Jakub; Baron, Stefan; Nitecka-Buchta, Aleksandra. (2025). Expanding the Therapeutic Profile of Topical Cannabidiol in Temporomandibular Disorders: Effects on Sleep Quality and Migraine Disability in Patients with Bruxism-Associated Muscle Pain.. Pharmaceuticals (Basel, Switzerland), 18(7). https://doi.org/10.3390/ph18071064
MLA
Walczyńska-Dragon, Karolina, et al. "Expanding the Therapeutic Profile of Topical Cannabidiol in Temporomandibular Disorders: Effects on Sleep Quality and Migraine Disability in Patients with Bruxism-Associated Muscle Pain.." Pharmaceuticals (Basel, 2025. https://doi.org/10.3390/ph18071064
RethinkTHC
RethinkTHC Research Database. "Expanding the Therapeutic Profile of Topical Cannabidiol in ..." RTHC-07899. Retrieved from https://rethinkthc.com/research/walczynska-dragon-2025-expanding-the-therapeutic-profile
Access the Original Study
Study data sourced from PubMed, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health.
This study breakdown was produced by the RethinkTHC research team. We analyze and report published research findings without making health recommendations. All interpretations are based solely on the published abstract and study data.