Migraines

What is a Migraine?

Many of us have experienced mild headache pain at some point in our lives; however, a sizeable percentage of the population is plagued by frequent and severe headaches that, unfortunately, disrupt their daily lives. These types of headaches are typically referred to as migraines. A migraine is considered one of the top ten most debilitating illnesses by the World Health Organization, and it’s estimated that twelve percent of Americans, or over 37 million of the adult population in our country alone, are chronic migraine patients.

Women are particularly susceptible to the illness; estimating that approximately one in five women will experience migraines. Many migraine sufferers feel the debilitating impacts of chronic pain in their social and professional lives. Unfortunately, migraine treatments are not always practical due to the unknown nature of their exact cause.

Causes

Although the exact cause of a migraine headache pain isn’t always easy to pinpoint, some of the most common reasons that we get migraine headaches are:

  • dehydration
  • consuming alcohol
  • poor posture
  • tight muscles
  • stress
  • eye strain
  • lack of food
  • over/underuse of caffeine
  • sinus congestion/allergies
  • medication overuse
  • high blood pressure

Migraine Symptoms

Migraines come in four stages: prodrome, aura, attack, and post-drome, although not all migraine sufferers go through all steps.

Prodrome

The day before a migraine, you may notice changes in the body that warns of a migraine, including:

  • Constipation
  • Mood swings
  • Food cravings
  • Neck stiffness
  • Increased urination
  • Fluid retention
  • Frequent yawning

Aura

Auras are reversible nervous system symptoms and can occur before or during a migraine episode. They are usually vision-related, but not always. Each sign usually begins gradually, builds up, and can last up to an hour. 

Migraine auras may include:

  • Visual phenomena- shapes, bright spots, or flashes of light
  • Temporary vision loss
  • Tingling sensations in limbs
  • Weakness or numbness in the face/body
  • Difficulty speaking

Attack

Depending on the treatment method, a migraine attack can range from four to seventy-two hours. The frequency of migraines occurrence varies with each person. 

During a migraine, you could experience the following:

  • Pain on one or both sides of the head
  • Throbbing or pulsing facial pain
  • Light and Sound Sensitivity
  • Nausea and vomiting

Post-drome

After a migraine headache, you could feel confused and exhausted for a short period. Many people report feeling dizzy as well. 

Consulting a Doctor

Visit a healthcare provider immediately if you have any of the following symptoms that could indicate a serious health condition:

  • An abrupt, severe headache
  • Headache with fever, confusion, seizures, double vision, numbness, or weakness within the body, which could be a sign of a stroke
  • Headache after an injury
  • A reoccurring headache made worse by coughing, straining, or a sudden movement.
  • New headache pain after the age of fifty

Terpenes for headache relief

Although typically placed into Indica, Sativa, or Hybrid categories, we now understand that those classifications have little to do with a medical cannabis strain’s psychoactive properties. THC, CBD, and other minor cannabinoids play an essential role, but terpenes also work behind the scenes to help provide a particular strain’s effects.

So far, there has been limited research into terpenes and their relation to migraine headaches and the human endocannabinoid system because recreational cannabis is federally illegal. But one cannabis science study found that the terpenes, myrcene, and caryophyllene, have medicinal benefits that can ease migraine attacks and potentially reduce migraine frequency. Discussing medical cannabis use with a trusted healthcare provider could help if you’ve exhausted other prescription medication options.

Cannabinoid Benefits for Migraines

With many migraine sufferers finding no relief in prescription migraine medications, some people have turned to the cannabis plant and its ability to treat migraines by easing the pain caused by light and sound sensitivity. 

Based on emerging peer-reviewed studies, the scientific community is beginning to understand how the active chemicals in certain cannabinoids can interfere with the pathways that trigger extreme pain, reducing their severity or even preventing the headache in some cases. These clinical trials represent a promising future for cannabis medicine as an effective treatment option for those managing pain relief symptoms from the cannabis flower.

Potential Risks

The potential risks of medical marijuana include the following:

  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Paranoia
  • Anxiety
  • Increased heart rate
  • Dry or Red eyes
  • Slowed cognitive function
  • Extreme fatigue
  • If you are on coagulants or blood thinners, you may want to remain cautious with edibles because THC can significantly slow down blood clotting. 

Research and Trials

Research into medical cannabis as an effective migraine treatment is in the early stages, and further research is needed. However, The Journal of Pain published a 2019 study claiming that the severity of headache disorders and migraine pain was reduced by around 50 percent when individuals participated in medicinal cannabis use.

Another medically reviewed study in Pharmacotherapy found that 40 percent of people who began using medical cannabis treatment for migraines experienced a significant decrease in the frequency of migraine attacks. 

Anecdotal evidence published by a medicinal cannabis cohort in a study by Neurology reported that 42 percent of surveyed patients saw a decrease in their migraine headache frequency.

According to medical research published by J headache pain on jpain.org: “Inhaled cannabis reduces self-reported headache and migraine severity by approximately 50%. However, its effectiveness appears to diminish, and patients appear to use larger doses over time, suggesting tolerance to these effects may develop with continued use.”

Migraine FAQs

What’s the difference between a headache and a migraine?

While some people use these terms to mean the same thing, there are significant differences between migraine and headaches.

Migraine is a severe brain disease. It can be clinically diagnosed, and researchers have extensively studied changes in the nervous system during a migraine attack. Migraine attacks can be debilitating and often include other symptoms.

Although scientists understand the changes in the nervous system during a migraine attack, they can’t be seen on scans or in the blood. Doctors, therefore, diagnose migraines based on specific symptoms rather than test results.

Headache is a broad term to describe head pain. Although it is a common migraine symptom, not all headaches fall in the migraine category. 

Why do we get headaches?

Some of the most common reasons that we get headaches are:

  • dehydration
  • consuming alcohol
  • poor posture
  • tight muscles
  • stress
  • eye strain (screen time)
  • lack of food
  • over/underuse of caffeine
  • sinus congestion/allergies
  • medication overuse
  • high blood pressure

How cannabis can help

Although typically placed into Indica, Sativa, or Hybrid categories, we now understand that those classifications have little to do with a cannabis strain’s psychoactive properties. THC, CBD, and other minor cannabinoids play an essential role, but terpenes also work behind the scenes to help provide a particular strain’s effects.

So far, there has been limited research into terpenes and their relation to migraine headaches and the human endocannabinoid system. But one cannabis science study found that the terpenes, myrcene, and caryophyllene, help minimize migraine attacks. Discussing medicinal cannabis use with a trusted healthcare provider could help if you’ve exhausted other prescription medication options.

Can Marijuana Help Relieve Pain?

Medicinal cannabis is commonly good at reducing inflammation and producing antioxidant properties, which can help with chronic pain management reasonably quickly and even lower blood pressure.

Cannabinoid receptors bind to the brain and peripheral nerve cells within your endocannabinoid system and help regulate how a person sees and feels the localized pain to reduce symptoms.

What gets rid of a headache fast?

It truly depends on the cause of the headache, but here are a few things that can help with the pain:

  • Cold Pack
  • Heating Pad or Hot Compress
  • Hot Shower
  • Stretching and Yoga
  • Go for a walk
  • Eat a healthy meal
  • Drink Water
  • Ease scalp pressure
  • Take a nap
  • Dim the lights
  • Make some hot tea
  • Have a ginger smoothie
  • Breathing exercises
  • Sinus or allergy medications
  • Painkillers
  • CBD oil or other THC and CBD products

Is Sativa or Indica better for migraines?

According to The Journal of Headache and Pain:

“When comparing headache and migraine to non-headache groups, Indica strains were preferred in insomnia/sleep disorders group, Sativa strains in the mental health condition/PTSD group, and Hybrid strains were still preferred in the gastrointestinal disorder/Crohn’s Disease group.”

Indica is known for its strong body high and sedative effects. It is often used as medical marijuana to manage pain, anxiety, and insomnia. An Indica high can feel very relaxing and euphoric. Indica strains are great for winding down after a long day or helping manage migraine pain or anxiety. Indica strains are often used for their medicinal properties, as they can help manage conditions such as chronic pain relief, anxiety, and sleep disorders. 

Cannabis sativa is historically known for its high THC content. Tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC, is the psychoactive compound in cannabis that gets you “high.” Sativas are well known for the so-called “head high” or “mind high” people feel after consuming or smoking them. Sativas are perceived to have uplifting effects. Sativa is often referred to as cerebral for the solid psychoactive effects one feels. 

Summary

Many MMJ patients use weed for chronic migraine relief, and some scientists back that up as a good option. As with any new health treatment, we recommend researching adverse effects and health benefits, discussing the change with your doctor, and checking your state’s medical marijuana laws before use.

Last Updated: July 26, 2023

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