Cannabis For Migraines: Benefits, Uses And What Research Says About Its Effectiveness
If you have experienced a migraine, you know firsthand that it’s much more than a severe headache. You also know about how conventional treatments fall short, which is why some patients are turning to alternative therapies, among them, cannabis for migraines.
Research on migraines and cannabis has been going on for quite some time, with some current studies suggesting its potential as a remedy. Some studies indicate that marijuana for migraines can help by reducing their intensity and frequency or even keeping them from starting.
But does cannabis for migraine treatment work?
In this guide to migraines and cannabis, we take a look at how pot for headaches works and its benefits as we review current research. We will also tell you about the best cannabis for migraines and where to order weed online in Canada.
We will also introduce you to Supreme Dispensary, the leading cannabis store for medical-grade weed in Canada. Read on to learn more.
Migraines and Cannabis: How They Relate
A migraine can be described as a severe headache characterized by a throbbing and pulsating pain, typically on one side of the head. But as mentioned earlier, migraines are much more than severe headaches as they often come with a host of other symptoms.
These symptoms include nausea, vomiting, dizziness, and sensitivity to lights and sounds. Migraines are not just about head pain; they are a brain and nervous system disorder, and headaches are the most common symptoms.
There are several types of migraines, the most common being migraine with aura and migraine without aura. Migraines with aura patients suffer sensory disturbances such as vision changes, tingling or numbness in the face and hands and tinnitus before or during the headache.
Migraines can last between four and 72 hours if left untreated. The symptoms are often debilitating and can affect your daily activities.
The migraines are also recurring and difficult to manage with current treatments, leading to reduced quality of life and productivity. As such, many patients are opting for natural alternatives such as weed and migraines.
The migraines and cannabis research has been ongoing for some time now. Many researchers hope cannabis’ long use as a medicine for thousands of years can provide some benefits for migraines.
Many patients have already adopted the consumption of pot for headaches, inflammation and chronic pain, providing some hope for cannabis for migraine treatment.
Current studies on cannabis for migraines have produced positive results, renewing interest in consumers who buy weed online in Canada at our cannabis dispensary. But does marijuana for migraines work?
Cannabis for Migraines: Does it Work?
As mentioned above, the research on weed and migraines is still ongoing, but early findings indicate that cannabis may be an effective treatment for headaches. However, before buying weed at an online dispensary in Canada, it’s crucial to remember that it has not been approved as a cure for migraines.
Throughout the history of cannabis, it has been used to manage a variety of ailments, including pain and inflammation. Currently, Canadian consumers have been taking pot for headaches with positive results.
While it’s not approved as a treatment pending more studies, cannabis for migraines may still play a role in managing the symptoms or possibly even keep them from starting. After all, pain is the most common symptom of migraines.
Cannabis contains numerous chemical compounds that have been shown to possess some anti-pain and anti-inflammatory benefits. The most well-known are cannabinoids such as THC and CBD.
These cannabinoids are the most abundant in cannabis products at our online weed dispensary and have been found to play critical roles in regulating physiological processes, pain perception and inflammation.
It’s these benefits that have raised interest in migraines and cannabis treatments. Cannabis is also known to help manage other symptoms associated with migraines, including nausea, vomiting and improved mood.
So, how does marijuana for migraines work, and what does research say about its efficacy? There’s a lot of migraines and cannabis research available today, but before you order weed online, note that more robust, randomized, placebo-controlled trials are still required before it can be approved as a treatment.
If you are looking for the best cannabis for migraines, buy weed online in Canada at the Supreme Dispensary, the country’s leading cannabis store for premium medical-grade pot at the lowest prices.
How Does Cannabis for Migraines Work?
It’s not yet clear how cannabis for migraines works. However, it is known that the human body has an endocannabinoid system (ECS), which is made up of receptors, endocannabinoids, and enzymes.
The human body produces endocannabinoids, which bind to the cannabinoid receptors (CB1 and CB2) of the ECS. These receptors are located throughout the brain and peripheral tissues.
The ECS modulates key bodily functions, including pain perception, mood, memory, inflammation, appetite, and stress response. So, how do migraines and cannabis come in?
When consumed, cannabinoids such as THC and CBD interact with the cannabinoid receptors of the ECS, which is how cannabis causes its effects. As such, cannabis can influence how you feel pain, inflammation and the immune response.
This is one of the primary reasons researchers are interested in cannabis for migraine treatment.
Researchers propose a few mechanisms of action for cannabis for migraines. Migraines have been linked to imbalances in the neurotransmitter serotonin and the hormone estrogen.
Cannabis has been known to influence the level of serotonin in the body, and its action on the body’s ECS may help manage the imbalance of hormones. Researchers believe cannabis’ modulation of neurotransmitters and influence on ECS may help reduce the intensity of migraine attacks.
The endocannabinoid system plays a role in maintaining homeostasis, or balance, in the body. It does this by modulating the release of neurotransmitters such as dopamine and dopamine and regulating hormones.
THC and CBD are phytocannabinoids but have the same structure as endocannabinoids produced by the body. As such, they can bind to the same receptors, prompting the release of neurotransmitters such as serotonin, which may positively affect the symptoms of migraines.
Migraines and Cannabis: Possible Mechanisms of Action
Cannabis migraines research suggests that weed may help ease headaches through anti-inflammatory effects, modulation of pathways and managing common triggers such as stress and anxiety.
1. By Reducing Pain
Pain is the primary symptom of migraines. Most people with migraines experience severe headaches and pain in the face and neck areas.
Weed and migraines research shows that cannabis may have a role to play, given its proven pain-relieving benefits. Cannabis for migraines can dampen your pain perception through its action on the endocannabinoid receptors.
Many people with other types of pain are already on cannabis as an alternative therapy. Current research suggests that the pain-relieving benefits of cannabis can provide relief during migraine attacks.
2. By Managing Inflammation
Inflammation plays a key part in the development of migraine pain. Research shows that the headache pain during a migraine attack is caused by the nerve-controlled inflammation of the dura.
The dura mater, or just dura, is the outermost of the three meningeal membranes that envelop the brain and spinal cord. The dura is the membrane between the brain and the skull that protects, nourishes, and removes waste from the brain.
Research shows that both CBD and THC possess some anti-inflammatory benefits that may help reduce this neurogenic inflammation. This could lower the intensity or decrease the frequency of migraine headaches.
3. Managing Common Migraine Triggers Such as Stress and Anxiety
Stress and anxiety are well-known triggers of migraines. Cannabis migraines research suggests that weed may help in managing anxiety and stress, lowering the likelihood of a migraine attack.
Cannabis for migraines research shows that weed may have a preventative benefit. When looking for the best weed for migraines at a cannabis dispensary, strains with balanced THC and CBD ratios may provide better stress and anxiety management.
Cannabis for Migraines: What Research Says
Several studies have investigated the connection between migraines and cannabis. Here’s a summary of recent cannabis migraines studies and their findings.
In a 2019 study, researchers found that the use of inhaled cannabis reduced self-reported headache and migraine severity by up to 50%. The study also found that strains with higher THC levels were more effective in decreasing pain.
The study, however, found that the effectiveness of cannabis for migraines diminished over time, leading patients to consume higher doses to achieve the same benefits.
Another study done in 2016 investigated the use of cannabis as a preventative measure against migraines in 121 adults with migraines. The cannabis was administered daily, and the researchers observed a decrease of more than 55% in migraine attack frequency.
The study also reported that patients also experienced other positive effects, with the common side effects being sleepiness and difficulty controlling the timing and intensity of the dose in subjects who consumed edibles.
A 2018 study investigating the patterns of medicinal cannabis use and substitution effect among patients with various chronic pain and inflammatory conditions found that a high THC, CBD strains combination was slightly better at reducing the frequency of migraine attacks compared to a commonly prescribed drug.
A 2022 review of studies found some evidence of migraine symptom relief. It also found that cannabis reduced the frequency and severity of migraine headaches.
The study, however, also raised concern about patients developing tolerance after prolonged use.
These studies demonstrate the potential of cannabis for migraines, as a preventative measure, for symptom relief or for reducing the frequency and intensity of headaches. However, there is a need for robust, placebo-controlled trials to establish the efficacy of weed for migraines.
If you are looking for the best cannabis strains for migraines, check out our comprehensive selection at Supreme Dispensary, the leading online weed dispensary for medical marijuana-grade products at the lowest prices.
Buy The Best Cannabis for Migraines Online in Canada
Cannabis for migraines presents an interesting intersection of modern medicine and natural therapy alternatives. Current research shows that weed may be beneficial in managing the symptoms of migraines or reducing the attacks.
Cannabis, with its diverse array of cannabinoids such as THC and CBD, offers multiple mechanisms that could help reduce the intensity and frequency of migraines, headaches and other painful conditions.
Research suggests high CBD and THC strains are the most effective in managing headaches. If you are looking for high-quality weed for migraines, Supreme Dispensary has got you covered.
At Supreme Dispensary, we offer a wide range of cannabis strains and products for a diverse array of conditions, including migraines. Our high-quality products are Canada-sourced and tested for quality, safety and effectiveness to ensure maximum benefits.
Learn more about migraines and cannabis, and order weed online at Supreme Dispensary today.
