If you suffer from migraine headaches, you’re not alone. About 12 percent of the U.S. population gets them. Migraines are recurring attacks of moderate to severe pain. The pain is throbbing or pulsing, and is often on one side of the head. During migraines, people are very sensitive to light and sound. They may also become nauseated and vomit. Recent years have brought a wealth of new scientific understanding regarding how medical marijuana or cannabis can be beneficial for treating migraines.
Migraine is three times more common in women than in men. Some people can tell when they are about to have a migraine because they see flashing lights or zigzag lines or they temporarily lose their vision.
Many things can trigger a migraine. These include
- Anxiety
- Stress
- Lack of food or sleep
- Exposure to light
- Hormonal changes (in women)
Doctors used to believe migraines were linked to the opening and narrowing of blood vessels in the head. Now they believe the cause is related to genes that control the activity of some brain cells. Medicines can help prevent migraine attacks or help relieve symptoms of attacks when they happen. For many people, treatments to relieve stress can also help.
Clinical Information Related to Migraines and Marijuana Cannabis
- Clinical Endocannabinoid Deficiency (CECD) Revisited: Can this concept explain the therapeutic benefits of cannabis in migraine, fibromyalgia, irritable bowel syndrome and other treatment-resistant conditions?
- Cannabis for migraine treatment: the once and future prescription? An historical and scientific review
- Cannabinoids block release of serotonin from platelets induced by plasma from migraine patients
- Who is using cannabis as a medicine and why: an exploratory study
- Cannabinoids and hallucinogens for headache