Migraines and headaches can become a real nuisance for those of us who are regularly affected by them. Recent scientific evidence suggests that cannabis may be an effective treatment and offers a host of benefits above and beyond traditional pharmaceutical medications.
If you’d like to buy medical marijuana in Canada to treat migraines or headaches, then here’s what you need to know.
Migraines, Headaches, and Medical Marijuana
Between bright lights, intense aromas, and loud noises, there are many things that can trigger migraines. Severe cases are accompanied by loss of sensation, nausea, and sometimes even visual distortions.
Several forms of pharmaceutical drugs are commonly prescribed for migraine prevention and treatment, but they don’t offer relief to all of those affected. As is the case with many forms of strong medications, there are often a host of associated side effects that ensue. In more recent times however, there is mounting evidence for the potential of cannabis as an effective treatment for migraines and headaches.
Cannabis and Migraines: What Do The Studies Say?
There are several studies that suggest that cannabis may be an effective treatment for migraines and headaches. In a study published in the Journal of Pain in 2019, researchers found that cannabis could reduce the severity of migraines and headaches by 50%. Researchers also found that concentrates were more effective than cannabis flowers in providing relief.
Another 2019 study published in Neurology found that 88.3% of the 279 patients taking part in the study experienced improvements in headache and migraine symptoms after consuming cannabis. Over half of the subjects claimed that the number of headaches they experienced reduced, and 38% of subjects reported improved sleep. An additional finding showed further benefits when 50% of those using opioid medication were able to reduce their use after consuming cannabis.
The Endocannabinoid System and Migraines
The endocannabinoid system regulates several bodily functions, one of which includes pain perception. The endocannabinoid system is stimulated either by endocannabinoids made by the body, or exogenous cannabinoids, such as those found in the cannabis plant.
When certain cannabinoids bind with receptor sites, they serve to quell underlying inflammation by minimizing the release of the pro-inflammatory compounds that contribute to migraines and headaches.
One common cause of headaches and migraines is a lack of anandamide — the endocannabinoid associated with happiness levels and mood. Anandamide has a very similar structure to that of THC, the potent psychoactive compound found in cannabis. Such findings may explain why consuming cannabis that’s high in THC may help alleviate the symptoms of migraines and headaches.
Using Cannabis To Treat Migraines and Headaches
The question of how much cannabis patients should use to prevent and treat migraines and headaches is complex. The available evidence shows a wide variance in the dosages required.
The effects of cannabis are often very personalized, and where one patient may obtain relief from a given dose, another patient may require substantially more. Between differences in tolerance and the current balance of a patient’s endocannabinoid system, there are several factors that may cause discrepancies.
Migraines and headaches have such a wide array of potential causes that not every patient will obtain relief with the same dose. Many patients report more success by medicating with cannabis as soon as they feel the symptoms of a migraine or headache begin to develop.
The potent anti-inflammatory properties coupled with analgesic and anti-nausea qualities mean that cannabis is in some ways the ideal substance to treat such conditions. In strains with high CBD content, the anxiolytic properties can be useful in mitigating the onset of stress-induced migraines and headaches.
THC or CBD For Migraines?
THC and CBD are the two principal cannabinoids in the cannabis plant. Both harbour potent medicinal benefits, and in the case of treating migraines and headaches, a combination of both seems to be the most effective.
A study published in 2018 showed that those afflicted by migraines had a preference for hybrid strains with a high-THC and low-CBD combination. Researchers believe that the analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and anti-nausea properties of THC are responsible for the preference.
While THC shows great promise across several studies, that doesn’t mean that patients should discount CBD. If you’re one of those patients who often experience increased levels of anxiety or paranoia after consuming THC, then a high-CBD strain may be the perfect choice if you feel a migraine come on. High-CBD strains with strong Indica qualities are often the preferred choice for those who find themselves particularly susceptible to THC’s intoxicating effects.
In addition to cannabinoids, it’s also important to understand that the cannabis plant has an extensive range of plant compounds that include minor cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids.
And while the research is still very much in its infancy, there is ample evidence that the potent synergies that play out between these compounds are what modulate much of the medicinal properties of cannabis. Terpenes such as caryophyllene and limonene are two which synergize with major cannabinoids and help decrease anxiety and improve mood, two crucial factors in the treatment of migraines.
One of the most promising aspects of using cannabis as a treatment for headaches and migraines is that it can replace traditional heavy-hitting medications such as opiates. Cannabis harnesses the relaxant, pain-killing, and anxiolytic properties of many forms of medication, all in one easily administered solution that’s effective, non-addictive, and non-toxic.
If you’re considering the transition from traditional pharmaceutical medications to cannabis, then it’s best to talk to your health practitioner before slowly introducing cannabis and monitoring the results.
Buy Medical Marijuana in Canada
If you’d like to buy medical marijuana in Canada as a preventative measure for headaches and migraines, then at Low Price Bud, we’ve got a wide range of cannabis products for you to try.
With over 15 years of experience in the sector, we know what consumers want and we stock a wide range of cannabis flowers, edibles, CBD products, vapes, and potent concentrates like shatter and live resin. Why not head on over to our shop, effective relief from headaches and migraines may be only a mouse click away!