Marijuana For Migraines
Medical marijuana for migraines has slowly but consistently gained popularity in the discussion of treating this debilitating condition. Research is still ongoing, but recent studies point to cannabis being a very plausible treatment, and possible prophylactic, to these awful headaches. There has, however, long been a connection between migraines and medical cannabis. One of the first references to cannabis’ usage for treating severe headache-like symptoms dates back to the second millennium B.C. in China, and a couple centuries later in Egypt. Medical cannabis fluctuated in popularity during the following centuries, returning to the forefront of Western medicine in the 1840s. There it stayed until the federal government decided it was illegal. They removed it from the US pharmacopeia five years later. Until these bans on medical marijuana, it was commonly known as one of the strongest and most reliable treatments for the treatment and prevention of migraines, all the way up to the 1940s. Thankfully, 37 states and counting have now legalized cannabis in some capacity and its popularity as a treatment and preventive method has resurfaced.
So, what makes a migraine distinct from a regular headache, and do migraines qualify for medical marijuana? How can medical marijuana for migraines help alleviate and mitigate them, what are good marijuana strains for migraines, and what is the best marijuana for migraines? Releaf Medical will provide the answers to all these questions and more!
Do Migraines Qualify For Medical Marijuana
If you have a regular headache, which would include tension and cluster headaches, this is not to disparage or underplay the severity of it. With these headaches, you might smoke some cannabis and it might help get rid of it. In fact, cannabis use for a regular headache is an extremely common practice and widely accepted as an option for self-medicating instead of taking an OTC pill. But you are not going to be able to walk into Releaf Medical and ask for your medical card because you have a headache. A migraine, however, can qualify you for a medical marijuana card.
A migraine is more than just a headache; it’s a complex neurological condition characterized by phasal repeated, moderate to severe headaches that are frequently accompanied by other symptoms. The following points highlight how migraines vary from other types of headaches:
- Migraine pain is normally moderate to severe, and it is frequently described as pulsating or throbbing. Regular headaches typically have much lower pain levels (yes, even if you think your headache is bad).
- Regular headaches are frequently shorter in duration, while migraines can linger anywhere from hours to days.
- Associated symptoms, such as nausea, vomiting, photophobia, and phonophobia are frequently present together and even before migraines.
- Auras and visual abnormalities or other sensory changes that some migraine sufferers may experience before the headache phase. Regular headaches don’t have auras.
- Physical activity can worsen migraine pain, you may have to lay in bed for the duration of your migraine due to this, while regular headaches are less affected by movement.
- Migraines can be significantly debilitating and can interfere with and bring a halt to daily activities, while regular headaches might not cause much disruption.
Knowing what constitutes a migraine, studies have been conducted to determine whether marijuana for migraines is a good, reliable, and relatively harmless treatment compared to existing treatments. There are a handful of popular treatments, and many of them address certain components of a migraine, so it would be beneficial to look at them and map them to the benefits and effects that marijuana for migraines can help with or replace altogether. Do migraines qualify for medical marijuana, YES, so contact Releaf Medical today and find the relief you have been looking for!
How To Get Medical Marijuana For Migraines
Schedule An Appointment
New patients, re-evaluations, and transfer patients are able to schedule an appointment with our medical marijuana doctors for a medical marijuana card evaluation online or via a phone call at 561-778-5323 for Boynton Beach or 561-954-5323 for West Palm Beach.
Receive An Evaluation
The certified medical marijuana doctors at Releaf Medical will determine if you qualify for a medical marijuana card in Florida. The process is risk free! If new patients do not qualify, then there is no fee.
Same Day Approval
Releaf Medical marijuana clinic offers new patients same day approval. New patients will be able to register their medical marijuana card application with the state of Florida at the time of their initial appointment.
Existing Migraine Treatments
Over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen, aspirin, and naproxen can help alleviate mild to moderate migraine pain. For more severe migraines, prescription-strength medication may be recommended. Triptans are medications that work by constricting blood vessels and blocking pain pathways in the brain. Ergotamines work by narrowing blood vessels and inhibiting the release of certain chemicals in the brain that contribute to migraines.
If migraines are frequent or severe, doctors may prescribe preventive medications like blood pressure medications, antidepressants, and anti-seizure medications. Identifying and avoiding migraine triggers can be an effective approach. Triggers vary from person to person but might include certain foods, stress, lack of sleep, and hormonal changes.
Things like staying hydrated, consciously managing stress levels, and having a consistent sleep schedule, can help reduce the severity and frequency. Learning relaxation techniques and biofeedback therapy are also recommended in most cases. In some cases, Botox injections may be used as a preventive treatment for chronic migraines. Calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) inhibitors are a newer class of medications specifically developed for migraine prevention. They target the CGRP pathway, which is believed to play a role in migraine development.
How Can You Use Medical Marijuana For Migraines
Pain relief is one of the benefits of medical marijuana for migraines mentioned most frequently by patients. It has been demonstrated that both THC and CBD have analgesic effects by interacting with the endocannabinoid system in the body, which is an important component in the process of controlling how one experiences pain.
Anti-Inflammatory effects from cannabinoids, and CBD in particular, may be useful in treating migraines. Inflammation plays a part in the development of migraines, and it is possible that lowering inflammation levels with cannabis can reduce the severity of migraine symptoms.
Researchers have investigated both THC and CBD for their potential antiemetic (anti-nausea and vomiting) properties. People who suffer from migraines and experience intense nausea during an episode may benefit greatly from this treatment option.
Regulation of serotonin: There is some evidence that cannabis may have an effect on the levels of serotonin found in the brain. It’s believed that fluctuations in serotonin levels play a role in the development of migraines, and it is possible that the manipulation of serotonin by cannabinoids could reduce the severity of some migraine symptoms.
Marijuana can reduce increased sensitivity to light, sound, and other sensory stimuli from a migraine. Some people have claimed that taking marijuana can help diminish these sensitivities, making them easier to bear during a migraine attack.
Marijuana has properties of muscle relaxation which could be beneficial for people who suffer from the tension and muscle contractions that are linked with migraines. Because of this relaxation, there may be an overall decrease in pain and suffering.
Migraines are frequently brought on by stress and worry, therefore reducing both of these factors is important. CBD is particularly famous for its anxiolytic and anti-stress properties, making it a popular choice. By addressing these factors, medical marijuana may be able to indirectly assist in the prevention or management of migraines in certain people.
Medical Marijuana For Migraines Treatment
Schedule An Appointment Today!
Marijuana Strains For Migraines
There is currently no one singular strain that is the best marijuana for migraines. There are a handful, however, that have been known to be widely acceptable to relieve and to prevent migraines. The most popular for pain relief and to help you relax and or sleep through the headache is the Kush family. They work amazingly as sedatives and will make quick work of your migraine. Your next best choice when choosing to nip the migraine at the first sign, and possibly act as a prophylactic, are the strains high in CBD, if you can find a strain that has a 2:1 ratio of CBD to THC, you can have the therapeutic effects without having to sedate you and leave you dealing with the severe pain from a full on migraine.
Best Marijuana For Migraines
Sativa – Blue Dream, Green Crack, and Tangie
Hybrid – Cherry on top, OG Kush, and Pineapple Express
Indica – Gorilla Glue, Grandaddy Purple, and Northern Lights
High CBD – ACDC, Avidekel by Tikun, Canna Tsu, Charlotte’s Web by Stanley Brothers, and Remedy
The main common denominator for these strains is the terpene Myrcene. To learn more about the Myrcene terpene you can click here.
The Takeaway: Medical Marijuana For Migraines Can Be Helpful
Medical marijuana can help treat, mitigate, and prevent debilitating migraine headaches. Read the steps on how to obtain your medical marijuana card in Florida, and always begin, as in most things, in moderation. If you have suggestions for marijuana strains for migraines or the best marijuana for migraines please contact Releaf Medical and give us your input.
