Medical Marijuana as the Most Effective Migraine Therapy

Migraine is one of the most common conditions characterized by chronic headaches. Typically, the pain occurs periodically, causing attacks in patients. In most cases, the headache is so severe that it leaves the sufferer in agony. The cause of the condition is inflammation of the tissues in the temporal region of the head. Since the disease is chronic, it can only be managed, not cured. Not every medication used in migraine therapy addresses all symptoms, and combining different pills often leads to serious side effects.

Like other chronic illnesses, migraines can significantly impact a person’s quality and length of life and are not effectively treated with pharmaceutical drugs. However, those suffering from this condition have a reliable and proven alternative to synthetic medications: medical marijuana. Since the 1970s, medical marijuana has been used as a safe substitute for expensive pills in places where such therapy is legal. Now, medical marijuana has found more room to expand, especially in California and other U.S. states that have recently passed legalization reforms. Since the beginning of the year, new legalization laws have expanded the legal marijuana industry in California, making Los Angeles a center for using marijuana in migraine therapy. With a doctor’s diagnosis, any resident can obtain a patient card, granting access to numerous therapeutic dispensaries in the state.

But is marijuana really more effective and safer for treating migraines than pharmaceutical drugs? Do specialists and patients confirm its healing properties? In this article, we answer these and other questions related to the use of marijuana in chronic headache therapy.

Migraine Symptoms

Migraine is a chronic neurological disorder. It usually manifests as chronic headaches in the form of severe, periodic attacks. Often, the pain can be accompanied by other unpleasant symptoms, ranging from increased sensitivity to light and sound to nausea and vomiting.

Recent medical studies show that at least 20% of the world’s population suffers from migraines with weekly or monthly attacks. According to the American Medical Association, about 37 million people in the U.S. alone suffer from migraines. Migraine attacks can last from several hours to several weeks and affect people of all ages. The condition is also hereditary, passed from generation to generation. Recent research in the U.S. shows that more women than men suffer from migraines: in the U.S., only 8% of men are affected, compared to 25% of women.

In addition to periodic attacks, headaches can be triggered by certain factors, such as specific smells or tastes, bright flashes of light, or alcohol consumption. Sudden weather changes or menstruation can also act as triggers. During a migraine attack, it’s best to remove the person from irritants and bright light.

Besides the symptoms directly related to migraine attacks, the condition is accompanied by passive symptoms:

• Chronic fatigue and depression
• Hyperactivity and irritability
• Changes in appetite
• Frequent yawning
• Numbness in the neck
• Increased sensitivity to bright light

Attacks are often preceded by the following symptoms:

• Temporary vision loss
• Tingling or mild numbness in the limbs
• Forgetfulness and scattered thoughts
• Mild visual hallucinations (bright spots or other shapes)

Finally, the attacks themselves may be accompanied by other characteristic symptoms:

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Severe pain in the temporal lobe
• Painful reaction to bright light or flashes
• Loss of balance
• Loss of consciousness

After an attack, the disease returns to its initial stage, leaving the patient irritable and tired. The intensity of symptoms at each stage varies between patients. Sometimes, the disease manifests mildly. In some cases, patients experience all symptoms except headache, which is considered an atypical form of the condition.

Causes of Migraine

Currently, the exact causes of migraines are unknown. Generally, scientists believe the condition can be explained by episodes of brain tissue inflammation or decreased serotonin levels in certain brain regions. Doctors also cannot say for sure why the disease may be triggered by certain actions, such as eating specific foods or drinking alcohol.

In any case, the condition is often accompanied by severe headaches, which significantly hinder a patient’s ability to function in society. As previously mentioned, pharmaceutical treatments for migraines have serious side effects. However, medical practice and clinical studies show that marijuana effectively relieves symptoms without causing side effects. What’s the secret of cannabinoids?

The Natural Properties of Marijuana

Recent scientific research and traditional medicine from many ancient civilizations show that marijuana has numerous therapeutic properties. In recent years, the legalization of medical marijuana has spread worldwide, especially in Europe and the U.S.

Studies on the therapeutic effects of marijuana highlight its comprehensive healing impact, allowing it to suppress several symptoms of chronic diseases at once. Marijuana primarily works by acting on specialized receptors in different parts of the body, especially in the brain. In the case of migraines, cannabinoids in the plant, particularly CBD, have a healing effect not only on inflamed brain tissues but also modulate nerve connections.

In combination with THC, CBD effectively relieves pain, numbness, and nausea, while providing a calming and toning effect for those suffering from migraine attacks.

Research Confirming Marijuana’s Effectiveness in Migraine Therapy

Since migraine was one of the first conditions approved for marijuana therapy, studies on the plant’s effects on migraine symptoms are easy to find in scientific journals and archives worldwide. Overall, experts agree that marijuana effectively suppresses all stages of the disease without negatively affecting the body or mind.

One notable study was conducted by the University of Colorado’s medical faculty over four years. Volunteers suffering from migraines used therapeutic marijuana strains with high CBD content in various forms, such as smoking or consuming extracts. The results, published in 2016, showed that marijuana was effective in treating migraines of varying severity and progression in 94% of cases. In general, smoking or vaporizing marijuana almost instantly relieved migraine attacks.

Another detailed study confirming marijuana’s effectiveness was presented at the Third Congress of European Neurologists. The study noted a reduction in the frequency and intensity of attacks with marijuana use, as well as the plant’s safety compared to pharmaceutical drugs. Overall, smoking marijuana reduced headaches in 44% of patients. Marijuana was also highly effective in relieving cluster headache attacks. Additionally, doctors noted that marijuana effectively helps reduce symptom progression in people who have suffered from migraines since childhood. It is possible that, in certain concentrations, cannabinoids could be used to prevent the development of latent forms of the condition. For both therapy and prevention of migraines, strains with high CBD content are recommended.

The Best Marijuana Strains for Migraine Therapy

According to many users, the following marijuana strains are the most effective for treating migraine symptoms:

• OG Kush: This strain has a high THC concentration (about 20-27%), allowing it to quickly eliminate even the most severe migraine pain while noticeably improving the patient’s mood and overall well-being. OG Kush is widely available in Western countries, making it easier to find than specialized medical strains.
• Harlequin: A sativa-dominant strain with a CBD to THC ratio of 5:2. This balance helps it effectively relieve chronic pain and improve sleep quality. With its low THC content, Harlequin has minimal psychoactive effects, making it suitable for regular daytime use.
• ACDC: A sativa hybrid with a very high CBD concentration (CBD to THC ratio of about 20:1). It is commonly used in medicine to relieve symptoms of soft tissue inflammation, including brain inflammation caused by migraines. Like other medical strains, ACDC does not produce psychoactive effects and is ideal for regular use in chronic disease therapy.
• Purple Kush: An indica strain with THC levels between 17-22% and extremely low CBD (up to 0.001%). It can be used as a fast-acting painkiller and sedative for especially severe, cluster headache attacks. The pain-relieving effect is accompanied by strong psychoactive effects, so patients should be made comfortable in a soft chair or bed when using this strain.
• Sour Diesel: Another psychoactive strain with high THC content, balanced by some CBD. For this reason, it is also popular among migraine sufferers.

Conclusion

Medical research and practice from the U.S., Israel, and several European countries confirm that marijuana is a highly effective remedy for suppressing and treating migraine symptoms, without even a fraction of the negative side effects typical of pharmaceutical drugs.

Based on available information, it is possible that a cannabinoid compound or a mixture of such substances could fully cure chronic migraine. In any case, according to practical data, marijuana can be recommended as an accessible and safe self-treatment option. Of course, if you have access to formal medical marijuana therapy, you should consult a doctor for more precise treatment recommendations.