For years now, many of Canadians have been using medical marijuana to treat an array of symptoms and conditions. And as research continues into the medication’s potential, we’re finding more and more applications for this plant.
Migraine pain is notoriously difficult to treat. However, many studies have shown immense promise when it comes to medical cannabis’s effectiveness at treating chronic pain in general, with several studies homing in on migraine pain specifically.
As time goes on, researchers are continuing to look into how medicinal marijuana can help with migraine symptoms, considering how effective medical cannabis for chronic pain has been shown to be in studies.
Let’s dive further into how medical cannabis for migraine pain can potentially provide the chronic pain relief you or a loved one is seeking.
How Medical Marijuana Helps Ease Pain
You may be wondering what the science is behind medical marijuana and its impact on pain.
Inside your body you have a network of cannabinoid receptors (cannabinoid is a naturally occurring compound that is found in the cannabis plant such as THC and CBD).
When you, the patient, uses medical marijuana, the cannabinoids enter your body and reach the receptors, which then alters how the receptors interpret pain, dampening the severity of the pain.
Of course, cannabis doesn’t only mitigate pain—it can also help with nausea, anxiety, mental illness, and a variety of other conditions, but let’s focus on pain—specifically migraine pain—in this piece.
Studies Show the Effectiveness of CBD and THC for Migraines
Some studies have been conducted that show the effectiveness of CBD oil for migraine pain in conjunction with medical cannabis.
One such study conducted in 2017 at the 3rd Congress of the European Academy of Neurology (EAN), showed promising results for medical marijuana for migraine prevention as well as pain mitigation.
Phase I of the study had 48 people with chronic migraines receive a combination of two compounds. One compound contained 19% THC and the second contained 9% CBD and virtually no THC. The compounds were administered orally.
The research found that with doses exceeding 200 mg, acute pain was reduced by 55%.
The second phase examined migraines. Seventy-nine people managing chronic migraines took a daily dose of 200 mg of the THC-CBD combination from phase I or 25 mg of amitriptyline, a tricyclic antidepressant. The patients underwent this treatment for three months.
The study found that the THC-CBD combination reduced migraine attacks by 40.4%, while pain intensity was reduced 43.5%.
While more research still needs to be done, the early signs are very positive for medical cannabis for migraine pain.
How CBD Oil May Help Ease Migraines
It’s difficult to assess how effective CBD oil for migraine pain is due to restrictions on CBD and cannabis research in certain parts of the world, as well as the fact that there are only a few studies where CBD oil was used on its own (and not in conjunction with THC) to treat migraine pain. Still, even with limited research, there is promise that CBD oil could be beneficial to migraine patients.
Considering how CBD oil has already displayed immense potential when treating other ailments and chronic pain in general, there’s a lot of optimism surrounding the compound.
What’s more, the studies that do exist show that CBD, in combination with THC (see above) has had success in helping to treat migraine pain while also reducing migraine frequency.
How to Use CBD Oil for Migraines
There are a variety of ways to administer CBD oil.
Typically, the compound is either taken with a vape pen, ingested, or applied topically on the skin. Many opt for oral ingestion as this is the simplest way to take the medicine and usually comes with fewer side effects compared to vaping.
Understanding the Risks before Considering Medical Cannabis for Migraines
Like all medicines, medical marijuana for migraine pain does have a few potential side effects for patients.
Before using CBD oil (or medical cannabis in general), you should consult a doctor at a medical marijuana consulting clinic.
Some possible side effects include:
- Adverse interactions with other drugs and alcohol
- Changes in alertness
- Gastrointestinal problems and loss of appetite
- Mood changes, including irritability and irritation
- Fertility reduction in males
Medical Marijuana Consulting Services in Canada
Don’t let migraines hold you back any longer. If you’re ready to explore the possibility of using medical cannabis for migraine pain, contact us at Medical Marijuana Consulting (MMC).
MMC is a premier cannabis clinic that’s committed to supporting Canadians as they connect with medical professionals with extensive medical marijuana expertise. Consult a team of physicians, psychiatrists, and nurse practitioners that can provide prescriptions, help connect you with coverage for your prescription costs (if eligible), refer you to a licensed producer, and help you apply for the ACMPR license.
At MMC, it is our goal to help every patient that could be helped by medical cannabis access the medication. Join our Ambassador Program and receive $15 for every person you refer to MMC that becomes a patient. To learn more about Medical Marijuana Consulting and how you can secure a prescription as part of your personalized medical cannabis treatment plan, book a consultation online, contact us at 844-312-5143, or email us at patientcare@medmc.ca.
