Medical marijuana has been found by many patients to prevent or lessen the intolerable pain and other symptoms of migraines. While common over-the-counter medications may not work, cannabis can provide quick relief of debilitating symptoms
The main chemical component in marijuana, can help alleviate pain, nausea and vomiting associated with migraine headaches. THC can also inhibit the release of serotonin during an acute migraine attack, which reduces symptoms of pain. In a survey of nine California clinics, over 40 percent of patients reported benefits for migraines and headaches using marijuana. In another California study, over 8 percent of patients reported using cannabis to relieve migraine symptoms.
One study looked at the effects of both ingested and inhaled weed in migraine sufferers and confirmed what other research suggests. The study found:
• Around 40 percent of the 121 participants reported positive effects.
• Patients had a decrease in the number of migraines, which fell from 10.4 to 4.6 per month.
• On average, 19.8 percent of participants said that medical cannabis helped prevent their chronic headaches.
• Around 11.6 percent of patients said weed stopped their migraines altogether.
• Approximately 85 percent of participants reported medical marijuana helped them have fewer migraines each month.