The majority of U.S. states allow the medical use of pot. Some states, including California and Connecticut, approve medical cannabis for migraine treatment.
Although marijuana for migraines has been used for many years, it’s only recently that scientists have figured out why it’s effective. 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.
Smoking or inhaling cannabis provided migraine sufferers with the fastest relief, but also reduced the number of migraines experienced. For the five million people in the U.S. who have at least one migraine each month, this result could change their life.
Migraine Symptoms Treated by Medical Marijuana
Cannabinoids are the natural compounds found in marijuana. When you use cannabis, these cannabinoids enter your body looking for the cannabinoid receptors located in your endocannabinoid system. They affect how your receptors work and calm down the pain signals.