A New Study Proves Cannabis Helps Alleviate Migraines
Migraine sufferers have used cannabis to alleviate their pain for quite some time. Like all things cannabis-related it has become a “hot-button” issue, but a recent study published this week may help legitimize cannabis as a healing herb specifically for those suffering from migraines.
Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences at the University of Colorado released a study this week that investigated the effects of inhaled and ingested cannabis in migraine sufferers, and the results reaffirmed what we have already knew, that cannabis has wonderful healing capabilities.
Researchers reviewed reports from 121 adult participants and collected the following data:
- The average number of migraine headaches decreased from 10.4 per month to 4.6
- Almost 40% of subjects reported positive effects
- 8% of subjects claimed medical marijuana helped to prevent migraines
- 6% of subjects reported that cannabis stopped migraine headaches
- About 85% of subjects reported having fewer migraines per month with cannabis
- About 12% saw no change in migraine frequency with cannabis
- Only about 2% experienced an increase in migraine frequency
The most effective use of cannabis in combatting migraines appears to be inhalation. Inhalation allows the cannabis to enter your system faster, as opposed to edible cannabis which takes longer to enter the bloodstream. Edibles were also more likely to produce negative side effects like intense euphoria and sleepiness.
Previous studies tried to interpret why cannabis helps migraines, citing endocannabinoid deficiencies and activation of CB2 receptors as potential answers. The Skaggs study didn’t provide any answers to those questions, but added to the expanding collection of research backing cannabis as a viable migraine remedy. Especially in light of the fact that 85 percent of participants stated that they experienced fewer migraines during the trial.
Future studies will need to be conducted to help determine which specific cannabinoids, strains and delivery methods are most helpful in treating migraines and headaches, but this is a great start with solid evidence.
