Migraines are one of the most common reasons which hamper overall overall functioning of a system. A study concluded that migraines result in the loss of productivity between $5 billion to around 17 billion per year.
Also, people having migraine issues consume twice the amount of prescription drugs, which is not a good idea considering its long-term effects.
The sole reason, why 420 doctors in Riverside are advocating using medical cannabis for relieving migraine pains along with its related symptoms such as sensory disturbances and nausea.
Medical Cannabis For Migraines- Does It Really Work?
Medical cannabis needs no introduction anymore. It has officially proved its efficiency in a number of medical conditions. But, is it really effective for a migraine headache?
Migraines and Endocannabinoid System
Studies have shown that the levels of anandamide (AEA) levels get reduced in the cerebrospinal fluid and plasma of patients dealing with chronic migraines. AEA is rapidly degraded by FAAH enzymes, thereby modulating its levels, which is the primary cause of increased pain sensations.
Medical Cannabis For Relieving Migraine Pains
The potential of medical cannabis for the treatment of a migraine lies in the fact that it can readily manipulate the levels of AEA in the body. Medical cannabis increases the levels of AEA by acting on the cannabinoid receptors. It actually inhibits the uptake of AEA.
It ensures that AEA remains in the system for the maximum time, thereby alleviating pain signals effectively.
Source- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5928495/
What Does Research Say?
Studies have shown that cannabis acts as preventive medicine. A study published in 2016 confirmed that the frequency of migraine attacks was decreased from 10.6 to 4.6 within a month of consuming medical cannabis.
A group of researchers presented their viewpoints in the Congress of the European Academy of Neurology in 2017. They produced various pieces of evidence which revealed that consuming an oral dose of 200 mg of cannabis helped to relieve migraine pains by more than 50%.
Another study conducted by Colorado researchers used cannabis in various forms daily from 2010 to 2014. They used more than one form of cannabis method. Here are the results from their study-
- More than 35% of patients advocated that medical cannabis has positive effects such as reducing the migraine frequency along with pain and discomfort of an ongoing attack.
- More than 10% of patients confirmed that using cannabis helped them stop migraine attacks.
These studies have confirmed that the presence of cannabinoids can greatly improve the efficiency of pain relief. So, it’s high time, the federal government should uplift the ban from medical cannabis. This will help researchers to conduct a detailed study concerning its effects in the brain.
Medical Cannabis Strains For Effective Migraine Pain Relief
There are many medical cannabis strains which are known to alleviate pain associated with migraines along with reducing inflammation as well. These strains include CannaTsu, Harlequin, ACDC, Cannatonic, Sweet and Sour Widow, and many others.
For immediate effects, you can go for inhalation methods. But, if you are looking for prolonged effects, edibles and sublingual method of consumption are the ideal ones to look for.
You can also consult 420 doctors in Riverside regarding dosing and type of strains that will be suitable for you.