Cannabis for Treatment of Migraine and Headaches
Migraines are not only uncomfortably unpleasant, they can stop you doing anything else. If you are unlucky enough to experience migraines, you will know how invasive they are. Preventing you from driving, working, socialising or being able to simply relax. The throbbing headaches can make you feel nauseous and hypersensitive to light and sound. But for some people, cannabis can help.
Migraine headaches and cannabis
In Europe around 30 million people are thought to be affected by migraines. A similar number are affected in the USA. Up to 15% of the population may experience a migraine attack each month. There are thought to be a range of different triggers including poor diet, stress, alcohol, lack of sleep and genetic hereditary factors.
Treatments for migraine range from standard over the counter medications (‘OTC meds’) to lifestyle/diet changes. But increasingly, many are trying cannabis to see if that helps.
Medical marijuana studies into migraine headaches
As medical (and recreational) use of cannabis has become legal in an increasing number of countries/states around the world, migraine sufferers have increasingly been trying cannabis for themselves. The number of formal studies into medical use of cannabis is slowly increasing, and they are showing great promise too, with reports that migraines halve in frequency when cannabis is used. The most common method used to take the cannabis was a vaporiser.
The study also indicated that a minority (12%) of people found that cannabis made them feel worse during a migraine. So caution is advised for anyone considering self medicating with cannabis to treat migraines.
Migraines have a wide range of symptoms which can be really invalidating.
Cannabis and migraines, how does cannabis remove the pain?
Whilst the studies suggest that cannabis does help a number of people deal with migraines there are different theories about how this happens. Critics of medical cannabis argue that cannabis is simply a recreational drug with a feel-good effect. They argue that cannabis isn’t a serious cure for migraines, simply a pleasant diversion from the migraine misery.
But even if that simplistic argument is true, it would be sufficient justification for many migraine sufferers to try cannabis. Some think that the migraine-mitigating effects of cannabis may be related to the way that cannabis affects the human endo cannabinoid system. The endo cannabinoid system regulates a number of essential pathways in the human body, including pain control.
THC and CBD bind to the CB1 and CB2 receptors. This can create the euphoric high which we experience. But there are many unanswered questions about how THC (and other cannabinoids) affect the brain at a cellular level. In particular, researchers are curious to know which specific cells are involved with the migraine attack and how they can be ‘switched off’ through the use of medication.
So far, traditional medications have had only limited success at migraine prevention. That’s the main reason why so many migraine sufferers have taken to trying cannabis for themselves.
Which cannabis strains are best for migraines?
If you suffer from migraines you may want to try a THC rich strain and perhaps also a CBD rich strain. Compare the two and see which, if either, offers the best symptom relief for you. Many cannabis using migraine sufferers find that vaporising is the preferred method. It’s discreet and healthier.
If you grow your own cannabis you may find the following Seedstockers cannabis seeds worth considering
Gelato 41 feminized, Indica Sativa hybrid seed with powerful anti-anxiety affect
Some people find a high quality hybrid strain gives the best all round effect against migraines. With genetics from Sunset Sherbet and Thin Mint GSC (Girl Scout Cookies), Gelato 41 is a particularly powerful variety.
With THC levels well above 20% in optimum conditions this is a powerful medical variety with plenty of repeat growers.
The sweet ice-cream gelato taste is as delicious as the aroma. Best of all is feeling anxiety and stress melt away after a smoke/vape of this great variety.
Gelato 41 autoflower seeds, hybrid effects with the conventence of autoflower genetics
Gelato 41 autoflower seeds are the perfect option for those that prefer the speed, simplicity and convenience of growing autoflower seeds.
Gelato 41 autoflower takes around 11 weeks to grow from seed to harvest. Like all Seedstockers autoflower seeds, Gelato 41 does well with 20 hours of daily indoor light.
Expect heavy harvests of premium strength hybrid weed which may have the right medical effects for your migraines.
Gelato 41 Autoflower
Amnesia feminised seeds, strong sativa genetics with a soaring high
Those that find a superior medical response to sativa strains may prefer to assess Amnesia as a possible help for migraine attacks.
For some people, nothing quite beats the direct effects of a pure sativa strain.
The strong cerebral effects are adored by sativa/Haze fans and for some these are the best medical strains. But, as always, we are all different. Some may prefer the medical effects of Indica or hybrid strains.
If Amnesia genetics are the right ones for you, then you may wish to try growing Amnesia autoflower seeds.
Amnesia Cannabis.
Gorilla Glue feminised seeds, indica dominant with a profoundly strong effect
Few won’t have heard about the legendary indica dominant Gorilla Glue strain. Seedstockers are particularly proud of their original version of Gorilla Glue.
With THC levels of over 20% with a fast, hard-hitting effect, Gorilla Glue remains a best seller with huge numbers of repeat growers.
These cannabis cup winning THC rich genetics have always been popular with medical growers, with a heavy body stone and a stress-busting high these genetics are well worth trying if you find your migraines need a powerful indica variety to help you.
Gorilla Glue autoflower seeds are the ones to go for if you want a fast and easy autoflower harvest of Gorilla Glue buds.
