The West Virginia medical marijuana program allows patients with many different symptoms and conditions to use medical cannabis as an alternative medicine.
Though not on the list of approved conditions, patients who use medical cannabis may see benefits with migraines or headaches.
Migraines are complex and painful experiences that can arrive at random and last for unnecessarily long amounts of time. Research has shown that cannabis may provide benefits to those experiencing migraines or headaches, though the reasons why remain somewhat unclear.
In this article, we’ll talk about how cannabis may help with migraines and headaches, and how to use cannabis effectively for migraine management.
Medical Marijuana & Migraines
Research Shows Cannabis May Help Migraine Sufferers
Research suggests that the endocannabinoid system may be intrinsically tied to migraines, and that’s where THC & CBD go to work in your body.
In fact, studies have shown that anandamide deficiency (the compound THC mimics in the body) may even lead to some types of migraines, which could significantly benefit from cannabis.
Another benefit is that cannabis can be used prophylactically to reduce tension and prevent migraines, and it can be used as a potential treatment for acute symptoms. This is especially helpful for patients who don’t respond to traditional migraine medications, which tend to be limited in their activation time and preventative measures in some cases.
How to Use Medical Marijuana for Migraines
Many patients report that THC in combination with CBD produces the best results for migraine prevention or treatment.
THC is the more critical part of the combination, though CBD can work to reduce the psychoactive effects from THC which may be undesirable when experiencing a migraine.
High CBD Low THC cannabis flower can work effectively and immediately for severe migraines, though some patients may use tinctures or microdose edibles for daily prophylactic use.
It’s important to note that some patients may find smoking cannabis less helpful when dealing with migraines due to the smoke inhalation, and alternatives like concentrates may be substituted.
Medical Marijuana & Headaches
Medical Marijuana Can Help or Hurt Headaches, Depending on How You Use it
Though medical marijuana may help significantly with migraines in many patients, headaches are a little more problematic.
Headaches differ from migraines in that headaches are essentially localized pain, whereas migraines incur a combination of symptoms like sensitivity to light, blurry vision, nausea, as well as localized pain.
The symptoms of a migraine can vary and include headaches, though headaches are usually related to temporary localized pain.
Medical marijuana may be able to help alleviate the temporary pain from headaches, though there’s some evidence that suggests the way you consume cannabis could make a headache worse, or cause rebound headaches for migraine sufferers.
Avoid Smoking Cannabis for Headaches
If you’re experiencing a sinus headache, it’s probably best to avoid smoke inhalation.
Smoking cannabis may be associated with dehydration, which can make a headache much worse. Studies have shown that for a small percentage of people, cannabis may exacerbate headaches, though whether this is due to smoking or individual biology remains unclear.
If you’re looking to treat headache pain with cannabis, it’s best to look for non-smoking alternatives such as edibles, tinctures, or concentrates.
Microdosing is one of the best ways to treat headaches with cannabis and most patients agree that low THC, high CBD products are the right combination or headaches.
Products like high THC concentrates, CBD-only products, and smoked products may provide less or worsening results for headaches in some patients.
If smoking cannabis is your only available option, make sure to drink plenty of water and keep the THC percentage on the lower end for the best results.
Though a small percentage of people may experience worsening headaches with cannabis use, the larger majority of people report seeing exceptional relief in treating headaches and migraines with cannabis.
There is even a list of cannabis strains that may help with migraines, with many patients self-reporting the beneficial effects of the particular strain for their symptoms.
If you’re looking to treat your migraines or headaches naturally, cannabis may be a great alternative option to look at, and with limited side effects and no overdoses, cannabis can be used safely and effectively to treat migraines or headaches in many cases.
Get Your Medical Marijuana Certification in West Virginia
West Virginia offers medical marijuana for patients with qualifying conditions. To obtain a medical marijuana certification, patients must consult with a qualified physician and receive a recommendation for medical marijuana. Consult with one of our highly trained doctors and get your medical marijuana certification today!
Take the steps to schedule your medical marijuana evaluation appointment today and get access to legal marijuana products available at dispensaries!
Being a West Virginia medical marijuana patient allows you the freedom to take your medication the right way for you. We’re dedicated to helping patients every step of the way! Feel free to give us a call at 877-303-8424 and we can answer your questions about getting a medical marijuana card in West Virginia.
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If you have any questions, call us at 877-303-8424, or simply book a medical marijuana evaluation to start getting relief you can trust today!
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