How to use Marijuana to treat migraines and headaches
There is nothing more debilitating than a pulsating or pounding headache. It can put a halt to even the busiest of days, and when you need to get to work, you’ll require an immediate solution that isn’t going to take you out of the game. Medical marijuana for migraines is a relatively old idea that has only recently been accredited by doctors, scientists and researchers through rigorous study as a valuable treatment for headaches.
Can weed cure headaches?
The average strain might not necessarily cure your headache, but the best marijuana strains for migraines can help to alleviate some of the most painful and uncomfortable symptoms. They can also help to increase appetite and regulate other bodily functions and regulators that can help you get back to feeling like yourself.
Does marijuana cause headaches?
Normally, cannabis products should not generally cause headaches. However, migraines and or headaches can be an unfortunate side effect of too much coughing, which might seem like the same thing, but if you were to change your method of ingestion, this uncomfortable marijuana side effect could be almost entirely avoided.
What is a migraine?
A migraine is often a pulsing or sharp pain in the head that can be located on either side of the skull but rarely occurs in both sides at once. Aside from the well-known painful symptoms, they can be accompanied by several other symptoms that are important to recognize.
- Increased sensitivity to light
- Vision loss
- Hearing noises
- Seeing lights or flashes (that are not there)
Migraine Triggers
If you aren’t sure whether or not you are experiencing migraines or headaches, or are wondering how exactly to avoid them, then you might want to check out the most common triggers. All of which can be dimmed with the assistance of marijuana strains for migraines.
- Stress
- Other substance (alcohol, coffee, tea, sugar)
- Hormone changes (in women)
- Bright lights
- Strong smells (perfume or chemicals)
- Physical problems
- Sleep interruption/changes
- Food additives
What does medical marijuana do for migraines?
According to NCBI, marijuana strains for migraines can help to combat the painful symptoms in several different ways, including both long- and short-term assistance in many cases.
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CBD helps to reduce inflammation anywhere in the body, and since so many migraines are caused by pressure on nerves and muscles in the body, this can provide a significant amount of relief for some headache sufferers.
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THC is the psychoactive element that is produced by the marijuana plant, and its effects are instantaneous when smoked. Though edibles may take a bit longer to kick in, the sensations can help to relieve pain, nausea, lack of appetite and help to improve quality of sleep
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Both THC and CBD can work together to regulate the release of necessary chemicals from the brain that can help to decrease the frequency of migraines and reduce the other symptoms that are often caused by painful headaches.
How to use marijuana for migraines
When it comes to using marijuana for migraines, the options are limitless. Though at one-time smoking was the only accessible method of ingestion for many, we now have access to a wide variety of new and exciting products to choose from:
Smoking
Joints, bongs, pipes, blunts and spliffs are the tools that are most often used for this method of ingestion.
Vaping
Vaporizers are often considered to be a healthy alternative to smoking marijuana products, as there is no smoke, so there are fewer harmful carcinogens present in the vapor that enters your lungs. E-cigs vape pens and tabletop versions are the most widely used tools for vaping.
Dabbing
A dab rig works off the same principals as a vaporizer without the replacement parts and portability. The vapor inhaled is much purer than that from smoking, but this method comes with the unfortunate drawback of requiring a torch and practice with achieving different temperatures.
Edibles
When most people hear the term edibles, they assume that weed brownies and sugar sweets are all that there is, but this category expands far beyond your average marijuana-infused goodies. Edibles can be those sugary treats, but they can also take the form of pure oils, more elegant foods, oral sprays and more.
Tinctures
This is one of the most popular options for consumers who want to try using marijuana strains for migraines without the adverse effects from smoking. They can be taken alone or combined with other drinks like coffee or cocktails for an easy and tasty way to get a well-measured dose.
Topicals
These are one of the least understood products made with marijuana for migraines as they act differently than any other method of ingestion. The skin barrier that humans have makes it difficult to fully absorb the cannabinoids in creams, salves, sprays and ointments, which is the reason why they are made with such high doses of THC or CBD. Less than 10% will make it into the bloodstream, making it nearly impossible to feel any of the psychoactive effects, while still utilizing the miraculous benefits that can come from using medical marijuana for migraines.
What type of marijuana is best for migraines?
Though it would be wonderful to know that anyone particular strain could offer everyone endless bouts of relief, the cannabis plant is much more complicated than that. Each of the best marijuana strains for migraines comes with its own unique chemical profile made up of hundreds of various elements including over 100 cannabinoids and terpenes. Some people have more luck with Sativa strains, while others experience success with only the most potent Indica’s or hybrids. However, if you are seeking both long term and instant relief, then you’ll want a strain that provides a relatively high amount of both THC and CBD.
Best marijuana strains for headaches
If you’ve come here looking for the best marijuana strains for headaches and are now even more confused with all of the labels and terms alongside a possible unexpected outcome, you are likely wondering where you should start. Though we might not be able to give you the ultimate strains for your headaches, here, you will find a list of some of the most recommenced marijuana strains for migraines in the world based on the success that prior patients have had with their effects:
- Emperor Cookie Dough
- Girl Scout Cookies
- OG Kush
- Superglue
- Blue Dream
- Strawberry Banana
- Godfather OG
- Chemdawg
- Green Crack
- Cannatonic
Strains to avoid
Luckily, there are no cannabis strains that are known specifically for inducing headaches, as if there was, it likely wouldn’t be reproduced. However, there are some strains that you should avoid keeping the possibility of making things worse, as low as possible. For chronic migraine sufferers, the best idea is to pass up any marijuana strains for migraines that make you cough, which is entirely different for everyone.
How to get a medical marijuana card for migraines
As long as you live in a region with access to legal marijuana, then obtaining a license for access to medical marijuana strains for migraines should be a relatively painless process for most interested patients. Talk to your family physician about your interest in using marijuana for migraines, and if you do not have one, then head over to Google to look up your nearest cannabis clinic for assistance.
What is a cannabis clinic?
A medical marijuana clinic AKA cannabis clinic is a place where patients can get connected with doctors and specialists who can help to apply for a medical marijuana license for migraines as well as a variety of other ailments and conditions. Many patients find that cannabis clinics offer a much broader range of support with patients who require a database of information, including the latest research on specific strains and products that might help with migraines.
