How Medical Marijuana Help in Migraine?

Marijuana has numerous natural compounds known as cannabinoids. These cannabinoids go into the body when you use them and look for receptors. They change the functionalities of the receptors and calm down signals of pain.

The cannabinoid in medical marijuana that receives the most publicity is tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). It is what makes you feel comfortable, or high. That said, another cannabis-based product called cannabidiol (CBD) does not make you feel intoxicated and can help alleviate pain. For medical purposes, many states have legalized CBD use.

More research is required, but 121 people who got frequent migraine headaches used marijuana every day to avoid attacks in a study at the University of Colorado. About 40% of them said their frequency ofthe migraine headaches they received each month got halved. People used various forms of marijuana, but they mainly inhaled it to relieve the progressive migraine and discovered that it helped stop the pain.

It is not even legal to buy, cultivate, possess, or use marijuana in some states, even for medical purposes. Before doing it, make sure you find out about the laws of your state and get it from a reputed medical marijuana dispensary.

What strains and delivery methods of medical marijuana are best for migraine treatment?

Unlike prescription medications, medical marijuana affects patients in different ways. As migraines seem to have a number of causes, there could be more experiments required for getting the right strain, delivery method or formula.ion

Different methods of delivery have varying time and bioavailability for initiation. Others run more quickly than others, or the results last longer.

On distribution methods, here is a short rundown:

  1. The effects of medical marijuana smoking and vaporization begin within 3 to 5 minutes and peak between 15 and 45 minutes. Generally, the effects last 1 to 4 hours. High bioavailability is given by both of these techniques. However, for all patients, these approaches are not recommended as they may have poor effects on the lungs and raise blood pressure. In addition, it is difficult to assess the exact dose when smoking and vaping, but not impossible.
  2. Sublingually or under the tongue applied tinctures have different onset time. The effects typically start at around 10 or 15 minutes, peak at 1 or 3 hours, and can last up to 6 hours. As certain cannabinoids are immersed into fatty tissues, tinctures provide lower bioavailability than inhalation. Dosing, however, is performed with a dropper bottle and is typically very precise.
  3. Capsules can easily melt in the stomach, but for showing results it may take 30 minutes to an hour, 2 to 4 hours to achieve their maximum effects, and depending on the product, it can last anywhere from 4 to 12 hours. The bioavailability is lower, but the dose is precise.
  4. It can take 30 minutes to an hour for edibles (such as candy or brownies) to show effect, gets to peak within 2 to 4 hours, and lasts from 4 to 6 hours. There is less bioavailability, but the dose is correct.

Make an appointment with us at The Peak Dispensing for the right medical product. Experts at our medical marijuana dispensary would assist to select the right one.