Cannabis use significantly decreases the frequency of migraine headaches, according to a study published in the journal Pharmacotherapy. The study, which is the first clinical trial to demonstrate the effects of cannabis use on human migraines, was e-published by the National Institute of Health.
“No clinical trials are currently available that demonstrate the effects of marijuana on patients with migraine headache”, the study’s abstract begins; “however, the potential effects of cannabinoids on serotonin in the central nervous system indicate that marijuana may be a therapeutic alternative”.
With this in mind, “the objective of this study was to describe the effects of medical marijuana on the monthly frequency of migraine headache.”
Researchers examined 121 adult migraine sufferers and found that; “Migraine headache frequency decreased from 10.4 to 4.6 headaches per month with the use of medical marijuana. Most patients used more than one form of marijuana and used it daily for prevention of migraine headache.” They continue; “Positive effects were reported in 48 patients (39.7%), with the most common effects reported being prevention of migraine headache with decreased frequency of migraine headache (24 patients [19.8%]) and aborted migraine headache (14 patients [11.6%]). Inhaled forms of marijuana were commonly used for acute migraine treatment and were reported to abort migraine headache.”
Researchers conclude that; “The frequency of migraine headache was decreased with medical marijuana use.”
The full study can be found by clicking here.
