Best Strains of Cannabis for Migraines

If you’ve ever experienced an intense pounding in your head that lasted for, say, ten minutes, you’ll agree that it was not a pleasant experience. Now imagine having that severe headache for hours on end or even days. You’ve successfully put yourself in the shoes of someone dealing with migraines. Apart from this recurrent pain, which is usually on one side of the head, migraines come with other symptoms like dizziness, nausea, vomiting, and sensitivity to light and sound. I’m 

Many people have sought relief from migraines using medications like opioids. However, drugs like these can lead to addiction. Thankfully, marijuana has proven to be a good alternative to treat migraines because of its analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties.

In this article, you’ll learn vital details about migraines and the therapeutic value of marijuana. You’ll also discover some of the best cannabis strains that can treat that throbbing headache. Let’s get started!

Common Causes of Migraines

Migraines happen to be one of the third most common neurological disorders globally, affecting up to a billion people worldwide. However, you should know that the cause of a migraine is not set in stone, as it has been observed to vary from person to person. Also, while some persons can accurately predict when they are about to have a migraine, the pain kicks in suddenly for others.  Nonetheless, here are a few triggers or  factors that can contribute to an episode:

1. Stress: Up to 70% of migraine episodes recorded are triggered by stress. Physical stress, overexertion, and emotional stress all fall under this category.
2. Irregular sleep: An irregular sleeping schedule can lead to migraines. This fact is true for both sleeping too little and sleeping too much.
3. Weather changes: Changes in weather due to things like heat waves, storms, and pressure can cause a shift in brain chemicals like serotonin, which can lead to migraines. Other weather conditions like wind, high humidity, and dry air can also be contributory factors.
4. Hormonal changes or medications: Medication like birth control and hormone replacement therapy can trigger a migraine attack. The hormonal imbalance experienced during periods, pregnancy, or menopause can sometimes lead to migraine.
5. Sensory stimulation: Sudden strong smells, loud noises, and bright lights are common migraine triggers. Also, long hours of screen time can cause an episode.

Cannabis and Migraines

Studies have shown the potential of marijuana in treating people with migraines. In 2016, the effect of cannabis in treating migraines was examined on 121 adults. It was observed that the migraine frequency reduced from 10.4 per month to 4.6. Another 2017 study found that cannabis reduced migraine episodes by 55% after the patients used marijuana for three months.

There is no clear-cut explanation of how exactly cannabis treats migraines. However, marijuana is known to provide relief from other pain disorders like neural pain and chronic pain. It does this by reducing the transfer of neurochemicals along pain pathways, which in turn reduces the perception of pain. This process, alongside the anti-inflammatory effects of cannabidiol (CBD), is most likely how marijuana soothes a patient from a migraine.

OG Kush

OG Kush contains up to 20% THC, and it provides immediate relief from migraine symptoms. On the other hand, its CBD content can help with long-term pain reduction. If you have a low tolerance, ensure you use this cultivar in small quantities to avoid a severe psychoactive experience.

ACDC

This strain is high in CBD and contains terpenes like myrcene and beta-caryophyllene. As such, it provides significant pain relief without feeling high. ACDC also has anti-inflammatory properties that deal with migraine symptoms.

Harlequin 

Harlequin contains CBD and THC in an approximate ratio of 2:1. So, while you get pain relief, expect to experience a slight euphoric high. When you feel the migraine kicking in, you can take a dose of Harlequin to prevent the headache from worsening. This cultivar largely contains terpenes like pinene, humulene, beta-caryophyllene, and myrcene.

Pineapple Express 

Pineapple Express is a sweet Indica strain that has been proven to successfully deal with acute pain like migraine. The THC in this cultivar is about 17%. As such, it might cause you to experience a little high.  Nonetheless, it has proven its worth in treating migraines and other kinds of pain.

Remedy

You don’t have to be concerned about having a psychoactive experience with Remedy because it is high in CBD (about 15%). It is an efficient pain and migraine relief cultivar as a result of its anti-inflammatory properties. Also, this strain contains large amounts of myrcene and pinene.

Northern Lights 

Northern lights have both pain-relieving and sedative effects. It also has more THC than CBD, and as such, it greatly works to soothe patients from pain. The primary terpenes in this strain include humulene, terpinolene, myrcene, and beta-caryophyllene.

Canna-Tsu

Canna-Tsu is a high-CBD strain that is known to soothe patients from regular headaches and migraines. This cultivar produces mental relief without causing you to feel high. The dominant terpenes in this strain are myrcene, limonene, and beta-caryophyllene.

Purple Kush 

Purple Kush is a colorful strain with a pleasant taste and smell. It is a 100% Indica cultivar, and it can help with acute pain, muscle pain, and insomnia alongside migraines. Purple Kush contains 17-22% THC and 0.07-0.1 CBD, so expect a sleepy, euphoric experience while getting rid of your migraine episodes.

Final Words

Cannabis is a promising solution for comfort for migraine patients. However, it is important to stick with a strain that actually works. All of the strains we’ve provided can make migraines become a thing of the past. However, feel free to consult with your doctor or budtender to ensure you are using the right cultivar.