Study: Cannabis Reduces Frequency of Migraine Headaches
A new study published this month in the journal Pharmacotherapy, and published online by the U.S. National Institute of Health, has found that medical cannabis use can drastically reduce the frequency of migraine headaches among those who suffer from them.
“No clinical trials are currently available that demonstrate the effects of marijuana on patients with migraine headache; however, the potential effects of cannabinoids on serotonin in the central nervous system indicate that marijuana may be a therapeutic alternative”, begins the study’s abstract. “Thus, the objective of this study was to describe the effects of medical marijuana on the monthly frequency of migraine headache.”
Examining 121 adult migraine sufferers, it was 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.”
The study continues; “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.”
The study concludes; “The frequency of migraine headache was decreased with medical marijuana use. Prospective studies should be conducted to explore a cause-and-effect relationship and the use of different strains, formulations, and doses of marijuana to better understand the effects of medical marijuana on migraine headache treatment and prophylaxis.”
The full study can be found by clicking here.
– TheJointBlog