What Is a Migraine and How Can Cannabis Help
A migraine is an extreme form of headache which is characterized by throbbing of the brain, either on one or both sides of the head, as well as sensitivity to light and sound, dizziness or vertigo, nausea, vomiting, and it can even involve muscle spasms. The duration of a migraine can be anywhere from a few minutes, to hours or even days, the effects of which are debilitating. In some cases, a migraine is detectable. If you are prone to having them, watch for constipation, shifting moods, stiffness, overactive bladder, and there are others. During a migraine, the individual may experience visual or auditory hallucinations and auras, vision loss, pins and needles and trouble with speech. Post migraine fatigue is common and in all cases, you should take notes for your doctor. Though we are not always certain of the cause, certain cannabinoids and terpenes are known to ease migraine symptoms. Cannabigerol, or CBD, the parent cannabinoid, is a known neuroprotectant. Though there is still much to learn about this incredible compound, we do know that it has the capacity to treat migraines, seizures and other neurological dysfunctions. Cannabidiol, or CBD, is another helper in the fight against migraines, and many find relief each day simply through adding a capsule to their morning vitamin regimen. As far as terpenes, limonene, myrcene and geraniol are just a few known to help battle the bane of beastly migraines.
Migraines and Weed
We are still learning more each day about cannabis and its many bonuses, but it looks like migraines and weed go hand in hand. That is to say, if you have a migraine, chances are there is a weed in your local shop which will help. Not everyone likes smoking a joint or doing a bong hit, and most migraine sufferers can barely open their eyes, let alone get up and go through the ritual of rolling and smoking a joint or navigating the tiny opening in their vape with a lentil sized dot of concentrates. For these reasons and many others, there are innumerable products on the market. Capsules, sprays, patches, edibles, topicals and the rest flood medicinal markets and it is up to the consumer to get themselves informed on what works on what. That being said, if you are growing your own there is much to be said for harvesting early. This way, you preserve the CBG and early CBD development, and it is these cannabinoids which are going to help your head heal. If your migraine is stress related, there is an even broader array of strains perfectly suited to your situation. Those heavy in humulene and geraniol, the earthy and floral terpenes, respectively, are known for waging war on stress, and they are both neuroprotectants. Limonene is staggering in its ability to clear minds, lift moods and destress any situation. Injury related migraines often get their walking papers when CBD or anti-inflammatory terpenes are present.
The Research Of Weed To Treat Migraines
We use weed to treat a number of maladies ranging from aches and pains to depression and PTSD, and there is always more research being conducted every day. It is tough to research THC in the States, but we have some global partners in science, such as in Turkey and the Netherlands, who toil to find more medical meaning in marijuana. The research of weed to treat migraines is just one of the countless fields of study being conducted on cannabis around the world, and it is one which is starting to pay off. According to the research, there are four active compounds which, in different combinations, make for differing experiences among demographics tested. These are THC, CBD, terpenes and flavonoids, though as research has progressed, we can add CBG to that list as well. Types of research include using marijuana as an alternative treatment to migraines, the effects of terpenes on neurology, and the protective qualities of cannabigerol and how they can prevent migraines. These are just a couple of studies, and they are becoming more in depth as we broaden our understanding of cannabis. The main thing to understand is how cannabinoids, flavonoids and terpenes interact with our inherent cannabinoid receptors and our neurology. Cannabinoid receptors in the human body are of two types: CB1 and CB2. It is important to understand the role cannabinoids and terpenes play on our cannabinoid receptors and neurology, and there is always more data to be studied.
When To Use Marijuana For Migraines
When to use marijuana for migraines is not something that can be set in stone, nor can it be quickly stated that one or another weed will work to cure your headache. In fact, some terpenes will make your headache worse, depending on the cause. When you feel a migraine coming on, the best plan of attack is the one that worked before. We know it sounds silly but we are not doctors and so it would be irresponsible of us to tell you what to do, especially given the disparity in effects throughout consumer markets. What we can say is that CBD and CBG are both proven to help battle inflammation, stress and anxiety, and CBG is a full time neuroprotectant. If you are in the middle of a migraine and just want the pain to go away, the light to disappear and the noise to stop, we get it. Through talking to many cannabis consumers, we find that sleep is the primary force behind curing a migraine. Get to bed and get a nap. If you need help with that, CBD coupled with CBN may do the trick. CBN is the degraded form of THC, and it is known for knocking you out. Find the weed that puts you to sleep, and you may find your next best friend. But marijuana is also known to prevent migraines and those who have affected a regimen which is both mentally uplifting and physically beneficial, tend not to worry about headaches.
What Type Of Weed Is Best For Treating Migraines
Just to be clear, we can’t tell you what will work best for you. We believe that talking with a medical marijuana professional is the only safe way to add medicine to your life. However, migraines are a demanding beast, and they require careful planning and preparation if they are to be avoided. A beneficial pattern to recognize, and one which ripples throughout all aspects of life is, when we kill the root, we kill the plant. This is to say that when you delineate exactly what is causing your migraines, you will be able to find a weed that works to cure and prevent them. For those whose cause is stress, there are a number of strains which help to take the edge off so we can calm down and see things more clearly. If depression is behind your attacks, chances are you need to wash your brain and start looking at things differently. There are a few tried and true recipes for healthy living and the addition of a giggly THC experience now and then, coupled with psychologically uplifting terpenes and the right diet, might just get you out from under the weight. Sometimes migraines come when we are in the middle of working hard to reprogram our neural pathways and change our minds. Headaches and migraines which come from bushwacking our own brains and blazing new trails of electronic thought, though they can be wicked, are temporary, and in this case, rest is the best treatment.
Can Marijuana Cause Migraines?
Marijuana is a wonderful weed, one which helps billions of people with the daily grind. However, too much of anything, or the wrong combination of compounds, has the capacity to make your life harder. We all love weed, but if you have ever had the wrong terpene at the wrong time, an influx of flavonoids and terpenes that you already have in rolling strong throughout your system, the negative effects are hard core. In the case of greening out, the effects can be instantaneous. When we get used to one kind of weed or a couple strains that are similar, we build up tolerances to the compounds which would otherwise help us. Too much limonene in the system and not only will your weed not hit you quite right anymore, but you may experience side effects such as migraines. Also, some folks are hypersensitive to certain terpenes and other compounds, and so something like terpinolene, as is present in Diesel, Death Bubba and other strains, has the capacity to impart an instant and debilitating headache on the unsuspecting consumer. Some people find that the earthiness and fruity berry terps of indicas kill them right away. Others notice that a lemony sativa grants them instant access to worlds of brain pain and only a skunky strain will dull the roar. In all of these cases, there is an imbalance in the system which has been brought on by irresponsible use or simply through not knowing what your body needs to realize that balance.
