Medical Cannabis and Migraines

Please note this is educational information and does not replace the opinion and assessment of a doctor

If you have a migraine that has lasted longer than 48 hours, an aura that has lasted longer than an hour or you are pregnant with these symptoms then you must seek urgent review with your GP.

You must call 999 if you have an extreme and sudden headache, if your speech is impaired, you are dizzy or have double vision, a seizure, high temperature with these symptoms or you are unable to move your limbs correctly.

Migraine is a common type of headache disorder. Migraines are characterised by moderate or severe headache and often have other associated symptoms like photophobia (sensitivity to light), phonophobia (sensitivity to sound), nausea and vomiting. This page looks at symptoms in adults only.

Migraine headaches often occur on one side (unilateral) and the pain is often described as throbbing.

Migraines are sometimes accompanied by an aura. An aura is characterised by temporary visual or sensory changes such as seeing zig zag lines, flashes or even feeling tingling sensations. These often occur before the migraine pain and can be the first signs that a migraine is happening.

There are different types of migraine:

Migraine without aura – this is when a migraine occurs without warning signs.
Migraine with aura – this is when there is an occurrence of warning signs like seeing zig zag lines or tingling sensations.
Migraine aura without headache – this is sometimes called a silent migraine and this is where an aura occurs without a headache.

If you think you are experiencing migraines and have not yet had a diagnosis you should contact your GP.

There are several different ways of treating migraines. These include over the counter pain medicines like paracetamol and ibuprofen. There are certain medicines called Triptans that can also help to relieve the symptoms of a migraine. Sometimes patients may also need medicines that help to manage nausea and vomiting too.

It is also important to look at triggers of migraines and lifestyle changes that may help, like reducing caffeine and staying hydrated.

The Migraine Trust have lots of information on migraines and their treatment and further information can be found here

Whilst research into medical cannabis and Migraines is limited, there has been an increase in the number of patients looking to medical cannabis when some of the interventions above have not been successful in managing their condition. It is important that this is done via specialist clinicians and only on prescription with the right care in place.

If you would like to discuss medical cannabis and Migraines you can contact us here or self refer here.