Introduction

Migraines are a complex neurological condition often involving throbbing pain, typically on one side of the head, but sometimes both.¹ It is a very debilitating condition as it features systemic symptoms, such as fatigue, food cravings, mood changes, stiff neck, dizziness and problems with your vision.¹ Migraines can last from 4 to 72 hours if untreated, and they may happen several times a week and severely affect the patient’s quality of life.1 Treatment for migraines often aims to target symptoms, which focuses little on preventing migraines. Common treatments include painkillers such as ibuprofen, drugs called triptans and avoidance of triggers.¹ For example, if lights set off your migraines, avoid bright lights. However, for many people, these measures do not work, and they may need a combination or something entirely different. This is the reason why some people have begun to turn towards cannabis therapy for their migraines.

Medical cannabis became legal under prescription in 2018 for certain conditions, but it is not licensed for migraine treatment,² due to its pain relief properties. It may not be appropriate for everyone due to individual factors and symptoms. However, it has been a rising option in countries where it is licensed and legal.² Cannabis therapy has been used for people who deal with chronic pain, such as patients with multiple sclerosis and patients with conditions such as insomnia.²

If you are struggling with migraines and are interested in how cannabis therapy may help you, there are a number of educational resources out there to help you make informed choices. This article will explore such resources.

The importance of education on cannabis therapy

There are many reasons why it is important for patients to be educated about cannabis therapy, regardless of whether they are considering it or certain that they want to try it. 

Many patients lack understanding of why cannabis and cannabinoid therapies are even used for migraines.³ There are a number of misconceptions about the use of cannabis in medicine, mainly related to its status as an illicit drug.³ Some people may feel that they are doing something wrong by taking cannabis for their migraines due to the stigma around it, or they may fear the judgment of their family and friends. Having the support of these educational resources can help them guide their journey to understanding why they are being offered it, what benefits it may give them and why they should consider it. 

However, this reliable information may not be available to everyone due to the legal variability in regard to the status of cannabis.³ Patients need to be informed about the legal requirements surrounding cannabis therapy where they live in order for them to comply and to access it safely.³ On the current legal status and proper medical use of cannabis, and where it is legal, in order for them to make informed decisions and be less fearful of it. 

It is also important that people have an understanding of the clinical benefits of cannabis, their risks and the mechanisms and products used to deliver this type of therapy. 

Cannabis therapy is mainly administered through two different types: THC and CBD.⁴ These two, although coming from the same source - a Cannabis plant - have varying differences, such as their side effects, mechanisms of action and effects on the brain.⁴ In brief, CBD is non-psychoactive, while THC is psychoactive, which means that it can change the way the brain works⁴ and the way we perceive certain things,⁵ and so it is considered to be more addictive. Although distinct in their properties, many products, such as cannabis oil, contain both CBD and TCH, so their effects will be mixed.⁴

Concerns about cannabis use

They both have promising therapeutic uses; however, acute and chronic uses of high-dose THC is associated with an increased chance of mental health disease, and chronic use of high-dose CBD is associated with significant side effects,⁴ so patients must have a good education about what they risk by taking cannabis products. 

Cannabis products can have a range of benefits for migraines, such as pain relief, anti-inflammatory effects, antiemetic effects and neuroprotective functions.⁶ However, they also have a range of risks, such as adverse reactions with other medication, cognitive effects and addiction.⁶ It is important that patients are aware of this, which is why there are many educational resources for patients considering cannabis therapy for their migraines.

Educational resources for cannabis use in migraines

One of the resources for patients to receive accurate information about cannabis therapy for migraines is their doctor themself. If they are experiencing migraines which are impacting on their quality of life, they should see their doctor and tell them about their symptoms. If they have any questions about cannabis therapy for their condition, their doctor will be able to give them accurate information on whether cannabis therapy may be an option for them, its benefits and risks and how they may receive it.

Another resource for patients to look into is the internet. There are many articles from doctors, scientists and people who may have used cannabis therapy which can give patients information on how cannabis therapy works, if it is available in their country, its benefits and risks and how it is used for migraines. Some platforms offer free courses aiming to educate patients about the safe use of cannabinoids in medical practice.⁷

However, the internet may also have a lot of inaccurate information as anyone could write an article and upload it, so it is important that patients watch out for resources that come from verified platforms and credible authors. 

Another educational resource for patients may be community support groups and NGOs. These may not be available to all patients, depending on the area where they live, but they can be a great resource. There would be other patients who are going through the same condition and who are also considering cannabis therapy, which may help patients feel less alone.⁸ It is a space for patients to share ideas and learn about the uses of cannabis therapy from an informed source and for them to ask questions.

Barriers to accessing educational resources

Accessing educational resources regarding cannabis therapy for patients who suffer from migraines may not be as easy for everyone. There are many factors that can influence that.

For example, in some countries in the world, cannabis is completely outlawed, while in some other countries, it is legalised.⁹ Even in places where cannabis is legal for medicinal uses, it may not be approved as migraine treatment. It is important that patients are aware of the legal status of cannabis in their country, or they may end up in trouble, but this may put patients off and prevent them from accessing accurate information.

Some patients may also feel like they would be doing something wrong by using cannabis for their migraines due to the stigma around the substance. They may fear the judgement of their family, friends and even their doctor. This may stop them from finding out if cannabis therapy is a suitable option for them.

Some patients may also try to access resources about cannabis therapy, but they may receive misinformation from the internet, word-of-mouth or untrustworthy resources. This may give them inaccurate information and convince them not to ask their doctor about cannabis therapy, or it may scare them or promise them benefits which are not plausible.

FAQs

Are migraines and headaches the same thing?

Although used interchangeably, a migraine is a definite type of headache which is severe and features throbbing pain on one side of the head, as well as warning symptoms. 

What are the risk factors for migraines?

1. Missed meals
2. Missed prescribed medications
3. Disturbed sleep
4. Stress
5. Excessive caffeine intake
6. Being on your period¹⁰

Can I get cannabis therapy on the NHS?

If you are prescribed it by a doctor for a specific condition, and ideally, evidence-based cannabis treatments should be made more accessible.

Summary

Migraines are a debilitating type of headache which causes severe pain, along with warning symptoms that can include nausea, mood changes, stiff neck and photophobia. It can have a severe impact on the patient’s quality of life, especially for patients who suffer from chronic migraines. There are not many options for preventing migraines, so treatment focuses on alleviating symptoms, but traditional pain relief does not work for everyone. Some patients may benefit from cannabis therapy. However, many patients lack accurate education about the uses of medicinal cannabis. 
Some patients can access accurate information about cannabis therapy from their doctor, from online certified platforms and from community support groups. However, accessing these may be difficult depending on the legal boundaries and the misinformation around. If you are suffering from migraines and think you may benefit from cannabis therapy, reach out to your doctor.