TREATING MIGRAINES WITH CANNABIDIOL

At the end of this journal post I have listed a number of good references on treating migraines with cannabis.

In 1996 Proposition 215 was passed in California. There were a limited number of diagnoses that were considered acceptable, including migraines. I saw a few too many 19 y/o with migraines, and who had not had a headache.

Migraines are not just headaches. They are vascular events causing severe headaches, visual changes, nausea as well as secondary anxiety and cervical muscle spasm.

I have practiced medicine for just about 40 years, so I have seen many patients with migraines and many patients with headaches.

While I was practicing General Internal Medicine, it was critical to always be correct in distinguishing migraine vs atypical migraine as the treatment was so different. With cannabis medicine, at least in my experience, the therapy is the same.

Every Migraine patient I have seen has always suffered with anxiety and tight cervical muscle issues. So, whether it is a true migraine, cluster or other non-vascular headache, my recommendation is almost always modest doses of a high ratio CBD:THC capsule. In other words, a minimal dosage of whole plant CBD mg once daily in the AM. I have seen this nearly always works.

It is much easier to prevent the headaches than treat them. When treating you do generally need to add THC.

REFERENCES:

Comprehensive Review of Medicinal Marijuana, Cannabinoids, and Therapeutic Implications in Medicine and Headache: What a Long Strange Trip It’s Been ….

Medical marijuana in neurology.

Cannabidiol for the treatment of cannabis withdrawal syndrome: a case report.

Cannabinoids in clinical practice.

Cannabinoids block release of serotonin from platelets induced by plasma from migraine patients.

Author

Allan Frankel, MD Dr Allan Frankel is one of the few physicians in the US who truly understands Cannabis as a medicine. All treatments suggested have been well studied. Every patient seen by Dr Frankel is given a personally created Treatment Plan created with the patient's specific issues defined. Plant medicine requires "tuning" of the dosing. Dr Frankel works with his patients thru a messaging portal. The use of this portal, allows quick and simple follow up contact with Dr Frankel. Patients are not charged for these messages, as this is how Dr Frankel has learned what he has learned. Follow up appointments in person or by phone/video are also available when needed