Marijuana and migraine headaches
Many of the medications currently used for migraine headaches have significant side effects and often do not prevent or relieve all of the symptoms. Marijuana was used to treat migraine headaches for many years in the nineteenth century, however due to the political climate and attitude towards marijuana in the twentieth century, it was not researched or promoted as an effective treatment for migraines. Many people who suffer from migraines found on their own that marijuana either prevented or lessened the intolerable pain from this condition. Recent research has shown that THC, the active ingredient in marijuana, inhibits the release of serotonin from the blood of migraine sufferers during an acute attack, thereby reducing symptoms of pain. Although further scientific research is needed, many patients are using medical marijuana safely and effectively to prevent and treat their migraine headaches. Many patients have found that they no longer need prescription medications with adverse side effects in order to treat their migraines. Others have found that the other benefits of medical marijuana, like improved sleep and less stress and anxiety, reduce the frequency of their migraines. Overall, medical marijuana patients who have migraine headaches find that their quality of life is improved with this treatment.