Medical Marijuana Could Prevent Migraines

The use of medical marijuana could reduce the frequency of migraines for sufferers, according to a new study.

Researchers found that individuals treated with medical marijuana saw a significant reduction in the frequency of migraine headaches they suffered, writes Tech Times.

The study showed that the incidence of migraines dropped from 10.4 to 4.6 percent a month following the use of medical marijuana -- a difference consider statistically and clinically significant by researchers. They also found that inhaling marijuana was more effective than eating marijuana products as this method provided faster results.

The researchers followed 121 participants for the study. Overall, they found that almost all of the participants in the study reported that the occurrence of their monthly migraines had decreased. However, 15 participants reported the same number of migraine headaches, with a further three reporting that they had suffered an increase in frequency after using medical marijuana.

"The most remarkable finding in my opinion was the decrease in migraine frequency," study author Danielle Rhyne, from University of Colorado, said in a news release. "There were some patients who reported more than 15 migraines per month before using cannabis. After using cannabis, they were reduced to one to two migraines per month."

The researchers believe that cannabis could provide a natural solution to the disease, though they are unsure exactly how it works to relieve migraine headaches.

Prior studies have established that there is a link between chronic migraine headaches and endocannabinoid system deficiencies, which regulates functions including appetite, mood, motor coordination, digestion and development. This system is also the part of the body that is receptive to the cannabinoids present in marijuana.

"We believe serotonin plays a role in migraine headaches, but we are still working to discover the exact role of cannabinoids in this condition," study researcher Laura Borgelt, from Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, said in a news release.

Rhyne and colleagues believe the research could lead to the use of marijuana to treat migraine headaches in states that have already legalized medical marijuana, or form the basis of further study.

But the researchers cautioned that while the results are promising, there are risks associated with marijuana use.

Borgelt said marijuana is like every other drug, with potential benefits as well as risks - meaning people should be aware of the potential for adverse effects.

The study was published in the journal Pharmacotherapy.