Medical Cannabis for Migraine and Headaches

Migraine and Medical Cannabis

• Migraine affects around 6 million people in the UK as a neurological condition
• Severe throbbing pain, nausea, and extreme light sensitivity characterise attacks
• Around 30% of migraine patients do not adequately respond to preventive treatments
• Medical cannabis is an emerging evidence-based option for refractory cases

Interest in medical cannabis for migraine has grown significantly, supported by emerging evidence and patient reports of meaningful relief.

The Evidence

• A 2020 study in the Journal of Pain found cannabis reduced migraine frequency from 10.4 to 4.6 attacks per month
• THC appears to affect serotonin pathways involved in migraine pathophysiology
• CBD may modulate pain signalling in trigeminal nerve pathways
• Patients are typically referred after failing at least two conventional preventive treatments

UK specialist clinicians may prescribe cannabis for migraine as preventive treatment (daily use) or acute treatment (faster-acting inhaled formulations for breakthrough attacks).