What is a Migraine?
Many people confuse migraines with headaches. While a migraine is a type of headache, it is much worse. It causes an unbearable, pulsing pain on either side of your head. You can tell it’s more than a normal headache when you feel nausea, fatigue, or blurry vision with headache.
For some people, migraine headaches can last for hours or even days, and the pain can get so intense that it can interfere with your whole routine. Luckily, migraine headaches are one of the many qualifying conditions to get a medical marijuana card in Florida. A medical marijuana card allows you to use cannabis to treat your migraine headaches.
Symptoms of Migraines—When to See a Doctor
The symptoms of migraines may differ from person to person. However, if you experience any of these, it might be the time to consult your doctor:
- One-sided Head Pain
- Aura (Visual disturbances)
- Sensitivity to Light and Sound
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Fatigue
- Mood Changes
- Vertigo
- Neck Stiffness
Types of Migraines
Migraines can be categorized into different types. Some of the most common types of migraines include:
Migraine with Aura
A migraine type where people notice warning signs that a migraine attack will happen shortly. Some people feel flashes of light, blind spots, and vision changes. Others notice tingling in their hands or faces. These signs are known as aura.
Migraine without Aura
The most common type of migraine is Migraine without Aura. It causes a strong headache on one side of the head, without any warning signs like aura.
Chronic Migraine
If someone experiences frequent migraines (15 or more days a month), they might be dealing with chronic migraine. Another symptom that you are having chronic migraine is that you see migraine symptoms at least eight days a month.
Hemiplegic Migraine
Hemiplegic migraine causes weakness on one side of the body. Not only this, but the condition may get worse and cause paralysis, too. That is also a sign of stroke, so it’s better to see a doctor right away without wasting any time.
Vestibular Migraine
Vestibular migraines are a bit different from the other types of migraine headaches. People don’t feel intense head pain. Instead, they feel dizziness, balance problems, or even vertigo. This migraine type affects those who’ve dealt with motion sickness in the past.
Regardless of the type, one thing’s for sure—it’s amazing how much better medical marijuana for migraines can make you feel.
Does medical cannabis help with Migraines?
Medical cannabis—also called marijuana, weed, or pot—can help relieve migraine headaches. A 2022 review that looked at 12 publications involving 1980 participants in Italy and the USA found solid evidence supporting the use of medical cannabis for migraines.
The report suggests that cannabis can reduce how often migraines occur and how long they last. On top of that, it could also ease tough symptoms like nausea and vomiting.
How does medical weed reduce Migraine pain?
Your brain and body have tiny protein loops called cannabinoid receptors. These cannabinoids control how you feel pain. Weed for migraines contains natural compounds, including CBD and THC, that engage with these receptors. When you use marijuana, the cannabinoids target these receptors and help to reduce the intensity and frequency of migraines.
How does medical weed reduce Migraine pain?
A study on 121 patients who were suffering from regular migraine headaches was conducted at the University of Colorado. These patients have used marijuana daily to help prevent migraine attacks. The results were shocking! 85.1% of patients reported a decrease from an average of 10.4 to 4.6 migraines per month.
Another study conducted in 2020 reveals that participants’ headache levels dropped by nearly half after smoking cannabis.
How to Get Medical Marijuana for Migraine Headaches
You can become eligible to use medical marijuana for migraine headaches in Florida with this easy and simple process.
- Register online so that medical marijuana doctors near you can evaluate your symptoms.
- If your condition qualifies for medical marijuana, your profile will be created by doctors on the Medical Marijuana Use Registry.
- Once you pay the fee, Wait for approval from the state, which takes nearly 2 weeks.
- After approval, you will get your medical marijuana card in Florida, which will allow you to consume marijuana from state-licensed dispensaries.
Not only for migraine headaches, but many other conditions like diabetes and glaucoma qualify you for medical marijuana in Florida.
FAQs About Medical Marijuana and Migraines
Do migraines qualify for medical marijuana?
Yes, migraines are a qualifying condition for medical marijuana. If you or any of your loved ones are suffering from migraines, you can get medical marijuana to manage migraine symptoms.
Does THC help migraine?
THC can help reduce migraine symptoms because it interacts with the endocannabinoid system, which is mainly responsible for how a person feels pain.
Is weed good for migraines?
Yes, medical weed has shown its potential in improving the many symptoms of migraine. Some people find relief from pain, nausea, and other symptoms because of consuming weed for migraines.