Migraine headaches occur in approximately 28 million Americans, and the worst part is that they remain under-diagnosed and untreated. In fact, only half of the migraine sufferers receive the proper diagnosis.
Fortunately, patients have found that medical marijuana has helped alleviate a variety of symptoms and pain from migraines. Sometimes over-the-counter drugs may not work very well, but cannabis has been proven to provide significant relief from migraine symptoms.
Because medical cannabis is legal in the majority of the states, a lot of patients often turn to these innovative treatment methods to soothe their migraine symptoms. According to the journal Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research, nine California clinics have used medical marijuana for the patients, and 40% of the patient have reported significant relief and benefits for their migraine headaches.
Because of these valuable researches, people are often wondering if they can get a medical marijuana card in California. card
Do Migraine Headaches and Migraine-Related Disorders Qualify for a California Medical Marijuana Card?
If you are diagnosed with migraine headaches or any migraine-related disorder, it can be very excruciating and debilitating.
First of all, migraines headaches can make it difficult for you to complete your daily task or have the energy for a vibrant social life.
Sometimes, we may experience migraines from underlying causes such as dehydration, stress, menstruation, or staring at the computer for a long time. However, constant symptoms of migraines headaches can become a disability and disrupt your quality of life, which will require medical attention to fix the problem.
There are a variety of causes of migraines, such as underlying medical conditions, genetics, environment, or substance-induced. It’s essential to rule out the potential causes before considering a medical marijuana card.
Here are some common symptoms of migraine:
- Fatigue
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Sensitive to light
- Throbbing pain
- Pain in the face or neck
- Dizziness
- Lightheadedness
- Nasal congestion
Dealing with migraine and migraine-related disorders can be difficult. Painkillers such as NSAIDs can cause stomach upset, and prescription medication might result in tolerance and addiction. Fortunately, there’s an excellent alternative to treating migraines headaches.
So, Does Migraine Headaches and Migraine-Related Disorders qualify for a California medical marijuana card?
The answer is yes, medical marijuana and migraines headaches go hand in hand. Migraine headaches and migraine-related disorders are some of the health problems that medical marijuana is eligible to treat.
Why is this true?
In the past, people often treat migraine headaches with painkillers such as aspirin, acetaminophen, NSAID, sumatriptan, or other types of medication. However, through clinical trials and studies, medical marijuana has proven to provide symptomatic relief for migraine headaches.
In fact, medical marijuana can also treat other migraine-related disorders such as:
- Fibromyalgia
- Anxiety
- Depression
- PTSD
- Cluster headaches
- Tension headaches
- Insomnia
How Can Cannabis Help With Migraine Headaches Disorders?
Medical marijuana and migraines headaches is a hot topic. Here is how cannabis works in the brain:
The brain has cannabinoid receptors around it, which controls the pain signals. When you smoke marijuana, it releases cannabinoids, which binds to the cannabinoid receptors to calm down the pain signal. This is why medical marijuana can alleviate a variety of migraine symptoms such as pain, nausea, muscle spasms, anxiety, and much more.
Another mechanism of action of migraine is that during an attack, the brain releases a variety of chemical signals such as prostaglandin, serotonin, and nitric oxide. Nitric oxide dilates the blood vessels that run from the body to the brain. When the blood vessels dilate, it increases blood flow, which causes significant congestion. This congestion can lead to extreme pain. This is why doctors prescribe sumatriptan to constrict the blood vessel to reduce the blood flow to the head, therefore alleviate the migraine symptoms. Fortunately, marijuana can help minimize nitric oxide to decrease blood flow to the head. Therefore reducing congestion, and other migraine headache symptoms.
Medical marijuana and migraines headaches have received positive results from a variety of studies. For example, one study research the effects of ingesting and inhaling weed in migraine sufferers. They have found that 40% out of 121 participants witness pain relief. Not only that, but these patients also experience decrease occurrence of migraines from 10 per month to 4 per month. Overall, 85% of participants reported that smoking medical marijuana had helped them significantly to reduce the number of migraines per month.
Since over 5 million people in the United States have suffered at least one migraine every month, which indicates that medical marijuana can play a crucial role in reducing that number.
How to Obtain a California Medical Marijuana Card Online
In order to get a California medical marijuana card online, you will have to talk to a licensed physician to see if your medical condition is qualified for the card.
You can visit your doctor in the clinic, hospital, or through telemedicine like a video chat. During the consultation, the doctor will ask you a series of questions to investigate the diagnosis and the severity of the migraine.
After the diagnosis is made, you will receive an official document stating that you are eligible for a medical marijuana card. Keep in mind that the card is only valid for a year, so if it expires, you will have to go through the same process in renewing it.
Take home message
There are a variety of causes of migraine, such as genetics, environmental, or other underlying conditions. If the migraine happens once in a while, it’s often due to regular issues like dehydration, stress, menstruation, and other daily life problems. Fixing the underlying problem can definitely eliminate the migraine.
However if the migraine occurs frequently, then it’s essential to see a doctor for a proper diagnosis. Keep in mind that traditional medication may not help everyone, and it can lead to unfavorable side effects. Fortunately, medical marijuana has proven through various clinical trials to alleviate pain and other adverse symptoms from migraine headaches.
Because of the new laws, the United States has made it possible for millions of migraine sufferers to gain access to medical weed. If you are coping with chronic migraines and the standard therapy isn’t working, then definitely consider getting a medical marijuana card.
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