Have you ever felt your pulse from inside of your skull? You know that once you see the aura that soon you will be faced with a throbbing head pain so severe that any light, sound, or smell will make you puke? If you know what I’m talking about, then you’ve experienced a migraine. Let’s talk about what they are, what they do to a person, and of course… Let’s talk about how Cannabis can help.
There are 3 types of migraines. The migraine with aura, sometimes referred to as a “classic migraine,” and migraine without aura are the common migraine. These are the 2 that are most common. Menstrual migraine is the other.
There is no clear explanation for what exactly causes a migraine in the medical community. In the past, migraines were believed to be caused by alterations in blood flow to the brain. The theory was disproven over time when it was discovered that migraines are an inherited trait and that every fourth person who experiences migraines also has a family member who has them. It is estimated that 50% of children who have a parent suffering from migraines will also suffer from migraines. The child’s likelihood of developing migraines increases to 75% if both parents do. Ouch!
When faulty or overactive nerve cells produce signals that cause the arteries in the brain to dilate and constrict for prolonged periods of time, a migraine is the result. The dome feels a pulsing, roaring ache as a result. These aches lead to nauseousness and vomiting (which will come with a loss of appetite), diarrhea, excessive exhaustion, sensitivity to light, sound, and scents, mental confusion, doubled and/or hazy vision (also called auras), weakness, problems speaking, and in some cases even seizures.
So… How does marijuana assist? Cannabis contains cannabinoids that work with our endocannabinoid system and activate the CB1 and CB2 receptors in our body, which regulate a variety of functions from behavior to the neurological system. In this instance the CB2 receptor, its principally involved in anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive actions. Because, when we talk about pain it’s almost always due to inflammation. If inflammation can be reduced, pain can be relieved.
THC and CBD are the two dominant cannabinoids that people like to discuss the most. Both have been shown to be effective anti-inflammatories, and they have been helpful in treating a variety of ailments, including joint pain and atherosclerosis, as well as reducing blood vessel constriction tension. Additional benefits of these cannabinoids include relief from migraine-related nausea, anxiety, and muscular tension. In fact, a recent study by the University of Colorado’s Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences found that 85% of 121 respondents reported experiencing fewer headaches on average when cannabis was either inhaled or ingested.
When the skull meat sizzles…
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