Migraine and Medical Cannabis

What are the Symptoms of Migraine?

The main symptom is an intense headache described as a throbbing pain on one side of the head. In children, the pain is more commonly felt on both sides. The pain may be moderate or severe and may worsen with movement.

Other symptoms include:

• Feeling and/or being sick
• Increased sensitivity to light and sound
• A drop in concentration levels

Less common symptoms include:

• Sweating
• Temperature changes – feeling either too hot or too cold
• Stomach pain
• Diarrhoea

What are the Different Types of Migraine?

There are several different types of migraine. The symptoms can vary from person to person. Knowing which type of migraine you have can help you understand your symptoms and discuss them with your healthcare professional.

1. Migraine with aura – This type of migraine can cause temporary symptoms, known as an aura, which may happen before or during a migraine attack. These can include:

• Visual disturbances, such as seeing flashing lights, dark spots or zigzag patterns.
• Numbness or tingling sensations, similar to pins and needles, often starting in one hand and moving up the arm before affecting the face, lips or tongue.
• Dizziness or a loss of balance and, in very rare cases, loss of consciousness.
• Speech impairment.

2. Migraine without aura – This is a migraine that happens without the warning symptoms of an aura.

3. Migraine aura without headache (silent migraine) – This is when someone has the warning symptoms of a migraine aura, but does not develop a headache.

4. Abdominal migraine – This is often diagnosed in children. Instead of headaches, people have episodes of stomach pain, nausea and vomiting. People with abdominal migraine often have a personal or family history of migraine headaches.

What is Chronic Migraine?

Chronic migraine means having headaches on 15 or more days each month for more than 3 months. At least 8 of these days involve migraine symptoms. Chronic migraine can affect daily life and make everyday activities more difficult.

What is Episodic Migraine?

Episodic migraine refers to experiencing migraine on less than 15 days per month.

What Causes Migraine?

The exact cause of migraine is unknown. Migraine is thought to involve changes in brain activity that affect nerve signals, chemicals and blood vessels in the brain. These changes are temporary, which is why migraine symptoms come and go. Research also suggests that genetics may make some people more likely to experience migraine.

Many people with migraine notice things that seem to trigger their attacks. However, research into migraine triggers is mixed. For example, some studies suggest that craving certain foods may actually be an early symptom of migraine, rather than the food being a trigger.

Possible migraine triggers may include:

• Hormones – changes in hormone levels around the time of a period may trigger migraine. Some women experience migraine shortly before, during or after a period. This is sometimes called ‘menstrual migraine’.
• Emotions – stress, anxiety, tension, shock, depression or even excitement may trigger migraine.
• Physical factors – lack of sleep, unusual working hours such as shift work, poor posture, tension in the neck or shoulders, jet lag, low blood sugar or starting a new exercise routine.
• Diet – missing meals, eating at irregular times, dehydration, alcohol, caffeine or foods containing tyramine may be possible triggers.
• Environmental factors – bright or flashing lights, flickering screens, smoking, loud noises, changes in humidity or very cold weather, strong smells such as perfume or aftershave, and poor air flow in a stuffy room or building.
• Medicines – certain sleeping tablets, the combined oral contraceptive pill (COCP) and hormone replacement therapy (HRT) may be possible triggers.

Keeping a migraine diary can help you spot patterns in your migraine attacks and identify possible triggers.

How is Migraine Diagnosed?

There is no specific test to diagnose migraine. A GP will usually ask about your symptoms and medical history to look for patterns that may suggest migraine.

Tracking your migraine symptoms over time may help you understand what triggers your attacks. This may include:

• Date and time
• Headache location
• Activities beforehand
• Potential triggers, such as bright lights, strong smells or loud noises
• Other symptoms or notable details

Blood tests or imaging scans may sometimes be needed to help rule out other possible causes of your headaches.

How Does Migraine Affect People?

Migraine can have a significant impact on everyday life. During an attack, symptoms such as severe pain and sensitivity to light or sound may make it difficult to go outside, work, exercise or carry out daily activities. As attacks can occur suddenly and triggers vary from person to person, their impact can also be difficult to predict.

Frequent or severe migraine may also affect sleep, energy levels and emotional wellbeing. Some people with migraine also experience insomnia, anxiety or depression.

When other treatments have not provided enough relief or are not suitable, a specialist may discuss other treatment options, including medical cannabis, as part of a personalised treatment plan.

You can visit our testimonials page to read real-life patient experiences with medical cannabis.