Category Archives: Headache/Migraine

Survey: medical pot treats migraines

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“One hundred percent of migraine sufferers in a self-report survey said cannabis reduced migraine pain and discomfort.”

One hundred percent of migraine sufferers in a self-report survey said cannabis reduced migraine pain and discomfort. (Photo via Flickr TipsTimesAdmin with CC license)

“Cannabis treats a wide variety of conditions, but specific formulations are better for some symptoms than others, patients report in a new landmark survey by a medical cannabis industry company Care By Design.

A full 100 percent of respondents with headaches, migraines, fibromyalgia, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and spinal cord injury reported a decrease in pain or discomfort on medical marijuana rich in the molecule cannabidiol (CBD).”

http://blog.sfgate.com/smellthetruth/2015/09/15/survey-medical-pot-treats-migraines/

http://www.thctotalhealthcare.com/category/headachemigraine/

Marijuana For Migraines

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“Our brain’s own endogenous marijuana-like chemicals produce analgesia by modulating the entry of pain signals into the brain at the level of our spinal cord.

Future generations of pain relievers will likely be developed based upon the action of marijuana in the body.

The advantage of targeting the endogenous marijuana system is that only noxious or painful signals are blocked; normal touch sensation is normal.

This study may lead to the development of more effective migraine prevention and treatment.

The challenge will be to find a dose of marijuana that produces pain relief without disturbing normal cognitive function.”

 https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/your-brain-food/201309/marijuana-migraines

http://www.thctotalhealthcare.com/category/headachemigraine/

Effects of Medical Marijuana on Migraine Headache Frequency in an Adult Population.

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“No clinical trials are currently available that demonstrate the effects of marijuana on patients with migraine headache; however, the potential effects of cannabinoids on serotonin in the central nervous system indicate that marijuana may be a therapeutic alternative.

Thus, the objective of this study was to describe the effects of medical marijuana on the monthly frequency of migraine headache.

The frequency of migraine headache was decreased with medical marijuana use.

Prospective studies should be conducted to explore a cause-and-effect relationship and the use of different strains, formulations, and doses of marijuana to better understand the effects of medical marijuana on migraine headache treatment and prophylaxis.”

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26749285

http://www.thctotalhealthcare.com/category/headachemigraine/

Comprehensive Review of Medicinal Marijuana, Cannabinoids, and Therapeutic Implications in Medicine and Headache: What a Long Strange Trip It’s Been ….

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“The use of cannabis, or marijuana, for medicinal purposes is deeply rooted though history, dating back to ancient times. It once held a prominent position in the history of medicine, recommended by many eminent physicians for numerous diseases, particularly headache and migraine.

Through the decades, this plant has taken a fascinating journey from a legal and frequently prescribed status to illegal, driven by political and social factors rather than by science.

However, with an abundance of growing support for its multitude of medicinal uses, the misguided stigma of cannabis is fading, and there has been a dramatic push for legalizing medicinal cannabis and research.

Almost half of the United States has now legalized medicinal cannabis, several states have legalized recreational use, and others have legalized cannabidiol-only use, which is one of many therapeutic cannabinoids extracted from cannabis.

Physicians need to be educated on the history, pharmacology, clinical indications, and proper clinical use of cannabis, as patients will inevitably inquire about it for many diseases, including chronic pain and headache disorders for which there is some intriguing supportive evidence…

The literature suggests that the medicinal use of cannabis may have a therapeutic role for a multitude of diseases, particularly chronic pain disorders including headache.

Supporting literature suggests a role for medicinal cannabis and cannabinoids in several types of headache disorders including migraine and cluster headache, although it is primarily limited to case based, anecdotal, or laboratory-based scientific research.

Cannabis contains an extensive number of pharmacological and biochemical compounds, of which only a minority are understood, so many potential therapeutic uses likely remain undiscovered.

Cannabinoids appear to modulate and interact at many pathways inherent to migraine, triptan mechanisms ofaction, and opiate pathways, suggesting potential synergistic or similar benefits.

Modulation of the endocannabinoid system through agonism or antagonism of its receptors, targeting its metabolic pathways, or combining cannabinoids with other analgesics for synergistic effects, may provide the foundation for many new classes of medications.”

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26015168

http://www.thctotalhealthcare.com/category/headachemigraine/

Inhibition of FAAH reduces nitroglycerin-induced migraine-like pain and trigeminal neuronal hyperactivity in mice.

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“There is evidence to suggest that a dysregulation of endocannabinoid signaling may contribute to the etiology and pathophysiology of migraine.

Thus, patients suffering from chronic migraine or medication overuse headache showed alterations in the activity of the arachidonoylethanolamide (AEA) degrading enzyme fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) and a specific AEA membrane transporter, alongside with changes in AEA levels.

The precise role of different endocannabinoid system components is, however, not clear. We have therefore investigated mice with a genetic deletion of the two main cannabinoid receptors CB1 and CB2, or the main endocannabinoid degrading enzymes, FAAH and monoacylglycerol lipase (MAGL), which degrades 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG), in a nitroglycerine-induced animal model of migraine.

The effects of the genetic deletion of pharmacological blockade of FAAH are mediated by CB1 receptors, because they were completely disrupted with the CB1 antagonist rimonabant.

These results identify FAAH as a target for migraine pharmacotherapy.”

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25910421

http://www.thctotalhealthcare.com/category/headachemigraine/

Clinical endocannabinoid deficiency (CECD) revisited: Can this concept explain the therapeutic benefits of cannabis in migraine, fibromyalgia, irritable bowel syndrome and other treatment-resistant conditions?

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Image result for Neuro Endocrinol Lett

“Ethan B. Russo’s paper of December 1, 2003 explored the concept of a clinical endocannabinoid deficiency (CECD) underlying the pathophysiology of migraine, fibromyalgia, irritable bowel syndrome and other functional conditions alleviated by clinical cannabis.

Available literature was reviewed, including searches via the National Library of medicine database and other sources.

A review of the literature indicates that significant progress has been made since Dr. Ethan B. Russo’s landmark paper, just ten years ago (February 2, 2004). Investigation at that time suggested that cannabinoids can block spinal, peripheral and gastrointestional mechanisms that promote pain in headache, fibromyalgia, irritable bowel syndrome and muscle spasm.

CONCLUSION:

Subsequent research has confirmed that underlying endocannabinoid deficiencies indeed play a role in migraine, fibromyalgia, irritable bowel syndrome and a growing list of other medical conditions. Clinical experience is bearing this out. Further research and especially, clinical trials will further demonstrate the usefulness of medical cannabis. As legal barriers fall and scientific bias fades this will become more apparent.”  http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24977967

“Clinical endocannabinoid deficiency (CECD): can this concept explain therapeutic benefits of cannabis in migraine, fibromyalgia, irritable bowel syndrome and other treatment-resistant conditions? Migraine, fibromyalgia, IBS and related conditions display common clinical, biochemical and pathophysiological patterns that suggest an underlying clinical endocannabinoid deficiency that may be suitably treated with cannabinoid medicines.”  http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15159679

 

Activation of CB2 receptors as a potential therapeutic target for migraine: evaluation in an animal model.

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“Experimental animal models of migraine have suggested the existence of interactions between the endocannabinoid system and pain mediation in migraine.

Extensive evidence has demonstrated a role for the cannabinoid-1 (CB1) receptor in antinociception.

…recent research suggests that also CB2 receptors, especially located outside the central nervous system, play a role in the perception of pain…

In this study we evaluated the role of CB2 receptors in two animal models of pain that may be relevant for migraine…

CONCLUSION:

These findings suggest that the pharmacological manipulation of the CB2 receptor may represent a potential therapeutic tool for the treatment of migraine.”

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24636539

CB2 cannabinoid receptor mediation of antinociception.

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“Management of acute pain remains a significant clinical problem. In preclinical studies, CB2 cannabinoid receptor-selective agonists inhibit nociception without producing central nervous system side effects.

The experiments reported here further test the hypothesis that CB2 receptor activation inhibits nociception…

The CB2 receptor-selective agonist produces antinociceptive… activation of CB2 receptors results in antinociception…

…confirm the potential therapeutic relevance of CB2 cannabinoid receptors for the treatment of acute pain.”

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16563625

Effect of cannabinoid receptor activation on spreading depression.

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“Cannabis has been used for centuries for both symptomatic and prophylactic treatment of different types of headaches including migraine…

Suppression of CSD (cortical spreading depression) by activation of CB1 receptors suggests the potential therapeutic effects of cannabinoids in migraine with aura as well as other CSD-related disorders.”

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3586901/

Therapeutic potential of cannabinoid medicines.

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Drug Testing and Analysis

“Cannabis was extensively used as a medicine throughout the developed world in the nineteenth century but went into decline early in the twentieth century ahead of its emergence as the most widely used illicit recreational drug later that century. Recent advances in cannabinoid pharmacology alongside the discovery of the endocannabinoid system (ECS) have re-ignited interest in cannabis-based medicines.

The ECS has emerged as an important physiological system and plausible target for new medicines. Its receptors and endogenous ligands play a vital modulatory role in diverse functions including immune response, food intake, cognition, emotion, perception, behavioural reinforcement, motor co-ordination, body temperature, wake/sleep cycle, bone formation and resorption, and various aspects of hormonal control. In disease it may act as part of the physiological response or as a component of the underlying pathology.

In the forefront of clinical research are the cannabinoids delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol and cannabidiol, and their contrasting pharmacology will be briefly outlined. The therapeutic potential and possible risks of drugs that inhibit the ECS will also be considered. This paper will then go on to review clinical research exploring the potential of cannabinoid medicines in the following indications: symptomatic relief in multiple sclerosis, chronic neuropathic pain, intractable nausea and vomiting, loss of appetite and weight in the context of cancer or AIDS, psychosis, epilepsy, addiction, and metabolic disorders.”

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24006213

http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/dta.1529/abstract