San Diego, CA: The inhalation of cannabis flower containing THC and CBD is superior to placebo in providing migraine relief, according to data published online on the National Library of Medicine website. The data has not yet been peer-reviewed.
Investigators affiliated with the University of California at San Diego assessed the safety and efficacy of herbal cannabis in 92 patients with persistent migraines. Patients were randomly assigned to vaporize one of four cannabis chemotypes (six percent THC, 11 percent CBD, six percent THC and 11 percent CBD, or placebo cannabis) following migraine onset.
Of the four chemotypes assessed, vaporized cannabis containing THC and CBD performed most effectively.
The study’s authors reported, “Vaporized 6% THC+11% CBD cannabis flower was superior to placebo for pain relief, pain freedom, and MBS [most bothersome symptom] freedom at 2 hours as well as 24-hour sustained pain freedom and sustained MBS freedom and 48-hour sustained MBS freedom.” THC/CBD cannabis was also superior to placebo at relieving migraine-related photophobia (light sensitivity) and phonophobia (sound sensitivity).
No serious adverse events were reported, regardless of the type of cannabis consumed.
“Future research should include multicenter studies and long-term studies of benefits and risks with repeated use,” investigators concluded.
A 2002 literature review of nine studies involving 5,600 subjects previously concluded: “Medical marijuana has a significant clinical response by reducing the length and frequency of migraines. … Due to its effectiveness and convenience, medical marijuana therapy may be helpful for patients suffering from migraines.”
Full text of the study, “Vaporized cannabis versus placebo for acute migraine: A randomized controlled trial,” is available online. Additional information on the use of cannabis for migraines is available from NORML’s publication, Clinical Applications for Cannabis and Cannabinoids.