Study finds: Medicinal cannabis oil can reduce migraine attacks

Medicinal cannabis oil, based on the raw materials Bediol and Bedica, may have a positive effect on the severity and frequency of migraine attacks. This is evident from a cross-sectional retrospective study, in which patients completed a questionnaire about their experiences with the use of cannabis oil. The patients were approached by the Transvaal Pharmacy in The Hague. According to the researchers, medicinal cannabis oil could serve as a possible alternative for migraine attacks from a pharmacological point of view.

Strongest decline

Bediol oil was the most prescribed in the participating patients and showed the strongest decrease in the number of migraine attacks per month and their severity. Bedica oil also showed a significant decrease in the number and severity of the migraine attacks. Bedrocan cannabis oil does not appear to have an effect on the frequency and severity of the migraine attacks.

Medicinal cannabis oil is administered sublingually drop by drop. Medicinal cannabis flos, the dried version, is used in evaporated and edible forms, among others.

Migraine & Menopause

The average age of the consulted patients was 54 years old. Of these, about 80% were women, and most women were around the menopause age. According to the researchers, this may have played a role in the positive results with women. Studies show that most women who suffer from migraines see improvement after menopause. However, other studies suggest that migraines seem to worsen in women after menopause. According to the researchers, it is therefore not possible to affirm with certainty that menopause had a positive effect on the results with women.

Side effects

Furthermore, the questionnaire asked about five direct side effects, namely: nausea, drowsiness, nervousness, nightmares and memory loss. With the use of medicinal cannabis oil, nausea and drowsiness were mainly reported as side effects.

However, there were more patients with a decrease in nausea than with an increase. According to the researchers, this can be considered a therapeutic effect rather than a side effect. This decrease was mainly due to the use of Bedica oil. As a result of this study, Bedica oil could be recommended for patients who suffer from nausea during a migraine attack.

To confirm this study’s findings and to include medicinal cannabis oil in current migraine treatment guidelines, the researchers argue that randomized, controlled clinical trials with a larger study population are desirable.