42%
of people worldwide will experience tension headaches at some point in their lives.
4.8%
of people globally may live with chronic tension-type headache (CTTH), where headaches occur for at least 15 days a month for three months or more.
5.7
workdays per person are lost to migraine in the UK, with an estimated cost of £4.4 billion.
47.5%
of 1,669 respondents to the largest survey of active UK medical cannabis patients ever conducted reported being prescribed the medication for chronic pain, such as that experienced with ongoing headache disorders.
Symptoms
Fatigue
Loss of appetite
Moderate to severe pain
Nausea or vomiting
Problems with vision
Pulsing pain
Sensitivity to light
Throbbing pain
If you are suffering from any of these symptoms, you may have Headaches. Please speak with your GP to find out more.
Treatment options:
Acute headache treatments try to help during an attack, while preventative treatments can be used to try to stop headaches occurring, or reduce their frequency. In the UK, analgesics and anti-sickness medications may be prescribed to reduce pain and discomfort during a headache, while options like deep brain stimulation and occipital nerve stimulation may be recommended as a preventative treatment.
Amitriptyline
Anti-sickness medications
Beta blocking drugs
Corticosteroids
Lithium
Triptans
Verapamil
Whether you’re new to cannabis-based medicines, switching from another medical cannabis clinic, or self-medicating, we’ll put you back in control of your health.
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"Multiple studies have been done demonstrating the effectiveness of cannabis in treating different types of headaches. Migraine has been the most extensively studied, but there is also evidence that cannabis can help treat cluster and tension type headaches. The anti-inflammatory effect combined with the analgesic and anti-nausea properties of the cannabis are effective at reducing headache intensity, frequency, associated symptoms, and the need for conventional headache medications."
Dr Crystal Hamel-Smith
Generalist
12. 07. 2023
The incidence of cluster headaches in the UK, and in the world generally, is quite low. Roughly 27,000 people in the UK suffer from cluster headaches, with a majority experiencing episodic cluster headaches. Looking past the incidence, cluster headaches can be intimidating and traumatic for anyone.
12. 07. 2023
12. 07. 2023
Migraines are a common neurological condition that is characterised by a severe headache (often on one side), sensitivity to light or sound, and fatigue. Over 6 million people in the UK suffer from migraines. There are over 190,000 migraine attacks per day in the UK, so imagine how much disruption to home and work life this health issue causes. More women than men develop this complex neurological condition.
12. 07. 2023
06. 08. 2023
You might be surprised to find out that 190,000 migraine attacks happen in the UK every day. With such massive numbers, the need for new treatment options to help complement conventional pharmaceuticals is obvious, especially when many of these medications come with some pretty heavy side effects.
06. 08. 2023
For some people, yes, medical cannabis for headaches may be an approach that helps with holistic symptom management. Pain is the most central symptom of headache disorders, but people may experience other problems that interfere with daily life, from sleeplessness to anxiety.
Typically, people may assume that medical cannabis is only available for specific disorders like migraines or cluster headaches. However, for other headaches, cannabis treatment in the UK is legal and available, depending on your symptoms and other medications you may be taking.
Medical cannabis headache treatments may be offered for any type of headache where the symptoms are challenging to manage or affecting your quality of life.
|
Type of headache |
Cause and symptoms |
Medical cannabis for headaches: can it help? |
|
Tension headache |
Tension headaches are the most common type of headache and range from mild to disabling. Tension headaches are caused by tense muscles in the face and head, which can feel like a tight band around the head. Stress, anxiety, and insomnia can all cause tension headaches. Some may also occur as a side effect of medications, or because you’re drinking too much caffeine. |
Typical treatments for tension headaches include paracetamol and aspirin. Some people may be prescribed amitriptyline as a preventative medication, usually where tension headaches are so severe they are disabling. Medical cannabis could offer an approach centred on pain management via a potentially therapeutic effect on the endocannabinoid system (ECS), which is associated with pain modulation and perception. |
|
Migraine |
Migraines are a neurological disorder characterised by intense head pain (although not everyone experiences this), visual disturbances, nausea, dizziness, and numbness or tingling. Symptoms vary from person to person, and can be disabling. The cause is unknown and triggers can vary. |
Research suggests that medical cannabis could be effective at managing migraines, with one 2022 review stating that medical cannabis “significantly reduced” nausea and vomiting associated with migraine, and reduced the frequency of migraines after 30 days of treatment. |
|
Cluster headaches |
Cluster headaches are sharp, excruciating headaches that come and go, usually on one side of the head. Like other complex headache disorders, it’s not known what causes cluster headaches. |
Pain management is challenging with cluster headaches, as the attacks can be shorter than the time taken to absorb conventional medications. Medical cannabis could help alleviate the anxiety and insomnia associated with this condition, for some people. |
|
Hemicrania continua |
A continuous pain in one side of the head that varies in intensity. There is always some pain, but the pain may intensify for periods of time. Other symptoms include nasal congestion, a red, watering eye, or a drooping eyelid. The cause of this condition is unknown, although it may be linked to sinus inflammation. |
The standard medication for hemicrania continua is indomethacin, an NSAID. Medical cannabis could, for some people, help with associated symptoms such as sleeplessness and anxiety associated with the fear of intensified pain. |
Prescribing medical cannabis for headaches caused by tension could help some people by promoting relaxation, reducing stress, and easing the impact of associated symptoms. Tension headaches are caused by muscle tension in the head and face, that can often feel like a band is tightening around the skull, causing pain that ranges from mild to severe.
Some people experience chronic tension headaches, where they have headaches for at least 15 days in the month, over a period of at least three months. Treatment plans for chronic tension headaches can be complex, involving a combination of preventative medication and acute medication for when headaches start.
Medical cannabis shows promise as an option for pain relief, for some people, possibly due to its potential anti-inflammatory effect. Beyond this, medical cannabis may offer an alternative approach to reducing the impact of stress and anxiety, and promoting relaxation, which could, in some circumstances, help alleviate some of the factors that contribute to tension headaches.
Migraines affect up to 10 million people in the UK, and can be disabling. Although classified as a headache disorder, migraines can occur with many other neurological symptoms, including sensitivity to light and sound, numbness and tingling, and nausea.
Our page on medical cannabis for migraines gives more information on how some people manage the symptoms of this incurable condition.
Cluster headaches are intense, excruciating headaches characterised by the rapid onset of pain that builds quickly, and may reduce again in as little as 15 minutes or as much as three hours. They are usually focused on one side of the head. You can find out more about why some people are prescribed medical cannabis for cluster headaches on our specialist page.
However, cluster headaches and migraines aren’t the only head pain you can seek alternative treatments for. For other headaches, medical cannabis treatments in the UK are legal, when prescribed and supervised by an expert medical professional.
Patients may be prescribed medical cannabis for pain due to its potentially therapeutic effects on the ECS. Medical cannabis contains 140+ cannabinoids, including THC and CBD, which may mimic the effect of endocannabinoids in the ECS.
THC is known to bind to receptors in the ECS, a mechanism which may cause a range of impacts on health and wellness. The ECS is linked to pain modulation, mood regulation, and sleep quality, so any medication that offers a therapeutic effect on the ECS could positively impact these aspects of well-being.
CBD works in a different way to THC, with research suggesting it may change the way receptors react to other cannabinoids and compounds. Some people find that CBD promotes a more relaxed state of mind, which could help relieve the stress and tension that may lead to tension headaches.
Medication overuse headache, sometimes called a rebound headache, occurs when a medication is taken for so long that it starts to cause headaches rather than relieve them. Suddenly stopping taking a pain medication can also cause headaches, which the British Association for the Study of Headache (BASH) states can either feel like a tension headache or migraine.
People with depression or anxiety may be more likely to experience medication overuse headache. Smokers and those with a sedentary lifestyle may also be more at risk.
For some people, medical cannabis is associated with reduced headache pain. An analysis of patient self-reports found that combined headache and migraine pain ratings dropped by 50% after treatment with cannabis-based products. However, the same study also reported that some people seemed to develop a tolerance, whereby after some time, the cannabis-based treatment was less effective.
Some people may even find that cannabis induces headaches. These are not the same as medication overuse headaches, and may be related to the medication’s potential impact on the cardiovascular system. Evidence suggests that phytocannabinoids can have both a vasoconstrictive and vasorelaxant (tightening or loosening blood vessels) effect, both of which could impact head pain.
Start by filling out the medical cannabis eligibility checker on the Releaf website. It takes about 30 seconds and can quickly let you know what your next steps are.
How Releaf works: Once you determine that you are eligible, you can book a consultation with one of our 50+ specialists, many of whom have expertise in headache disorders. They will carefully assess your condition, symptoms, and other medications you may be taking. From here, they’ll determine if medical cannabis is a good fit for your circumstances, and you can decide if you want to go ahead with the prescription or not.
Medical cannabis may be prescribed in the following formats:
· Oils
· Pastilles
· Dried flower for vaporisers
You can opt for a pay-as-you-go plan or sign up for Releaf+, a pay monthly service that includes additional benefits, such as legal advice via Releaf Protect.
To learn more about medical cannabis headache treatment options in the UK, contact our team. Or, if you’re ready to join the 240,000+ Releaf community, complete the medical cannabis eligibility checker online.
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