Migraine is often dismissed as a bad headache, but this condition can affect the whole body and may be disabling in severe cases. Many people are unable to work when they have a migraine attack. They may experience neurological symptoms before or alongside the pain, including numbness, tingling, blurred vision, dizziness, or muscle weakness. There is no cure for migraines. However, there are various treatments to help prevent attacks or manage the symptoms more effectively. In the UK, medical cannabis is emerging as a potential approach for alleviating symptoms like pain, nausea, sleeplessness, and anxiety, for some people living with migraines.
10,000,000
Adults in the UK live with migraine, with many unable to work when they have an attack.
67%
was the approximate pain relief recorded for 92 participants treated for migraine with combined THC and CBD, in a placebo-controlled trial (preprint early-stage research, not peer-reviewed).
2,040,000
people living with migraines could be unaware that they may be eligible for medical cannabis treatment, according to Releaf survey data based on 4,210 respondents in 2023 (extrapolated data indicating 6.91% of 29.6 million people have migraines and could be eligible for the medication).
47.5%
of 1,669 respondents to the largest survey of active UK medical cannabis patients ever conducted were prescribed the medication for various forms of pain.
Symptoms
Eyes become sensitive to light
Fatigue
Increased pain when concentrating or engaging in physical activity
Loss of appetite
Moderate to severe throbbing/pulsing pain
Nausea or vomiting
Sensitivity to noise
If you are displaying these symptoms, you may be suffering with migraines. Please speak with your GP to find out more.
Treatment options:
Typically, people treat migraines at home, by resting in a dark room or drinking plenty of water, or with over the counter treatments like ibuprofen and paracetamol. But, if a person frequently experiences debilitating or long-lasting migraines, they typically seek professional medical advice. They may be prescribed painkillers or anti-sickness medicines to treat their migraine symptoms, or medications designed to prevent the likelihood of migraine occurrence.
Amitriptyline
Anti-sickness medications
Beta blocking drugs
Topiramate
Transcranial magnetic stimulation
Triptans
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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"Some people are affected mildly and others severely where they are incapacitated due to the significant symptoms. We have seen many patients whose medications either are over the counter or prescribed by a specialist have not worked and the condition is continuing to impact them severely. We have helped them with medical cannabis and either reduced the severity so people can function well, reduced the flare ups so they regain their quality of life and even sometimes completely stopped the headaches so people have a normal functioning. This is all because of how the internal cannabinoid system works."
Dr Mivy
Generalist
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
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
Medical cannabis for migraine treatment could offer an alternative approach for managing the pain, sleeplessness, and anxiety associated with migraines, for some people. The medication has a potentially therapeutic effect on the body’s endocannabinoid system (ECS), a network of receptors and chemicals that modulates various aspects of well-being.
The ECS is linked to pain perception, digestive health and the nausea response, sleep regulation, mood modulation, and other factors linked to migraines.
Research from 2026, published in the journal Cells, suggests that the ECS has a direct link to various headache disorders, such as migraines and cluster headaches. The authors stated that “...ECS modulation alleviates migraine-like pain…” and that cannabinoids could be a potential source of relief, with more research required.
A consultant may prescribe medical cannabis for migraines for the following symptoms:
|
Migraine symptom |
How symptom presents |
Migraine medical cannabis treatment: how it may help |
|
Many people with migraines experience intense headaches, but there are other aspects of pain that sometimes occur, such as neck pain and stiffness. |
Research suggests that the endocannabinoid system is deeply involved in the modulation of pain perception and inflammation. Some patients find that medical cannabis can reduce the intensity of the pain associated with migraines. |
|
|
The Migraine Trust (UK) states that anxiety is the “most common mental health problem associated with migraine.” The fear of attacks can cause intense stress and feelings of being on edge, and interfere with daily tasks, work, and socialising. Research suggests that people living with migraine may be four times more likely to experience anxiety. |
A review of research from 2025 claims that 70% of relevant studies support administering CBD or THC for anxiety, suggesting that prescribing medical cannabis for migraines could offer a therapeutic effect. |
|
|
When migraines are disabling and affect quality of life, mood may be severely affected, leading to depression. This is characterised by feeling very low, helpless, or hopeless, which can lead to isolation and loneliness. |
The ECS is believed to be linked to mood regulation. One study from 2025 suggests that THC-dominant cannabis is associated with sustained reductions in depression symptoms. |
|
|
Pain of any type can disrupt sleep, but the sleep-migraine cycle is more complex. A lack of sleep may lead to an increased risk of migraine attacks, and attacks can worsen sleep, leading to a negative spiral. |
A 2022 review of medical cannabis and sleep studies suggested that the majority of studies linked at least small improvements in sleep quality to cannabis-based treatments. |
|
|
Nausea |
Feeling sick, nauseous, and even vomiting can all occur with migraine, and these symptoms may be independent of the pain. |
Medical cannabis may be prescribed for a range of gastroenterological conditions, sometimes because it can help with nausea, for some people. Research shows that the ECS is linked to nausea and vomiting regulation, and cannabinoids can impact the ECS. It’s important to note that, at high doses, cannabis can induce nausea, which is why a monitored prescription is recommended. |
|
Light and sound sensitivity |
A common symptom of migraines is extreme sensitivity to lights and sounds. Even moderate lights and minimal noise can feel intense before and during a migraine attack. |
There is a complex relationship between sensory perception and cannabis. Research suggests that some people find it helps them focus on one sound, like music, while others experience sensory overload. There is no direct evidence linking medical cannabis to reduced light or sound sensitivity at this time. |
Around 2.5% of people who experience migraine attacks may develop chronic migraine. This is diagnosed when a person has a headache for at least 15 days each month, with eight of those including migraine symptoms. Nausea, vomiting, and sensitivity to sound, light, and smells are usually increased.
The Migraine Trust (UK) notes that there are some conditions that increase the chance of developing chronic migraine: sleep apnoea, fibromyalgia, postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (PoTS), and mood disorders, including depression and anxiety. The latter two can be challenging to live with and manage, as migraine may make anxiety and depression symptoms worse.
Any medication that offers relief for symptoms of these associated conditions could help reduce the frequency of migraine attacks, even for people living with chronic migraine.
THC and CBD are two of the 140+ cannabinoids found in medical cannabis. THC is a psychoactive compound that can, at high doses, induce a feeling of intoxication. This cannabinoid binds to receptors in the ECS, potentially impacting aspects like pain perception, sleep quality, nausea and vomiting, and mood regulation, for some people.
CBD works in a slightly different way. Research shows that CBD affects the way other cannabinoids interact with the ECS, which may, in some cases, reduce the risk of side effects and even increase the effectiveness of medication. CBD may also affect the rate at which compounds in the body break down, potentially increasing the longevity of therapeutic effects, for some people.
In the UK, migraine cannabis treatments may be offered in the following formats:
· Oils
· Pastilles
· Dried flower for vaporisers
Your consultant will discuss which types of medical cannabis are most suitable for you, taking your personal preferences and any symptoms into consideration. If you suffer from nausea regularly, for example, sweet pastilles may not be the ideal choice. A vape may be a more effective solution in cases like this.
Preventative treatments or prophylactics can help reduce the likelihood or frequency of migraine attacks. They’re usually prescribed if medication for symptom management isn’t having a sufficiently positive effect, or if overuse of medication is making headaches worse. Anticonvulsants like topiramate or antidepressants such as amitriptyline may be prescribed in these cases, among other options.
Triptans are often prescribed to help with the symptoms that occur during a migraine attack. They work by binding to receptors that are associated with pain signalling, and may also affect proteins involved in pain pathways.
Calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) is a chemical thought to be associated with migraine attacks. A doctor may prescribe anti-CGRP injections, tablets, or a drip for chronic migraine treatment.
Medical cannabis for migraines generally sits alongside these existing treatments, offering potential relief for distressing symptoms like nausea and insomnia, for some people.
Headaches and migraines have many triggers. Medication overuse headache, or rebound headache, may occur with the frequent use of conventional medications, for example, even though the short-term use of these reduces pain.
Medical cannabis migraine treatments could, for some people, induce headaches, particularly if the dosage is not managed by a medical professional, or if the individual is taking a high dose and then suddenly stops.
Reassuringly, research from 2020 found that self-reported pain levels in headache and migraine patients reduced by 50% after cannabis-based treatments.
In the UK, medical cannabis for migraines may be prescribed if a medical professional determines that the medication could help with your symptoms. Releaf has a world-class clinical team with over 50 specialists, including those with expertise in headaches and migraines.
How Releaf works: Once you’ve confirmed your eligibility, you can book a consultation with a Releaf specialist. They’ll assess your situation, and decide if medical cannabis for migraine treatment is the right choice for you. If you decide to go ahead, you can pay for each prescription individually or subscribe to Releaf+. Releaf+ will offer discounts on your migraine cannabis treatment, and other benefits such as Releaf Protect.
To learn more about medical cannabis for migraines, or join the 240,000+ Releaf community, complete the medical cannabis eligibility checker or contact our team.
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