Medical Cannabis for Persistent Headache Syndromes

How Does Cannabis Help with Headaches?

Studies and real-world reports show growing support for medical cannabis as a treatment for persistent headache syndromes.

Randomized and Observational Studies

• A chart review of two cannabis clinics found that monthly migraine attacks dropped from 10.4 to 4.6 after patients started using medical marijuana.
• A 2022 review of seven studies found that cannabis reduced headache frequency by about 40% and led to fewer emergency room visits.

• In a 2024 double-blind trial, 92 adults inhaled either a placebo or vaporized cannabis flower with 6% THC and 11% CBD.

• 34% of treated migraine attacks resulted in complete pain relief within two hours, compared to 15% with placebo.
• The effects lasted up to 48 hours, and no serious side effects were reported.

Bottom line: Sample sizes are small. Still, high-quality studies now confirm what patients have long reported. Balanced THC and CBD formulations can work as well as triptans for immediate relief. Also, they can reduce monthly headache days by about one-third when taken in small doses over time.

Real‑World Patient Reports

• A Yale headache clinic survey of 1,373 patients found that 63% were able to reduce or stop using prescription drugs after starting cannabis.
• In a Migraine Buddy app survey of nearly 9,800 users, 30% reported using cannabis for headache relief, and 82% of those said it worked.

Taken together, these findings support cannabis as both an acute and preventive option for many (but not all) people with persistent headaches.

What Doctors on the Front Line Are Saying

“I place it [cannabis] before opioids in my practice. Patients want it before opioids. They look at opioids and think, ‘Oh my gosh, they’re risky and do they even work?’… My view is we have over 60,000 deaths annually from opioids in this country – that’s a combination of prescription and abused opioids. There’s never been a reported death from cannabis…” — Mark Wallace, MD, UC San Diego Pain Center.

“Some people find that smoking, or preferably vaporization, is a rapid intervention that can abort a migraine attack; for prevention, regular oral dosing works best. Start low and build slowly.” — Ethan Russo, MD, Neurologist & Endocannabinoid Researcher.

Reviews from Our Patients

“Compassionate Process! My physician was kind and helpful during my visit. She was quite knowledgeable, informative, and understanding of my chronic pain. … I would, and have already, wholeheartedly recommend them to others!” — Joshua (5‑star Trustpilot review, April 29, 2024)

“This has been an amazing experience… I have such a better outlook on life without chronic pain and anxiety!! They are very affordable with great deals on a regular! I would highly recommend Quick Med Cards!” — Lisa R., 5‑star BBB review.

What Counts as a “Persistent Headache Syndrome”?

Doctors consider a headache “persistent” when it occurs 15 or more days a month for at least three months. In some cases, the headache starts suddenly and never goes away. The main types include:

• Chronic Migraine: Frequent migraine attacks, often on most days of the month. At least eight of those days include classic migraine symptoms like throbbing pain, nausea, or sensitivity to light and sound.
• Chronic Tension-Type Headache: A dull, tight, or pressing pain on both sides of the head. These headaches are frequent but usually mild, without aura or nausea.
• New Daily Persistent Headache (NDPH): A headache that begins on a specific day and never stops. The pain continues daily for at least three months.
• Hemicrania Continua: A continuous, one-sided headache that responds to a drug called indomethacin. It flares up at times but never fully goes away.
• Paroxysmal Hemicrania: Multiple short, severe, one-sided headaches each day. Like hemicrania continua, it responds well to indomethacin.
• Chronic Cluster Headache: Sharp, stabbing pain around one eye, often with tearing or nasal stuffiness. These headaches come in long cycles that can last a year or more.
• Medication-Overuse Headache (MOH): Daily or frequent pain caused by overusing pain medications like triptans or NSAIDs. It usually improves after stopping the drugs.

How to Choose Products & Doses

Different formulations serve different goals, so pick the option that matches how and when your pain shows up:

• For tension-type pain without a high: Try a CBD-dominant soft gel or oil. Start with 25 to 50 mg of CBD per day. Look for a high CBD-to-THC ratio, such as 10:1 or more. 
• For daily prevention: Use a balanced tincture with a 1:1 or 2:1 CBD to THC ratio. A good starting dose is 2.5 to 5 mg THC, taken with equal or slightly more CBD, twice a day. 
• For fast relief during an attack: Use a dry herb vaporizer with cannabis flower that contains 10 to 20% THC. Inhale once or twice to get about 5 mg of THC. Effects begin within minutes. 

Always “start low, go slow,” especially if you’ve never used cannabis.

Best Strains & Terpenes for Headaches

Certain strains come up often in patient reports for easing migraines, tension, or cluster headaches. Some are rich in CBD for gentle daytime relief. Others are THC-heavy for stronger, faster effects.

Here are a few to explore:

• Sour Tsunami: High in CBD and myrcene. Great for daytime use with no high.
• Harlequin: Balanced CBD to THC. Often used for prevention.
• Sour Diesel: THC-rich with limonene. Chosen for fast migraine relief.
• Ice Cream Cake: High in myrcene and linalool. Often rated helpful for cluster headache pain.

Finding the best strains for your headaches may take some experimentation. Still, it helps when you have a North Star to guide you. Use our strain-matching tool below to find a strain based on how you want to feel and what condition you’re treating.

Note: Strain names alone can be unreliable. So, whenever possible, choose lab-tested products that show exact cannabinoid and terpene content.

Who Qualifies & How to Get Certified Fast

Migraines are a qualifying condition for medical cannabis in most states with medical marijuana programs. For example, in 2017, Connecticut’s Board of Physicians voted unanimously to add Intractable Headache Syndrome to its list of qualifying conditions. 

Even in states that don’t explicitly mention headaches in their list of qualifying conditions, they’re often covered under chronic pain.

Is your state on the list above? If so, follow the steps below to get your medical marijuana certification:

1. Create your Quick Med Cards account.
2. Upload the necessary documentation.
3. Pick a convenient time for your marijuana evaluation.
4. Attend your telehealth consultation over a video call.
5. Get your cannabis certification.

Some states allow patients to access medical cannabis using their certification. However, some states require that you apply for a medical marijuana card after getting certified for MMJ.

Hypothetical Patient Scenarios (for illustration only)

Real Patient Review (Trustpilot)

“Such an amazing and easy process! Quick Med Cards made the entire process incredibly simple and stress-free! 

From start to finish, I was blown away by how quick, easy, and professional everything was… I was able to schedule my appointment in just a few clicks… the provider was knowledgeable, kind, and really took the time to answer all of my questions.

Within no time, I had everything I needed — no hassle, no confusion, and no delays. I truly appreciate how Quick Med Cards streamlines the process and treats patients with care and respect. If you’re looking for a fast, reliable, and smooth experience, look no further. Quick Med Cards is the real deal!” — 5‑star Trustpilot review, June 6, 2025

Safe‑Use Tips for Beginners

The tips below can help you minimize the side effects of medical cannabis and maximize its benefits for your treatment:

• Start with 1 mg THC and 20 mg CBD at bedtime for two weeks
• Use faster methods like vaporizing or sublingual tinctures for quick relief
• Save edibles for long-lasting relief or prevention, not for fast rescue
• Keep a journal to track doses, timing, relief, side effects, and triggers
• Take at least two cannabis-free days per week to prevent tolerance or rebound
• Check with your doctor about drug interactions, especially with warfarin, clobazam, or high-dose opioids.

Risks, Contraindications, and Rebound Concerns

• Cannabis can cause memory problems and slow reaction times, so keep daytime THC doses under 5 mg.
• Some people experience anxiety or dizziness, so choose products with higher CBD ratios if this happens.
• Using any acute headache treatment more than 10 days per month can cause overuse headaches.
• If you have heart or lung problems, use tinctures or capsules instead of smoking or vaping.
• Cannabis can interact with other medications, so talk to your doctor if you take blood thinners or seizure medications.

Key Takeaways

• Medical cannabis may help with headaches by calming nerve activity, reducing inflammation, and easing nausea.
• Studies suggest marijuana can reduce monthly headache days by one-third and work as well as triptans for pain relief.
• Vaporized cannabis works within minutes for fast relief, while tinctures work best for daily prevention.
• Migraines qualify for medical cannabis cards in most states with medical programs.
• Start with very low doses (1-2.5 mg THC) and keep a journal to track what works for your specific symptoms.