Best Cannabis Strains for Headaches and Migraines

Cannabis really is a gamechanger for many people when it comes to addressing daily issues, whether they be related to mood, sleep, physical discomfort, appetite, or what have you.  Today, we want to focus on strains that are particularly good at treating headaches and migraines, since we know a large portion of cannabis users deal with this type of pain on a pretty frequent basis.  Thankfully, there are a number of strains that can do an amazing job knocking these symptoms out.

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What are Headaches and Migraines and How Do They Occur?

Headaches and migraines are common neurological conditions that affect many people worldwide.  They can range from mild discomfort to severe pain and can significantly impact an individual’s quality of life.  Although they share some similarities, there are distinct differences between the two.

Headaches

Headaches are a broad category of pain or discomfort in the head, scalp, or neck regions.  They can occur for various reasons and are generally classified into two main types: primary and secondary headaches.

• Primary headaches are not caused by other diseases or medical conditions.  Examples include tension headaches, cluster headaches, and some forms of migraine.
• Secondary headaches are symptoms of another condition that can affect the head, such as an infection, a substance or its withdrawal (e.g., caffeine), or a problem with the structures of the head and neck (e.g., sinusitis, brain tumor).

The exact cause of headaches can vary widely.  Tension headaches, the most common type of primary headache, are often related to stress, muscle strain, or anxiety.  Cluster headaches, on the other hand, are less common and characterized by severe, piercing pain on one side of the head and often accompanied by symptoms like red or watering eyes.

Migraines

Migraines are a more specific type of primary headache known for their intensity and accompanying symptoms.  They’re often described as a pulsating or throbbing pain on one side of the head.  Migraines can be categorized into two main types:

• Migraine without Aura: This is the most common form, characterized by migraine attacks that occur without any warning signs.
• Migraine with Aura: This type involves additional neurological symptoms before the migraine pain starts, such as visual disturbances (flashes of light, blind spots), speech difficulties, or tingling in the face or hands.

Migraines are thought to occur due to a combination of genetic and environmental factors.  The exact mechanism involves changes in brain activity, affecting nerve signaling and blood vessels in the brain.  Triggers for migraines can vary and include stress, certain foods, hormonal changes (e.g., menstruation in women), changes in sleep patterns, and environmental factors like weather changes.

How They Occur

Both headaches and migraines involve complex mechanisms:

• Headaches can result from the dilation or constriction of blood vessels in the head, muscular tension, or issues with pain-sensitive structures in the brain. Neurochemicals and nerve signaling play roles in the sensation of pain.
• Migraines are believed to be related to temporary changes in the nerves, chemicals, and blood vessels in the brain. Initially, blood vessels constrict, leading to aura symptoms followed by dilation of these vessels, causing severe headache pain.

How are Headaches and Migraines Treated?

Both headaches and migraines can be triggered by a variety of factors, including stress, lack of sleep, certain foods and beverages, hormonal changes (especially in women), weather changes, and certain medications.  Management and treatment of headaches and migraines vary based on the type, frequency, and severity of the symptoms.  They can range from over-the-counter pain relievers and lifestyle changes to prescription medications and, in some cases, preventative treatments or interventions.

How Can Certain Cannabis Strains Help with Headaches and Migraines?

Cannabis strains can help alleviate headaches and migraines through several mechanisms, thanks to the active compounds found in the plant, primarily cannabinoids like THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) and CBD (cannabidiol), as well as other components such as terpenes. 

Here’s how they may work:

1. Pain Relief: THC, the psychoactive component in cannabis, is known for its pain-relieving properties.  It can interact with the body’s endocannabinoid system (ECS), which plays a key role in regulating pain.  By activating the ECS, THC can help reduce the sensation of pain, which is beneficial for those suffering from headaches and migraines.
2. Anti-inflammatory Effects: CBD, another major cannabinoid, has been shown to possess anti-inflammatory properties.  Since inflammation can contribute to the severity and frequency of headaches and migraines, CBD can help by reducing inflammation, potentially alleviating the intensity of these episodes.
3. Reduction of Nausea and Vomiting: Many people who experience migraines also suffer from nausea and vomiting.  Both THC and CBD have antiemetic properties, which can help control these symptoms, making the migraine experience less debilitating.
4. Muscle Relaxation: Cannabis has muscle relaxant properties, which can be beneficial in cases where tension headaches are present.  By relaxing muscle tension, especially around the neck and head, cannabis can provide relief from this type of headache.
5. Stress Reduction: Stress is a well-known trigger for both headaches and migraines.  Cannabis, particularly strains high in CBD, can have calming effects, reducing stress and potentially preventing stress-induced headaches and migraines.
6. Improved Sleep: Poor sleep is another trigger for migraines and headaches. Certain cannabis strains, especially those with a balance of THC and CBD, can help improve sleep quality, thus potentially reducing the frequency of headaches and migraines associated with sleep disturbances.

Why the Cannabis Strain is Such a Big Deal 

If you’re a relative newcomer to the cannabis world, you may not realize just how much your choice of strain can matter.  Most of us know that some cannabis strains can produce more energizing effects while others act like sedatives, and that some strains are great for socializing with friends, while others make it virtually impossible to carry on a conversation.  Each strain contains hundreds of individual chemical compounds – mostly cannabinoids and terpenes – and how those compounds are configured determines the dominant effects you’ll get from any given strain.

You can have two cannabis strains that look alike, but taste and feel totally different from one another.  A sativa strain can give you a burst of energy, focus, and alertness, while an indica strain can practically put you to sleep.  A hybrid strain is a mix between an indica and a sativa, and so its effects will be balanced, somewhere in the middle.

If you’re looking for a specific cannabis benefit, you want to really pay attention to what strain you’re buying.  For example, if you’re looking for, say, a strain that can calm you down at bedtime, you don’t want to go with a strongly stimulating sativa.  The good news is that there’s an abundance of information online that goes into great detail about what each strain can do for you.

Top 5 Cannabis Strains For Headaches and Migraines

Let’s take a look at the top cannabis strains that are perfect for headaches and migraines, as they offer the most reliable relief according to countless cannabis users.  These strains are all recommended frequently on the medical market for headaches, all while being top-shelf strains in terms of quality, flavor, and potency.

Headache and Migraine Cannabis Strain #5: Grand Daddy Purp

Grand Daddy Purp is an icon, with a 70% indica-dominant orientation, and vibrant, purple-colored buds that are easy to recognize.  It’s outstandingly potent with a staggering 27% THC, and a cross between Purple Urkle and Big Bud.  It tastes like fresh grapes, along with diesel-like undertones that give it an almost spicy taste.

Grand Daddy Purp is makes you feel heady and spaced out, which is great for those of us struggling with stress and anxiety.  Its body high is intense, practically gluing you to the couch while the mind stays in a fixed state of foggy happiness.  Meanwhile, its effects on headaches and migraines are quite impressive, as it can eliminate this kind of discomfort quickly and effectively.

Try: Bloomz Delta 8 THC Flower in Grand Daddy Purp 

Headache and Migraine Cannabis Strain #4: Grape Zkittlez

Beloved for its anti-inflammatory effects, Grape Zkittlez is a 60% indica-dominant hybrid that can deliver powerful results when it comes to headaches and migraines.  It’s a cross between Grape Ape and Zkittlez, and a popular choice on the medicinal market. The high is slightly above average in terms of potency, with 18-22% THC.  As for flavor, Grape Zkittlez is out of this world, with notes of sweet grape candy that’s heavy on the sugar, paired with earthy undertones.  

This strain promotes head-to-toe relaxation and an abundance of joyful euphoria, helping you find a sense of deep inner bliss.  It’s also a strain that brings you a powerful body high that can alleviate discomfort of all kinds, thanks to its analgesic effects.

Try: Bloomz THC-P Flower in Grape Zkittlez

Headache and Migraine Cannabis Strain #3: Gobstoppers

Gobstoppers is a 50/50 hybrid that’s pretty moderate with just 14-19% THC, which is good news for those with a lower than average tolerance.  It comes from crossing Purple Urkle with Sin City Kush, and a lot of people know that many Kush strains are fantastic for providing headache and migraine relief. 

The flavor is surprisingly candy-like, as it’s often compared to grape Pez, with its sweet and semi-sour notes that are almost medicine-like.  The high is floaty and hazy, lifting you out of your stressful routine and allowing you to feel truly present.  It’s euphoric yet relaxing, which is the perfect balance for any time of day or night.

Try: Bloomz THCA Flower – Gold Line in Gobstoppers

Headache and Migraine Cannabis Strain #2: Apple Fritter

Apple Fritter is a 50/50 hybrid that can knock headaches out in no time, while helping you enjoy some major stress relief as well.  Its parents are Sour Apple and Animal Cookies, and with its hefty up-to-28% THC, it’s a high that can really knock you out.  It doesn’t hurt that its flavor is exquisite, tasting like sweet apples, warm vanilla, and flaky pastry.  

Apple Fritter offers a high that’s simply blissful beyond words, allowing you to feel euphoric and calm at the same time.  The body effects, meanwhile, offer a soothing sensation from head to toe that can bring you into a state of deep, glorious relaxation.

Try: Bloomz Delta 8 THC Flower in Apple Fritter

Headache and Migraine Cannabis Strain #1: Kush Cake 

Finally, you really can’t go wrong with Kush Cake if headaches and migraines are your main complaint.  This exceptional, prestigious 65% indica-dominant hybrid has two famous parents: Girl Scout Cookies and Cherry Pie.  Its flavor is beyond-belief tasty, with notes of freshly baked yellow cake with cherry and citrus undertones.  

Euphoric on a whole new level, it boasts 22-24% THC, and delivers a powerful high that makes you smile for no reason at all, while discomfort in the body completely melts away into the abyss.

Try: Bloomz THCA Flower – Gold Line in Kush Cake

Find Cannabis Strains For Headaches and Migraines at Bloomz!

There are plenty of cannabis strains out there that are known to alleviate migraine and headache-related pain, and we’re happy to offer many of them here at Bloomz.  Our premium, indoor-grown, and lab-tested flower comes in these fantastic strains and many more, making it easy for you to get the relief that you deserve.

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