MRF Impact Award on Cannabis for the Treatment of Migraine

Award Recipient: Dr. Nathaniel Schuster, University of California San Diego

Focus Area: Investigation of the efficacy of vaporized cannabis for acute migraine treatment

Award Details:

• Amount: $200,000
• Duration: 3-year study
• Status: Awarded in 2018

Research Description:
Ground-breaking investigation of the efficacy of 3 different types of vaporized cannabis (CBD, THC, CBD:THC) for the acute treatment of migraine. The study will investigate how each chemical affects:

• Pain intensity
• Photophobia (light sensitivity)
• Phonophobia (sound sensitivity)
• Nausea
• Potential psychoactive side effects

Study Design: First placebo-controlled, randomized, and blinded study of cannabis for acute migraine treatment

Significance: Could provide insights into whether marijuana helps relieve different migraine symptoms and which chemicals are most effective

Background:

• More than 1 billion people suffer from migraine worldwide
• Migraine is the sixth most disabling disease in the world
• Every 10 seconds, someone in the US goes to the ER for head pain
• Over 1.2 million ER visits annually are for acute migraine attacks
• Studies show more than 50% of migraine sufferers get little relief from usual treatments
• Medical marijuana legalized in 30 states, DC, and Canada
• Many migraine sufferers use marijuana without prescription due to lack of scientific evidence