By Taameir Drew, M.Ed

Certified Cannabis Wellness Coach and Educator

“I’m at my wit’s end. I’ve spent the past 10 years in excruciating pain. I feel like I'm missing out on my life.”

While these may seem like dramatic lines but all of it was true. These were my exact words to my friend Kevin after I’d missed the wedding of a mutual friend. I felt like I’d exhausted every possibility, every suggestion. I’d suffered with chronic migraine for over ten years of my life and was averaging 10 migraine days a month. The pain from the migraines was indeed excruciating and it impacted my quality of life severely. Sensitivity to light, smells, sounds, motion and touch made my migraines a living hell.

In the conversation with Kevin, he casually suggested exploring a plant based approach. At first, I thought he was referring to going vegan. Kevin was, in fact, referring to exploring Cannabis as an option. I dismissed it outright. I was cynical and had some serious concerns about the stigma. Then the month came where I had more migraine days than non-migraine days and I relented.

Throughout my time living with chronic migraines, I’d tried countless remedies. I had sought the help of medical professionals, both generalists and specialists. I’d undergone CAT scans, nerve conductivity tests, brain scans, blood tests, urinalysis…it seemed like every test doctors could think of I’d submitted to at least twice. That is to say nothing of the thousands of dollars spent on prescriptions, lab fees, and copays. I was given prescriptions to take before the migraine sets in (aura), in the midst of the migraine and dailies to take regardless of the presence of symptoms. My migraines were weighing on me in every way possible: physically, mentally, and financially. How could a ”party drug'' do anything for me?

Before I can explain how Cannabis worked for me, I have to explain exactly what a migraine is. A migraine is a disabling neurological condition that can cause multiple symptoms. Migraine headaches can cause throbbing in one area that can vary in intensity and can last hours to days. According to recent studies, migraines can be caused due to endocannabinoid deficiency and abnormal inflammatory response. Trigger events cause an imbalance in the brain, which should trigger the production of endocannabinoids to maintain homeostasis. If one is deficient in endocannabinoids, the imbalance continues, leading to the development of a migraine.

Triggers include hormonal changes, certain foods and drinks, stress, skipping meals, alcohol, and sleeping too much or too little. Three times more women live with this disease than men, and research suggests that hormones play a role. Migraines are characterized by the following symptoms: being sensitive to any stimuli of the senses, blurred vision, pain that's usually on one side of the head and worse when you move, an upset stomach and vomiting, stiffness in your shoulders neck, and crankiness. Oftentimes your head pain is severe enough to make you miss school, work or other activities (or it keeps you from being at your best when you do those activities). I felt like I had hit every branch of the migraine symptoms tree on the way down to what felt like rock bottom.

So why not give Cannabis a try? In short, I perceived Cannabis the way I’d been socialized to see it. As an illicit party drug that stoners used as a means of escapism. I was and am the antithesis of the stoner depiction. I’m an ambitious, driven, type A personality, an early riser who won’t even consider drinking coffee. So, Cannabis was far beyond a plausible option to me. Then I started my research.

The Cannabis plant produces hundreds of beneficial molecules. Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), Cannabidiol (CBD) and other cannabinoids mimic our body’s molecules to help you feel better. THC is clinically shown to correct serotonin release in migraine sufferers. CBD’s therapeutic qualities help ease the symptoms of migraines. THC has been shown to reduce vomiting and nausea, helps with insomnia, and helps to alleviate intraocular eye pressure. CBD is a potent anti-inflammatory that has been shown to relieve chronic pain in some individuals. I was shocked about how all of this information and research had been compiled regarding the medicinal uses of Cannabis but we continued to be presented with this “stoner” depiction when it came to Cannabis use. Well, I put my old misinformation aside and decided to take the leap. I had nothing to lose, and I was desperate for relief from the pain.

I found support by exploring mediums such as infusions, tinctures, edibles, smoking Cannabis flowers, and experimenting with various dosing in relation to my triggers and the patterns of my migraines. Trying different modalities and dosages and then observing how each combated my symptoms allowed me to find what actually worked best for my Endocannabinoid System when I was experiencing an attack. I’ve tried various CBD and THC products, but what worked was when I curated my own medicine using Cannabis. I would have managed to even narrow down a process that allowed me to monitor my attacks so closely to a point where I use the various mediums either as a preemptive step or to alleviate an attack that is underway. For instance, when I felt my aura and was in tune with what I was feeling, to be proactive, I would smoke a 2:1 ratio of CBD flower mixed with THC flower. This means that in a 1g joint (rolled with Organic Hemp Paper), two parts would be CBD flower and one part would be THC flower. Using this combination allowed my body to relax while not feeling overly medicated due to the low ratio of THC. My temples would feel less tense, and the throbbing pain I would feel near my pressure points would decrease due to the reduced inflammation benefits. Now, when a migraine has already set in, my go-to would be to consume THC flower. By now, the pain is so intense and unbearable that I just want to feel relief from the pressure I am feeling. I would consume 1g of THC flower and after one or two pulls (1-2.5 mgs) I would feel some relief. I would continue to consume as needed. The THC allows for the direct pain to be mitigated as well as decreases the nausea. Within a matter of weeks, I saw a drastic difference. First, my number of symptomatic days decreased by almost half, and the severity of those symptoms also lessened, and they lasted for shorter spans of time. It was as if I had been given my life back.

My experience inspired me to become a certified Cannabis Wellness Coach and Educator. I wanted to help others find the same relief I had found. I knew firsthand how Cannabis could help, and I want to share that with others and be a support for them the way I received support for my migraines. It’s been almost five years since I’ve been using Cannabis and my only regret is not having taken Kevin's advice immediately. I would have been on the road to recovery and relief that much sooner had I not allowed myself to be influenced by misinformation.

 Resources:

 Endocannabinoid System and Migraine Pain: An Update 

Medical Cannabis for the Treatment of Migraine in Adults: A Review of the Evidence

Effects of Medical Marijuana on Migraine Headache Frequency in an Adult Population (wiley.com)

About Taameir Drew:

Taameir Drew founded the Harlem Apothecary to support people in learning about Cannabis and its many derivatives to achieve their wellness goals. As a person who had suffered from chronic migraines for over a decade, Taameir was unable to find respite in over the counter and prescription medication. While in discussion with a holistic healer, it was suggested that he explore medical cannabis options to manage the migraines. In a matter of months and through individual research Taameir was able to successfully manage his migraines. He went from 9-12 migraine days a month to only having 3-4 migraines a year. This drastic change in quality of life prompted him to learn more about cannabis and its possible uses for holistic health.

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Effective Cannabis Newsletter is a platform to educate on the vital role of the Endocannabinoid System (ECS) in one's health. The information is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. All content, including text, graphics, images, and information, contained in or available through this newsletter is for general information purposes only. It is not medical advice; it is health awareness.