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Monthly migraine frequency fell from 10.4 to 4.6 headaches in a retrospective medicinal cannabis study. Pharmacotherapy
Ninety-four percent of users experienced symptom relief from headache or migraine pain after cannabis flower use in an app-based study. Journal of Integrative Medicine
People in the UK live with migraine. The Migraine Trust
Could treatment be suitable?
A specialist may assess you if:
- You have a diagnosed condition or an established clinical history.
- Standard treatments have not helped enough or were unsuitable.
- You are 18 or over and live in the UK.
- Your records allow a doctor to review previous care and current medicines.
Understanding the condition
A complex neurological condition
Migraine is a neurological condition, not simply a bad headache. Attacks usually involve a moderate-to-severe throbbing pain, often on one side of the head, that can last anywhere from a few hours to a few days.
The exact cause is not fully understood, but common triggers include stress, fatigue, too much caffeine, hormonal changes and skipping meals. Some people experience an “aura” — visual or sensory changes — before an attack.
Migraine is more common in women, and for many people it has a significant impact on work, family and wellbeing. Getting the right diagnosis and treatment plan matters.
Recognising the impact
Common migraine symptoms
Migraine symptoms vary from person to person and from attack to attack, but commonly include:
- Moderate-to-severe throbbing or pulsing pain
- Sensitivity to light
- Sensitivity to sound
- Nausea or vomiting
- Fatigue and difficulty concentrating
- Aura or visual disturbances in some people
Conventional treatments
Conventional treatment options
Migraine care combines acute relief with prevention for frequent attacks. Recognised options include:
- Rest, hydration and over-the-counter painkillers for mild attacks
- Triptans for acute migraine
- Anti-sickness (anti-emetic) medicines
- Preventive medicines such as propranolol (a beta blocker), amitriptyline or topiramate
- Transcranial magnetic stimulation in selected cases
- Lifestyle and trigger management
Although these options help many people, they are not enough for everyone. If migraine symptoms still affect daily life, a specialist assessment can help you understand whether another route may be suitable.
Specialist-led care
Can medical cannabis help with migraine symptoms?
Recognised acute and preventive treatments are used first. Where frequent or severe migraine continues despite these, a specialist may review whether medical cannabis is appropriate.
Frequent migraine can disrupt work, family life and recovery time between attacks. Cannabis-based medicines act on the body’s endocannabinoid system, which has a role in pain, sleep, nausea and mood - all of which can be associated with migraine.
For adults whose migraine remains difficult to control after recognised acute or preventive treatments, a GMC-registered specialist can review your diagnosis, triggers, previous treatments and current medicines before deciding whether a prescription may be suitable.
Where migraine remains difficult to control after recognised acute or preventive treatments, a GMC-registered specialist can review your diagnosis, triggers and current medicines to consider whether medical cannabis may have a role in your care.
Effects can vary from person to person, which is why a GMC-registered specialist reviews your symptoms, goals, medicines and records before deciding whether treatment may be appropriate.
1
Eligibility screening
Tell us about your diagnosis, symptoms and treatments already tried. No GP referral is needed.
2
Specialist consultation
A GMC-registered specialist reviews your records, goals, current medicines and relevant risks by online video.
3
Decision and follow-up
When treatment is appropriate, outcomes and side effects are monitored and the plan is reviewed.
Evidence
What does the evidence say?
Developing evidence
Direct, high-quality evidence for cannabis-based medicines in migraine is still developing, so recognised acute and preventive treatments remain the foundation of care.
- Acute treatments (triptans, anti-sickness medicines) and preventives are used first.
- Direct migraine evidence is developing rather than established.
- Overuse of acute painkillers can worsen headaches, so care is monitored.
Related support
Explore related migraine support
These pages may help if symptoms overlap or you want to understand the wider specialist assessment pathway.
Safety
Possible side effects
Medical cannabis is prescribed under specialist supervision, and patient experience can vary. Your clinician will explain what to watch for and adjust your plan if needed.
- Decreased appetite or feeling sick
- Diarrhoea or weakness
- Dizziness or feeling very tired
- Behavioural or mood changes
They’ll usually ease on their own, but speak to your clinician if they don’t improve over time.
Questions
Migraine FAQs
Clear answers on eligibility, suitability and legal prescribing in the UK.
Is medical cannabis legal for migraine in the UK?
Medical cannabis has been legal to prescribe in the UK since November 2018, but only a specialist doctor on the GMC Specialist Register can prescribe it, and only when it is clinically appropriate. Eligibility does not guarantee a prescription.
Is medical cannabis a first-line treatment for migraine?
No. Recognised acute and preventive treatments are tried first. A specialist may only consider medical cannabis where these have not provided enough relief, and after a full assessment.
Do I need a GP referral to be assessed?
No GP referral is needed. You can complete a short online eligibility check yourself, and we will keep your GP informed where you would like us to.
Is an online assessment as reliable as in person?
Yes. Our structured video assessments follow the same recognised diagnostic standards used in face-to-face appointments, with the added convenience of being seen from home.
Will medical cannabis be prescribed if I am eligible?
Not necessarily. Passing the eligibility check means a specialist can assess you. A prescribing decision is only made after a full clinical consultation, and treatment is not suitable for everyone.
Find out whether a specialist assessment may be suitable
Complete a short eligibility check. A prescribing decision can only be made after a full clinical assessment by a GMC-registered specialist.