Just saw your interview on Senior Savvy Cannabis, and thank you. As a senior and cannabis tincture user who also suffers from migraines, what type of cannabis would you recommend?
Hi there,
I’m so glad you enjoyed the Senior Savvy Cannabis interview — that was such a fun conversation to have! And my apologies for the slow reply here – it’s been quite a month!
Migraines can be incredibly disruptive, and cannabis tinctures can be a really valuable tool for some people. The “right” type depends a lot on your body, your migraine triggers, and how you experience your symptoms, but there are some general patterns I’ve seen over the years:
Finding the right mix
Many of my patients do well with tinctures that combine CBD — which can help calm inflammation and nervous system overactivity — with a small, precise amount of THC, which is especially helpful for pain, nausea, and easing muscle tension.
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A 1:1 CBD:THC tincture is often a good starting point.
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If you’re sensitive to THC or want to avoid feeling mentally foggy, you could try a higher-CBD ratio, like 2:1 or 4:1 CBD:THC.
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Some people also find CBG useful, especially if their migraines come with a heavy “pressure” feeling or a lot of nerve-related discomfort.
Why timing is everything
Migraines are easier to treat when you catch them early.
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If you tend to get an aura or notice subtle warning signs, try taking a fast-acting tincture right at the first sign of a migraine. That early step can sometimes stop or shorten the attack.
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If your migraines are frequent, a tiny daily dose of CBD (sometimes with a trace of THC) can help reduce how often they happen over time.
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Sublingual use (holding drops under your tongue for 60–90 seconds before swallowing) tends to kick in within 15–30 minutes, while swallowed doses act more slowly but last longer.
Keep a simple record
Everyone’s migraines are different, so a little self-tracking can go a long way. Write down:
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What dose you took, and how you took it (under the tongue vs. swallowed).
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The timing of your first symptoms and what they were.
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What else was going on that day — meals, hydration, stress, sleep.
After a couple of weeks, you’ll start to see patterns emerge. That helps you fine-tune your dose and timing to prevent migraines or stop them in their tracks.
One last thing — look for products with a Certificate of Analysis (COA) so you can be sure of exactly what’s in your tincture. Clear labeling matters, especially if you’re working with multiple cannabinoids like CBD, THC, and CBG.
If you’d like, I’m happy to share a simple migraine tracker template that some of my patients use. With just a little observation and consistency, you’ll be able to zero in on what really works for you. Or, perhaps you’ve seen the one in my book?
Wishing you clearer, calmer days ahead,
Dr. C
