Cannabinoids in headache: helpful or harmful?

Purpose of review: Cannabinoids have gained attention as a potential treatment for headache disorders, including migraine and cluster headache. While some studies suggest cannabinoids may provide analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects, concerns remain regarding their potential for overuse headache, cognitive impairment, and psychological dependence. This study critically evaluates the current evidence on cannabinoids in headache treatment, weighing their benefits and risks.

Recent findings: With the migraine treatment landscape expanding faster than ever, recent studies explore immune cells as a target for cannabinoids. Immune cells express cannabinoid and CGRP (calcitonin gene-related peptide) receptors. As a result, cannabinoids might potentially modulate the efficacy of current CGRP-targeting drugs. Additionally, emerging studies suggest that cannabinoids may enhance neuronal resilience and mitigate central sensitization in chronic migraine. Research into optimal delivery mechanisms, including inhaled, sublingual, and transdermal formulations, is also expanding.

Summary: Cannabinoids are being studied as a potential treatment for headache disorders, particularly migraine, due to their interaction with the endocannabinoid system, which regulates pain, inflammation, and vascular function. Studies suggest cannabinoids may help reduce headache frequency, alleviate pain, and improve sleep, though concerns remain about dependency, cognitive impairment, and medication overuse headache. While retrospective studies indicate benefits, the lack of standardized dosing, long-term safety data, and controlled trials limits conclusive recommendations. Comparisons with conventional treatments show mixed results, with cannabinoids presenting variable effectiveness and a risk of adverse effects. Further research, including randomized controlled trials, is needed to establish optimal dosing, safety, and efficacy in headache management.