Medical Cannabis for Cluster Headaches

Headache in a cluster: What is a headache in a cluster?

Cluster headaches are excruciating episodes of pain that are often felt on one side of the head, frequently in the forehead or around the eyes. The usual duration of these assaults is 15 to 180 minutes. Men are more likely to experience them, and attacks often start between the ages of 30 and 50. Fortunately, cluster headaches are quite uncommon, and there are therapies to minimise the discomfort of attacks and even stop recurrences.

Cluster headaches are the name given to the disorder since they happen every day at the same time for a few weeks. The assaults can be especially upsetting and incapacitating.

If you think you may have had or are now having a cluster headache, it is crucial to contact your doctor as soon as possible.

Why do cluster headaches occur?

A family history of cluster headaches, being a man, and having previously had a head injury are risk factors.

There are certain triggers, but it’s unclear what causes them. Triggers consist of:

  • Drinking alcohol during a period of attacks
  • Substances with strong scents, such as paint, fuel, perfume, aftershave, and other DIY goods (usually those containing volatile organic compounds),
  • Exercising when overheated
  • Smoking

Symptoms of cluster headaches

Excruciating pain, usually on one side of the head at the temples or the region behind the eyes, is a hallmark of cluster headaches. During each episode, the same side of the head is frequently experienced with acute and incapacitating agony. A person experiencing an attack may pace, rock, or even bash their head against a wall.

The following are other signs of cluster headaches:

  • A watery, red eye on the side being impacted
  • The afflicted side’s eyelids are drooping or swelling.
  • A smaller pupil on the side of the eye that is impacted
  • Sweating
  • A clogged or runny nose, once again on the side being impacted
  • Nausea and diarrhoea

Avoiding cluster headaches

Cluster headaches can be prevented with certain medications. Verapamil, an orally administered calcium-channel blocker, is considered the initial choice for prophylactic therapy. However, individuals with chronic cluster headaches may also find relief from alternative medications such as medical marijuana prescriptions or surgical interventions. Preventative therapy is essential to enable these individuals to maintain a normal quality of life.

Treatment for cluster headaches

Typically, over-the-counter pain relievers are ineffective for treating cluster headaches. As soon as a cluster headache episode starts, you should start using specialised therapies and drugs. These consist of:

  • Sumatriptan injections, which can be given twice daily and generally take action in 15 minutes
  • Sumatriptan or zolmitriptan nasal spray, if chosen, is a fast-acting option for injections.
  • Oxygen therapy, which involves breathing only pure oxygen through a face mask, says that, according to studies, the brain arteries that expand during a cluster headache episode are contracted when oxygen is used to treat them.

Cannabis for medical use and cluster headaches

Limited research exists regarding the effects of medical cannabis on alleviating cluster headache discomfort. The legalisation of medicinal cannabis for medical purposes in 2018 has sparked a growing interest in its potential benefits for this kind of pain, however. In cases where initial medications have proven ineffective in significantly reducing symptoms, medical marijuana could be considered as a potential treatment option for cluster headaches.

MARUCANNA private cannabis assessment process

MARUCANNA offers a quick and efficient private cannabis assessment. Start with a free eligibility check, complete a brief questionnaire, and receive an instant decision. If you qualify, you’ll have a virtual consultation with our doctor.

Frequently asked questions about Cluster Headaches

Is this medical condition related to any long-term complications? How can they be avoided or managed?

Unfortunately, cluster headaches are known as suicide headaches because some patients have committed suicide as a result of the intensity and frequency of the episodes. They can be exceedingly painful and disabling. They are quite debilitating if not adequately controlled, and you are always in agony.

We attempt to keep pain under control with our medicinal cannabis services in order to minimise long-term impacts.

Will cluster headaches disappear on their own?

Cluster headaches can sometimes disappear on their own but are usually long-lasting. Medication can sometimes turn chronic headaches into episodic ones, but current treatments often provide only limited relief.

Most people with episodic cluster headaches stay in that category, with only a few developing chronic headaches. In some cases, up to 12% of people experience long, unexplained periods without headaches, especially those with the episodic type. Chronic cluster headaches are harder to treat and often stay chronic in about half of the cases, though they can sometimes shift to an episodic form.

Those who develop chronic headaches later in life tend to have a worse outlook, particularly men and those who previously had episodic headaches.

What variables contribute to cluster headaches?

Risk factors for cluster headaches include:

  • Smoking: Many cluster headache sufferers smoke, but quitting often doesn’t stop the headaches.
  • Age: Most people with cluster headaches are between 20 and 50 years old, but it can start at any age.
  • Family history: If a close family member has cluster headaches, your chances may be higher.
  • Alcohol: Drinking alcohol during a cluster period can trigger an attack.
  • Sex: Men are more likely to get cluster headaches than women.

What is the difference between a migraine headache and a cluster headache?

Migraine headaches and cluster headaches are both severe forms of headache but have distinct characteristics. Migraines typically involve throbbing pain, often on one side of the head, and can be accompanied by nausea, vomiting, sensitivity to light and sound, and visual disturbances. They can last for hours or days and are often preceded by warning symptoms known as auras.

In contrast, cluster headaches are extremely intense headaches that usually occur on one side of the head, often around the eye. They are characterised by excruciating pain that can be described as piercing or burning and may last from 15 minutes to several hours. Cluster headaches tend to occur in clusters or cycles, with frequent attacks over a period of weeks to months, followed by periods of remission.

Unlike migraines, cluster headaches typically do not have an associated aura or nausea but may involve restlessness or agitation during an attack.

Treatment approaches for these types of headaches may vary, so it’s important for individuals experiencing severe headaches to seek medical evaluation for an accurate diagnosis and an appropriate management plan.

Does CBD Help with Cluster Headaches?

CBD may help manage symptoms of cluster headaches, though direct research on CBD specifically for cluster headaches is limited. Cluster headaches are a form of severe, recurring headache often described as extremely painful and debilitating. CBD’s anti-inflammatory, analgesic (pain-relieving), and neuroprotective properties could potentially provide relief by interacting with the body’s endocannabinoid system (ECS), which plays a role in regulating pain perception and inflammation.

Some individuals with chronic headache disorders, including migraines, have reported improvements in pain and frequency after using CBD. While more research is needed, CBD may help reduce pain during cluster headaches by modulating the pain signals and reducing inflammation that may contribute to the condition. However, because cluster headaches are highly intense and short-lived, CBD may be more effective as a preventive measure or in conjunction with other treatments rather than during acute attacks.

Do CBD Gummies Help with Cluster Headaches?

CBD gummies may provide some relief for cluster headaches, but they may not be the most effective form of CBD for this condition. Since cluster headaches tend to come on suddenly and are extremely painful, gummies may not act quickly enough due to the time required for digestion. Gummies typically take 30 minutes to 2 hours to take effect, which might be too slow during an acute cluster headache.

However, CBD gummies could be useful for preventing cluster headaches when taken regularly as part of a long-term strategy to manage the condition. They offer a pre-measured dose of CBD, making them convenient for daily use, and can help maintain consistent levels of CBD in the system, which may reduce the frequency or intensity of cluster headaches over time.