Migraines are far more than just a bad headache. For the estimated one in seven people worldwide living with them, attacks can be debilitating, causing severe pain, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, and extreme sensitivity to light, sound, and smells, often lasting for days. While various treatments exist, new research offers a potential ray of hope from an unexpected source: a class of drugs primarily known for managing diabetes and promoting weight loss.
Emerging evidence suggests that GLP-1 receptor agonists, medications similar to popular weight loss jabs like Ozempic and Wegovy, could become a significant new treatment option for migraine sufferers. These drugs work by mimicking a natural hormone (GLP-1) that helps regulate blood sugar, appetite, and digestion.
Liraglutide Shows Promise in Reducing Migraine Frequency
Specifically, research presented at the prestigious European Academy of Neurology (EAN) Congress 2025 highlighted the potential of the GLP-1 drug liraglutide, commonly prescribed for type 2 diabetes.
A study conducted by researchers at the Headache Centre of the University of Naples investigated the effects of liraglutide in 26 adults suffering from both obesity and chronic migraines. The findings were compelling: participants receiving liraglutide reported a remarkable average reduction of 11 fewer headache days per month.
Beyond just fewer migraines, the study revealed significant improvements in participants’ quality of life. They experienced enhanced functioning in areas like work, study, and social activities. Notably, these benefits often appeared quickly, within just two weeks of starting the treatment, and persisted throughout the three-month study period.
Lead researcher Dr. Simone Braca commented, “Most patients felt better within the first two weeks and reported quality of life improved significantly. The benefit lasted for the full three-month observation period, even though weight loss was modest and statistically non-significant.” This suggests the migraine-relieving effect might be independent of major weight loss.
Understanding How GLP-1s Might Fight Migraines
Researchers are exploring several potential mechanisms behind this observed benefit:
Intracranial Pressure: Growing evidence links subtle increases in the pressure of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) that surrounds the brain and spinal cord – known as intracranial pressure (ICP) – to migraine attacks. GLP-1 receptor agonists are known to reduce CSF secretion and have already proven effective in treating idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH), a condition characterized by elevated ICP. While the study participants were screened to exclude clinical signs of severe IIH, researchers hypothesize GLP-1 drugs might still favorably influence pressure dynamics in a way that impacts migraines.
CGRP Reduction: Dr. Braca and his colleagues also believe GLP-1 drugs may reduce the release of calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP). CGRP is a molecule widely recognized as a key driver behind migraine attacks. The theory is that by modulating CSF pressure and potentially reducing compression on intracranial venous sinuses, these drugs could decrease the release of this crucial migraine-promoting peptide. “That would pose intracranial pressure control as a brand-new, pharmacologically targetable pathway,” Dr. Braca explained.
The Growing Landscape of GLP-1 Drugs
GLP-1 receptor agonists, including drugs like liraglutide, semaglutide (Ozempic, Wegovy), and tirzepatide (Mounjaro), are rapidly transforming the treatment of type 2 diabetes and obesity. They work by mimicking the body’s natural GLP-1 hormone, which helps regulate blood sugar levels, slow gastric emptying, and signal satiety to the brain, leading to reduced appetite and food intake.
Clinical trials for these drugs have demonstrated significant effectiveness in promoting weight loss. For example, studies on Wegovy have shown patients losing an average of 15% of their body weight over 68 weeks, and higher doses or newer compounds like amycretin (which targets both GLP-1 and amylin receptors) are showing even greater weight loss percentages in earlier trials.
The increasing prevalence and discussion around these medications extend beyond just efficacy. Experts anticipate drugs like Mounjaro will become some of the most commonly used medications within healthcare systems like the NHS, with expanded access planned through GP prescribing. While offering immense potential for managing metabolic health and reducing the burden of obesity-related conditions (which cost billions annually), experts caution they are not a “silver bullet” and require careful clinical oversight due due to potential side effects like nausea or vomiting.
Drug Repurposing: A Promising Avenue
Given liraglutide’s established use and safety profile in treating type 2 diabetes and obesity, its potential application for migraines represents an exciting case of drug repurposing in neurology. This approach involves identifying new uses for existing medications, potentially accelerating the availability of new treatments for conditions like chronic migraines.
While the study presented at EAN 2025 involved a small number of participants and focused on those with both obesity and migraines, the promising results regarding reduced headache frequency and improved quality of life warrant further investigation. Larger, controlled trials are needed to confirm these findings across broader migraine populations and fully understand the underlying mechanisms.
Nevertheless, for millions living with the debilitating effects of migraines, the possibility that widely used GLP-1 medications could offer significant relief presents a compelling new avenue for hope and future treatment development.
