Tests a cannabis extract for chronic headaches in teenagers
Tests a cannabidiol cannabis extract in teenagers aged 14 to 17 with chronic headaches.
Plain-language title generated from the registry record
Registry title: Cannabis for Chronic Headaches in Adolescents: the CAN-CHA Trial
Key facts
- Where
- Halifax, Toronto, and Vancouver, CanadaSee the 3 sites
- Phase
- Phase 2
AI summary: who the study is looking for
From the trial's eligibility criteria. Machine-read from the registry text on this page, so it can be wrong. The registry text below and the trial team decide who can take part.
The trial is looking for teenagers aged 14 to 17 with chronic migraine who have already tried at least two other treatments without enough benefit or with side effects.
- Age
- 14 to 17 years
- Sex
- All sexes can join.
- Disease stage
- Chronic migraine: headache on 15 or more days per month for more than 3 months, with migraine features on at least 8 days per month.
- Earlier treatment
- Must have tried at least two treatment options that did not work well or were not tolerated, such as antidepressants, magnesium, gabapentinoids, topiramate or non-drug therapies.
Main reasons for not taking part
- Headache after a concussion, new daily persistent headache, or medication overuse headache
- Heart, kidney or liver disease
- Taking opioids, antipsychotics, barbiturates, benzodiazepines, muscle relaxants, sedatives or tramadol
- Autism, cerebral palsy, intellectual disability or developmental delay
- Pregnant or breastfeeding, or cannot use contraception and avoid recreational cannabis and driving
Read by machine on 12 November 2026.
Could this be for you?
Answer for yourself. This is not a decision: only the study team can say whether you can take part.
- Are you between 14 and 17 years old?
Source: NCT05337033, who can take part
Where in Canada
- Dalhousie UniversityHalifax, CanadaContact: Dr. G Allen Finley, MD, FRCPC, FAAPNot yet recruiting
- North Toronto NeurologyToronto, CanadaContact: Dr. Evan C. Lewis, MD, FRCPCTaking people
- University of British ColumbiaVancouver, CanadaContact: Dr. Tim Oberlander, MD, FRCPCNot yet recruiting
Questions to ask the study team
- How often do I need to come in, and for how long each time?
- Are travel costs paid?
- Can I keep my own doctor?
- What happens if I want to stop?
Contact the study team: see the registry record → Contacts and Locations
Print a page for my doctorTrial details
- Who runs it
- University of Manitoba
- Trial code
- NCT05337033
- Record updated
- 29 May 2025
- Original description
Chronic headaches are a major cause of disability among adolescents. Cannabis products have supported the management of headaches in adults and may play a role in pediatric chronic pain. We propose a multisite, open-label, tolerability study conducted across three centers in Canada of Cannabidiol-enriched Cannabis Herbal Extract in adolescents (ages 14 to 17 years old) with chronic headaches. The study includes a one month baseline assessment, four months of escalating treatment doses and a weaning period. Our primary outcome is tolerability defined as the number and severity of reported adverse events.Read full original descriptionShow less
A Multi-Centre, Tolerability Study of a Cannabidiol-enriched Cannabis Herbal Extract for Chronic Headaches in Adolescents: the CAN-CHA Trial
Chronic headaches are a major cause of disability among adolescents. Cannabis products have supported the management of headaches in adults and may play a role in pediatric chronic pain. We propose a multisite, open-label, tolerability study conducted across three centers in Canada of Cannabidiol-enriched Cannabis Herbal Extract in adolescents (ages 14 to 17 years old) with chronic headaches. The study includes a one month baseline assessment, four months of escalating treatment doses and a weaning period. Our primary outcome is tolerability defined as the number and severity of reported adverse events.
Inclusion: To be eligible to participate in this study, an individual must meet all of the following criteria:; Adolescents aged between 14-17 years of age at the time of screening; Diagnosed with Chronic Migraine according to ICHD-3: headache (migraine-like or tension-type like) occurring on 15 or more days per month for more than 3 months which on at least 8 days per month have features of migraine headache. [121]; Failed at least two treatment options on the grounds of safety (tolerability) and/or efficacy, including but not limited to antidepressant (tricyclic antidepressant or selective norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor), magnesium, gabapentinoids topiramate and/or non-pharmacological therapies; Females who have reached menarche should have a negative pregnancy test during screening; Must be willing to engage with psychology and physiotherapy throughout the trial as appropriate.
Exclusion: Participants with a diagnosis of medication overuse headache; Participants who are on the following medications: opioids, antipsychotics, antimanic, barbiturates, benzodiazepines, muscle relaxants, sedatives, or tramadol; As per the investigator judgement, the participant is not an ideal candidate due to a personal issue or medical condition that is likely to impede in the successful completion of the study; Participants with a history of post-concussion headache or new daily persistent headache; Participants with cardiac, renal or hepatic disease (assessed by the site investigator); Participants with complex regional pain syndrome-II; Participants with a personal or family history of schizophrenia or psychotic disorders; Participants with known allergy to cannabinoids and/or palm/coconut oil; Participants with abnormal ECG findings at baseline (as determined by the investigator); Participants with developmental delay or impairments including autism, cerebral palsy or intellectual disability; Participants who are pregnant or breast/chest-feeding or plans to become pregnant within the study period or within three months of interventional product discontinuation; Participants who cannot commit to using contraception and refraining from recreational cannabis use and driving throughout the study period.