Olcegepant hydrochloride is primarily used in research settings to study the mechanisms of migraines. It functions as a calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) receptor antagonist, making it valuable for understanding the role of CGRP in migraine pathophysiology. Although not approved for clinical use, its application in experimental studies has provided insights into potential therapeutic targets for migraine treatment. Researchers utilize it to explore the inhibition of CGRP activity, which is believed to play a key role in migraine attacks. This compound has contributed to the development of newer CGRP-targeting drugs for migraine prevention and management.