Melatonin for Migraine Headaches

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If you suffer from migraine headaches, take note: a small study done in Brazil concluded that taking melatonin 30 minutes before bed time can reduce migraine frequency and intensity.

The study involved 34 subjects; 29 of which were female. The participants reported experiencing 2-8 migraines per month, on average. Some had migraines with auras– visual disturbances such as seeing wavy lines, spots, or sparks.

Of the 32 participants completing the study, more than two-thirds said their migraine frequency was reduced by half or better after taking melatonin for three months.

This included eight patients who reported no migraines, seven who reported a 75% drop in migraines, and 10 who said their migraine frequency decreased by 50% to 75%.

The findings, which come from a team of researchers led by Mario F.P. Peres, MD, PhD, of Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein in Sao Paolo, Brazil, show that melatonin may be used as a preventive therapy for frequent migraine sufferers. However, since it was a small study with no control group, the researchers suggested a controlled study to test the idea further.