Evidence supporting the use of: Niacin (vitamin B3)
For the health condition: Migraine

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Synopsis

Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2

Niacin (vitamin B3) has a history of traditional use in the support and management of migraines, though robust clinical scientific evidence is sparse. The traditional rationale stems from niacin’s vasodilatory effects, as it can cause the blood vessels to widen, leading to the characteristic “niacin flush.” Early anecdotal reports and small case series from the mid-20th century suggested that high doses of niacin, administered orally or sometimes intravenously, could abort migraine attacks or reduce their frequency. Some practitioners hypothesized that migraines are related to vascular constriction, and therefore, niacin’s vasodilatory properties could provide relief. These reports, however, were not substantiated by large, well-designed clinical trials. A few small studies and case reports have continued to emerge over the years, but they often lack rigorous methodology, use small sample sizes, or do not include appropriate controls or blinding. No major medical guidelines recommend niacin for migraine prevention or treatment, and systematic reviews do not support its efficacy based on currently available data. Most of the evidence supporting its use is therefore historical or anecdotal rather than scientific. While niacin is generally safe at recommended dietary levels, high-dose supplementation to achieve a therapeutic effect can cause side effects such as flushing, gastrointestinal upset, liver toxicity, and other adverse effects, which limits its practical use. In summary, while there is a traditional and anecdotal basis for niacin’s use in migraine, high-quality scientific validation is lacking.

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Other ingredients used for Migraine

1,3,7-Trimethylpurine-2,6-dione
5-Hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP)
5-methyltetrahydrofolate glucosamine
Albizia
Almond fruit
alpha-linolenic acid (ALA)
alpha-lipoic acid
apple cider vinegar
ashwagandha
atractylodes
atractylone
Baikal Skullcap
balsam
banyan
bergamot
beta caryophyllene
beta-hydroxybutyrate
betony
Bifidobacteria
Black Hellebore
black seed
black tea
blackboard tree
Blepharis
brahmi
bupleurum falcatum
butterbur
cannabidiol
Carthamus
Chinese salvia root
Chinese silkvine
chrysanthemum
coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10)
cola nut
Corydalis
creatine
crocin
curcumin
danshen
DHA (docosahexaenoic acid)
docosahexaenoic Acid
eicosapentaenoic acid
EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid)
feverfew
Ficus religiosa
Ficus simplicissima
fish
fish oil
flavanones
flavin mononucleotide
folic acid
frankincense
Gelsemium
ginger
ginkgo biloba
ginkgolides
Ginkgoside
goldthread
gooseberry
gotu kola
Hellebore
Indian frankincense
iridoids
ketone salts
kuding tea
kudzu
l-5-methyltetrahydrofolate glucosamine salt (5-MTHF)
lavender
lemon balm
Lesser speargrass
linalool
little ironweed
luteolin
magnesium
Meadowsweet
Melatonin
Mesua
Methylxanthine
Moringa
Nardostachys
Niacin (vitamin B3)
Night jessamine
omega-3 fatty acids
Osthole
paeoniflorin
Palmitoylethanolamide (PEA)
Peppermint
Petasines
Phthalides
phytocannabinoids
pine bark
Polygonum
Puerarin
purple butterbur root
Pycnogenol
Rauvolfia
riboflavin (vitamin B2)
Rubiaceae
Rubus
rue
Salmon Oil
Sandalwood
Scabrous Gentian
Sensitive Plant
soursop
specialized pro-resolving mediators (SPMs)
Spikenard
Swertia
Szechuan lovage
turmeric
ubiquinol
Uncaria
Valerian root
vitamin B6
vitamin D
vitamin D3
vitamin E
Withanolides
Xanthine
Xanthone
Xanthophyll
Yuzu
Zinc
Zingerone