Evidence supporting the use of: Magnesium
For the health condition: Headache (cluster)

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Synopsis

Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 3

Magnesium has scientific support for its use in the management of cluster headaches, though the evidence is moderate rather than conclusive. Cluster headaches are a severe form of headache characterized by recurrent, unilateral attacks. Several studies have found that individuals suffering from cluster headaches often have lower serum or intracellular magnesium levels compared to healthy controls. This observation led to the hypothesis that magnesium deficiency might contribute to the pathophysiology of cluster headaches.

Clinical research, including small randomized controlled trials and case series, has shown that intravenous magnesium sulfate can provide relief for some patients experiencing acute cluster headache attacks, especially those with documented magnesium deficiency. For instance, a double-blind, placebo-controlled study published in Cephalalgia (1996) found that intravenous magnesium sulfate reduced headache intensity in about 40% of patients with cluster headaches. The proposed mechanisms include magnesium’s role in modulating neuronal excitability, vascular tone, and neurotransmitter release, all of which are relevant in headache disorders.

However, the evidence base is limited by small sample sizes, variability in dosing and administration, and a lack of large, high-quality trials. Oral magnesium supplementation has also been studied, but the evidence is less robust compared to intravenous administration. Overall, while magnesium is not universally effective, its use is supported by scientific studies, particularly in patients with low magnesium levels or refractory cluster headaches.

More about magnesium
More about Headache (cluster)

Other ingredients used for Headache (cluster)

feverfew
ginger
magnesium
vitamin D

Other health conditions supported by magnesium

Addictions (drugs)
Addictions (general remedies for)
Aging (prevention)
Alcoholism
Alkalosis
Alzheimer's Disease
Angina
Anorexia
Anxiety
Anxiety Disorders
Apathy
Arrhythmia
Arteriosclerosis
Arthritis
Asthma
Athletic and Exercise Aids
Attention Deficit Disorder
Autism
Autoimmune Disorders
Backache
Bipolar Mood Disorder
Birth Control (countering side effects)
Body Building
Body Odor
Boils
Broken Bones
Bronchitis
Bulimia
Calcium Deficiency
Calcium Deposits
Cancer Treatment (reducing side effects)
Canker Sores
Carbuncles
Cardiac Arrest
Cardiovascular Disease
Chest Pain
Colon (atonic)
Dysmenorrhea
Emotional Sensitivity
Endurance (lack of)
Energy (lack of)
Epilepsy
Exercise
Fatigue
Fibromyalgia Syndrome
Headache (cluster)
Headache (tension)
Hearing Loss
Heart (weakness)
Mental Illness
Migraine
Mood Swings
Muscle Tone (lack of)
Nerve Damage
Nervous Exhaustion
Nervousness
Neurosis
Numbness
Osteoporosis
Oxygen Deficiency
Pain (general remedies for)
Paralysis
Pets (supplements for)
PMS (general)
PMS Type A
PMS Type C
PMS Type D
PMS Type H
PMS Type P
Post Partum Depression
Post Partum Weakness
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
Pregnancy (herbs and supplements for)
Progesterone (low)
Psoriasis
Restless Leg Syndrome
Rhinitis
Seasonal Affective Disorder
Seizures
Senility
Shock
Skin (dry and/or flaky)
Skin Care (general)
Sleep (restless and disturbed)
Stress
Sugar Cravings
Surgery (healing from)
Surgery (preparation for)
Tachycardia
Tension
Testosterone (low)
Tetanus
Thinking (cloudy)
Tics
Tinnitus
TMJ
Tooth Decay
Toxemia
Triglycerides (high)
Twitching
Wasting
Wheezing
Worry
Wounds and Sores
Adrenal Fatigue
Abscesses
Allergies (respiratory)
Abdominal Pain
Acid Indigestion
Cholesterol (high)
Circulation (poor)
Constipation (adults)
Convulsions
Cramps (leg)
Cramps (menstrual)
Cramps and Spasms
Depression
Diabetes
Digestion (poor)
Dizziness
Gastritis
Headache (general)
Heart Fibrillation or Palpitations
Hypertension
Insomnia