Evidence supporting the use of: Vitamin B3 (various)
For the health condition: Migraine
Synopsis
Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 2
Vitamin B3, also known as niacin or nicotinamide, has some scientific evidence supporting its use in migraine management, but the data are limited and not robust. A few small clinical studies and case reports, primarily from the mid-20th century, suggested that niacin could help abort or prevent migraine attacks, possibly due to its vasodilatory effects or its role in improving cerebral blood flow. For example, a 1947 case series by Dr. Abram Hoffer described some migraine patients experiencing relief with niacin; however, these were not controlled trials. More recent literature reviews and clinical guidelines generally do not recommend vitamin B3 as a first-line migraine therapy due to insufficient high-quality evidence. Most contemporary research focuses on other B vitamins such as riboflavin (B2), which has more substantial evidence for migraine prevention. Overall, while there is a plausible biological rationale and some anecdotal and preliminary scientific support, high-quality randomized controlled trials are lacking. Therefore, its use for migraine is considered to have limited scientific validation, and it is not widely endorsed in clinical practice guidelines.
Other ingredients used for Migraine
5-Hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP)alpha-linolenic acid (ALA)
ashwagandha
bergamot
beta caryophyllene
black tea
Indian frankincense
bupleurum falcatum
Chinese salvia root
coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10)
turmeric
curcumin
DHA (docosahexaeonic acid)
EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid)
feverfew
fish oil
ginger
ginkgo biloba
gooseberry
gotu kola
kudzu
l-5-methyltetrahydrofolate glucosamine salt (5-MTHF)
lavender
luteolin
magnesium
melatonin
moringa
niacin (vitamin B3)
omega-3 fatty acids
peppermint oil
phytocannabinoids
pine bark
purple butterbur root
riboflavin (vitamin B2)
specialized pro-resolving mediators (SPMs)
almond fruit
ubiquinol
valerian root
vitamin B6
vitamin D
vitamin D3
vitamin E
zinc
atractylodes
blackboard tree
swertia
lingusticum wallichii
chrysanthemum
soursop
1,3,7-Trimethylpurine-2,6-dione
5-methyltetrahydrofolate glucosamine
Apple Cider Vinegar
Albizia
Alpha-Lipoic Acid
Acetylsalicylic acid
Atractylone
Betony
Black Seed
Baikal Skullcap
Beta-hydroxybutyrate
Blepharis
Balsam
Banyan
Brahmi
Butterbur
Bifidobacteria
Black Hellebore
Chinese Silkvine
Crocin
Creatine
Cannabidiol
Corydalis
Carthamus
cola nut
Docosahexaenoic Acid
Danshen
Eicosapentaenoic Acid
Goldthread
Ketone Salts
Little ironweed
Spikenard
Sandalwood
Other health conditions supported by Vitamin B3 (various)
AlcoholismAlzheimer's Disease
Arteriosclerosis
Cholesterol (high)
Circulation (poor)
Circulation (to the brain)
Diabetes
Fatigue
Glaucoma
Heart (weakness)
Migraine
Peripheral Neuropathy
Psoriasis
Schizophrenia
Skin (dry and/or flaky)
Stress
Triglycerides (high)
Wounds and Sores