Evidence supporting the use of: Vitamin B3
For the health condition: Migraine
Synopsis
Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 2
Vitamin B3, also known as niacin, has some scientific evidence supporting its use in migraine management, though the strength of the evidence is limited. Niacin’s potential benefits for migraine are attributed primarily to its vasodilatory effects, which may help counteract cerebral vasoconstriction believed to be involved in some migraine episodes. Several small case series and anecdotal reports from the mid-20th century documented improvement in migraine symptoms following niacin administration, often in the form of immediate-release niacin that induces skin flushing. A few small, uncontrolled studies and case reports have suggested that niacin, when administered at the onset of an attack, could abort or reduce migraine severity, possibly by improving cerebral blood flow. However, these studies are limited by small sample sizes, lack of placebo controls, and potential bias.
More recent and larger randomized controlled trials evaluating niacin for migraine prevention or acute treatment are lacking. Systematic reviews and evidence-based guidelines do not currently recommend niacin as a standard migraine therapy due to insufficient high-quality evidence. Niacin supplementation is not included in major headache society guidelines for migraine management. Adverse effects, particularly flushing and gastrointestinal discomfort, also limit its widespread use.
In summary, while there is some scientific rationale and historical reporting for using vitamin B3 in migraine, the overall evidence base is weak, and it is not a mainstream or guideline-supported therapy.
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
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
Szechuan lovage
chrysanthemum
soursop
1,3,7-Trimethylpurine-2,6-dione
5-methyltetrahydrofolate glucosamine
Apple Cider Vinegar
Albizia
Alpha-Lipoic 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
Folic Acid
Flavin mononucleotide
Ficus religiosa
Fish
Flavanones
Ficus simplicissima
Frankincense
Goldthread
Gelsemium
Ginkgolides
Ginkgoside
Hellebore
iridoids
Ketone Salts
Kuding tea
lemon balm
Lesser speargrass
Little ironweed
Linalool
Mesua
Methylxanthine
Meadowsweet
Nardostachys
Night jessamine
Osthole
Puerarin
Petasines
Phthalides
Paeoniflorin
Pycnogenol
Polygonum
Palmitoylethanolamide (PEA)
Rue
Rubus
Rauvolfia
Rubiaceae
Spikenard
Sensitive Plant
Salmon Oil
Sandalwood
Scabrous Gentian
Uncaria
Withanolides
Xanthine
Xanthophyll
Xanthone
Yuzu
Zingerone