Migraine
Migraine is a neurological condition involving migraine attacks. Its course can be described by how often attacks occur and how long they last.
Migraine is a neurological condition.
This list shows research findings, not treatments. Nothing here replaces medical care. If you have this condition, talk to a doctor.
What may help
What studies found for each option, best evidence first.
10 options:2 some evidence6 not enough evidence2 not tested in people
Cupping TherapypracticeSome evidence it helpsSize of effect: Not known
Some human studies found a benefit. More research could change this.
All 5 studies with a clear result found a benefit.
A 2024 meta-analysis of 18 randomized and non-randomized human studies reported improved treatment success and reduced pain with cupping. A 2021 review of 6 randomized controlled trials also found improved migraine symptoms, while noting that the evidence quality was low.
Open the Cupping Therapy pageMeditationpracticeSome evidence it helpsSize of effect: Small
Some human studies found a benefit. More research could change this.
All 5 studies with a clear result found a benefit.
Pooled randomized trials in adults with migraine reported reductions in pain intensity, pain frequency
Open the Meditation pageAcupuncturepracticeNot enough evidence
Too few or too small studies to know if it works.
3 of 4 studies found a benefit; 1 found none.
A meta-analysis of 23 randomized trials found reductions in migraine duration, attack frequency, and migraine days, with improved quality of life compared with sham acupuncture or waiting lists. Results were not consistent across analyses: a separate migraine subgroup showed a non-significant trend.
Open the Acupuncture pageCardiopracticeNot enough evidence
Too few or too small studies to know if it works.
The one study found a benefit.
A pooled analysis of randomized and non-randomized human studies reported reduced pain intensity in people with a clinical diagnosis of migraine, with a dose-response relationship.
Open the Cardio pageAlternate Nostril Breathing (Nadi Shodhana)practiceNot enough evidence
Too few or too small studies to know if it works.
The one study found a benefit.
An RCT in 86 people with migraine found that Alternate Nostril Breathing reduced migraine frequency and MIDAS scores compared with usual care.
Open the Alternate Nostril Breathing (Nadi Shodhana) pageBreathworkpracticeNot enough evidence
Too few or too small studies to know if it works.
The one study found a benefit.
A trial in 86 recently diagnosed migraine patients receiving conventional care found within-group improvements in MIDAS, HIT-6 and HDRS scores in the yoga group; the larger MIDAS change occurred in the pranayama arm.
Open the Breathwork pageMindfulness MeditationpracticeNot enough evidence
Too few or too small studies to know if it works.
2 of 3 studies found a benefit; 1 found none.
One randomized clinical trial involving 98 people found fewer headache days and lower HIT-6 disability at week 20 with MBSR than with stress management education. However, a pooled analysis of randomized trials did not find a significant improvement in migraine frequency; the studies therefore disagree, and no study measured headache intensity.
Open the Mindfulness Meditation pageYogapracticeNot enough evidence
Too few or too small studies to know if it works.
All 2 studies with a clear result found a benefit.
A trial in 64 participants with migraine without aura measured effects immediately after a single session; its findings do not establish effects beyond that group or time point. A review also described reports of reduced headache frequency and medication need.
Open the Yoga page
The expert view shows every study, dose protocol and source.
What may help
Interventions recorded as helping with this condition10 listedMost likely to help, from the evidence we have
- →PracticesCupping TherapyCertaintyMediumSourceRCT
A 2024 meta-analysis of 18 randomized and non-randomized human studies reported improved treatment success and reduced pain with cupping. A 2021 review of 6 randomized controlled trials also found improved migraine symptoms, while noting that the evidence quality was low.
Who was studied
- People with a condition
- Ankylosing Spondylitis
- Chronic Urticaria
- Herpes Zoster
- Hypertension
- Migraine
- Obesity
- +2 more
Open Cupping TherapyStudy result
Meta-analysis of 18 trials showing significant improvement in treatment success and pain reduction with cupping therapy.
- →PracticesMeditationCertaintyMediumSourceRCTSmall effect
Pooled randomized trials in adults with migraine reported reductions in pain intensity, pain frequency
How big is the effect
Small effectA small but noticeable difference on average.
Who was studied
- Healthy people and patients
- Headache Disorder
- Migraine
Open MeditationStudy result
Pooled RCTs found significant reductions in pain intensity, pain frequency and psychological symptoms in adults with migraine; the abstract concludes MBIs may complement migraine pharmacotherapy.
Low probability(8)
- →PracticesAcupunctureCertaintyLowSourceMeta-analysis
A meta-analysis of 23 randomized trials found reductions in migraine duration, attack frequency, and migraine days, with improved quality of life compared with sham acupuncture or waiting lists. Results were not consistent across analyses: a separate migraine subgroup showed a non-significant trend (MD -2.41, 95% CI -4.84 to 0.02).
Who was studied
- People with a condition
- Back Pain
- Migraine
- Osteoarthritis
Open AcupunctureStudy result
Meta-analysis of 23 RCTs showing significant reductions in migraine duration, attack frequency, and migraine days, and improvements in quality of life compared with sham and waiting lists.
- →PracticesCardioCertaintyLowSourceRCT
A pooled analysis of randomized and non-randomized human studies reported reduced pain intensity in people with a clinical diagnosis of migraine, with a dose-response relationship.
Who was studied
- People with a condition
- Migraine
Open CardioStudy result
Pooled pain intensity reduction after aerobic exercise in people with a clinical diagnosis of migraine, with a dose-response relationship reported.
- →PracticesAlternate Nostril Breathing (Nadi Shodhana)CertaintyLowSourceClinical
An RCT in 86 people with migraine found that Alternate Nostril Breathing reduced migraine frequency and MIDAS scores compared with usual care.
Who was studied
- People with a condition
- Migraine
Open Alternate Nostril Breathing (Nadi Shodhana)Study result
RCT showing significant reduction in migraine frequency and MIDAS scores with ANB compared to usual care.
- →PracticesBreathworkCertaintyLowSourceClinical
A trial in 86 recently diagnosed migraine patients receiving conventional care found within-group improvements in MIDAS, HIT-6 and HDRS scores in the yoga group; the larger MIDAS change occurred in the pranayama arm.
Who was studied
- People with a condition
Open BreathworkStudy result
Significant within-group improvements in MIDAS, HIT-6 and HDRS scores in the yoga group, with the larger MIDAS change in the pranayama arm, in recently diagnosed migraine patients on conventional care.
- →PracticesMindfulness MeditationCertaintyLowSourceClinical
One randomized clinical trial involving 98 people found fewer headache days and lower HIT-6 disability at week 20 with MBSR than with stress management education. However, a pooled analysis of randomized trials did not find a significant improvement in migraine frequency; the studies therefore disagree, and no study measured headache intensity.
Who was studied
- Healthy people and patients
- Migraine
Open Mindfulness MeditationStudy result
Randomized clinical trial (N=98) showed MBSR significantly reduced headache days and HIT-6 disability vs stress management education at week 20.
- →PracticesYogaCertaintyLowSourceClinical
A trial in 64 participants with migraine without aura measured effects immediately after a single session; its findings do not establish effects beyond that group or time point. A review also described reports of reduced headache frequency and medication need.
Who was studied
- People with a condition
- Migraine
Open YogaStudy result
Participants with migraine without aura were the study population; effects were measured immediately after a single session in this group only.
- →PracticesAcceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)CertaintyLowSourceTheoretical
ACT may reduce headache-related disability and distress in people with recurrent Migraine, but effects on attack frequency are less consistent.
Open Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)Study result
ACT may reduce headache-related disability and distress in people with recurrent migraine, although the trials are small and effects on attack frequency are less consistent.
- →PracticesFastingCertaintyLowSourceTheoretical
Time-restricted eating may reduce migraine frequency in some people by stabilizing glucose and circadian rhythms.
Open FastingStudy result
Time-restricted eating may reduce migraine frequency in some individuals by stabilizing glucose and circadian rhythms.
What to avoid
Interventions recorded as making it worseNothing in this library is currently recorded as making Migraine worse. Coverage is partial, and absence here is not evidence of safety.
How to read the evidence
Evidence tier — overall strength of the evidence for the whole compound
- StrongWell established — backed by strong, consistent human research.
- ModerateSome genuine support, but mostly from small or lower-quality studies. Promising, not proven.
- PreliminaryEarly-stage evidence — a promising hypothesis, not an established effect yet.
- LimitedVery limited evidence — treat this as a hypothesis, not proof.
- InsufficientNot enough good evidence to draw conclusions yet.
Certainty — how sure we can be that the effect is real
- Very highVery sure — strong, consistent evidence
- HighFairly sure — consistent evidence from good studies
- MediumModerately sure — new studies could change this
- LowNot sure — little or mixed evidence
- Very lowVery unsure — almost no usable evidence
Source — where the data comes from
- Meta-analysisPooled analysis of many trials — the strongest evidence
- RCTRandomized controlled trial — a strong human study design
- ClinicalA human clinical study
- Reference knowledgeFrom general health-science or pharmacology references, not a study of this exact claim
- Animal researchStudied in animals, not humans
- Community reportsAggregated user reports — anecdotal signal, not evidence
- TheoreticalMechanism-based reasoning, not yet tested
Study grade — quality of each underlying study (A best, D weakest)
- AHigh-quality — strong, consistent human trials
- BGood — solid evidence with some limitations
- CModerate — limited, small, or mixed-quality studies
- DWeak — preliminary, indirect, or animal-only
Confidence — how strongly the sources back a finding
A 0–100 score from study quality and agreement
Most supplement evidence is graded C–D. Read it as preliminary signal, not proof.
Full write-up
What is it
Migraine is a neurological condition involving migraine attacks. Its course can be described by how often attacks occur and how long they last. These measures describe the condition’s pattern over time and are distinct from the condition itself.
Evidence-backed options
The options described involve both prevention and acute migraine management. Coenzyme Q10 and Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin) were associated with reductions in attack duration and frequency, while Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine) was associated with changes in severity and duration but not frequency. Omega-3 was studied as high dosage EPA/DHA supplementation for migraine prophylaxis. Meditation studies reported improved headache-related outcomes, although the number of studies was small.
The clearest dosing and duration detail is for Vitamin B1 (Thiamine): daily oral supplementation with 990 mg for 12 weeks was associated with reduced migraine severity, frequency, and duration. Other findings concern specific settings or forms, including intravenous magnesium sulfate for acute migraine and breathing lavender essential oil for acute headaches. These details should not be generalized to other forms, doses, or durations.
Evidence is thinner for several options. Garlic is being investigated for adults with chronic frequent episodic migraines rather than supported by a completed finding here, while 5-HTP and Caffeine are described through pharmacology references focused on prevention or adjunctive treatment. Vitamin B9 (Folate) is discussed in relation to checking and correcting Hcy, vitamin B12, and folate levels. Because health status was often not specified, and magnesium included mixed populations, applicability to a particular person is uncertain. A clinician can help interpret these options in the context of migraine and other health conditions.
What to avoid
Tyrosine is flagged for caution in Migraine because it may trigger migraine episodes in susceptible individuals through catecholamine-mediated vascular effects. This means the concern relates to its potential influence on vascular processes associated with migraine episodes, rather than applying equally to everyone with Migraine.
The relevance of this concern may depend on individual susceptibility and symptom patterns. Anyone considering Tyrosine in the context of Migraine can discuss its appropriateness with a clinician, particularly when evaluating possible triggers or changes in migraine episodes.