Melatonin May Improve Headaches
April 27, 2017 · Posted in Potential Treatments · Comment
A 2016 article in the Journal of Head and Face Pain reviewed randomized placebo-controlled trials of melatonin for the treatment of headaches. Author Amy A. Gelfand and colleagues reported that 10 mg of melatonin was superior to placebo in the treatment of cluster headaches. For treatment of migraines, 3 mg of immediate-release melatonin improved headaches compared to placebo, while 2 mg of sustained-release melatonin was insufficient.
The authors also found non–placebo controlled data suggesting that melatonin may be helpful for other types of headaches. More research is needed to clarify melatonin’s effects in different headache disorders.
