Migraine headaches may last for a few hours or for days. For some people, migraines occur once or twice a year; others experience them as often as every day. The pineal gland produces melatonin from serotonin, which is derived from tryptophan, according to Dr. Richard Bowen. The synthesis of melatonin from serotonin occurs at night, and disrupting this conversion could lead to altered levels of and an imbalance between melatonin and serotonin. This may be one reason lack of restful nighttime sleep can trigger migraine headaches in some people.
Migraines
Migraine headaches may be caused by fluctuations in the amount of serotonin you have in your body. Your blood vessels shrink when you have high levels of serotonin and they expand when serotonin levels are low. The swelling of blood vessels may contribute to the pain of migraine headaches. Certain foods and blood sugar levels can also affect the amount of serotonin and melatonin in your body. Women are three times more likely than men to suffer from migraines, in part because changes in women's estrogen levels impact serotonin production and melatonin secretion, according to a 2005 paper published by the American Academy of Family Physicians.
Melatonin
Melatonin is a hormone secreted by a small organ in the brain known as the pineal gland. Melatonin helps maintain the body's circadian rhythms, which are defined as the physical, behavioral, mental and psychological changes that respond primarily to light and darkness in the environment. Melatonin has been reported to affect your sleep-wake cycles, mood, appetite and energy levels. Levels of melatonin in the brain are reduced during migraines, according to a 2008 paper authored by Jani Kaaro and published in the "Brain Imaging NeuroReport." Scientists have been studying the melatonin-migraine connection for decades. But despite various research studies, no definitive results have been reached.
Serotonin
Serotonin is a neurotransmitter derived from the amino acid, tryptophan. Serotonin helps regulate mood, pain, appetite, body temperature and sleep. Jill K. Stoneman, a family nurse practitioner, states that low serotonin levels have been detected in migraine headache sufferers. Increasing serotonin in the brain through medication, supplements, rest and diet may be beneficial to people who suffer from frequent migraines. Consult with your health practitioner before attempting any medical or nutritional intervention.
Treatment
Serotonin receptors are targets of some anti-migraine medications. Selective seratonin reuptake inhibitors, or SSRI drugs, were created for depression treatment, but they are also prescribed for migraines. Medications that affect the level of seratonin in your brain, such as amitriptyline, a tricyclic antidepressant, and venlafaxine, a serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor, may be effective for migraine prevention. There are two other types of medicines for migraines -- those that help eliminate the pain and those that are used prophylactically to stop headaches before they happen. Your health practitioner is the person to talk to about options for migraine treatment.
Research
Bhavini Bhavsar, M.D., of the State University of Michigan, discusses research about melatonin and migraines. Dr. Bhavsar suggests that taking melatonin supplements before bedtime may effectively reduce the number of headaches per month, but the exact reason for melatonin's role in successfully reducing the occurrence of headaches hasn't been determined. More long-term, large-sample research is necessary to determine the efficacy of melatonin as treatment for specific conditions, including migraines.
References
- Colorado State University; The Pineal Gland and Melatonin; Richard Bowen, D.V.M., Ph.D.; March 2003
- Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging at Harvard; Brainimaging Neuroreport - Is Migraine a Lateralization Defect?; Jani Kaaro; August 2008
- American Academy of Family Physicians; Migraine Headaches - How to Deal with the Pain; November 2005
- American Headache Society; Serotonin and Headache - Using L-Tryptophan, 5-HTP and Other Methods to Increase Brain Serotonin Levels; Jill K. Stoneman, F.N.P. and James W. Banks, M.D.; 2007
- Mayo Clinic; Migraine Treatment: Can Antidepressants Help?; Dr. Jerry W. Swanson; April 2010
- Bentham Science; The Therapeutic Potential of Melatonin in Neurological Disorders; Dr. Bhavini Bhavsar; 2009
