LDN for Migraines

If you are suffering from migraines, you may want to try low-dose naltrexone (LDN). About 12 percent or 39 million American adults have migraines, affecting women 3 times more than men. Migraine is the 3rd most prevalent and the 6th most debilitating illness worldwide as 1 billion suffer from this condition. While most patients claim to have one to two migraine attacks per month, some complain of having daily attacks for up to 15 days a month. A migraine is not just a bad headache, it's so much more. 

What is Migraine? 

Migraine is a neurologic condition. It is characterized by recurrent episodes of severe headache or throbbing pain on one side of the head. It is usually accompanied by a host of other symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, extreme sensitivity to light and sound, tingling and numbness, and changes in vision. Migraine attacks last for hours to days. The exact cause of migraines still remains unknown; however, there are some common triggers linked to migraines. These include: 

• Hormonal changes in women  
• Emotional triggers such as excitement, stress, fear, etc.  
• Physical triggers such as tiredness, poor posture, shoulder and neck tension, lack of sleep  
• Certain type of foods such as chocolates, cheese, citrus foods, those that contain the additive, tyramine  
• Medications like oral contraceptives and sleeping pills  
• Environmental triggers like bright lights, changes in environmental temperature and pressure, strong smells, second-hand smoke, etc.  

Available treatments for migraines  

There is currently no cure for migraines, but prescription medications can help manage migraine attacks so you don’t get them often. Some symptoms may be alleviated by taking over-the-counter drugs for pain, nausea, or vomiting. You may also want to try alternative treatments such as meditation, acupressure, and acupuncture.  Migraines may be prevented by avoiding the triggers and through living a healthy lifestyle by eating right, getting enough sleep, and exercising. 

What is Low-dose Naltrexone?      

Naltrexone was first approved by the FDA in 1984 to treat opioid addiction. Later on, it was discovered that low-dose naltrexone (LDN)---low dose being one-tenth of naltrexone’s usual dose---has anti-inflammatory and immune-modulating effects. LDN appears to be safe with few side effects and no abuse potential. It is also cost-effective because only a small amount is needed. Research on LDN also demonstrated improvements in other diseases.  

How can low-dose naltrexone (LDN) help alleviate migraine symptoms?   

Low-dose naltrexone (LDN) acts on the nervous system to accomplish its pain-relieving  and anti-inflammatory effect on general and persisting pain including headaches and migraines. This study shows the immune-modulating effects of LDN for chronic pain and pain involving inflammation.