Vinpocetine for Migraine?

Vinpocetine is a chemical compound taken from a substance that occurs naturally in the leaves of the lesser periwinkle plant (vinca minor).  It’s sold in some countries as a supplement, in others only by prescription.  Believed to increase blood flow in the brain and make oxygen use more efficient, it has been used to help with brain function after a stroke, or in patients with Alzheimer’s disease.

Vinca Minor plant courtesy of shelleys1

Recently it has also been suggested for migraine patients.  Why?

Increased blood flow and vasodilation may not sound like something a migrainuer would want.  Often right before the pain of a migraine attack, blood flow already increases, although it quickly drops during the headache itself.

But we’re not talking about taking vinpocetine in the middle of an attack, but as a preventative.  And it actually does have some things going for it.

For one, better oxygen use in the brain could be a benefit.  It also seems to allow for better glucose use.  So we’re talking about making the brain more efficient overall.

But another reason why this could help, is that it may have neurological effects that will inhibit the migraine chain-reaction.

The idea is that vinpocetine may keep the systems in your brain from getting over-excited, something that researchers believe is a huge part of what sets off a migraine.

Dr. Larry McCleary, author of The Brain Trust Program and former acting Chief of Pediatric Neurosurgery at Denver Children’s Hospital, includes the supplement in his "anti-migraine cocktail".   Talking about supplements that decrease the brain’s over-activity, he includes magnesium, taurine, Huperzine A and vinpocetine.

But there’s more.  Vinpocetine is also an antioxident (possibly on the level of vitamin E).  Not only that, claims Dr. McCleary, it can enhance other antioxidents you’re taking, including the normal ones in fruits and vegetables, as well as the antioxident properties of COQ10, a common migraine supplement.

So this might be a supplement that benefits you when taken in combination with other things.  But there are some cautions.

Vinpocetine may cause side effects in some people, headache included.  It could also cause a temporary drop in blood pressure.  So, as always, it’s wise to check with your doctor before trying something new.

On top of the benefits already mentioned, vinpocetine may help with dizziness (a migraine symptom).  It could also help with your overall brain function, which most people tend to think is a good idea.

At this point, there isn’t much research on vinpocetine for migraine.  The suggestion that it may help (particularly in a combination with other supplements) comes mainly from the understanding we have of what it does in the body.  But so far it looks like something to watch as research continues.