Migraine Headaches Support Group

Hi everyone! I'm new to the group and have suffered from migraines for as long as I can remember. Many of my family members (most of them female) also suffer from migraines.

I have done a bit of research and tried a lot of different medications without great success - but recently I began to use tobacco (nasal) snuff. I seem to almost crave it and after having used it for the last 4 months I have noticed a HUGE decrease in my migraines. I'm wondering if there is any research - personal or otherwise about the effects of nicotine on migraines?

Lala

Hi Lala,

Welcome to the group! I'm so glad you found us.

I have never heard of nicotine for treating migraines. The reason you crave it is because it is a highly addictive chemical that tricks your body into thinking you need it. That's why people have trouble when they try to quit smoking.

It is not a safe thing to be taking and I'm surprised it helps the pain. There actually studies that show it to make pain worse (from things like lupus or fibromyalgia).

I'm sure you know all the dangers of tobacco use so I won't insult your intelligence. I'm glad your migraines have decreased but I sure hope you find something better to help you. I would hate for you to trade migraines for an illness you could die from.

It is interesting that migraines affect women more than men. It makes me wonder if they are hormonal is some cases (since women's hormones fluctuate so much and men's don't).

Anyhow, I hope you will continue to post so we can get to know you better. You'll find that this is a wonderful, supportive group of people who really understand the pain you are suffering.

Kat - I have done a bit of research myself on nicotine and from what I understand, it is a natural vasoconstrictor. I am thinking that this unique quality may be keeping my migraines at bay.

I am not going to quit because it beats taking a bunch of prescription medications that often have worse side effects than straight nicotine. Smoking is not a good nicotine alternative because the carcinogins and other additives in cigarettes are much of why they have such ill effect on health.

Other things that seem to help keep my migraines away are:

- Snacking often throughout the day instead of eating larger meals at breakfast lunch and dinner

- Taking a natural bowel stimulant like Cascara Sagrada

- Smelling Peppermint Oil at the onset of a migraine

Lala

Oh, peppermint absolutely! I keep it in my purse and also drink peppermint tea frequently. Love peppermint.

Do you think your migraines my be related to blood sugar? Since snacking seems to keep them under control? I've never heard of Cascara Sagrada, but it would make sense that keeping the waste out of your body would help. After all, if your body needed it, it wouldn't be trying to get rid of it!

I agree with you about smoking, but I do not believe that nicotine on its own is safe. Although compared to the garbage in so many prescriptions, it probably isn't any worse.

Isn't it odd that a vasoconstrictor would prevent a migraine since they were formerly believed to be the cause of a migraine? Yet, doctors do prescribe them as preventative medications. Unfortunately, vasoconstrictors don't just focus on the blood vessels in the brain, they also can have an effect on the heart (which increases the chance of a heart attack). Natural does not always equal safe.

I'm glad it works for you and I sincerely hope you don't suffer any ill effects from this. It certainly isn't something I would recommend. Unfortunately, there just aren't many studies done on this form of tobacco because so few people use it these days. So I hope it really is a safer way to take nicotine into your body. But as you already see, it is addictive (then again, many medications are as well).

Has anyone else tried this? I'd love to hear your results. (Really a fascinating topic)

Hi Lala, welcome to the group. Its good to see you hear. I've never heard of using nicotine for migrains. I know the nicotine in cigarettes didn't help my migrains when I smoked and it didn't help my family either as most of them were smokers at one time and also many of them suffered with migrains.

I'm glad you have had some success finding releif from your migrains but I do hope this doesn't cause you any other problems.

I hope someone else here can offer you some help with this idea. Hope you enjoy your time with us, I look forward to see you around the forum.

Kardie

Nicotine is bad for you no matter what form you take it in. It is highly addictive & will eventually lead to horrible migraines when your body craves more & more. Please don't take offense here, but if 1 person tries snuff or whatever you're doing because you said it might help them & they are in pain & desperate, it would really tick me off. What's next... When I did some H last night, my pain went away...

It's just stupid.

Nicotine is a legal substance. Not quite in the same category as H. Prescription drugs pose health issues above and beyond the effects of nicotine. Do you really trust prescription drug companies after all of the information that's been released about Pfizer and the lawsuits? All things in excess can pose potential hazards. I had come here hoping to share my ideas and consider the thoughts of others. Excessive closed mindedness is extremely hazardous to one's self.

Lala, In 1561 Jean Nicot, the French ambassador in Lisbon, Portugal, sent snuff to Catherine de' Medici to treat her son's persistent migraines. I too am a Snuff Headie and I nfind that Wilson's of Sharrow Peppermint soothes the pounding.

Post edited by: Mateo, at: 09/15/2010 06:32 PM

lalalu,

I agree. When you are in severe chronic pain, close-mindedness is not an option. Thanks for the interesting idea. If your other choice is to be hooked on narcotics or suffer the side effects of FDA-approved drugs that don't give you much relief, nicotine does not seem like that bad of a choice. It's about finding a way to live your life. Good luck!

Doctors always told me to quit smoking. Then, one dr. said that when I first quit, my migraines would get worse while my body adjusts. I was also told that other pain from fibro, etc. would be reduced once I quit smoking. Well, I quit several months ago and have not noticed any change.

For most people who smoke, they do get some relief because it seems to be a stress reliever. When you are relaxed, your pain decreases.