Migraine headaches affect over one billion people worldwide and have been labelled one of the most debilitating conditions.
In addition to intense headaches, they may cause nausea, hypersensitivity to light, and other neurological symptoms. 1-3
Clinical studies have shown that taking coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) can reduce the frequency, duration, and severity of migraines, with or without other treatments.4
Scientists have found that CoQ10 intake lowers levels of a peptide known as calcitonin gene-related peptide that has been linked to the development of migraine headaches. 5,6
Medications for migraines can be expensive and don’t work for everyone. Coenzyme Q10 may be an effective addition or alternative.
The Burden of Migraines
Migraines are considered a neurovascular disorder, believed to be caused by abnormal brain activity that affects the blood vessels of the cranium. 7,8
Migraines are three times more common in women than men. In any given year, it is estimated that 18% of women and 6% of men will experience migraines.8 The lifetime risk of migraines in women is 30%.3
Migraines cause moderate to severe headaches that often involve one side of the head. They can also be associated with symptoms including visual changes, nausea, vomiting, and hypersensitivity to light, sounds, or smells.7,8
Migraines frequently interfere with work, socializing, or family life.1 This is a particular problem for those who suffer from chronic migraines, defined as having headaches 15 or more days per month, with eight of those episodes being migraines.9 Chronic migraines are more likely to develop in individuals who overuse medications for treatment of acute headaches. 8
Cause of Migraines
There may be many possible causes of migraines, and it is likely that there are important differences among different migraine-susceptible individuals, including genetic differences.10
However, a compound in the body known as calcitonin
gene-related peptide (CGRP) has been found to play a large role in migraines, and is the target of some of the newer medications for the condition. Unfortunately, these drugs work in only half of patients.6,11
Some studies have shown that plasma CGRP levels are elevated in migraine sufferers during and between attacks.6
The nutrient compound CoQ10, which is produced by our own cells, has been found in one study to target the CGRP neuropeptide while reducing frequency, duration, and severity of migraines.5
Coenzyme Q10 Relieves Migraines
Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) is a powerful antioxidant that plays a vital role in cellular metabolism.
Levels of CoQ10 in the body are often lower than ideal. Aging and chronic illness are associated with diminished CoQ10. Statin drugs, prescribed to reduce cholesterol, further block its production.12-14 An older
study even found that young people with migraine were CoQ10 deficient.15
Two clinical studies dating back to the early 2000s found that giving CoQ10 to adults who suffer from migraine headaches, regardless of their initial
CoQ10 levels, reduced the frequency of migraine attacks.16,17
While CoQ10 can prevent migraine headaches when taken by itself, studies have
shown it can also be effective as an addon intervention in people receiving other
migraine treatments.18-20
How it Works
There are at least two ways that CoQ10 can help prevent migraines.
For one, CoQ10 has been found to have clinical anti-inflammatory effects and to reduce levels of the pro-inflammatory marker TNF-alpha.21 In one study in
people with migraines, CoQ10 intake reduced levels of TNF-alpha, which plays an important role in migraine and chronic migraine risk.5,22
CoQ10 has also been found to affect CGRP. In a randomized, controlled trial, subjects who suffered from migraines took either 400 mg of CoQ10 or a placebo
daily for three months. Blood levels of CGRP were significantly reduced in those receiving CoQ10.5
In this study, CoQ10 supplementation significantly reduced the frequency, duration, and even the severity of migraines.
Summary
Migraine headaches affect a billion people worldwide and affect women three times as much as men.
Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) has been studied for many years as a treatment, or adjunct to medication, for migraine prevention.
Research has identified a pain-triggering compound called CGRP that is often elevated in people who suffer from regular migraines.
CoQ10 may reduce migraines by lowering inflammation and levels of CGRP
Source: Life Extension Retail Magazine
References
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2. Pescador Ruschel MA, De Jesus O. Migraine Headache. StatPearls. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing Copyright © 2024, Stat-Pearls Publishing LLC.; 2025.
3. Available at: https://americanmigrainefoundation.org/resourcelibrary/migraine-facts/. Accessed January 31, 2025.
4. Talandashti MK, Shahinfar H, Delgarm P, Jazayeri S. Effects of selected dietary supplements on migraine prophylaxis: A systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Neurol Sci. 2025;46(2):651-70.
5. Dahri M, Tarighat-Esfanjani A, Asghari-Jafarabadi M, Hashemilar M. Oral coenzyme Q10 supplementation in patients with migraine: Effects on clinical features and inflammatory markers. Nutr Neurosci.2019;22(9):607-15.
6. Wattiez AS, Sowers LP, Russo AF. Calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP): role in migraine pathophysiology and therapeutic targeting. Expert Opin Ther Targets. 2020;24(2):91-100.
7. Available at: https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/000709.htm. Accessed January 31, 2025.
8. Available at: https://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/neurologic-
disorders/headache/migraine. Accessed January 31, 2025.
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Applications in Cardiovascular Diseases. Antioxidants (Basel). 2020;9(4).
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16. Rozen TD, Oshinsky ML, Gebeline CA, et al. Open label trial of coenzyme Q10 as a migraine preventive. Cephalalgia. 2002;22(2):137-41.
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18. Sazali S, Badrin S, Norhayati MN, Idris NS. Coenzyme Q10 supplementation for prophylaxis in adult patients with migraine-a meta-analysis. BMJ Open. 2021;11(1):e039358.
19. Shoeibi A, Olfati N, Soltani Sabi M, et al. Effectiveness of coenzyme Q10 in prophylactic treatment of migraine headache: an open-label, add-on, controlled trial. Acta Neurol Belg.2017;117(1):103-9.
20. Taha M, Abdulwahhab M, Mostafa A. The Effect of Coenzyme Q10 as a Prophylactic Treatment in Episodic Migraine. Düzce Tıp Fakültesi Dergisi. 2023;25(2):147-51.
21. Zhai J, Bo Y, Lu Y, et al. Effects of Coenzyme Q10 on Markers of Inflammation: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. PLoS One. 2017;12(1):e0170172.
22. Sudershan A, Sudershan S, Sharma I, et al. Role of TNFalpha in the Pathogenesis of Migraine. Pain Res Manag.2024;2024:1377143.
23. Zhang Y, Liu J, Chen XQ, Oliver Chen CY. Ubiquinol is superior to
ubiquinone to enhance Coenzyme Q10 status in older men. Food Funct. 2018;9(11):5653-9.
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