More research on vitamin D and migraine

November 6, 2023

There is growing evidence that vitamin D is important in the development and treatment of migraines. In the past 15 years, I have written a dozen posts on the role of vitamin D in migraines.

At the last meeting of the International Headache Society, Maria Papasavva and her Greek colleagues presented a study entitled, Genetic variability in vitamin D receptor and migraine susceptibility: a case-control study.

Their study aimed to investigate an association of three genetic variants of vitamin D receptor with the susceptibility to develop migraine. DNA sample was collected and extracted from 191 patients diagnosed with migraine and 265 headache-free subjects. According to their statistical analysis, a significant association between migraine susceptibility and abnormal variants of vitamin D receptors was found.  They also showed a significant association of two variants with migraine without aura. Their conclusion was that there is a clear association between migraine susceptibility and two vitamin D receptor variants. This further supports the role of vitamin D and its receptor in migraine.

Vitamin D is important not only for migraines but also for your immune system. Vitamin D deficiency increases the risk of COVID and other viral infections. Lower levels of vitamin D are associated with a higher risk of attacks of multiple sclerosis even if the level is still within normal range. There are many other reasons to maintain your blood vitamin D level at least in the middle of the normal range. The normal range is 30 to 100, so keep it well above 40. If your doctor tells you that your level is normal, ask for the actual number.

Written by
Alexander Mauskop, MD
Continue reading
May 21, 2026
Research
Your Brain Has Many Pathways, And TMS Can Now Use Them
A groundbreaking University of Iowa study shows that personalized fMRI-guided TMS can now reach and modulate the deep hippocampus — the brain’s command center for memory, emotion, and migraine — without surgery or heavy medications. By mapping each patient’s unique neural pathways, TMS delivers precise stimulation to surface “control points” that influence deep brain structures. Generic approaches barely work, but individualized targeting produces clear, measurable changes. At our headache clinic, we combine TMS and fMRI to offer this advanced, personalized treatment for migraines, depression, PTSD, anxiety, and more.
Read article
May 10, 2026
Research
Elismetrep: A Promising New Experimental Migraine Treatment
Elismetrep is a promising experimental migraine medication that targets the TRPM8 pathway rather than serotonin or CGRP. Early clinical trials suggest it may offer a new option for patients who do not respond well to current treatments.
Read article
May 6, 2026
Alternative Therapies
New Research on Brain Excitability and TMS Treatment for Migraine
New research shows how the brain dynamically regulates excitability in real time—and why this matters for transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) as a treatment for migraine.
Read article
Insights from Dr. Alexander Mauskop on headaches and migraines
Subscribe to the Blog.
Subscribe
Subscribe