Migraines and tryptophan?

Question

One theory about migraines is that it is triggered by dropping serotonin levels.\nOne medication, sumatriptan, acts by raising serotonin acting as a reuptake inhibitor.\nSince tryptophan is converted into serotonin, can tryptophan supplements aid in fighting migraines. Is there any study in this regard?\n

Answer 1

Sumatriptan's main mechanism of action is not as a serotonin uptake inhibitor. There are much more effective uptkake blockers of 5HT that are not effective in relieving migraines. The main action of sumatriptan is as a 5HT receptor agonist and as an inhibitor of CGRP release (as a result of stimulation of the 5HT_1B/1D receptor).

Now, to answer your question about taking tryptophan to treat migraines. This is not likely to be effective for the following reasons. First, tryptophan entry into the brain is compromised somewhat by the blood-brain-barrier. Certainly, some tryptophan enter the brain, but the rate limiting step in 5HT synthesis is tryptophan hydroxylation, so taking 5-hydroxytryptophan would be more effective. There is much more that I could say on the subject, but I'll leave it there.