We conducted a 12-week study to explore how eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) affects individuals suffering from episodic migraines. In our trial, 70 participants were randomly split into two groups—one received 2 grams of fish oil with 1.8 grams of pure EPA daily, while the other group got a placebo made of soybean oil.
The results were quite promising. Those taking EPA reported a significant reduction in the number of migraine days per month, averaging about 4.4 fewer days compared to just 0.6 fewer days in the placebo group. We also noticed a decline in the usage of medication to treat headache symptoms among those taking EPA.
Additionally, participants experienced less severe headaches and improved psychological wellbeing, as indicated by better scores in anxiety, depression, and overall quality of life measures. Notably, women seemed to benefit even more from EPA.
Overall, it appears that high-dose EPA can be an effective preventive treatment for episodic migraines, helping to ease frequency, severity, and even the emotional toll associated with chronic headaches. Importantly, the treatment was well tolerated, with no significant adverse effects reported.