Peptides that may help with headaches (including migraines, tension headaches, or chronic pain)

Several peptides show promise due to their anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective, and vasoregulatory effects. Below is a breakdown of the most effective peptides, their mechanisms, and how they might help with headaches

Explaining migraine relief options to a young American woman

1. BPC-157 (Body Protective Compound-157)

• Mechanism:

  • Reduces neuroinflammation and promotes tissue healing

  • Stabilizes blood vessels (may help with migraines linked to vascular issues)

  • Modulates serotonin and dopamine (imbalances can trigger headaches)

• Potential Benefits for Headaches:

  • May reduce chronic tension headaches

  • Could help with migraine-related gut issues (gut-brain axis)

• Dosage (Research-Based):

  • 250-500 mcg 1-2x/day (sublingual or subcutaneous)

• Side Effects: Very few reported; considered safe

2. Dihexa (N-hexanoic-Tyr-Ile-(6) aminohexanoic amide)

• Mechanism:

  • Enhances brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF)

  • Protects against neuroinflammation (linked to migraines & cluster headaches)

  • Improves cerebral blood flow

• Potential Benefits:

  • May help with chronic migraines and neurovascular headaches

  • Could reduce brain fog associated with long-term headaches

• Dosage:

  • 10-20 mg orally (limited human data; mostly preclinical)

• Side Effects: Minimal, but long-term safety unclear

3. Semax (Synthetic ACTH(4-10) Fragment)

• Mechanism:

  • Increases BDNF and NGF (nerve growth factor)

  • Regulates cerebral blood flow

  • Modulates endorphins and serotonin (pain relief)

• Potential Benefits:

  • May help with migraine aura and vascular headaches

  • Could improve post-concussion headaches

• Dosage:

  • 200-600 mcg/day (intranasal or subcutaneous)

• Side Effects: Rare; mild stimulation at high doses

4. Selank (Thr-Lys-Pro-Arg-Pro-Gly-Pro)

• Mechanism:

  • Reduces anxiety & stress (common headache triggers)

  • Balances GABA and serotonin

  • Anti-inflammatory effects

• Potential Benefits:

  • Helps with tension headaches (stress-related)

  • May reduce chronic daily headache frequency

• Dosage:

  • 200-400 mcg/day (intranasal or injection)

• Side Effects: Very well tolerated

5. Epithalon (Epitalon)

• Mechanism:

  • Regulates melatonin & circadian rhythm (sleep affects headaches)

  • Anti-aging effects on pineal gland (may reduce migraine frequency)

• Potential Benefits:

  • Could help with hormone-related headaches

  • May improve sleep quality (reducing headache triggers)

• Dosage:

  • 1-5 mg/day (subcutaneous, cyclical use)

• Side Effects: Minimal, but long-term effects unknown

6. VIP (Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide)

• Mechanism:

  • Modulates cerebral blood flow

  • Reduces neurogenic inflammation (linked to migraines)

• Potential Benefits:

  • May help with cluster headaches and chronic migraines

  • Used in some IV therapies for headache relief

• Dosage:

  • Clinical use only (not widely available for self-administration)

BPC-157

Buy Now

Semax 5mg

Buy Now

Selank 5mg

Buy Now

Epithalon

Buy Now

Comparison Table: Best Peptides for Headaches

Peptide	Best For	Mechanism	Dosage	Safety
BPC-157	Tension headaches, migraines	Anti-inflammatory, gut-brain healing	250-500 mcg 2x/day	Very safe
Dihexa	Chronic migraines, neuroprotection	Boosts BDNF, improves blood flow	10-20 mg oral	Limited data
Semax	Migraine aura, vascular headaches	Increases BDNF, regulates blood flow	200-600 mcg/day	Safe
Selank	Stress-related headaches	Balances GABA, reduces anxiety	200-400 mcg/day	Very safe
Epithalon	Hormonal/sleep-related headaches	Regulates melatonin	1-5 mg/day	Experimental
VIP	Cluster headaches	Modulates blood flow	Clinical use only	Prescription