In this nationally representative sample, reported use of prescription medications commonly used for insomnia (MCUFIs) within the preceding month was common, particularly among older adults and those seeing a mental health provider, with high use of sedative polypharmacy among MCUFI users.

Migraine headache is uniquely exacerbated by light. Using psychophysical assessments in patients with normal eyesight we found that green light exacerbates migraine headache significantly less than white, blue, amber or red lights. To delineate mechanisms, we used electroretinography and visual evoked potential recording in patients, and multi-unit recording of dura- and light-sensitive thalamic neurons in rats to show that green activates cone-driven retinal pathways to a lesser extent than white, blue and red; that thalamic neurons are most responsive to blue and least responsive to green; and that cortical responses to green are significantly smaller than those generated by blue, amber and red lights. These findings suggest that patients' experience with colour and migraine photophobia could originate in cone-driven retinal pathways, fine-tuned in relay thalamic neurons outside the main visual pathway, and preserved by the cortex. Additionally, the findings provide substrate for the soothing effects of green light.

Objective Our objective was to determine patterns, reasons for, and correlates of complementary and alternative medicine use by United States adults with migraines/severe headaches. Background While many patients with chronic conditions use complementary and alternative medicine, little is known about complementary and alternative medicine use by adults with migraines/severe headaches. Methods We compared complementary and alternative medicine use between adults with and without self-reported migraines/severe headaches using the 2007 National Health Interview Survey (n=23,393), a national cross-sectional survey. Results Adults with migraines/severe headaches used complementary and alternative medicine more frequently than those without (49.5% vs. 33.9%, p<0.0001); differences persisted after adjustment (adjusted odds ratio=1.29, 95% confidence interval [1.15, 1.45]). Mind-body therapies (e.g. deep breathing exercises, meditation, yoga) were used most commonly. More than 50% of adults with migraines/severe headaches reporting complementary and alternative medicine use had not discussed it with their health care provider. Nonetheless, those with migraines/severe headaches used complementary and alternative medicine more often than those without because of provider recommendation and because conventional treatments were perceived as ineffective or too costly. Correlates of complementary and alternative medicine use among adults with migraines/severe headaches included anxiety, joint or low back pain, alcohol use, higher education, and living in the western United States. Only 4.5% of adults with migraines/severe headaches reported using complementary and alternative medicine to specifically treat their migraines/severe headaches. Conclusions Complementary and alternative medicine is used more often among adults with migraines/severe headaches than those without. However, few report using complementary and alternative medicine to specifically treat migraines/severe headaches. Mind-body therapies are used most frequently. Further research is needed to understand the effectiveness and mechanisms of complementary and alternative medicine treatments in adults with migraines/severe headaches.