I don't know what's in this placebo, but it works great!

[madbaker]

Over Thanksgiving I was chatting with Dani about my weather pressure-induced migraines. She suggested applying (ETA: black) pepper oil to the temples. Given that I'd been having several, more intense ones for several weeks (my normal rate is one a month or so) I decided to try it. It seemed unlikely to hurt me; at worst I'd be a slightly more pungent snack for a predator.

Does it work? Shrug. I have had fewer and less debilitating migraines since I started applying a daily post-shower drop to my temples. But given that I don't have any way to compare to a baseline - and don't really believe the woo-woo claims about aromatherapy etc. - I'm going with placebo. And yet... I will still be using it. On the off chance that it is in fact helping.

Comments

[hrj.livejournal.com]

The lovely thing about placebos is that sometimes they work whether you believe in them or not! The mind is a funny thing.

[lifeofglamour.livejournal.com]

Where does one get pepper oil?

[madbaker.livejournal.com]

I got it at Lhasa Karnak in Berkeley, but I imagine you can get it via Amazon or others.

Apply Directly to Forehead!

[ppfuf.livejournal.com]

Sorry. Seriously, what kind of pepper oil? Google got hits for peppermint, black pepper, and capsicum.

Re: Apply Directly to Forehead!

[madbaker.livejournal.com]

Black.

[klwilliams.livejournal.com]

Scientific studies have proven that placebos show a statistically valid record of improving patients. Come on, placebos!

[tshuma]

I've had others tell me the same for peppermint, but never tried it outside of an actual migraine.