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What Is HeadOn®?

K.C. Bruning
K.C. Bruning

HeadOn® is marketed as a homeopathic headache relief product. The medicine has a consistency similar to lip balm and comes in a large tube. It is composed primarily of wax with small amounts of white bryony and potassium dichromate providing the claimed medicinal properties. Rubbing the product on the forehead is supposed to relieve pain. Controversy surrounds the product as, According to the Better Business Bureau in the United States of America, the makers of the product have not been able to prove that the product works.

The makers of HeadOn® claim that small amounts of white bryony and potassium dichromate can stop a headache because they contain the elements that cause the ache in the first place. They claim the same of iris versacolor, which is in the migraine version of HeadOn®. Many conventional doctors do not believe these elements are responsible for headaches and that the amounts in the product are too diluted to have an effect anyway. The company bases its formula and the veracity of its claims on evidence collected from the Homeopathic Pharmacopoeia of the United States.

HeadOn® is a homeopathic treatment that can purportedly reduce the pain of migraines and other types of headaches.
HeadOn® is a homeopathic treatment that can purportedly reduce the pain of migraines and other types of headaches.

HeadOn® has been the focus of some controversy. In 2010, it made a list of the fifty worst inventions, primarily due to doubts that the product had anything more than a placebo effect. The television advertisement for HeadOn® consists of the product name and usage instructions being repeated three times while a model smooths the medicine on her forehead. There is no mention of what the product does, as the company could not make the claim without potentially being accused of false advertising. The commercial has drawn so much attention that it is now the subject of several parodies.

Many professionals in the medical community disagree with the claims made by the makers of HeadOn®.
Many professionals in the medical community disagree with the claims made by the makers of HeadOn®.

Miralus Healthcare, the company that first developed HeadOn® developed several other pain relief products that come as a balm in large tubes. ActOn® is meant to be used for joint pain; PreferOn® is supposed to help make scars fade; and RenewIn® is formulated to help with the flexibility, comfort, and mobility of the joints. As with HeadOn&reg, there has been no evidence that these products are effective.

In 2008, HeadOn® was purchased by the American company Sirvision Inc. The company announced that the product had a new formula that had ingredients proven to be effective. There has been no evidence supporting these new claims.

Discussion Comments

anon978886

Head on migraine formula is very effective on me and I love this product. Is sad that this product can be obtained only online and is very expensive. I recommend this product!

anon351202

Perhaps HeadOn was not effective for every type of headache, but it certainly was the answer for most of mine. And it was so nice to be able to take care of the pain without ingesting chemicals harmful to my liver or kidneys. Anyone who understands homeopathy understands why it works and is not just a placebo.

I am very disappointed that this is no longer available unless I am willing to pay $40 or upward to the people who snatched up the last of it off the store shelves and now selling it on Ebay or through Amazon.

anon258217

People who suffer from headaches and migraines, like me, know that HeadOn was not a "worst invention" but a "best one." My current supply has run out and I am searching everywhere. With people willing to pay $20 on Ebay for what used to be an $8 product, it should cause skeptics to question their assumption that just because a product has a stupid commercial, it must be ineffective.

I have tried every topical migraine medication available in local stores and found HeadOn to be the most effective.

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    • HeadOn® is a homeopathic treatment that can purportedly reduce the pain of migraines and other types of headaches.
      By: MediablitzImages
      HeadOn® is a homeopathic treatment that can purportedly reduce the pain of migraines and other types of headaches.
    • Many professionals in the medical community disagree with the claims made by the makers of HeadOn®.
      By: vladimirfloyd
      Many professionals in the medical community disagree with the claims made by the makers of HeadOn®.
    • According to the Better Business Bureau, the makers of HeadOn have not been able to prove that the product works.
      By: MediablitzImages
      According to the Better Business Bureau, the makers of HeadOn have not been able to prove that the product works.
    • The makers of HeadOn claim that small amounts of white bryony and potassium dichromate can stop a headache.
      By: JackF
      The makers of HeadOn claim that small amounts of white bryony and potassium dichromate can stop a headache.