What Are Migraines

What Are Migraines?

My latest reading suggests that migraines are a symptom, rather than a disease - this article is one that led me to this conclusion. This fits with my experience - the things I changed reduce my migraines as each addressed a root cause.

Here are some example root causes, noting some people will have more than one - in no particular order:

  1. Vitamin deficiencies (e.g. one or more of magnesium, B2, iron, CoQ10, creatine etc)
  2. Food sensitivities (particularly to histamine or tyramine)
  3. Mitochondrial disfunction / metabolic condition (suggested in many places including by Dr Gross and the book "Good Energy")
  4. Inflammation
  5. Sleep disorders, such as sleep apnea
  6. Hormonal issues
  7. Gastrointestinal disorders such as SIBO, gut dysbiosis, celiac disease
  8. Medication overuse, particularly painkillers
  9. Neck or jaw issues
  10. Metal poisoning, such as mercury
  11. MCAS (Mast Cell Activation Syndrome). If your migraines improve when you take an antihistamine, tell your doctor. This was the root cause of migraines for someone I know.
  12. Plus any number of other things

I think at least #1, #2, #3, and #4 apply to me. Changing what I eat and taking supplements have helped me the most, which suggests food sensitivities and mitochondrial disfunction the root cases that I've discovered so far.

The energy crisis model of migraines suggests that migraine attacks are a result of a brain energy deficit, where energy demand exceeds supply. This imbalance triggers oxidative stress, activating protective mechanisms that manifest as migraine symptoms. These symptoms generally make people reduce input by going into a dark room and going to sleep, restoring balance. Histamine and tyramine from foods are also a trigger.

The solutions described in these pages help your body and brain create the energy required by reducing carbohydrate overload, giving it the nutrients it requires, and potentially directly supplying energy in the form the brain can use - ketones (BHB).

Interesting links:

I also wonder if inflammation plays a part in migraines. If I eat food I shouldn't sometimes taking an anti-inflammatory (ibuprofen) before bed reduces the symptoms the next day. After surgery, when I'm taking anti-inflammatories three times a day, I rarely get migraines regardless of what I eat. Note that this is bad for your gut lining, and gut issues can cause or worsen migraines, so it's not a good approach long term.

Migraine Types

Migraines have different names or descriptions, such as vestibular, aura, headache. Dr Turknett suggests they may all have the same root cause, with the migraine type simply varying symptoms. What I've described on these pages should help all migraine types.

Energy Crisis Model - Key Mechanisms

  • Mitochondrial impairment: Dysfunctional mitochondria produce less ATP, worsening energy deficits.
  • Metabolic vulnerability: Brains with high energy demands (e.g., hyperexcitable cortex) are more susceptible.
  • Aging correlation: Migraines often improve with age as brain energy efficiency increase

Mitigating the Energy Crisis

This National Library of Medicine article describes "Nutrients to Improve Mitochondrial Function to Reduce Brain Energy Deficit and Oxidative Stress in Migraine". Many of these are on my recommended supplements list.