Hey Migraine Mentees 👋 

Today’s newsletter takes 6 minutes and 10 seconds to read, but if you’ve only got 60 seconds, here’s what you need to know:

• Your eyes are a window into the brain, especially with migraine attacks.

• Your brain can change via neuroplasticity, which means YOU can change!

• Not all visual assessments are created equally.

• Visual therapy can be a phenomenal way to treat migraine symptoms…

We came. We saw. We conquered!

🧠 The Migraine Mentors

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In This Week’s Edition…

• 🥡 Weekly Take-Out

  • Meme of The Week - Surprised? I Think… So?

• 📸 Weekly TikToks

  • The Similarities Between Migraine and Seizures…

  • Quick Test to See If Your Eyes Are Contributing To Your Migraine Symptoms

• 🔈️ The Migraine Mentors Minicast - Podcast Series

  • How Your Vision Influences Your Migraine Symptoms

• 💣️ This Week’s Sponsor

  • CBDistillery - 💤 How To Naturally Optimize Your Sleep and Migraine Symptoms…

• 📜 This Week’s Top Article

  • How Your Eyes Can Trigger Migraine Attacks

• 🍴 Migraine-Friendly Recipe of the Week

  • Banana and Oat Pancakes

🥡 WEEKLY TAKE-OUT

Meme of The Week

🥡 WEEKLY TIKTOKS

The Similarities Between Migraine & Seizures

@themigrainementor

#greenscreen #migraine #migrainerelief #vestibularmigraine #migraines #brain #seizure #seizures #pain #chronicillness

Quick Test to See If Your Eyes Are Contributing to Your Migraine Symptoms

@headache_whisperer

#migraine #migraines #migrainerelief #headache #headaches #headacherelief

🗞️ MIGRAINE MINICAST

How Your Vision Influences Your Migraine Symptoms

👀 Your eyes are a window into your brain, and yet, so many providers are unaware of how impactful vision is for migraine symptoms.

And no, we’re not just talking about visual auras…

🧠 We’re talking about the little things your brain does that you don’t have to think about, like keeping your eyes fixed on targets, judging depth and distance, and reading text (just like this).

If you’re someone dealing with visual issues and migraine symptoms, you definitely need to give this one a listen!

👇️ Click the link below to check it out! 👇️ 

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📜 TOP ARTICLE

How Your Eyes Can Trigger Migraine Attacks

As you know, migraine attacks aren’t just “bad headaches”—they’re a neurological condition that can be triggered by structural, neurological, and metabolic factors.

Most are aware of the classic “aura" that can accompany a migraine, but very few truly understand the actual visual changes that come with migraine attacks…

We consistently see these issues in the clinic and want to break them down for you so you can take action on fixing them, if needed.

🧠 The Eyes Are A Window Into The Brian

If the visual hardware is the eye ball, then the visual software is everything else from the retina (back of the eye) and brain that controls basic functions you don’t have to think about…

These movements include visual fixation (holding your gaze on one spot), pursuits (tracking a moving object), saccades (quick jumps from one object to another), and optokinetics (handling big, moving scenes, like driving in a car).

When these systems aren’t working properly, migraine symptoms can flare up… but when these mechanisms are fixed, they can make a significant difference in migraine attacks!

Here’s a simple overview of each mechanism, along with a test to check them at home.

🫵 Visual Fixation

What It Is: Keeping your eyes on a static single point in space.

Quick Test: Hold a thumb or pen tip 12 inches away from your face. Stare at it for 10–15 seconds with your head study AND test while slowly moving your head in a “No-No” and “Yes-Yes” movement. If your eyes wander, it’s hard to stay focused, or you trigger visual tension, visual fixation might be an issue.

Why It Matters: Straining to maintain steady focus can trigger headaches or migraine symptoms. Vision therapy can usually help; Prism lenses can also make a difference if therapy doesn’t work.

🦅 Pursuits

What They Are: Smooth eye movements that track a moving object (like a bird in the sky) in space and time.

Quick Test: Move your thumb or pencil slowly from side to side (horizontal), repeating up and down (vertical). Keep your head still and watch with only your eyes. If your eyes jump or you feel dizzy, pursuits could be weak or a trigger for symptoms.

Why They Matter: Extra effort to track motion can lead to migraine symptoms, along with nausea, dizziness, and disorientation. Therapies can often improve smooth tracking and symptoms.

👀 Saccades

What They Are: Quick shifts in focus, like when reading or glancing between two different points.

Quick Test: Hold two objects about a foot apart. Jump your gaze from one to the other several times (horizontal and vertical). If you feel strain, dizziness, or visual tension, there may be a problem.

Why They Matter: Difficulty shifting focus can overwork your visual system, causing migraine attacks. These can also cause brain fog, fatigue, and disconnect.

🦓 Optokinetics

What They Are: Eye movements that handle large, moving scenes, such as watching scenery from a car window or a herd of zebra’s running.

Quick Test: As a passenger, look out the window at passing objects. If you get dizzy or develop a migraine, your system may be overloaded and require rehabilitation.

Why They Matter: Overstimulation from fast-moving views can trigger migraine symptoms and tension headaches. Focus on a steady point in the distance or limit bright screens to reduce strain… We also suggest visual therapy to fix the problem!

🌡️ Visual Therapy Can Make A HUGE Difference In Your Symptoms…

If these tests hint at visual triggers, consider visiting a functional neurologist, neuro-opthalmologist, or visual therapy clinic.

They can often do thorough exams and recommend options like vision therapy, specialized lenses, or simple changes—like adjusting lighting and taking regular screen breaks.

Managing these visual stressors might help you find relief from migraine attacks…

And if you haven’t had a visual assessment performed but are still dealing with migraine symptoms, it’s time to do so!

*Clinical Note(s): Remember, small consistent changes add up to significant improvements over time. By prioritizing your body’s nutritional, neurological, and structural health—and believing in your ability to transform—you can rewrite your migraine story. There are no guarantees for any protocol, program, or procedure. You should always consult a medical provider or doctor before starting a new healthcare program, diet, or protocol!

🍴MIGRAINE-FRIENDLY RECIPE

Banana and Oat Pancakes

🥣 Ingredients

• 1 ripe banana

• 1 egg

• 1/4 cup gluten-free oats

• Pure maple syrup (for serving)

📖 Instructions

1. Mash the Banana

   • In a bowl, mash the ripe banana with a fork until it becomes a smooth consistency.

2. Combine Ingredients

   • Add the egg and gluten-free oats to the mashed banana.

   • Mix well until all ingredients are thoroughly combined into a batter.

3. Cook the Pancakes

   • Heat a non-stick skillet over medium heat.

   • Pour a small amount of batter onto the skillet to form a pancake.

   • Cook until bubbles form on the surface and the edges look set, then flip and cook the other side until golden brown.

4. Serve

   • Serve the pancakes warm with a drizzle of pure maple syrup.

💪 The Health Benefits

Why It’s Migraine and Histamine Friendly

1. Bananas

   • Bananas are generally considered safe for those with migraines and histamine intolerance. They are rich in magnesium, which can help to relax blood vessels and reduce the frequency of migraines.

     • However, overly ripe bananas may be problematic for some due to higher tyramine content, so individual tolerance should be considered.

2. Eggs

   • Eggs are low in histamine and can be a good source of protein that most people with histamine intolerance can tolerate well. They also provide essential nutrients like vitamin D and choline.

3. Gluten-Free Oats

   • Choosing gluten-free oats helps avoid gluten, which can be a migraine trigger for some individuals. Oats are low in histamine and offer fiber and energy-sustaining complex carbohydrates.

4. Maple Syrup

   • Pure maple syrup is a natural sweetener that is generally well-tolerated by individuals with histamine intolerance and can add flavor without the need for processed sweeteners.