Hey Migraine Mentees 👋 

Today’s newsletter takes 5 minutes and 23 seconds to read, but if you’ve only got 60 seconds, here’s what you need to know:

• Migraine attacks share more similarities with seizures than they do with traditional tension headaches…

• An aura is not a requirement for migraine; Migraine can manifest in many different ways…

• Migraine’s are both vascular and neurological; It’s a yes-and conversation…

• Caffeine can be both your friend and foe in certain doses…

• Triggers may be just a sensitivity and not an actual cause for symptoms…

This one was a blast to put together, so we hope you enjoy it as much as we did!

Here’s to finding the truth…

🧠 The Migraine Mentors

First time reading?! Sign up HERE.

In This Week’s Edition…

• 🥡 Weekly Take-Out

  • Meme of The Week - 🐤 Big Bird Vibes

• 📸 Weekly TikToks

  • Migraine vs. Headaches

  • Why Migraine’s Aren’t “All In Your Head”

• 🔈️ The Migraine Mentors Minicast - Podcast Series

  • The Top Common Migraine Misconceptions and How To Find Treatment!

• 📜 This Week’s Top Article

  • The Top 5 Migraine Myths Getting in the Way of Finding Relief

• 🍴 Migraine-Friendly Recipe of the Week

  • Chicken and Sweet Potatoes

🥡 WEEKLY TAKE-OUT

Meme of The Week

🥡 WEEKLY TIKTOKS

Migraine vs. Headaches

@headache_whisperer

#migraine #migraines #migrainetiktok #headache #headaches #ConSantanderConecto

Why Migraines Aren’t “All In Your Head”

@drerikreis

The next time your doctors tells you “it’s all in your head,” that’s your sign to nod, walk out of that office, and never go back. Great ... See more

🗞️ MIGRAINE MINICAST

The Top Common Migraine Misconceptions and How To Find Treatment!

🎧️ In this week’s episode, we bust the 5 most common migraine myths—from the idea that migraines are just bad headaches to the myth that caffeine always makes things worse…

If you’re stuck chasing triggers or outdated advice, this one’s for you!

⛈️ Listen now and get the real facts that could change your migraine story…

👇️ Click the link below to check it out! 👇️ 

📜 TOP ARTICLE

The Top 5 Migraine Myths Getting in the Way of Finding Relief

Despite being one of the most common neurological conditions in the world, migraine is still wildly misunderstood… As you are keenly aware.

It’s not “just a bad headache,” and the myths surrounding it can make finding effective treatment more difficult.

We wanted to break down five of the most persistent misconceptions we continue to see in the clinic, so here we go…

Myth #1 - You Have to Have an Aura to Have a Migraine

A migraine with aura—characterized by visual changes, tingling, or speech disturbances—gets a lot of attention.

But only about one-third of people with migraine experience aura… As migraine without aura is the most common form of migraine!

Even more confusing?

Other types like vestibular migraine (with dizziness or vertigo) or ocular migraine (visual symptoms only) often don’t include head pain at all.

Migraine is a complex neurological condition that doesn’t always fit into a neat box.

Myth #2 - Migraine Is Just a Really Bad Headache

While head pain is a hallmark symptom, migraine is a sensory processing disorder involving the entire brain.

It shares more in common with seizures than tension headaches, especially in how brain activity, electrical signaling, and hypersensitivity play a role.

Many symptoms—nausea, light sensitivity, fatigue—don’t show up in other headache types.

Myth #3 - Caffeine Always Makes Migraines Worse

Caffeine is a double-edged sword.

It’s true that too much can contribute to rebound headaches, but in moderate amounts, caffeine can help relieve acute migraine attacks, especially when paired with medication.

It's even included in some over-the-counter migraine formulations…

Like most things with migraine—it’s all about the dose and the individual.

Myth #4 - Migraine Is Either Vascular or Neurological

For decades, experts argued whether migraine was a blood vessel issue (vascular theory) or a brain problem (neurological theory).

The current understanding is that it’s both… You’re welcome!

Migraine is now considered a neurovascular disorder involving brainstem activation, neurotransmitter shifts, and blood vessel changes.

Myth #5 - Your Triggers Might Not Be What You Think

Did that glass of wine cause your migraine, or was your brain already shifting into the early stages of an attack?

The premonitory phase of migraine can begin up to 24-48 hours before head pain starts…

Symptoms like cravings, fatigue, yawning, or neck stiffness may make it seem like certain foods or activities are “triggers,” when they’re actually warning signs.

Understanding this can help you better track your patterns and respond proactively.

Why Myths Need To Be Busted

As you can see, there’s still A LOT of myths that are deeply held within the migraine community…

And as science continues to evolve, we will continue to bring the new data your way.

🙏 We hope this write up gave you some clarity on migraine attacks and symptoms.

Got more questions?

👉️ Click the button below to speak to one of us!

🍴MIGRAINE-FRIENDLY RECIPE

Chicken and Sweet Potatoes

🥣 Ingredients

• For the Chicken

  • 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil

  • Salt (to taste, consider using Himalayan or sea salt)

  • Pepper (optional, and use sparingly if it’s a trigger)

  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder (check for individual tolerance)

• For the Sweet Potatoes

  • 2 medium sweet potatoes, peeled and cubed

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil

  • Salt (to taste)

  • Fresh herbs (like rosemary or thyme, optional)

• For the Green Beans

  • 2 cups fresh green beans, trimmed

  • Salt (to taste)

  • Lemon juice (optional, for flavor)

📖 Instructions

1. Prepare the Chicken

   • Preheat your grill or oven to 375°F (190°C).

   • Rub the chicken breasts with olive oil, salt, and garlic powder.

   • Grill for about 6-7 minutes per side or bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (75°C).

2. Prepare the Sweet Potatoes

   • Toss the cubed sweet potatoes with olive oil, salt, and herbs (if using).

   • Spread them on a baking sheet and roast for 25-30 minutes, flipping halfway, until tender and slightly caramelized.

3. Steam the Green Beans

   • Steam the green beans for about 5-7 minutes, or until they are bright green and tender-crisp. Season with salt and a squeeze of lemon juice if desired.

4. Serve

   • On a plate, serve the grilled chicken breast alongside roasted sweet potatoes and steamed green beans.

💪 Why This Recipe is Migraine-Friendly, Low Histamine, and Low Glycemic

1. Migraine-Friendly

• Chicken

  • Fresh, unprocessed chicken breast is generally non-triggering and provides a good source of protein.

• Sweet Potatoes

  • They are low in tyramine, which is a common migraine trigger. They also contain potassium and other nutrients that can potentially help with muscle recovery after physical exertion.

• Green Beans

  • Fresh green beans are usually well-tolerated and low in tyramine. They provide fiber and essential vitamins without triggering migraines.

2. Low Histamine

• Fresh Ingredients

  • This meal uses fresh chicken and vegetables, which are typically low in histamines and do not have the same level of histamine as aged or processed foods.

• No Added Preservatives

  • By using whole ingredients without additives, you avoid common high-histamine foods like cured meats, aged cheeses, and pre-packaged sauces.

3. Low Glycemic

• Sweet Potatoes

  • They have a moderate glycemic index, offering sustained energy without causing significant spikes in blood sugar levels, unlike high-GI foods.

• Chicken

  • Being a source of protein and fat, it does not affect blood sugar levels significantly. It aids in creating a balanced meal that stabilizes blood sugar.

• Green Beans

  • They have a low glycemic index and contribute fiber, which also helps stabilize blood sugar levels post-meal.