When life hands you lemons…

Throw the lemons away and turn to

The Migraine Mentors newsletter

🍋 This week’s newsletter will give you the lowdown on the latest theory of migraine symptoms, show how cold temperatures can be your friend, and help you prepare a dish that would make Gordon Ramsay jealous.

💥 We’re also giving you access to a world-class CBD product that will knock your socks off!

📊 Our goal is to consistently deliver the highest quality of content in an easy, digestible format to help you stay informed and educated.

We’ve been naturally treating patients who suffer from migraine symptoms for 15+ years by addressing the root causes and helping people structurally, neurologically, and nutritionally.

And in this newsletter, we will give you everything we’ve learned.

For Free.

🧠 The Migraine Mentors

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Here’s What’s Cookin’ This Week

•  🗞️ Media & Research

  • Helpful Tips from Around the Scientific Community

• 🥡 Weekly Take-Out

  • Meme of The Week - Is That Bad…?

• 📜 This Week’s Top Article

  • What Makes A Migraine A Migraine?

• 💣️  Sponsor

  • CBDistillery!

• 🧨 Pro Tip

  • Why Cold Water Therapy IS Your Friend…

• 🍴 Migraine-Friendly Recipe of the Week

  • Migraine Friendly Quinoa and Vegetable Stuffed Bell Peppers

🗞️ MEDIA & RESEARCH

What’s Happening in the Migraine World?

🧬 Genetics Matter in Hemiplegic Migraine Symptoms

• Hemiplegic migraines (HM) is a rare subtype of migraine with aura where the aura phase includes transient motor weakness. For those who suffer from these, they can be debilitating.

• Researchers have identified three key genes associated with this condition—CACNA1A, ATP1A2, and SCN1A. Mutations in these genes lead to increased levels of neurotransmitters and potassium ions at the synaptic cleft of a neuron, a change that promotes cortical spreading depolarization, the process responsible for the aura experienced during a migraine.

🌪️ Are Your Symptoms Caused by Persistent Postural Perceptual Dizziness (PPPD) or Vestibular Migraine?

• Vestibular migraines are a type of migraine that cause recurring dizziness and balance problems, amongst traditional migraine symptoms.

• Persistent Postural-Perceptual Dizziness (PPPD) is also a neurological condition that leads to constant, daily dizziness, unsteadiness, or a non-spinning sensation of vertigo that can worsen with movement, standing, or certain visual surroundings.

• How do you tell the difference? Since there aren’t any specific tests to diagnose them, it’s all based on symptoms and bedside examination findings. This is why you need to find a good provider who knows their stuff…

📈 New Migraine Treatment Devices Hitting The Market!

• The U.S. FDA has recently approved several new treatments for both treating and preventing migraines. Of course, they include different types of medications, like CGRP receptor inhibitors and a selective serotonin receptor agonist (SSRA), as well as non-drug devices that help reduce migraine symptoms.

• Some of the newer devices include non-invasive vagus nerve stimulators (nVNS), external Trigeminal nerve stimulators (e-TNS), and combined occipital and Trigeminal nerve stimulators (eCOT-NS). It looks like the era of neuromodulation is finally here!

🥡 WEEKLY TAKE-OUT

Meme of The Week

📜 TOP ARTICLE

What Makes A Migraine A Migraine?

First off, migraine isn’t a headache. And a headache definitely isn’t a migraine!

At the outset, migraine symptoms can seem elusive because of the different ways they present and manifest for each person.

For some, it starts around their menstrual cycle. For others, it’s stress-induced.

Specific individuals get an early warning via an aura, while others are left in the dark until symptoms hit and there’s no turning back.

Migraine symptoms are a trip… But we do know A LOT about them.

🧠 How A Migraine Works - The Neurological Journey Behind the Pain

Migraine is a complex medical condition that is often misunderstood by many providers, medical practitioners, and doctors.

While many still believe they are simply severe headaches, the reality is that a migraine involves intricate neurological processes affecting various parts of the brain and nervous system.

And yes, migraine is primarily a neurologically-mediated event!

There, we said it…

Because of this, we’re taking a closer look at the neurological components that play a role in migraines—specifically, the Trigeminal nerve system, underlying inflammatory cascades, and a phenomenon called cortical spreading depression (CSD).

❓️ What Is the Trigeminal Nerve and Why Does It Matter for Migraine?

The Trigeminal nerve is the largest of the cranial nerves and plays a crucial role in transmitting sensations from your face to your brain (and vice versa).

It has three distinct branches that cover the forehead, orbit/eye, and lower jaw, which are common places where migraine symptoms occur.

The Trigeminal nerve is foundational for understanding migraine symptoms because it’s involved in the propagation of pain experienced during a migraine.

During a migraine, the Trigeminal nerve system releases chemicals that cause inflammation and rapidly change blood vessels in the brain, leading to the hallmark symptoms of migraines: throbbing pain, sensitivity to light, fatigue, and nausea.

We also know that the inherent pain-modulating systems, like the endocannabinoid system, are altered in patients with migraine.

✅ Pro Tip: CBD is a potent anti-inflammatory and can make a HUGE difference in sleep quality when dealing with a migraine.

When these pain relieving systems are no longer able to do their job, pain manifests and creates havoc for your nervous system.

🌊 The Role of Cortical Spreading Depression

And, of course, pain loves misery; A wave of neurological chaos often accompanies its presence.

Cortical spreading depression (CSD) is essentially a wave of intense nerve activity that slowly moves across the brain's cortex, followed by a period of inactivity.

This “spreading wave” is thought to trigger a cascade of neurological and vascular changes contributing to migraine.

In simple terms, CSD can cause neurons in the brain to erratically fire, followed by a period of suppression, potentially leading to visual disturbances known as aura—often a warning sign of an oncoming migraine.

This process not only affects the cortex but also activates the Trigeminal nerve, which can lead to the release of inflammatory substances and amplify migraine pain.

And this is where the connection between migraine and seizures comes into play…

💥 Migraines and Epilepsy Are Cousins, Not Siblings

🧠 Migraine and epilepsy share significant overlapping mechanisms and similar clinical features, especially in presentation and preventive treatment approaches.

They also share similar pathways, including cortical spreading depression (CSD), changes in neurotransmitter release (Glutamate, GABA), and genetic links such as those found in familial hemiplegic migraine (e.g., CACNA1A, ATP1A2).

Clinical similarities—like symptoms post-attack (speech difficulties, fatigue) and common triggers (sleep deprivation, alcohol)—can make differentiation challenging, particularly in cases like occipital lobe epilepsy.

🥼 Clinical Gem: There’s a reason CBD and cannabinoids are being administered therapeutically to treat epilepsy and seizures. Studies are now showing its efficacy in the management of migraine.

Both conditions profoundly impact daily life, and some antiepileptic medications effectively reduce migraine frequency, serving as preventive treatments for both disorders.

🔥 Inflammation Is The Gasoline For The Fire

Inflammation occurs due to the activation of the Trigeminal nerve; It’s also an intensifier of migraine symptoms.

When the Trigeminal nerve releases pro-inflammatory substances, blood vessels around the brain can dilate, causing pressure and exacerbating pain.

Chronic inflammation can also heighten your sensitivity to migraine triggers, potentially making the brain more reactive and prone to migraine attacks.

🧪 Recent migraine research has identified the calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) as a key player in migraine pathophysiology.

CGRP, a neuropeptide that acts as a potent vasodilator involved in pain processing, is found at higher levels in migraine patients both during and between attacks compared to healthy individuals.

Prolactin, a neurohormone found at higher levels in females, has also been linked to migraine symptoms by sensitizing sensory neurons in females.

In rodent models, prolactin triggers female-specific migraine-like pain behaviors and increases the release of CGRP, a neurotransmitter known to promote migraines.

Both of these molecules promote inflammation and trigger the neuro-inflammatory cascade of migraine.

😶‍🌫️ And this inflammation can come in various ways, even from the brain itself.

New theories are suggesting cerebrospinal fluid leaking into the Trigeminal nerve system as a trigger for inflammation and the onset of migraine symptoms.

As you can see, understanding this inflammation pathway is crucial.

Intuitively, it makes sense why reducing inflammation can help decrease the frequency and severity of migraine symptoms.

🩺 Why These Neurological Processes Matter

As you can see, migraine is a complicated neurological event that involves complex interactions between brain structures, neural pathways, and inflammatory responses.

By understanding the roles of the Trigeminal nerve, CSD, and inflammation, we can better target treatment strategies that address these underlying mechanisms—not just the symptoms.

❤️‍🩹 It’s also one of the reasons why anti-inflammatories like CBD can be so effective in managing and treating migraine symptoms. Check out our sponsor to get a discount on your next CBD order!

Migraine symptoms can feel overwhelming, but by understanding how they work and the neurological pathways involved, you can make informed choices about managing them.

Knowledge is power, and hopefully, reading this brings you one step closer to living life with less pain.

🛣️ Next week, we will take a deeper dive into the world of hormones to give you a clearer picture of how to manage them.

Do you know how hormones play a role in migraine symptoms?

💡 Stay tuned for next week’s newsletter!

🍴 MIGRAINE PRO TIP

Cold Water Therapy IS Your Friend…

🥶 Let us start by saying we live in Minnesota and generally don’t love the cold…

🌡️ It’s cold here until May, and at one point a few years back, Minnesota was legit the coldest place on earth. Colder than Antarctica.

It wasn’t until we read a book by a Stanford researcher about how cold is a valuable tool that can improve your life.

Now we love it (or at least one of us does…). We’ll call it an “acquired taste.”

Some of the benefits include:

🤩 Improved alertness

😄 Improved mood

😌 Decreased pain

🏃 Increased metabolism

🧠 Specific to migraine, cold exposure will help with vasoconstriction (a reason why many will use caffeine as an abortive), a boost in pain-blocking chemicals, and pain reduction in general.

Now, if you’re reading this and you’re thinking, “Cold is a trigger for me; I can’t and won’t do that,” consider the following:

🏋️ Cold exposure is a lot like exercise. You shouldn’t dive head-first into the deep end right away. 

That’s how you trigger an attack.

We’ve all been or seen the over-zealous exerciser that starts their high school workout routine, only to flame out 1 week later because they’re so sore they can’t walk.

It should be a GRADUAL process. Cold exposure works the same way.

Except for people diagnosed with a severe physical reaction to cold (a condition called Raynaud’s syndrome), most will benefit from some form of cold exposure.

⬇️ If you’re new to it or already tried it and it was too intense, here are some guidelines to follow ⬇️ 

1.) According to the science, you only need 11 minutes per week to see the benefits.

2.) Start slowly with hands or feet, working up to both arms and legs and eventually the whole lower body before moving to the whole body.

3.) It doesn’t need to be freezing; Just cold enough for you to be moderately uncomfortable.

4.) If you opt for a shower, start warm and slowly make it colder.

😧 It may seem daunting, but cold exposure (when it's done right) can be one of the most powerful tools in a migraine warrior’s toolbox.

💪 It builds resilience and gives your brain the boost it needs to make migraine attacks more manageable.

✅ Pro-Tip: If you’re actively having a migraine or feel one coming on, try icing the front of your neck in addition to your whole head. It will constrict the big arteries that supply most of your head with blood.

Most people drink caffeine during an attack because it does the same thing.

🍴MIGRAINE-FRIENDLY RECIPE

Migraine Friendly Quinoa and Vegetable Stuffed Bell Peppers

Instructions

1. Prepare Quinoa:

- In a medium saucepan, combine the quinoa and water or broth. Bring to a boil over high heat.

- Reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for about 15 minutes, or until the quinoa is cooked and the liquid is absorbed.

- Remove from heat and let it stand for 5 minutes, then fluff with a fork.

2. Prepare the Vegetables:

- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).

- In a skillet over medium heat, add olive oil. Sauté the onion and garlic until the onion becomes translucent.

- Add the diced zucchini and cook for another 5 minutes until it begins to soften.

- Stir in the, oregano, paprika, salt, and pepper. Cook for another 2-3 minutes.

3. Combine Filling:

- In a large bowl, combine the cooked quinoa with the sautéed vegetables. Mix well to ensure even distribution of ingredients.

4. Stuff the Peppers:

- Place the bell peppers upright in a baking dish. Fill each pepper with the quinoa and vegetable mixture, packing it tightly.

- Cover the dish with foil and bake for about 25-30 minutes. Remove the foil for the last 5 minutes of baking to allow the tops to brown slightly.

5. Serve:

- Remove from the oven and let cool slightly. Garnish with fresh parsley or basil if desired before serving.

Why This Recipe is Migraine-Friendly:

- Bell Peppers: These are low in tyramine and do not typically trigger migraines. Plus, they are packed with vitamins A and C.

- Quinoa: A gluten-free grain high in protein and fiber, quinoa has a low glycemic index, helping to stabilize blood sugar levels.

- Zucchini: Providing a mix of vitamins and antioxidants without common migraine triggers found in nightshade vegetables like eggplant or aged vegetables.

- Onion and Garlic: Both add flavor without needing additives or sauces that might contain MSG. However, some individuals may find onions triggering, so they should monitor their response.

- Simple Seasonings: Herbs like oregano and parsley keep the dish flavorful while avoiding potential migraine triggers like spicy or heavily processed seasonings.

Note: Everyone’s migraine triggers are different, so be sure to audit the ingredients list and ensure your unique needs are met before trying.