Migraines are more than just “headaches”. They are the brains response to what is effectively a neurological disorder that affects around 15 % of the global population, characterized by recurring attacks that significantly impair daily life
Understanding the root causes (why do they happen in the first place ?) is crucial to managing and potentially even preventing them.
In this blog we’ll explore:
- What causes migraines: genetics, neurobiology, and triggers
- Is migraine dangerous: health risks and when to worry
- Can migraines be cured permanently: modern science vs management
- Male-specific causes
- Instant relief tips
- Is migraine curable: myth-busting
- How long migraines last
- How to get rid of one quickly
Plus, we’ll spotlight cutting-edge preventative strategies like MIGRAKET/Brain Ritual and insights from Oxford PhD neuroscientist Dr Elena Gross who is a good friend of ProLongevity.
What Causes Migraines?
- Genetic Predisposition
Migraines are far commoner in females and often run in families. Twin studies estimate heritability between 34–60 %. If one parent suffers, a child’s risk nearly doubles
- Neurobiological Mechanisms
- Trigeminovascular activation: Pain signals start in the brainstem (at the base of the brain) activate the trigeminal nerve (yes the one that we talk about in trigeminal neuralgia) and releases inflammatory mediators (signalling molecules called peptides like CGRP) which leads to sharp pain and throbbing
- Cortical spreading depression (CSD): A short wave of neuronal hyperactivity followed by suppression linked to visual auras travels across the brain.
🌟 What is CSD? A Simple Analogy: Imagine a gentle wave rippling through a calm pond, but instead of passing through water, it’s an electrical wave passing through your brain. The wave travels slowly and temporarily puts parts of your brain “to sleep.”
🧠 Why It Matters in Migraine
- The Ripple (Aura Phase)
- This electrical wave travels across the brain’s surface and momentarily disrupts normal brain activity.
- This can cause the classic aura of scintillating zig-zags, blind spots, or tingling depending on which brain region is affected
- The Calm (Suppression Phase)
- After the wave passes, that brain area goes quiet, kind of like a computer rebooting and stays quiet for several minutes .
- Triggering Headache Pain
- As the CSD wave moves, it can irritate the brain’s pain wiring, especially the trigeminal nerve, which leads to the headache phase .
- Neurochemical Imbalance
Serotonin fluctuations can trigger blood vessel changes in the brain. (Serotonin is one of the brain’s neurotransmitters: think about it as one of the brain’s chemical messengers) Low levels may increase headache susceptibility
- Lifestyle & Environmental Triggers
Common triggers include:
- Stress
- Sleep irregularities
- Hormonal fluctuations (especially in women)
- Dehydration, hunger, or skipped meals
- Certain foods (e.g., aged cheese, cured meat)
- Weather changes and strong sensory stimuli (lights, loud noises, smells)
- Medication Overuse
Frequent use of painkillers, especially triptans (like IMIGRAN/sumatriptan) opiates (think Solpadeine and co-codamol) or NSAIDs (think Nurofen/ibuprofen) can paradoxically worsen migraines and create rebound headaches
- Comorbidities
Migraines often co-occur with psychiatric (depression, anxiety) metabolic (obesity, insulin resistance) and gastrointestinal disorders, and they are now recognised as closely related to epilepsy which explain why drugs used to treat epilepsy are also used to prevent migraine
Is Migraine Dangerous?
Migraines themselves aren’t typically life-threatening, but they can escalate healthcare risks and greatly diminish quality of life:
- Disability & Reduced Quality of Life
Frequent migraine attacks cause missed days at work, social withdrawal, and long-term emotional strain
- Cardiovascular Risk
People with migraine with aura have an elevated risk of stroke and heart disease studies show up to a twofold increase
- Brain Lesions
White matter hyperintensities often appear on MRIs but current evidence does not link them to dementia or permanent damage .
- Status Migrainosus
An attack lasting over 72 hours is a medical emergency. Risks include dehydration, malnutrition, and overwhelming pain .
How Can I Cure Migraine Permanently?
Short answer: there is no outright cure, only personalised management strategies proven to reduce frequency and severity .
- Preventative Medications
- Beta-blockers (propranolol, metoprolol)
- Anticonvulsants (topiramate)
- CGRP monoclonal antibodies (erenumab, fremanezumab)
- Antidepressants (amitriptyline)
But here’s the problem: those medications don’t address the root cause of the problem they merely supress the symptoms (to a greater or lesser extent and come with side effects)
- Non-Drug Therapies
- CBT, biofeedback, relaxation, and mindfulness can reduce monthly migraine days by about one per month
- Acupuncture may match preventative drug therapies in some patients, with fewer side effects .
- Nutraceuticals & Supplements
- Magnesium, riboflavin (B2), coenzyme Q10, butterbur, feverfew, and melatonin have varying evidence. Magnesium and riboflavin have probably the strongest evidence that they work support
- MIGRAKET: is a highly specific supplement aimed primarily at preventing attacks and can also reduce the symptoms. More on that below.
- Medical Devices
- Transcutaneous or transcranial neurostimulation, and occipital nerve stimulation for chronic cases
- Lifestyle Modifications
Evidence-supported changes include:
- Regular moderate exercise (15–20 min daily)
- Balanced diet, consistent hydration, and sleep hygiene
- Stress reduction and avoiding triggers
Conclusion: Permanent cure is unlikely, but with tailored medical strategies and lifestyle changes, many can achieve 50–70 % reductions in migraine frequency and reduction in symptoms too.
What Causes Migraines in Men?
While less studied than female migraines, male sufferers also face unique factors:
- Distinct Triggers
Stress, intense physical activity, sleep deprivation, bright light, and dehydration are common male triggers
- Hormonal Differences
Men may experience migraines through imbalances such as relatively low androgens (male hormones) vs oestrogens (female hormones) which affects brain and vascular function .
- Underdiagnosis
Sociocultural norms may lead men to dismiss pain or delay seeking help, resulting in worse outcomes .
5 Tips for Instant Migraine Relief
When that pounding starts, try these doctor-recommended quick fixes:
- Cold Compress & Quiet, Dark Room
Cold constricts blood vessels and reduces sensory overload. - Hydration + Small Amount of Caffeine
Rehydrate and 50–100 mg caffeine can abort early migraines . - Neck Massage & Acupressure
Eases muscle tension and promotes endorphin release . - Deep Breathing or Progressive Relaxation
Lowers stress response and cortisol, lessening attack severity . - Early OTC Medication
Use NSAIDs (ibuprofen, naproxen) or paracetamol at symptom onset. This can be supplemented when combined with antiemetics (like Buccastem available you’re your pharmacy) But beware of over-use (see above) which actually makes things worse.
Bonus: Lie still, in a quiet, dark place and mindfulness. Avoid sensory triggers while waiting for meds to work.
Is Migraine Curable?
No: but it’s manageable:
- No treatment changes the underlying susceptibility.
- Many reduce attacks so much they experience long remission periods.
- 20–30 % of chronic sufferers revert to episodic ≤ 14 days/month annually.
The goal: reduce frequency, lessen severity, and improve quality of life, albeit a total cure is impractical for many patients.
How Long Do Migraines Last?
- Headache phase: 4–72 hours in most cases .
- Prodrome: mood shifts, food cravings—up to 48 hours before pain .
- Aura (if present): typically 20–60 minutes .
- Postdrome: fatigue, scalp tenderness, “migraine hangover” lasting up to two days .
- Status migrainosus: headache >72 hours, requiring urgent care
How to Stop a Migraine in its Tracks:
- Act Early – at the Prodrome Stage
Early intervention such as using cold therapy, relaxation, and OTC meds, improves effectiveness
- Use Rescue Medications
- NSAIDs or combination analgesics first-line.
- Triptans (sumatriptan, rizatriptan) if pain is moderate–severe.
- For vomiting: nasal triptans or injectable forms.
- Anti-emetics (prochlorperazine, metoclopramide) help vomiting/headache .
- Advanced Options
- Gepants (These are the latest pharmaceutical treatments which can be effective as symptomatic treatments but the usual caveats apply about not addressing the root cause and potential side-effects)
- Neuromodulation devices for emergency/intolerant patients .
- Complementary Techniques
- Acupuncture may offer modest relief.
- Relaxation, CBT, biofeedback provide additional benefit .
- Avoid Medication Overuse
Stick to guidelines (<10–15 days/month); using preventatives and non-drug techniques helps avoid rebound headaches .
Spotlight on MIGRAKET / Brain Ritual
What It Is:
MIGRAKET (aka Brain Ritual) is the first patented migraine medical food, created by migraineur Dr Elena Gross. Besides being a suffer herself, Elena holds an Oxford PhD in nueroscience and addressing the causes and prevention of Migraine is her lifeswork. MIGRAKET addresses underlying brain energy and nutrient deficiencies, not just the symptoms
How It Works
- Contains and incredibly complex and comprehensive range of supplements to support the brain including D-beta-hydroxybutyrate (BHB), coenzyme Q10, L-carnitine, electrolytes, B-complex vitamins, antioxidants, and minerals (Mg, Ca, Zn)
- Supplies an efficient alternative energy source to glucose, stabilizes brain metabolism, and reduces oxidative stress Dr Elena Gross.
Founder Story
Dr Elena Gross was a chronic migraine sufferer from age 14, experiencing around 20 migraine days/month. While studying neuroscience at Oxford and Basel, she discovered that a ketogenic metabolic shift could almost eliminate her headaches. She translated that insight into MIGRAKET and later Brain Ritual, a complete metabolic formula .
Evidence & Testimonials
- Featured on ProLongevity’s podcast (#38), where she discussed migraine’s evolutionary protective role, metabolic energy deficits, and her 4-pillar model of “Mastering Migraine”
- Users report dramatic results: “I haven’t had a migraine in over two weeks,” “Chronic migraineur down from 10–15 to 2–3/month” Brain Ritual®.
- Keto-Mojo notes exogenous ketones in MigraKet support brain energy and reduce energy-dip–triggered migraines.
How to Use
- Take ½ dose for 1–2 weeks, then ramp to full dose: twice daily morning + afternoon for 4+ weeks.
- Mix in water (≈450 ml); may replace multivitamins and electrolytes .
Why It’s Unique
- Medical food category means it’s formulated to meet specific brain needs, not a generic dietary supplement
- Contains a huge range of tailored supplements for brain support far more than typical supplements
- Designed for holistic metabolic support so complementing other treatments without drug interactions .
Caveats
- Best for metabolic-triggered migraines; other types (e.g., purely vascular or hormonal) might be less responsive .
- More clinical trials are ongoing; personal results vary .
Dr Elena Gross’s 4-Pillar “Mastering Migraine” Model
Detailed on her site and in the ProLongevity podcast, Dr Gross recommends:
- Stabilize Blood Glucose Levels
- Boost Antioxidant Defences & Reduce Oxidative Stress
- Optimize Micronutrient Intake (Mg, B-complex, etc.)
- Provide an Alternate Energy Source (ketones via MIGRAKET) She frames migraine as the brain’s protective response to energy deficiency, not just vascular or chemical imbalance .
Conclusion
Migraines stem from a complex interplay of genetics, brain chemistry, energy metabolism, and environmental stressors. Though they’re rarely life-threatening, they can worsen cardiovascular risk, cause frequent disability, and even become chronic.
Permanent cure remains elusive. However, modern management, combining preventative medications, therapies, lifestyle changes, supplements, and targeted energy support like MIGRAKET can reduce attack frequency and intensity by 50–70 %.
What You Can Do Next
- Recognize your migraine stage early and act with cold, OTC meds, and rest.
- Consider preventative strategies suited for your needs—beta-blockers, CBT, supplements.
- Explore metabolic support: MIGRAKET/Brain Ritual offers drug-free, energy-based preventative support—especially powerful when used alongside established therapies.
- Develop a personal plan: log triggers, apply lifestyle routines, and consult your pharmacist, GP or neurologist.