The excruciating pounding in your head, the sensitivity to light and noise that makes you want to hide in a dark room for days, and the nauseating dizziness—these migraine symptoms significantly affect the quality of life for over 37 million Americans.
Migraines are so common that every ten seconds, someone in the U.S. visits the emergency room due to head pain. Conventional treatments, such as triptan drugs, can lead to side effects including tiredness, dizziness, increased blood pressure, fast or irregular heartbeat, shortness of breath, and may even mimic the signs of a heart attack or stroke.
Other medications, like anti-convulsant drug topiramate, can cause mental issues such as confusion, slowed thinking, trouble concentrating, nervousness, memory problems, and speech and language problems. In addition, some migraine sufferers take beta-blockers, which are typically used for treating high blood pressure and are known for causing dizziness, lightheadedness, blurred vision, tiredness, nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, and unusual dreams.
If you’re looking for a more natural way to manage your migraines without a laundry list of side effects, you may want to consider an alternative approach.
The mood-migraine connection
The neurotransmitter serotonin, also known as the “happy hormone,” is responsible for regulating your mood. If your serotonin levels are too low, depression may set in, but increasing serotonin levels can help you feel better. Research has also shown a direct connection between this happy hormone and your migraines.
Low serotonin levels can trigger a migraine, and serotonin also controls the amount of pain you feel during a migraine. The lower your serotonin levels, the worse your pain. Consequently, not only does low serotonin cause migraines, but those with low levels of serotonin also experience a decreased pain threshold, resulting in even more severe migraine pain.
How to naturally raise your serotonin levels
Given the mood-migraine connection, raising your serotonin levels is essential to reducing both the frequency and severity of your migraines.
One natural way to achieve this is by taking a supplement called 5-hydroxytryptophan, or 5-HTP. This naturally occurring compound is found in Griffonia simplicifolia, a plant native to Africa, and is also present in smaller quantities in tomatoes, plums, walnuts, and eggplants.
5-HTP is an antioxidant and a precursor your body uses to create more serotonin. By increasing your serotonin levels and enhancing your endorphins, this compound works to block pain signals, thereby reducing the frequency and severity of your headaches.
In a clinical trial comparing 5-HTP to prescription migraine medicine, 5-HTP was found to be just as effective at preventing migraines as the medication with many side effects.
Healthcare professionals generally recommend taking 50 mg of 5-HTP one to three times per day. However, it is not recommended to take 5-HTP with other medications, especially if you are taking a triptan drug, prescription antidepressants, or herbal antidepressants like St. John’s Wort, as this could cause your serotonin levels to rise too high. Be sure to check for drug interactions with any pain medications (like Tramadol and Demerol) and cough syrups (like Robitussin DM).
Lifestyle changes for a migraine-free life
In addition to boosting serotonin levels to manage migraines, making certain lifestyle changes can also help. Here are a few recommendations:
- Maintain a regular sleep schedule: Lack of sleep or oversleeping can both trigger migraines. Try to go to bed and wake up at the same time every day, even on weekends.
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Stay hydrated: Drinking enough water throughout the day is essential for overall health and can help prevent migraines.
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Practice relaxation techniques: Daily stress can contribute to tension headaches and migraines. Set aside some time every day to practice relaxation techniques such as deep breathing, meditation, or progressive muscle relaxation.
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Exercise: Regular exercise boosts your endorphin levels, which can help prevent migraines.
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Keep a headache diary: Tracking the frequency and severity of your migraines, as well as any potential triggers, can help you better understand and manage them.
By pairing natural serotonin-boosting supplements like 5-HTP with positive lifestyle changes, you can regain control over your migraines and experience a significant improvement in your quality of life.
