Migraines affect 12% of the global population, making them one of the most widespread neurological disorders. If you're reading this on Clubwell, chances are you've already started prioritising your metabolic health. But did you know that your migraine patterns might be directly connected to how your brain handles energy?
Recent research reveals migraines aren't just neurological events , they're metabolic crises happening in your brain. Understanding this connection opens up new pathways for managing and potentially reducing your migraine frequency.
Your Brain's Energy Crisis
Your brain consumes 20% of your body's total energy despite being only 2% of your body weight. This energy-hungry organ relies primarily on glucose for fuel, but when blood sugar becomes unstable, your brain struggles to meet its energy demands.
Professor Ben Bikman describes migraines as part of a "running on empty" scenario. When insulin resistance develops, glucose struggles to enter brain cells efficiently, leaving them energy-starved. This metabolic dysfunction can trigger the cascade of events we experience as a migraine.
The brain essentially initiates a protective shutdown, attempting to restore energy balance and reduce oxidative stress. While painful, this process serves as your brain's emergency reset mechanism.
