Originally posted on https://mindzymes.com/turmeric-curcumin-for-migraines/

 

Headaches are one of the ways of the body tells us we’re not giving it enough care and attention. This dull ache or tension in the head we’ve all felt can be brought on by getting too little sleep, stressing over something at work, staring at the computer screen for hours on end, forgetting to drink enough water, and so much more. But an occasional headache is normal, and they are most often treatable with over-the-counter medications.

However, migraines are a whole different story. These severe and excruciating headaches may come out of nowhere and completely derail your day, or even your week. Researchers have been on the hunt for migraine cures for ages. Today, many pharmaceuticals exist for migraine pain. But the problem is, they often come with a variety of side effects.

Searching for a natural alternative, many are asking, “is turmeric good for migraines?” Well, recently researchers found that curcumin, a component of the spice Turmeric, may indeed be a key to treating migraine headaches. In this article, we’re going to explore the potential benefits of turmeric curcumin and turmeric powder for migraines.

Challenges of Treating Migraines

Migraines aren’t that uncommon, but they can be tricky to treat. Around 37 million Americans deal with migraine headaches. In fact, every 10 seconds, a person heads to the ER for migraine relief, according to a recent study.

Migraines are moderate to severe headaches, which affect one side of the head, and often come on in an instant. They can be accompanied by severe nausea, and vomiting. Some people who get migraines report having a sensation of flashing lights, or even a brief loss of vision, shortly before the pain occurs. Migraine pains can last hours, or even days, sometimes once a month, other times they won’t occur again for years.

The trigger for migraines is different for everyone. It can be a stressful day, a scent, a specific type of food or food additive, hormone changes, or just a bad night’s sleep. However, sometimes, there doesn’t seem to be a trigger at all. This can be extremely frustrating, and can interfere with your work and personal life.

Women typically experience more frequent migraines than men. This could be because of the influence of certain hormones, or even particular genetics.

Most often, the go-to treatment for these migraines includes a painkiller such as ibuprofen, aspirin, and other NSAIDs. Since inflammation can be at the root of migraines, these painkillers can bring some relief, but not always. The challenge with frequent migraines is that drugs can cause damage to the body, and even increase migraine frequency.

This leaves those that have chronic migraines with few options for long-term relief.

Turmeric Curcumin for Migraines

Turmeric, a tasty spice used in traditional Indian cuisine, may hold the answer to pain relief for migraines. This spice contains a compound called curcumin, which gives turmeric its rich orange-yellow color. Turmeric curcumin has analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antibacterial properties. In fact, many people already use this spice as a pain reliever for conditions such as arthritis and tendonitis. These effects may make this spice a great natural alternative for those suffering from migraine headaches.

There are several different ways that turmeric curcumin has the potential for migraine relief.

Acts as a Pain Reliever

The most significant symptom of migraine headaches is, of course, the excruciating pain that occurs, sometimes for hours, or days. Sensory processing system disturbances are at the root of this pain. Turmeric may help reduce this pain with its anti-inflammatory effects, by reducing the inflammation in the sensory neurons.

Moreover, turmeric curcumin’s analgesic properties act as a natural pain reliever, without the adverse side effects.

Helps to Reduce Stress

It’s no secret that stress isn’t good for the body. Stress is also one of the major migraine triggers that many people experience. In fact, stress, depression, and anxiety are all associated with migraines. A boost of dopamine in the brain can help keep these under control, and, in turn, prevent or treat migraine headaches.

Tumeric has certain bioactive ingredients which can increase dopamine. This may help reduce some major migraine triggers, including stress, anxiety, and depression.

Protects Against Food Allergens

Foods and beverages can also trigger migraine headaches, and it can be difficult to isolate which ingredients are the issue. You may have an unknown allergy to common additives such as MSG, colorings, and food preservatives.

Turmeric curcumin may offer protection from these allergens, and their toxic effects in the body. This is because turmeric can modulate the immune system, which acts to prevent and stop allergic reactions. Turmeric curcumin also helps protect the brain from neurotoxins, like those in food additives, including MSG.

Regulates Hormones

As we mentioned before, women often experience migraines more frequently than men. There’s a connection between hormones, and migraines. Hormone imbalances, especially estrogen, can trigger migraines, and can even cause chronic migraines.

This is because estrogen has an effect on the central nervous system, which activates neurons and can cause migraine headache pain. Either too little, or too much estrogen, can be a trigger. That’s why it’s essential to have balanced hormones.

Turmeric curcumin acts as a hormone balancer, it boosts estrogen levels that are too low, and decreases estrogen levels that are too high. This may be particularly helpful for those with conditions such as endometriosis, which elevates estrogen levels.

Final Thoughts

Turmeric curcumin’s pain-relieving effects for migraine headaches, is just one of turmeric’s many benefits. While research has yet to reveal the optimal turmeric dosage for migraines, you can’t go wrong with experimenting with this natural spice. After all, you won’t experience adverse effects, like you could with NSAIDs. This also makes taking turmeric ideal for chronic migraines.

There are many ways to use turmeric. You can find capsules of turmeric powder for migraines online (at MindZymes, we offer high-quality turmeric capsules, as well as turmeric gummies in our web store) as well as other turmeric products. If you enjoy the flavor of turmeric, you can also incorporate turmeric powder into your meals. We do recommend that you take turmeric supplements with a meal. For some people, having turmeric on a completely empty stomach, may cause an upset stomach. Thankfully, this may be the only side effect of turmeric. So stock up on some turmeric and see how it works for your migraines.

 

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Products discussed are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.