The Interconnection between Migraines & Your Second Brain
Probiotics and migraines seem a little confusing. Vomiting, constipation, diarrhea and nausea are common complaints among people suffering through a migraine. What does digestion have to do with neurological disorders in the brain? How are the brain and the digestive system connected?
The relationship between gut and brain
In the probiotic industry, we often talk about good and bad bacteria that live in the stomach and maintain gut flora. But some neurotransmitters and essential hormones are also created in the gut, and they have a significant effect on your brain. Whenever this healthy balance of bacteria in the microbiome gets disturbed, the immune system overreacts and starts contributing to inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract. This whole process leads to the development of diseases not only throughout the body, but also in the brain.
The gut, the second brain of your body, is more formally known as the enteric nervous system (ENS). This is a direct pipeline to the brain — more than 90% of the signals from the ENS are sent to the brain. The ENS contains 40 neurotransmitters and 500 million neurons. It produces 95% of the body’s serotonin and 50% of its dopamine. This is the reason why psychotropic medications trigger an upset stomach. Any sort of disruption in these neurotransmitters may lead you to experience an emotional, digestive and physical problem.
The makeup of this gut microflora influences diseases such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), autism, depression, allergies and migraines. Leaky gut is the link between migraines and the gut. When toxins produced by harmful bacteria leak through the intestine into the bloodstream, inflammation starts. The pain receptors on a significant cranial nerve cell (the trigeminal nerve) stimulate and trigger a migraine.
Leaky gut and migraines
Leaked harmful substances through permeable gut lead to inflammatory responses, and pro-inflammatory cytokines impact on the brain. Leaky gut and inflammation affect each other, and by improving intestinal permeability, migraine conditions can also be improved. To get rid of migraines, a healthy microbiome is a good start for regulating the inflammatory process in the gut. Improved gut flora strengthens the intestinal barrier that can ultimately result in the passing of toxins and no inflammation.
How can probiotics help?
Probiotics are live bacteria that promote good gut health by maintaining intestinal flora. By releasing a chemical called bacteriocins, probiotics help to remove harmful bacteria from the gut. Probiotics can maintain the intestinal barrier and prevents leaky gut situation. Probiotics are also responsible for releasing serotonin, which can help to avoid leaky gut by working on the nervous system. Probiotics can even alter the activity in the brain’s pain processing centers and reduce the level of the stress hormone cortisol.
Conclusion:
Improved gut microbiota and reduced inflammation strengthen gut and improve brain functions. Regular use of probiotics may have a beneficial effect on the severity and frequency of migraine attacks. Painkillers provide relief with potential side effects, while probiotics provide relief without the dangerous risks of using painkillers.
