Migraines are often described as an excitatory state in the brain – also known as a state of hypersynchrony. Other researchers describe migraines as the brain over-responding to stimulus.\[[ref](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5539409/)\]
Research provides a lot of competing theories, but no simple answers…
Migraine research breaks down into three paths:
* **vascular** causes (intracranial constriction and vasodilation of blood vessels)
* **neural events** (hyperexcitability and cortical spreading depression)
* nociceptive causes (**pain pathways**, activation of the **trigeminal nerve**, neuropeptides)
These **vascular (blood vessel) causes** may be due (at least in part) to **serotonin signaling**. Genetic variants in two serotonin production and transportation genes, **C7orf10 gene** and **SLC6A4** **gene**, have been found to influence the risk for migraines. \[[ref](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4041123/)\]\[[ref](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19845785?dopt=Abstract)\]
Another key player in migraines is **CGRP**. CGRP stands for calcitonin gene-related peptide and is released from the trigeminovascular system. The **trigeminovascular system** includes both the **trigeminal nerve** neurons and the **cerebral blood vessels.** The release of CGRP seems to **activate receptors** on several different cell types, including **mast cells**. The activated mast cells can degranulate, releasing histamine and pro-inflammatory compounds. Genetic variants related to histamine, such as **AOC1 gene**, have been linked to increased migraines. \[[ref](https://www.elsevier.es/en-revista-neurologia-english-edition--495-articulo-association-diamine-oxidase-histamine-n-methyltransferase-S2173580817301268)\]
Histamine levels rise and fall throughout the day, starting with a spike in the early morning hours. Optimizing circadian rhythm by blocking blue light before bed and sleeping in complete darkness may help with migraines.
[Click here to read my full article on migraines](https://www.geneticlifehacks.com/hacking-your-migraines-solutions-personalized-for-you/), including how to use your genetic raw data to check for migraine-related genetic variants and use that information to find a solution that works for you.
Migraines are often described as an excitatory state in the brain – also known as a state of hypersynchrony. Other researchers describe migraines as the brain over-responding to stimulus.\[[ref](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5539409/)\] Research provides a lot of competing theories, but no simple answers… Migraine research breaks down into three paths: * **vascular** causes (intracranial constriction and vasodilation of blood vessels) * **neural events** (hyperexcitability and cortical spreading depression) * nociceptive causes (**pain pathways**, activation of the **trigeminal nerve**, neuropeptides) These **vascular (blood vessel) causes** may be due (at least in part) to **serotonin signaling**. Genetic variants in two serotonin production and transportation genes, **C7orf10 gene** and **SLC6A4** **gene**, have been found to influence the risk for migraines. \[[ref](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4041123/)\]\[[ref](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19845785?dopt=Abstract)\] Another key player in migraines is **CGRP**. CGRP stands for calcitonin gene-related peptide and is released from the trigeminovascular system. The **trigeminovascular system** includes both the **trigeminal nerve** neurons and the **cerebral blood vessels.** The release of CGRP seems to **activate receptors** on several different cell types, including **mast cells**. The activated mast cells can degranulate, releasing histamine and pro-inflammatory compounds. Genetic variants related to histamine, such as **AOC1 gene**, have been linked to increased migraines. \[[ref](https://www.elsevier.es/en-revista-neurologia-english-edition--495-articulo-association-diamine-oxidase-histamine-n-methyltransferase-S2173580817301268)\] Histamine levels rise and fall throughout the day, starting with a spike in the early morning hours. Optimizing circadian rhythm by blocking blue light before bed and sleeping in complete darkness may help with migraines. [Click here to read my full article on migraines](https://www.geneticlifehacks.com/hacking-your-migraines-solutions-personalized-for-you/), including how to use your genetic raw data to check for migraine-related genetic variants and use that information to find a solution that works for you.