Migraine with aura is a type of migraine where neurological symptoms occur before (or sometimes without) the headache phase. These symptoms can include:

• Flashes of light or zigzag lines
• Blurred or partially lost vision
• Tingling in an arm or the face
• Speech disturbances
• A "vague" or unreal feeling

According to neurological research, aura is caused by a process called cortical spreading depression (CSD): a wave of electrical overactivity that slowly spreads across the cerebral cortex, followed by temporary inhibition of brain activity.

But why does this happen? To understand this, we need to look deeper into the brain's energy balance.

The Brain: an energy-intensive organ

Your brain accounts for only 2% of your body weight, but it uses 20–25% of your total energy consumption. This means your neurons are extremely sensitive to:

• Fluctuations in glucose
• Oxygen deficiency
• Disruptions in electrolytes (sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium)
• Oxidative stress
• Neuroinflammation

Migraine is also seen as a problem of energy and stimulus processing. When energy demand exceeds supply, neurons become unstable. Unstable neurons can lead to overactivity.

Step 1: Overstimulation of neurons

Neurons communicate via neurotransmitters such as glutamate (excitatory) and GABA (inhibitory).

In people with migraine, we often see:

• Increased sensitivity to glutamate
• A lower excitation threshold
• Less efficient energy production in the mitochondria

When the brain becomes overloaded (stress, hormonal fluctuations, blood sugar drops, sleep deprivation), glutamate activity increases. This leads to a wave of electrical discharge.

This is the beginning of aura.

Step 2: Cortical Spreading Depression (CSD)

During CSD, an electrical wave spreads across the cerebral cortex at approximately 3–5 mm per minute.

What happens then?

1. First: a short phase of overactivity
2. Then: temporary disruption of brain activity

If this wave passes over the visual cortex, visual auras occur.

If it passes over the speech area, speech disturbances occur.

If it passes over the sensory area, tingling sensations occur.

PubMed research confirms that CSD is the underlying mechanism of aura and is directly related to changes in glutamate, ion balance, and mitochondrial function.

Step 3: Energy crisis and oxidative stress

During such a wave, neurons use an enormous amount of energy.

But if:

• the mitochondria are not functioning optimally
• there is a magnesium deficiency
• the electrolyte balance is disturbed
• insufficient antioxidants are available

then an energy crisis occurs.

This leads to:

• increased oxidative stress
• dysregulation of ion channels
• activation of the trigeminal nerve
• the start of the migraine pain phase

The role of magnesium in aura

Magnesium plays a crucial role in:

• Regulation of NMDA receptors (glutamate receptors)
• Stabilization of cell membranes
• Relaxation of blood vessels
• Energy production in mitochondria

Several clinical studies show that people with migraine have lower magnesium levels, and that supplementation can reduce the frequency of attacks.

Magnesium literally increases the excitation threshold of neurons.

Omega 3 and neuroinflammation

During and after CSD, neuroinflammation occurs.

Omega 3 fatty acids:

• Reduce inflammatory mediators
• Stabilize cell membranes
• Support neuronal flexibility

Research shows that omega 3 supplementation can reduce the duration and intensity of migraine, partly by lowering CGRP and inflammatory activity.

Sleep and mitochondrial balance

Sleep deprivation is one of the biggest triggers of migraine with aura.

During deep sleep:

• Mitochondria recover
• Waste products are cleared
• Inflammatory markers decrease

A disturbed circadian rhythm increases the risk of neuronal instability and CSD.

Why specifically migraine with aura?

Not everyone with migraine experiences aura.

Research shows that people with aura:

• Have higher cortical excitability
• Are more sensitive to ion shifts
• Are quicker to enter an energy crisis

The brain is, as it were, "on edge."

Orthomolecular approach: increasing the excitation threshold

From an orthomolecular medicine perspective, you focus not only on symptom relief but on:

• Optimizing energy production
• Restoring electrolyte balance
• Reducing neuroinflammation
• Supporting antioxidant capacity
• Stabilizing neurotransmitters

Recommended support from Optemuse

Within this vision, there are three products that enhance each other:

1. Magnesium (Magnesium Citrate)

• Supports energy production in mitochondria
• Blocks excessive glutamate activity
• Stabilizes ion channels
• Relaxes blood vessels

Magnesium is one of the most researched nutrients for migraine.

2. Omega 3

• Reduces neuroinflammation
• Supports brain cell membrane structure
• Lowers inflammatory sensitivity

By reducing inflammation, you reduce the chance that CSD will progress to a full migraine attack.

3. Sleep Support

• Supports the natural circadian rhythm
• Promotes deep restorative sleep
• Supports nervous system regulation

A stable sleep rhythm reduces cortical hyperexcitability and increases the brain's energy reserve.

The bigger picture

Migraine with aura is not a coincidence.

It is a signal from a brain that temporarily enters an energy crisis and stimulus overload. By addressing the underlying factors (energy, inflammation, mineral balance, sleep, and antioxidants), you increase the stability of your nervous system. The more stable the brain, the smaller the chance of an aura wave occurring.