Living with chronic migraines can be exhausting, especially when you don’t know the root cause. If you find yourself avoiding certain smells, jewelry, or even your favourite shampoo, it might not be just in your head. There’s a hidden connection between chemical intolerances and migraines that’s worth exploring. 

Understanding Chemical Intolerances

Chemical intolerances can make everyday life challenging. You might feel overwhelmed by the scent of a colleague’s perfume or experience skin breakouts from your favorite lotion. These reactions occur when your immune system goes into overdrive, reacting to environmental compounds that most people find harmless.

Some common symptoms of chemical intolerance include:

• Intolerance to smells 
• Intolerance to jewelry 
• Intolerance to shampoos, lotions, detergents, etc. 
• Multiple food sensitivities 
• Constant skin outbreaks 

Interestingly, it’s not about the amount of toxin exposure but rather how your immune system reacts to these substances. This condition, known as toxicant-induced loss of tolerance (TILT), means your body isn’t just dealing with toxins but reacting strongly to their presence.

The Magic of Glutathione

One of the key players in this scenario is glutathione, the body’s master antioxidant. Imagine glutathione as your body’s superhero, constantly fighting off harmful invaders. When glutathione levels are depleted, your body’s defences are weakened, leading to a breakdown of immune barriers. This can result in issues like leaky gut, leaky blood-brain barrier, and even leaky lungs. 

Let’s dive into some science! According to research, poor glutathione activity can lead to leaky gut, which allows harmful substances to enter your bloodstream. This is supported by findings that link low glutathione levels to increased intestinal permeability. Similarly, glutathione is essential in maintaining the blood-brain barrier, and its depletion can cause this barrier to become “leaky,” leading to neurological issues. Furthermore, glutathione also plays a crucial role in lung health, protecting against oxidative damage and inflammation.

Chronic Inflammation and Migraines

Chronic inflammation is another key factor that links chemical intolerance and migraines. Chronic low-grade inflammation can drive migraines and exacerbate chemical intolerances. Common symptoms of chronic inflammation include bloating, skin rashes, joint pain, brain fog, depression, anxiety, chronic pain, chronic fatigue, and autoimmune flare-ups. For migraine sufferers, chronic inflammation often involves an excessive release of reactive oxygen species (ROS).

Chronic inflammation is particularly interesting for people with migraines, as it is often a constant low-grade inflammation driving the migraines. This chronic inflammation could also be driving chemical intolerance. According to a study, chronic inflammation can lead to the depletion of glutathione, the body’s master antioxidant (source). When glutathione levels are depleted, it weakens the body’s defences, leading to issues like leaky gut, leaky blood-brain barrier, and even leaky lungs. This depletion of glutathione, in turn, causes a loss of chemical tolerance, making the body more reactive to environmental toxins and compounds.

People with migraines tend to have elevated levels of ROS, which can be attributed to several factors. For instance, studies show that during a migraine attack, there is an increase in oxidative stress in the brain, leading to the production of ROS. This increase in ROS can cause inflammation and damage to the cells and tissues in the brain, worsening migraine symptoms.

Moreover, the body’s antioxidant defences, like glutathione, can become depleted in attempting to remove excess ROS. This antioxidant depletion contributes significantly to conditions like TILT, chronic inflammation, and ultimately, migraines. Studies have demonstrated that the chronic inflammation associated with migraines is often driven by these elevated ROS levels.

People with migraines tend to have elevated levels of ROS, which can be attributed to several factors:

• Excess production of histamine by histamine-producing bacteria in the gut.
• Deficiency of melatonin, a potent scavenger of ROS, often due to high histamine levels inhibiting melatonin release.
• Chronic inflammation.
• Gut dysbiosis.

Understanding these causes can help in developing effective strategies to manage and reduce migraine symptoms by addressing the underlying factors contributing to ROS buildup.

For those experiencing intolerances to smells, jewelry, cosmetics, and constant skin outbreaks, alongside chronic migraines, it’s crucial to understand the connection between these symptoms. By addressing the root causes, such as glutathione depletion and chronic inflammation, you can better manage your condition and improve your quality of life. Don’t let these symptoms control your life—take the first step towards relief by contacting our clinic today. Our team of professionals is here to help you identify your triggers and develop a personalized treatment plan that works for you. 

Disclaimer: Supplements alone may not eliminate migraines. Use specific migraine testing to identify your migraine causes with the guidance of a professional. If you notice your headaches becoming more frequent or more severe, be sure to see your doctor. Your doctor can evaluate your symptoms and recommend the most effective treatment. Also, talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking supplements to be sure they don’t interact with any other medications you may be taking.

How we reviewed this article:

Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space, and we update our articles when new information becomes available.

Current Version
July 1st, 2024

Written By:
the Soothed Migraine Specialists

Edited By:
Will Simpson, BAppSc, MBA.

Medically Reviewed By:
Dr. Ana Coito, Ph.D.
Dr. Coito holds a PhD in Neuroscience from the University of Geneva, a BSc and MSc in Biomedical Engineering from the University of Lisbon and a CAS in Nutrition for Disease Prevention and Health from the ETH Zurich. She understands how debilitating migraines can be and cares deeply about improving the lives of chronic migraine sufferers. Dr Coito has her own website brainchoices.com and was awarded the Epilepsia Open Prize for Clinical Research for her article, Interictal epileptogenic zone localization in patients with focal epilepsy using electric source imaging and directed functional connectivity from low-density EEG. See Dr Coito’s research at https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/epi4.12318.

Dr. Chloe Berland, Ph.D.
Dr. Berland graduated from the University of Sorbonne Paris & Columbia University New York. She has a PhD in Neuroscience and is passionate about the pathophysiology of migraine. See Dr Berland’s published research at https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Chloe-Berland-2.

Sources:
Soothed has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. We avoid using tertiary references. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.
The Master Antioxidant: Why Glutathione is Essential for You
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/381758468_The_Master_Antioxidant_Why_Glutathione_is_Essential_for_You

Glutathione and Leaky Gut
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19374741/

Glutathione’s Role in the Blood-Brain Barrier
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8125908/

Glutathione and Lung Health
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S000296291535357X#:~:text=Glutathione%20is%20involved%20in%20numerous,depleting%20alveolar%20and%20lung%20glutathione

Oxidative Stress and Migraines
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18690416/

ROS and Migraine Symptoms
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s10194-016-0606-0

Chronic Inflammation and Migraines
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41582-019-0216-y