Gratitude

[MateLover87]

First post here. I have been reading and learning a lot since I found this forum.
This topic helped me a lot. Just want to state that I’m very grateful for Dr. Ray Peat's work and for this community for perpetuating his work. Thanks.

https://bioenergetic.forum/topic/149/peaty-migraine-remedies/21

My background:

I have suffered from migraines for the past 11 years, with attacks increasing in frequency and severity over time. Historically, milk was a strong trigger (I wasn't intolerant earlier). I went to several doctors and it was always the same: run blood tests, abdominal ultrasound, skull x-rays, and all results were normal. Doctors gave me random advice: drink more water, avoid triggers, eliminate all dairy, try these antidepressants (which I refused).

But migraines kept increasing in pain and frequency to one or two crises per week.In 2022, I made some progress after following an 'anti-migraine' diet on a book, by completely removing seed oils (unfortunately, I removed most of the sugar too, though I kept a bit of honey, fruits, and nuts). However, I still had about one episode per month on average, which drained my energy, not to mention the awful pain. But I had a very strict diet, avoiding lots of things, which reduced my quality of life.

After reading a study about the positive effects of low-dose aspirin on Migraines, I tried taking 100mg daily since last December. The results have been incredible—only 4 episodes of migraine, the best I’ve felt in 11 years—and milk stopped triggering migraines entirely (and many other triggers are gone, plus the pain was less intense). Looking into why aspirin worked so well for me led me to Dr. Ray Peat's work, and I'm glad I found this forum.

3 weeks ago I started measuring my body temperature, and it's always below 36.4°C (on average 36°C). While I no longer get migraines, I’m trying to reintroduce milk, but it still caused me discomfort. Yesterday, for the first time, I didn’t have any discomfort with milk. I’m also eating lots of honey and Rapadura (brown sugar), a daily carrot, and I also tried 4mg of Cypro once per week (good results, but will try a smaller dosage like 2mg). I am now avoiding not only seed oils but also nuts or anything else with PUFAs. I feel like I'm improving, haven’t had a migraine since I started peating, and I feel warmer and with more energy, but my temperature when waking up is still below 36.4°C—maybe it will take more time. I am supplementing Selenium and thinking of adding myo-inositol to support the thyroid.

Still have doubts, but I must say that for the first time, I see the light at the end of the tunnel—I’m very happy. I’m very grateful for Dr. Ray Peat's work and for this community for perpetuating his work. Thanks.

[LucH]

@MateLover87 said:

Still have doubts, but I must say that for the first time, I see the light at the end of the tunnel—I’m very happy. I’m very grateful for Dr. Ray Peat's work and for this community for perpetuating his work.

Hi, Good news.
Here's a contribution if you know how to separate the essential from the secondary, without throwing the baby out with the bathwater. We sort through everything and leave aside what seems unsuitable. It's a treasure hunt: we proceed by elimination.

Context
ML87 (forumer) has suffered from migraines for the past 11 years, with attacks increasing in frequency and severity over time. He / she has tried many things like avoiding triggers, eliminating all dairy, but has refused advised antidepressants.
Until he / she discovered Ray Peat articles on metabolism and aspirin as pro-metabolic. A low dose 100 mg. Milk doesn’t interfere any longer (no problem with digestion).
She is also eating lots of honey and Rapadura (brown sugar), a daily carrot, and also tried 4mg of Cypro once per week (good results, but will try a smaller dosage like 2mg). She is now avoiding not only seed oils but also nuts or anything else with PUFAs. She feels like improving, hasn’t had a migraine since she started peating, and she feels warmer and with more energy, but her temperature when waking up is still below 36.4°C—maybe it will take more time. She is supplementing Selenium and thinking of adding myo-inositol to support the thyroid.

NB: Not sure it’s a woman but it’s a question of probability ...

Question for IA:
Do not comment the action of cyproheptadine or the other ingredients of the diet.
Focus on what could improve body temperature when waking up.
1st tip:
Massaging the back over the adrenal glands will stimulate them and provide an adequate level of serotonin in the first two hours of the morning. Isn't that counterproductive?
When I lack energy, I do this with a homemade mixture based on G5 (organic silicon), aloe vera and lavender floral water.
NB: When cortisol levels have not decreased sufficiently, there is counter-production and a lack of serotonin.

Morning Temperature & Metabolic Activation Upon Waking
In the Ray Peat framework, morning temperature is beneficial /should be targeted if energy levels are low.
• Morning cortisol mobilizes hepatic glucose → temperature rise
• It antagonizes excess aldosterone and promotes the conversion of T4 to T3
• Adrenaline stimulates mitochondrial thermogenesis
This would only be counterproductive if cortisol levels were already chronically elevated (an overwhelmed HPA stress pattern). It's a valuable tool for restarting the body… Let's assume there are no nighttime awakenings and no blood sugar management issues. The liver needs extra care. A hot water bottle on the liver area would be beneficial.

CO₂ as a thermogenic signal: fine but be careful to avoid hyperventilation. This should be done right after breakfast. Maintaining CO₂ levels promotes vasodilation and glucose utilization.

Aspirin should be taken after a meal or snack to maximize its pro-metabolic effect without causing gastric stress (acidity).

Myo-inosital
What myo-inositol could specifically contribute here: the potential benefit is the sensitization of TSH receptors, which could improve peripheral conversion — but the effect on morning temperature would be indirect and gradual, not immediate.

Selenium supplementation (100 mcg) supports the function of deiodinase enzymes. Zinc, iron, magnesium, and iodine levels should also be monitored. Iodine is often deficient, particularly in women, whose breasts are frequently lacking in this iodine. Start slowly with iodine (to avoid a protective counter-effect and a sudden drop in availability from acetylcholine): Nature's Life Icelandic Kelp 41 mg, with 225 mg of iodine per tablet. Allow 15 days for adjustment before adapting the dose.

Additional remarks:
• The ambient room temperature plays a greater role than commonly believed—a room that is too cold maintains peripheral vasoconstriction until wakefulness.
• The timing of awakening within the sleep cycle—waking from light versus deep sleep results in very different measured temperatures, without necessarily reflecting an actual metabolic problem.
To clarify: does the temperature rise rapidly within the first hour after waking, or does it remain low throughout the morning, for 2 to 3 hours?

LucH says:
I hope this will spark discussion. When in doubt, it is better to remove one element than to add another. And it is best to avoid taking several supplements simultaneously without staggering the doses, except in specific cases where a particular combination is recommended.

Additional advice
Foot reflexology also stimulates the adrenal reflex zone (in the center of the sole of the foot) to soothe the body. A doctor who practices acupuncture is a rare find that I would consider (circulation of internal energy).

Talk with AI.
Claude went off the rails/was scattered. Gemini stayed on track (better detailed). We are wary of AI as the sole source (…)
*) Regarding morning cortisol (Unperceived latent metabolic stress)
Morning serotonin is not directly dependent on cortisol, but chronically elevated cortisol diverts tryptophan to the kynurenine pathway rather than to serotonin synthesis. Therefore, your observation is biochemically consistent.
Your blend — an interesting approach
• G5 (organic silicon) → deep tissue penetration, carrier
• Aloe vera → local anti-inflammatory action, skin permeability
• Lavender floral water → parasympathetic action, which is counterintuitive here
This is precisely where the refinement lies: lavender modulates rather than stimulates — it prevents adrenal over-activation while allowing the mechanical massage to work.

*) Migraine, 100 mg aspirin, and thyroid metabolism
Ray Peat's line of reasoning — what makes sense
Ray Peat recommends a low dose of aspirin (not a pain reliever, not a classic anti-inflammatory) for specific metabolic reasons:
• COX inhibition → reduction of pro-inflammatory prostaglandins (PGE2), which are vasodilators and major migraine triggers
• Lactate reduction → promotes mitochondrial respiration (pure Peat logic)
NB: (LucH): Need for additional B1 here (protocol).
• Peripheral anti-serotonergic effect — paradoxical but consistent in migraine sufferers where platelet serotonin plays a triggering role
The T4 → T3 link: why it's relevant here
The T4→T3 conversion occurs primarily through deiodinases (D1, D2). What blocks it:
• Chronically elevated cortisol (your previous discussion)
• Oxidative stress
• Excess estrogen
• Elevated prostaglandins — a loop that directly links migraines and functional hypothyroidism
Functional low T3 results in:
• Low morning temperature (your previous topic)
• Slow mitochondrial metabolism
• Poorly regulated vasoconstriction/dilation → predisposition to migraines

*) Cypro 2 mg
The Cyproheptadine 2 mg Test — An Interesting Approach
Cyproheptadine (Cypro) acts on several targets simultaneously:
Action | Relevance to Migraine:
Anti-H1 (Antihistamine): Histamine = common migraine trigger
Anti-5HT2 (Anti-serotonin): Blocks the initial vasoconstriction phase
Orexigenic: Suggests an effect on the metabolic axis
Possible pro-T3 effect Via reduction of chronic serotonergic stress
2 mg is a low dose — it's a field test, not a heavy treatment.

*) What deserves further investigation
The key question for your forum member:
Did the migraines occur primarily in the morning, late afternoon, or without a specific time pattern?
This would point to cortisol, T3, or histamine as the dominant factor. Do you have any other information about their profile—basal body temperature, sleep quality, dietary triggers?

LucH says:
Let's pause here. This is an intermediate step. We need to clarify the context.

[ThinPicking]

Nice work 87.

@MateLover87 said:
3 weeks ago I started measuring my body temperature, and it's always below 36.4°C (on average 36°C). While I no longer get migraines, I’m trying to reintroduce milk, but it still caused me discomfort. Yesterday, for the first time, I didn’t have any discomfort with milk. I’m also eating lots of honey and Rapadura (brown sugar), a daily carrot, and I also tried 4mg of Cypro once per week (good results, but will try a smaller dosage like 2mg). I am now avoiding not only seed oils but also nuts or anything else with PUFAs. I feel like I'm improving, haven’t had a migraine since I started peating, and I feel warmer and with more energy, but my temperature when waking up is still below 36.4°C—maybe it will take more time. I am supplementing Selenium and thinking of adding myo-inositol to support the thyroid.

Also slowly consider the time of day relative to your rhythm. And anything you may or may not be doing with salt.

https://bioenergetic.forum/topic/6546/aspirin-in-the-morning-vs-aspirin-at-night