By Islam El-Sakka
Amanda Ellison, a professor of neuroscience at Durham University, has detailed the mechanisms behind migraines and assessed which popular remedies might offer real relief. Writing on Wednesday 28 October 2026, Ellison explained that migraine attacks begin long before head pain sets in.
Prodrome Phase
The early stage, known as the prodrome, can start hours or days before a headache. Symptoms include repeated yawning, tiredness, difficulty concentrating, and food cravings. These cravings can complicate trigger identification; for example, chocolate consumption may reflect a craving during the prodrome rather than causing the attack. Research reviews have found insufficient evidence to recommend universal chocolate avoidance for migraine sufferers.
Aura and Visual Disturbances
About one third of people with migraine experience aura, involving temporary visual changes such as flashing lights or missing patches in the visual field. Ellison recounted a personal episode of visual field loss at Saltburn beach that did not progress to a headache, a phenomenon known as ocular migraine.
Evaluating Remedies
Ellison emphasized that plausible explanations for remedies require rigorous testing before becoming reliable treatment advice. Understanding the underlying biology helps distinguish between strategies that may provide comfort and those that promise more than evidence supports.
