nitric oXiDe HeaDacHe connection
Overproduction of NO has been linked to chronic tension headache and
migraine, through a L-arginine-NO-cGMP pathway. Substances capable of
inducing vascular headache do so with nitric oxide as the common mediator.
There is significant increase in cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) level was
observed in patients during a migraine attack.
Histamine liberates nitric oxide from vascular endothelium. Histamine plasma
levels are chronically elevated in those who get migraines, reflecting chronic stress.
Histamine is known to liberate NO from the endothelium via stimulation of the
H1 receptor, which is present in the large intracranial arteries in man. Structural
alterations of NOS axons innervating blood vessels of the dura mater support
the idea that nitric oxide (NO) is involved in the induction of headache, a well-
known side effect of taking coronary vasodilator agents. Excess excitatory amino
acid glutamate in spinal and supraspinal structures also is involved in headaches.
It was found that there is a significant increase in glutamate, nitrite and cGMP
levels in the Cerebrospinal Fluid of migraine suffers. Nitric oxide dilates the blood
vessels, generating a blood surge which gives a “pumped” turgid pressure feeling.
Inhibition of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) may become a novel principle in the
future treatment of chronic headache.
Changes of serum levels of complement and immunoglobulins, histamine,
cytokines and immune cells were found in some migraine studies. The inflammatory
cytokine interleukin-1 (IL-1) induces nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) with an increase
in nitric oxide and Tyrosine kinase plays a central role in IL-1 beta signaling to
induce iNOS.
Herbs that decrease no: Chinese herbal remedy Tripterygium wilfordii,
Huang Qui, Scutellaria baicalensis, Ganoderma lucidum, Quercetin, Licorice
Root, Rosemary, and Zinc is also a very potent inhibitor of nitric oxide synthase
(NOS). Taking these NO inhibiting herbs will also reduce the septic shock after
acute kundalini events like inner-conjunctions. Melatonin has also been reported
to inhibit nitric oxide synthetase, thus might be used to reduce hypertensive
headaches.
Herbs that increase no: which need to be avoided during hypertensive
head pressure include Ashwagandha, Ginseng, Horny Goat Weed, Gynostemma
pentaphyllum, also called Jiaogulan, other aphrodisiac herbs and the amino acid
L- Arginine.
loss of mental Faculties—Don’t worry about loss of cognitive functions or
the left-brain not working well. Work on calming down your hyper sympathetic
nervous system and focus on reducing your blood pressure with walks in nature,
laughter, having fun. Take some nootropics if you feel you need more mental focus
(see Five formulas section of BOK). Tryptophan gets used up during prolonged
stress so taking the Calm Formula should help eliminate these tension headaches
and might reduce blood pressure by reducing your hypertonal nervous system and
HPA axis hyperactivation.