According to the American Migraine Foundation, a migraine is not simply a headache but “an unbearable neurological disease”. The pain from a migraine can so severe that the neurons in your brain “malfunction” causing feelings of nausea and irritability. Because it is difficult to determine the cause of a migraine, it is best to cease the migraine before it even occurs. While this may be easier said than done, there is at least recommended food to consume that supplies the body with the nutrients it needs to prevent a migraine: mushrooms.

No, we’re not talking about the drug! The mushroom fungus consists of riboflavin which, according to nutritionist Jessica Booth, “is a yellow Vitamin B complex which is essential for metabolic energy consumption”. While riboflavin is present in various foods such as milk, liver, eggs, and vegetables, riboflavin is most present in mushrooms. According to a 2004 study by the Food of Drug Administration, the severity of headaches and migraines was severely lessened when given 400 mg of riboflavin. They concluded that riboflavin is “probably effective” in treating headaches.

In November of 2020, scientists began to study further about the structure of a fungus. They found that the cell walls are composed of glucans and chitin which also provide health benefits such as soothing migraines, boosting metabolism, improving heart rate. Unlike other plant cells, mushroom funguses do not contain cellulose, which would otherwise be potentially dangerous to consume.

While it is not guaranteed that mushrooms will cure migraines as each person has varying degrees of metabolism and body complex, these studies show that mushrooms are the most effective, and refreshing too. So, perhaps instead of relying on pain medications, it may worth consuming a fungus mushroom every once in a while to prevent this unwanted ailment for lingering in your body. Dig in!