As I prepared to begin my investigation on this neurological condition, I felt a pulsating pain start in my left temple and my vision blurred, immersing me into the reality of this disabling condition. Migraines are a neurological disorder that result in intense headaches that last from four hours to up to three days, affecting about 12% of the population (Burch et. al. 2019). One hypothesis of the cause of migraines is an increase in the levels of cortisol, a stress hormone released by the adrenal gland, increases stress levels particularly in the morning and affects the body’s metabolism, causing an increase in blood pressure and migraine attacks. There is strong evidence of sleep disruptions and disorders being associated with the frequency and severity of migraines in sufferers. Data shows that migraine-sufferers are three times more likely to have insomnia and sleep-related disorders than a non-migraine sufferer, indicating a bidirectional relationship between the two (Amiri et. al. 2022).

The standing overhead press (OHP) is largely regarded as one of the most effective strength and hypertrophy muscle-building exercises; due to the exercise having the longest kinetic chain of any lift as well as its compound nature incorporating muscle groups from the chest, shoulders, upper back, neck, and core. Standing OHP is trained by athletes, recreational lifters, and even in the military. While the standing overhead press may be an excellent exercise there is reason to believe there are potential downsides to the participant's long-term disc health.

Studies have shown that meditation has numerous health benefits, including consistent correlations with decreases in pain and anxiety, which has more recently been investigated with regard to patients undergoing surgery.  Preoperative anxiety can have deleterious effects on patient experience and surgical outcomes including impaired wound healing and increases in postoperative complications. To learn more about the recent research into the applications of mediation for enhancement of patient operative experience, you can view our anthology post on the topic.  Do you have your own meditation or mindfulness practices? 

Moyamoya disease is a rare cerebrovascular condition characterized by progressive stenosis of the internal carotid artery. The stenosis and resulting hypoplasia of the internal carotid artery lead to the dilation of proximal blood vessels as a consequence of the body's attempt to compensate for the reduced blood flow. The enlargement of the minor vasculature can be seen on   an   angiogram and   is   often   compared   toもやもや (moyamoya), which is Japanese for a "puff of smoke"

Horner's syndrome is characterized as a rare condition best identified by three main symptoms: miosis (pupil constriction), ptosis (upper eyelid sagging), and anhidrosis (inability to secrete sweat). It may also present with symptoms such as the inability to completely shut or open the eyes, flushing of one half of the face, frequent headaches, and sharp pains. Horner’s occurs as a result of damage of the sympathetic nerves that supply blood to the face. Root causes of Horner's syndrome vary greatly, however most stem from damage to the sympathetic nerves via a tumor, stroke, injury, etc.

Psilocybin, the principal psychedelic ingredient of hallucinogenic mushrooms, has received significant attention as a scientific research tool due to its potential therapeutic effects. Psychedelic research was prolific during the 1960s but ceased with the Controlled Substances Act of 1970. This act placed serotonergic psychedelics, such as psilocybin and LSD, into schedule I of the US Drug Enforcement Administration’s list of controlled substances. However, human psychedelic research resurfaced in the 1990s and has been growing ever since. This article will examine psilocybin with its properties and potential for treating illnesses, such as chronic pain.

The blood-brain barrier (BBB) is crucial to maintaining central nervous system (CNS) homeostasis. Through a combination of physical and molecular barrier properties, and a number of highly specific transporters that exercise fine control over the movement of nutrients from blood vessels into the CNS or waste products back out into the bloodstream, the blood-brain barrier keeps tight regulation of everything going in and out of the CNS (Daneman & Prat, 2015). While this is useful for protecting the CNS from toxins and pathogens, this presents a unique challenge for non-invasive delivery of therapeutic agents in the treatment of brain cancers.

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) was first reported on December 2019 in Wuhan, China and has become a global pandemic due its worldwide spread. COVID-19 is mainly known for causing respiratory symptoms, however in severe cases, it may also cause neurological harm. Neurological manifestations of COVID-19 affect both the central nervous system (CNS) and the peripheral nervous system (PNS). One of the symptoms of the coronavirus in the CNS include epilepsy (Azhideh 2020).