Robbins Headache Clinic Blog
Can Supplements Improve Brain Power?
Consumer Reports has a recent article describing a supplement callled BrainStrong that touts itself as being "clinically shown to improve adult memory." The kids version "helps support your child's brain development." They have a line of nutritional supplements with...
Placebo
We recently posted on the nocebo response; the better known entity is placebo. The placebo response is fascinating, as it is a very real response. Our studies generally involve testing the effects of a drug, or procedure, versus placebo. For instance, if we have a new...
“Today I Have a Headache”
The following quote was on our blog several months ago. Hopefully it can serve as a reminder that headaches are not our fault...... Today I have a headache, not because I am a bad or evil person, not because I hate my family, nor because I am angry, not because...
Living With a Diet Cop
A recent article in AARP magazine highlighted a man's diagnosis of high cholesterol. Since then his wife has been monitoring his diet, which is causing him to feel miserable, and hungry. The tips suggested for healthier eating seemed like a good reminder for ways we...
Genetic-Trait Connection Sought in Research on Pain Medicines
Researchers from Harvard, Stanford, and Duke in the United States, as well as Cambridge University in Great Britain are teaming up to find out if everyday painkillers like Aleve and Celebrex can be made more effective and safer through personalized medicine - which...
Migraines Not Associated With Cognitive Decline
New research conducted at Brigham and Women's Hospital concludes that migraines are not associated with cognitive decline. Researchers studied data from 6,349 women who supplied migraine history at the start of the study as well as follow-up data years later. The...
The Concept of “Slow Parenting”
In a world of piano lessons, play dates, soccer practice and homework, many parents feel anxious when the school bell rings in September. Living with migraines can add extra angst for parents wanting to keep up with their children's busy schedules. Susan Sachs Lipman...
The “Nocebo” Effect
A placebo is typically a fake medication used as a control in a medical trial. It can have favorable effects on the individual, sometimes alleviating pain, bloating, or a depressed mood. A nocebo effect can produce the opposite result. If a patient anticipates...
Exercise is Key to Brain Health
New studies presented at the International Conference on Alzheimer's Disease in Paris maintain the belief that regular physical exercise - even walking is a key to staying mentally sharp as we get older. These studies fill in some previous gaps in the scientific...
Skip a Meal, Gain Weight?
Cornell researchers invited 128 participants to a buffet lunch. They asked half of them not to eat breakfast that morning. During the buffet lunch the participants ate the same amount of food... though the nonfasters went for the salad, whereas the fasters dove into...