January 15, 2026
A diabetes medication already recognized for its weight loss benefits may offer unexpected relief for people who experience debilitating headaches, according to preliminary research that could expand treatment options for millions.
Scientists have discovered that GLP-1 receptor agonists, the class of dr*gs that includes semaglutide and tirzepatide, appear to significantly reduce the frequency of migraine attacks. In a small clinical trial, participants experienced nearly 50% fewer migraine days after three months of treatment.
The findings emerge as researchers continue uncovering additional health benefits beyond blood sugar control and weight reduction. While the study remains in early stages, the results suggest a promising new avenue for managing a neurological condition that affects approximately 39 million Americans.
The research team enrolled adults who experienced migraines and had obesity or were overweight, testing whether GLP-1 could influence headache frequency. Participants received either semaglutide or tirzepatide injections weekly, following standard dosing protocols used for weight management.
After 12 weeks, the results showed a dramatic improvement. Those taking the medications reported experiencing 4.2 fewer migraine days per month on average. This represented a 44% reduction compared to their baseline frequency before starting treatment.
The improvement appeared consistent across both medications tested, suggesting the benefit stems from the d**g class mechanism rather than one specific formulation. Participants also lost an average of 11 pounds (5 kilograms) during the study period, though researchers are still investigating whether weight loss itself contributed to migraine improvement or if the it work through separate pathways.
GLP-1 receptor agonists function by mimicking a naturally occurring hormone that regulates appetite and blood sugar. These receptors exist throughout the body, including in the brain, which has led scientists to investigate potential neurological effects.
Several theories attempt to explain the migraine benefits. The medications may reduce inflammation in neural pathways, stabilize blood sugar fluctuations that can trigger headaches, or directly influence pain processing centers in the brain. Some research also suggests GLP-1 receptors play a role in how the nervous system responds to pain signals.
The weight loss component adds another layer of complexity. Previous studies have established connections between body weight and migraine frequency, with some research indicating that weight reduction through various methods can decrease headache occurrence. However, the speed and magnitude of improvement seen in this trial suggests the medications may offer benefits beyond what weight loss alone provides.
Migraines represent far more than ordinary headaches. These neurological events can cause intense throbbing pain, sensitivity to light and sound, nausea, and visual disturbances lasting hours or days. For chronic sufferers, the condition disrupts work, relationships, and daily functioning.
Current treatment approaches include preventive treatments, acute pain relievers, and newer targeted therapies. However, not all patients respond to existing options, and some carry side effects that limit their use.
The study’s focus on patients with both migraines and elevated body weight reflects a pragmatic starting point, given that GLP-1 are currently approved for weight management and diabetes control. This population may see dual benefits from a single treatment.
Despite encouraging results, researchers emphasize the preliminary nature of these findings. The trial included a relatively small number of participants and lacked a placebo control group, making it difficult to rule out other factors that might influence outcomes. The researchers also note the possibility that participants experienced natural fluctuations in migraine patterns unrelated to treatment.
Larger, randomized controlled trials are necessary to confirm whether GLP-1 receptor agonists truly provide migraine benefits and to determine optimal dosing strategies. Future research will need to compare the medications directly against placebo treatments and investigate whether patients without weight concerns experience similar headache improvements.
Questions also remain about long-term effectiveness. Will the migraine reduction persist beyond three months? Do benefits continue if patients stop losing weight or reach a stable body weight? Can people who don’t have diabetes or obesity safely use these specifically for migraine prevention?
The research team plans to continue studying these questions while examining the underlying biological mechanisms. Understanding exactly how GLP-1 influence migraine pathways could reveal new targets for treatment development.
This research adds to mounting evidence that GLP-1 receptor agonists influence multiple body systems beyond metabolic control. Recent studies have linked these to potential cardiovascular benefits, reduced inflammation markers, and possible protective effects for kidney function.
The migraine findings particularly intrigue scientists because they suggest these d**gs may modulate pain processing and neurological function in ways not previously anticipated. Such discoveries often open unexpected research directions and treatment possibilities.
For now, healthcare providers caution against using GLP-1 off-label specifically for migraines until more definitive evidence emerges. The d***s carry potential side effects, most commonly digestive issues, and remain expensive without insurance coverage for approved uses.
January 15, 2026
Pa O’Dwyer provided a detailed account of the extensive performance enhancing protocol prescribed by his professional bodybuilding coach in what would become one of his final videos discussing training and supplementation.
O’Dwyer who had recently transitioned from strongman competition to pursue professional bodybuilding decided to hire what he described as “one of the most respected coaches in the world” to guide his preparation for a show scheduled for May. His ambition was to compete at Mr. Olympia.
The health supplementation list he was given immediately raised concerns.
“Jesus I was like how can you expect a person that works because there’s a lot of bodybuilders it’s a poor man’s sport again unless you make the very top. How can you expect a person to work nine to five have kids and take all of this?”
The daily regimen included curcumin, three capsules in the evening only; Omega Pro, two capsules by 5 p.m.; one magnesium capsule with each meal; a vitamin B complex; glutathione, 200 mg taken fasted; PQQ, 30 mg taken fasted; vitamin D3 and K2 at 12,000 IU in the morning; Osteopro in the morning and evening; vitamin C, 3,000 mg in the morning with a beverage and 1,000 mg before bed; one serving of Dream Sleep before bed containing 10 to 50 mg of melatonin; Vital Support, four capsules in the morning and evening; Love Heart, two capsules in the morning and evening; Heart Care, two capsules in the morning and evening; vitamin E, 1,000 IU in the morning; and Insure, two capsules with the first meal.
On the low end this would cost between $300 and $500.
He then detailed the pharmaceutical protocol he was advised to follow.
“We have Test E, we have Mast E, we have Primobolan, both of which you can’t get anymore because China has shut down and they don’t make them anymore. We have growth, we have Lantus, which is insulin, we have T4, we have T3.”
Testosterone enanthate is the hormonal base, raising overall androgen levels to support muscle growth, strength, and recovery. Masteron enanthate and Primobolan are milder anabolic ster***s often used to add a harder, drier look by improving muscle density and limiting water retention rather than driving large weight gain. Growth hormone works through a different pathway, supporting tissue repair, fat metabolism, and long-term changes in body composition. Lantus is long-acting insulin, which in this context is used to push nutrients into muscle cells and amplify the muscle-building signal, though it carries significant risk if misused. T4 and T3 are thyroid hormones that increase metabolic rate, commonly included to drive fat loss and keep metabolism high, with T3 being the more potent and immediate-acting of the two.
He continued listing additional compounds.
“Clenbuterol, PP, thyroid support, Proviron, Telmisartan, Metformin, injectable L carnitine, morning and pre workout.”
O’Dwyer said the volume alone made the decision clear.
“I’ve obviously refused to do any of that because even if I want to be a pro bodybuilder I feel like that amount of stuff would end me in a short time. I’m 40 years of age. It’s downhill from here lads.”
Addressing the long standing debate over which athletes use more compounds bodybuilders or strongmen O’Dwyer was blunt.
“It’s funny because if you compare it you know the old age question who takes more the bodybuilders or the strongmen and I can tell you strongmen aren’t touching this. I’ve spoken for myself a lot of the time and I’ve spoken to other strongmen and it’s the same thing. They wouldn’t go near some of this stuff.”
He explained that when strongmen push their limits too high it often backfires.
“They feel terrible and it affects their performance based training. It’s not the same as bodybuilding prep.”
For O’Dwyer the contrast clarified why professional bodybuilding reaches such intense levels of size and conditioning. Pa O’Dwyer passed away a week ago due to a heart attack.
January 15, 2026
Dr. Rhonda Patrick, a renowned biochemist and health expert, recently challenged conventional wisdom about muscle building by explaining that lifting heavy weights isn’t the only path to gaining muscle mass.
Her insights, backed by scientific research, offer a more accessible approach to strength training that could benefit everyone from beginners to experienced athletes.
The foundation of Dr. Patrick’s perspective comes from groundbreaking research by Dr. Stuart Phillips, who demonstrated that untrained men could gain equal amounts of muscle mass and strength whether they lifted heavy or lighter weights.
She said, “Untrained men could gain just as much muscle mass and strength lifting lighter weights as the men gain lifting heavy weights as long as they put in the effort. So the volume and effort has to be high.”
The critical factor wasn’t the weight itself, but rather the effort and volume invested. As long as individuals work to near fatigue, lighter weights can produce comparable results to heavier loads.
This finding was initially met with skepticism, leading researcher Brad Schoenfeld to replicate the study with trained men. To everyone’s surprise, the results remained consistent.
Trained individuals also achieved similar muscle gains with lighter weights when they maintained high effort levels. This discovery fundamentally changes how we think about resistance training and makes it more accessible to populations who might be intimidated by heavy lifting or concerned about injury risk.
Dr. Patrick emphasizes that protein intake plays an equally crucial role in muscle development. The recommended daily allowance for protein, set at 0.8 grams per kilogram of body weight, was established using outdated techniques that underestimated amino acid losses.
Modern research suggests the actual requirement is closer to 1.2 grams per kilogram, representing a 50 percent increase from the original recommendation. For those actively engaged in resistance training, this number rises to 1.6 grams per kilogram of body weight.
The importance of protein becomes even more pronounced with age. Older adults experience what researchers call anabolic resistance, meaning their muscles don’t respond as efficiently to amino acids.
She stated, “When you reach the age of 50, your anabolic resistance is starting to kick in. You’re not being as sensitive to the protein intake. You really have to rely more on on the the mechanical force of stimulating muscle protein synthesis as the form of increasing muscle mass and hypertrophy.”
Studies comparing older adults consuming the standard RDA versus 1.2 grams per kilogram showed significantly higher muscle mass gains in the higher protein group. This makes adequate protein intake essential for preventing the muscle loss that typically accompanies aging.
Timing of protein consumption matters significantly. Dr. Patrick warns against skipping breakfast, particularly for those concerned about muscle maintenance. During sleep, the body experiences its longest fasting period.
Extending this fast by skipping breakfast forces the body to pull amino acids from muscle tissue to support essential functions. While resistance training can mitigate this muscle loss, combining proper training with strategic protein timing produces optimal results.
For older adults, the muscle mass challenge becomes more urgent. People reach peak muscle mass between ages 20 and 30, then begin losing approximately 8 percent per decade until age 70, when the loss accelerates to 12 percent per decade.
However, Dr. Patrick offers hope by pointing to research showing that even older adults who haven’t previously engaged in regular exercise can gain strength and counter atrophy by starting a resistance training program.
The concept she discusses, called the disability threshold, represents a critical consideration for aging populations. As people lose muscle mass over time, they approach a point where routine activities become difficult or impossible. Building substantial muscle mass earlier in life provides a buffer against this threshold, allowing people to maintain independence and quality of life longer.
Dr. Patrick’s personal approach has evolved based on this understanding. She increased her resistance training from just 30 minutes weekly to over two hours per week, working with a coach to ensure proper form and progression. She discovered previously untrained muscle groups despite considering herself physically fit, highlighting how endurance focused exercise alone doesn’t address all aspects of fitness.
For those concerned about injury risk with heavier weights, the lighter weight, higher effort approach offers a safer alternative. By controlling tempo, emphasizing the eccentric portion of movements, and achieving proper muscle stretch at end ranges of motion, individuals can maximize muscle growth while minimizing stress on joints and connective tissue. A two second minimum per repetition, with controlled eccentric movement and brief pauses at peak stretch positions, provides an effective framework.
The practical implications of this research extend beyond the gym. She said, “Most people are taking advantage of everyday life. Like they have stairs every day to work, they sprint up them. They get their heart rate up to like 75% max heart rate, 80% max heart rate… People that do this anywhere between 1 to 3 minutes a day.”
Dr. Patrick notes that even vigorous intensity lifestyle activities, like sprinting up stairs for one to three minutes daily, produce measurable health benefits.
These exercise snacks, as researchers call them, contributed to 50 percent lower cancer related and cardiovascular mortality in studies tracking people through wearable devices.
For those worried they’ve started too late, Dr. Patrick emphasizes that strength gains remain achievable even in later decades. While muscle mass increases become more challenging with age, strength improvements can effectively counter years of decline. This represents perhaps the most encouraging aspect of the research, that the benefits of resistance training remain accessible regardless of when someone begins.
https://youtu.be/iOvvw3jb6cs?si=Hx9BFmOJ0USaKKC0
