At Workup, we believe in spotlighting wellness innovations rooted in both science and real-life stories. Migraine treatment is a topic especially personal to me - my wife has lived with them for years, navigating the frustrating maze of misdiagnoses and hit-or-miss treatments. That’s why I was so eager to sit down with Dr. Elena Gross, a neuroscientist, migraine patient and now entrepreneur behind Brain Ritual, an exciting new solution in brain health.
Dr. Gross’s story is one of lived experiences driving groundbreaking science. Her migraines began at age 14 and led to decades of debilitating pain, failed treatments and eventually a PhD and MS in neuroscience from Basel and Oxford, respectively - all to understand her own condition. The result? A powerful new supplement based on exogenous ketones and over 30 bioactive ingredients designed to support brain energy metabolism. It’s called Brain Ritual.
What follows is an edited and condensed Q&A from our conversation:
Ryan Frankel: Elena, let’s start with your personal journey. What was it like living with chronic migraines and how did that lead to the creation of Brain Ritual?
Dr. Elena Gross: I began suffering from migraines at 14 after starting the contraceptive pill for hormonal deficiencies. What followed were years of unexplained, excruciating headaches. Doctors ran scans, sent me to psychologists and prescribed everything from painkillers to herbal medicine. Nothing helped. By the time I was in university, I had 20 migraine days a month. I missed out on so much of life.
Eventually, I studied neuroscience at Oxford and Basel, hoping to better understand my condition. A turning point came during research when a patient fasting for two weeks reported complete migraine relief. That led me to explore ketogenic therapy and exogenous ketones. I realized that migraine can be an energy deficiency in the brain - not a lack of calories, but inefficient metabolism. This insight led to Brain Ritual, a formula rich in ketone bodies, electrolytes, vitamins and more - designed to give the brain clean, efficient fuel.
Ryan Frankel: You could have stayed in academia. What pushed you toward entrepreneurship?
Dr. Elena Gross: Honestly, necessity. I thought someone else would commercialize my research, but no one did. So I decided to do it myself. I had zero business background, but I was lucky to attend Novartis’ Biocamp in Basel. We pitched biotech startups and won the challenge. That gave me the courage to learn by doing. Over time, I realized that being an entrepreneur gave me more control to push the science forward.
Ryan Frankel: Brain Ritual is used for migraines, but do you see broader applications?
Dr. Elena Gross: Yes, though I have to be careful. Officially, it’s for migraine. But many customers report benefits for cognitive clarity, hangovers even cluster headaches. The underlying idea is metabolic support for the brain, which could have relevance for conditions like depression or Alzheimer’s. We’re running trials now, but we don’t have results yet. The potential is there.
Ryan Frankel: How would someone know if they have a “metabolic migraine” and might benefit?
Dr. Elena Gross: We’re working on blood biomarkers, but for now, trial is the best method. Unless you have allergies to the ingredients, it’s generally safe. Some people notice a difference in a few weeks; for others, it takes up to three months. Watch for migraine triggers linked to metabolism like fasting, lack of sleep or intense exercise. That can be a clue.
Ryan Frankel: What does your personal health and wellness routine look like?
Dr. Elena Gross: I take Brain Ritual daily, sometimes twice. I add spirulina and chlorella for detox. I prioritize sleep, morning sun, red light therapy and daily walks. I follow a mostly paleo diet, avoid gluten and dairy and add Omega-3s and melatonin. I also love sauna and cold exposure, but always stay within a healthy stress window to avoid triggering migraines.
Ryan Frankel: For someone struggling with chronic migraines who feels out of options, what message would you share?
Dr. Elena Gross: You are not powerless. I believe in the Four Pillars of Migraine Mastery:
Stabilize blood sugar
Replenish nutrients and hormones
Reduce oxidative stress and toxins
Provide alternative energy to the brain
If you address these areas, especially metabolism, migraines can become manageable. You have to be your own detective and advocate.
Closing Thoughts
Dr. Gross is the kind of founder we love at Workup—scientist, patient and innovator, all in one. If you're someone who suffers from migraines or simply wants to support your brain energy, Brain Ritual is a solution worth exploring.
To watch the full interview, visit Ryan Frankel’s Interview with Dr. Gross
To learn more or try it for yourself, visit Brain Ritual on Workup.
