Unfortunately glioblastoma, the most aggressive form of brain cancer, is becoming increasingly common.
In the U.S., it accounts for nearly 50% of all malignant brain tumors, and its incidence has been rising by about 1.4% per year in adults over age 65.
Glioblastoma develops from glial cells, specifically astrocytes, which normally provide structural and metabolic support to neurons.
It is known for its quick progression, resistance to treatment, and poor prognosis.
Part of the reason why glioblastoma is so difficult to treat is because it doesn’t form as a single, well-defined mass.
It sends out microscopic extensions, weaving into healthy brain tissue, wrapping around blood vessels, and threading through delicate white matter. This infiltrative pattern makes it extremely difficult to remove the tumor entirely without risking damage to critical brain functions. Even when the majority is surgically removed, the cells can remain undetected and regrow.
Unlike many other cancers, glioblastoma typically stays within the brain. The skulls’s closed environment means there’s very little space for the tumor to grow, but as it expands, it can cause swelling, pressure, seizures, and a gradual decline in function – in the body’s most critical organ.
Why are cases increasing? A few possible factors:
- High serotonin. Chronic stress, certain medications, high-tryptophan diets, gut inflammation, and estrogen dominance all contribute to elevated serotonin. Glioblastoma cells have serotonin receptors, and high serotonin can stimulate tumor growth, vascular development, and invasiveness.
- High glutamate. Diets high in glutamate-rich additives (like MSG), plus chronic inflammation and metabolic dysfunction, may increase brain glutamate levels. Glioma cells also release glutamate themselves, which not only feeds tumor progression but causes damage to neighboring neurons, allowing the tumor to spread.
- Exposure to ionizing radiation. The use of medical imaging has risen sharply in recent decades. These scans deliver high doses of radiation to the head, which can damage cells and increase the risk of cancer.
- Circadian disruption. Irregular sleep, artificial light at night, and shift work can disrupt the circadian rhythm and alter the timing and regulation of key neurotransmitters in the brain, including glutamate, GABA, and serotonin. In particular, it impairs glial cells’ ability to clear excess glutamate.
- Increased estrogen exposure and estrogen dominance. While glioblastoma is not typically classified as a hormonally driven cancer, research shows that glioblastoma cells express estrogen receptors (ERs), including ER-α and ER-β. This means they can respond to estrogen signaling, which may influence cell proliferation, inflammation, and resistance to treatment. In a state of estrogen dominance, from excess endogenous estrogen, environmental xenoestrogens, or low progesterone, these receptors may become overstimulated and promote growth in vulnerable brain tissue.
- Diets high in polyunsaturated fats (PUFAs). Linoleic acid may disrupt the blood–brain barrier (BBB). Diets high in omega-6 PUFAs (like linoleic acid) can increase inflammation and compromise the integrity of the BBB. A weakened BBB may allow more toxins, cytokines, or growth signals to enter the brain microenvironment, potentially promoting glioma development or progression.
- Increased exposure to electromagnetic fields (EMFs). Long-term exposure to EMFs (cell phones, wireless devices) has been debated as a possible contributing factor, particularly for tumors in the temporal lobe.
Why does glioblastoma have such a poor prognosis?
Cancer is a metabolic disease, and glioblastoma proves it. In all cancers, there is significant metabolic disruption, leading to inadequate energy production.
Healthy cells primarily use mitochondria to generate energy from glucose through oxidative phosphorylation—a highly efficient process. But cancer cells are unable to process glucose through the mitochondria. This leads to a severe energy crisis.
Some cancers can switch to burning fat for energy to make up for the energy lost, however, the brain cannot burn fat for energy. It relies almost entirely on glucose, and under extreme conditions, ketones. But even during prolonged fasting, the brain still needs at least 30–50 grams of glucose per day, because ketones cannot fully substitute. So, when brain cells lose the ability to completely process glucose, the effects are profound.
The brain is the most energy-demanding organ. The command center. It controls every organ in the body, it interprets light and sound, it’s the keeper of memory, emotion, movement, and meaning. A disruption here is serious.
As the cells lose energy, they lose function. The body responds by trying to regenerate damaged, dysfunctional tissue. However, under persistent metabolic stress, these signals can become disorganized, leading to abnormal growth instead of true regeneration.
The resulting energy imbalance affects not only the tumor site but also surrounding brain regions. This is why metabolic repair, restoring mitochondrial efficiency, supporting glucose utilization, and reducing oxidative burden, should be an essential part of glioblastoma treatment.
Some potential treatment options for glioblastoma:
1. Thiamine: Thiamine helps restore mitochondrial metabolism in glioblastoma by unlocking blocked energy pathways. In cancer cells, glucose gets stuck in the first step (glycolysis). Thiamine is a key cofactor for enzymes (pyruvate dehydrogenase) that move glucose into the mitochondria, where it can be fully burned for energy. This shift reduces oxidative stress, improves cellular control, and restores healthy energy production.
2. Niacinamide: Niacinamide, a form of vitamin B3, has been demonstrated to restore healthy cellular metabolism in cancer cells by replenishing NAD+ levels, improving mitochondrial function, and restoring glucose oxidation.
3. Aspirin: Regular aspirin use has been associated with a lower risk of developing gliomas, a group of brain tumors that includes glioblastoma. A 2019 study showed a 40 percent decrease in the risk of brain cancer in those who used aspirin for six months or more compared to non-users.
4. High dose vitamin C IV: At high doses, vitamin C creates hydrogen peroxide and oxidative stress that cancer cells can’t neutralize, leading to cell damage and death. Meanwhile, healthy cells are protected by higher antioxidant capacity. This targeted stress may weaken glioblastoma cells and enhance the effects of radiation or chemotherapy.
5. Progesterone: Progesterone, a hormone known for its protective effects is often used to treat brain injury. New research shows it exhibits powerful anticancer properties, especially in the brain. A 2022 study demonstrated that high doses of progesterone effectively induce glioblastoma cell death and reduce tumor growth.
6. Retinoic acid: Retinoic acid, a compound related to vitamin A, helps guide cell development and differentiation. In glioblastoma, it’s been shown to push cancer stem cells to stop dividing and start maturing—making them less aggressive. It does this by blocking the Notch signaling pathway, which helps keep tumor cells in a stem-like, fast-growing state.
At the clinic, we want to explore every option that could help destabilize the tumor or support the surrounding brain. Some other options include:
• Diet changes
• Phenylbutyrate
• Dopamine
• Ivermectin or fenbendazole
• Thyroid hormones
None of these are a silver bullet, but layering therapies and restoring resilience in the brain’s own environment, can help to shift the brain’s terrain.