How to Stop Headaches Using Science-Based Approaches | Huberman Lab Podcast

Big thanks for what you do and particularly this episode. As a sufferer of chronic migraine for the last few years I've struggled with the treatments and explanations out there. It can be horribly frustrating, debilitating, and sometimes defeating. You find lots of treatments that don't work and the prescription meds feel like throwing darts in the dark with concerning side effects and much higher costs. I like your approach to the problem and will be testing some of these treatments. I feel like I definitely learned a lot and also confirmed my understanding of other things(like why peppermint oil works). I am very grateful for the time you spent to research and publish this episode. Many, many thanks 🙏

Keep shedding light in our lives Dr. Huberman. I believe you are making a great contribution to us. Edit: forgot to say thanks and remind you that you've helped me make positive changes in my way of life. Lots of information, lots of it...

0:35: 💡 Headaches are a common and debilitating condition, but understanding the underlying biology can help in selecting the best treatment options. 11:26: 🧠 Vasodilation and muscular tension can both cause headaches due to limited space in the brain. 22:50: 💡 Understanding the different types of headaches can help identify the specific type and determine the appropriate treatment. 33:50: 💊 Taking Athletic Greens can provide the probiotics and essential nutrients needed for gut health. 44:50: 😷 Herpes infection in the eye can be dangerous and should be seen by an ophthalmologist, while inflammation in the nose region is common. 56:12: 🧠 Traumatic brain injuries and concussions are not limited to sports, but can also occur in car accidents, construction work, and other types of work. 1:06:43: 💡 The study hypothesizes that increasing creatine stores in the brain can improve cognitive function. 1:18:17: 📚 A study on the relationship between omega-3 fatty acids and headaches in the US population, including a large number of participants and controlling for various factors. 1:29:46: 💊 Omega-3 fatty acids, available as supplements and prescription drugs, have potent analgesic effects and cardiovascular improvements. 1:41:36: 💡 Using red light bulbs can help reduce the pain and pressure caused by photophobia and allow individuals to stay awake. 1:52:27: 🔬 A study investigated the neurophysiological and experimental effects of peppermint and eucalyptus oil preparations on headache parameters. 2:03:45: ✨ Acupuncture has been shown to greatly reduce pain by activating sensory pathways and deactivating motor pathways. 2:15:26: ! Curcumin, also known as turmeric, has anti-inflammatory properties and can affect hormonal pathways, including the synthesis of dihydrotestosterone. Recap

I’ve suffered from tension headaches for the past 17 years. I’ve spent thousands on chiropractic treatment, equipment, special chairs, pillows, braces, on and on. They never worked. My posture and my computer job were always seen as the problem, but I never felt that was right. I’ve got friends with much worse posture that spend much more time on the computer in much worse chairs that haven’t experienced a headache in their entire life! Thanks to the Creatine, DHA, and peppermint oil I’ve gone from 4 debilitating headaches a week to 1 headache a MONTH, currently. I fear jinxing it, but this has worked better than any stretches or adjustments that I’ve had. It’s incredible how life changing it can be to read a book for more than an hour without being worried that I’ll be paying the price later. Just, thanks so much. Keep up the great work, please. One tip: check to make sure the fish oil you get has more DHA than EPA. I was using Mega Red and it didn’t work, then I checked the percentages and found out why.

Never thought a neuroscientist would be changing my life like that. I never even listened to the doctors I had made appointments to see. Thanks, Dr Huberman!

Neck training is like magic to my headaches. Slouching of the shoulders with forward head posture have created a terrible imbalance in my neck where my suboccipitals are short and tight and my deep cervical flexors are long and weak, causing headaches regularly. Also, I believe forward head posture naturally opens up your jaw, leading to TMJ disorders. Neck training improves quality of life like no other thing I've experienced.

I’ve been having migraines since 2004. I discovered so much from this podcast that has already been SUPER helpful ♥️ I cannot express my gratitude enough, thank you for educating us 🤙🏻

I find your podcast one of the most impressive and effective tools for my daily practice as a doctor. There are so many things that we dont know about from medical school and residency, so listening to this podcast helps be offer my patients the most updated information and studies available, whenever something "out of the ordinary" is asked, or shall I say, something as ordinary as a headache. This podcast was AMAZING! Thank you so much. Do you have any information or data on migraine food triggers? We are taught that migraines can be triggered by chocolate, alcohol, sausages, highly processed foods? Thank you once again.

28:20 tension headaches 34:40 migraine headache neural pain 38:30 vasodilation 38:55 photophobia 39:19 43:10 cluster headache 2:05:41 2:06:50 herbal treatments for migraine menthol, peppermint oil 2:07:35 coriander, citron, damask rose, chamomile, lavender 2:08:30 activation of cvrp 2:09:00 caffeine 2:13:26 curcumin 80 mg/day+omega 3 fatty acids 2.5 g/day

No word can describe how much I'm grateful. Thank you so much for sharing that information. It's life-changing. Where I live I would've never got that information from doctors. So to know not only what to do, but also why, it is priceless. From the bottom of my heart. Thank you, Dr Huberman

My mom has suffered from migraines for as long as I can remember. I will definitely be sharing what I have learned. Thank you!

There's only a handful of guys that are capable of making science cool and interesting to the mainstream and Andrew is definitely one of them. And he used to skate making him even more badass

I've been following your life-enhancing podcasts since an year ...I am diagnosed with sever migraine and this episode felt like you saw through me, my problem and created an episode for me! Basically feeling elated before even hearing you out . Thanks

Loving this one. I've had frequent headaches/migraines my whole life and this episode has really helped me understand their underlying mechanisms as well as some lifestyle interventions to help reduce the frequency/intensity. Thanks so much!.

One thing I'm surprised was not described in the video was scintillating scotoma, which is how I often experience migraine aura. It occupies a particular place in my vision, rather than "a halo around objects" as described in the video. It starts when I realize I am having trouble reading, and becomes a shimmering curved zigzag that starts very small and grows (sometimes taking up more than half of my vision) until it disappears before the headache sets in. It can be quite unsettling (and obviously distracting), almost feeling like you have been drugged or something. There are some semi-accurate images online showing how it looks, the more accurate ones make me feel nauseous just to look at, due to the association I guess... I also find that since having migraines, it feels like bright light (relative to my surroundings) stay in my vision longer, and I am constantly covering my eyes to check if a spot in my vision is just bright light lingering and will fade away, or is the beginning of a migraine aura... not fun.

Thank you so much for doing a podcast on headaches. I’ve had chronic migraines for a long time. It’s affected every part of my life. I’m always grateful for any new information. Keep up the good work my friend.

As many reactions already have covered the gist of how amazing this episode was, I'm just gonna leave a big thank you. I had literally tears running down my cheecks when you started explaining the depth of how migraines work. I finally felt like someone understood. (I feel most doctors just guess.) Thank you thank you for your in-depth work explained in laymans terms. I will apply your advice. Keep up your amazing work.

Dear Andrew Huberman, thank you for everything that you do with this podcast. The products that you mention at the beginning-- the sponsors, are really interesting! Because I trust you, your knowledge & research, I trust these products as well. Please continue to introduce your listeners to quality and ** affordable stuff, in addition to all the in-depth neuroscience information (wonderfully presented in layman terms)! You must be very busy with your work, life and all that you are involved in. So Again, thank you so much! You are helping more people than you will ever be aware of!! I wish there were more people like you!

I’m so grateful for your enthusiasm, tenacity and expertise. Amazing podcast series Andrew. Brilliant & generous guests. May 2023 be another luminous year for you and your team.

Dr. Huberman deserves the Nobel Peace prize for improving and shaping the lives of millions - potentially billions - of people around the world!