HeadWise

In this episode of HeadWise™, host Lindsay Weitzel, PhD, talks with headache specialist Fred Cohen, MD, about the viral migraine remedies circulating on TikTok, Instagram, and social media — and whether any of them are actually helpful. Together, they break down popular home remedies and “migraine hacks,” explaining which approaches may offer real relief, which lack evidence, and which could potentially cause harm. Dr. Cohen shares the science behind commonly discussed strategies like caffeine, cold and warm compresses, salt cravings, topical treatments, neuromodulation, and cannabis, while also addressing more extreme trends such as mustard on the feet, banana peels, hair cutting, and specialty ear piercings. This episode emphasizes that migraine is a neurological disease, not a condition solved by a one-size-fits-all fix. What works for one person may not work for another — and some remedies deserve a closer look before trying them. In this episode, you’ll learn: - Why caffeine can help some migraine attacks but trigger others - How cold and warm therapies may influence pain pathways - Which viral remedies lack scientific evidence - What the research says about cannabis and migraine relief - When neuromodulation may be a safer, evidence-based option - Why talking with your healthcare provider about home remedies matters If you’ve ever wondered whether social media migraine tips are worth trying, this episode offers clear, practical guidance grounded in medical expertise.

In this episode of HeadWise™, host Lindsay Weitzel, PhD, talks with Ferdinand Hui, MD, Medical Director of Neuro-Interventional Surgery at the University of Hawaii, about cerebral venous congestion—an emerging and often misunderstood contributor to persistent head pressure, visual symptoms, and chronic daily head pain. Dr. Hui explains how impaired venous outflow can disrupt the brain’s “waste-clearing” system, why anatomical compression points can create significant symptoms, and how this evolving disease model overlaps with conditions such as idiopathic intracranial hypertension. He also shares why many people with long-standing, daily head pain may have been miscategorized—and how engineering principles are helping researchers rethink these disorders. They explore: • What cerebral venous congestion is (and why the theory is gaining traction) • How structural compression and venous narrowing contribute to head pressure and pain • Why cerebral venous congestion symptoms can mimic migraine disease in some individuals • The role of connective tissue disorders in venous flow problems • How venous drainage, CSF pressure, and intracranial dynamics interact • When surgery may be considered for cerebral venous congestion and why diagnosis must be extremely precise This episode sheds light on a rapidly developing area of neurology—one that may help explain symptoms that many people have struggled to name—while offering a clear, science-driven look at how venous congestion affects head pain, vision, and overall brain function.

Moving from high school to college, or from your parents’ care to your own, can be a major life transition. For people living with migraine or other headache disorders, these changes can also mean adjusting how you access, organize, and maintain effective care. In this episode of HeadWise, Dr. Lindsay Weitzel talks with Dr. Hope O’Brien, neurologist, headache specialist, and CEO of the Headache Center of Hope in Cincinnati, Ohio. Together, they explore how young adults and their families can prepare for the transition from pediatric to adult headache care while keeping migraine management consistent. Dr. O’Brien shares expert advice on: - Recognizing when teens are ready to manage their own migraine medications - How and when to transition from pediatric to adult healthcare providers - Planning ahead for Botox and other in-office migraine treatments - Managing insurance changes, medication coverage, and medical records - Supporting students who live with migraine while maintaining their independence - How letters and campus accommodations can make college more migraine-friendly Filled with insight and empathy, this discussion helps families and young adults prepare for a smooth transition in migraine care.

In this episode of HeadWise, Lindsay Weitzel, PhD talks with Paula Dumas, founder of Migraine Again and co-host of the Migraine World Summit, about what happens when migraine forces you to rethink your career path. Paula shares her personal journey and the lessons she’s learned along the way. Together, Lindsay and Paula explore: - How to recognize when your job is no longer working for your health - The stigma people living with migraine often face in the workplace - What makes a job migraine-friendly (and what doesn’t) - Real stories of people who successfully transitioned to healthier, more flexible careers - Practical tools and resources like Migraine at Work, the Job Accommodation Network, and StrengthsFinder If you’re considering a career change or trying to make your current work more migraine-friendly, this conversation offers validation, insight, and hope.

In this special HeadWise News episode, Lindsay Weitzel, PhD and Tim Smith, MD, break down some of the most talked-about new studies in headache and migraine research. Topics include: GLP-1 medications and their potential to reduce migraine days Reassuring data on ubrogepant use while breastfeeding How memantine may help adolescents with migraine The link between Ajovy and improved outcomes for patients with migraine and depression Why new daily persistent headache (NDPH) responds differently to treatments A surprising connection between migraine attacks and the new moon Stay up to date with the latest research that could impact treatment, prevention, and everyday life for people living with headache and migraine. Study 1: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40525593/ Study 2: https://headachejournal.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/head.14960 Study 3: https://headachejournal.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/head.14979 Study 4: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40323613/ Study 5: https://thejournalofheadacheandpain.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s10194-025-02111-2 Study 6: https://headachejournal.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/head.15035

Cervicogenic headache is head pain caused by neck problems and can be misdiagnosed as migraine. Host Lindsay Weitzel, PhD, discusses causes, diagnosis, and treatments, from physical therapy to surgery, with guest neurosurgeon Betsy Grunch, MD. You’ll learn: ⬩ How cervicogenic headache differs from migraine ⬩ Why trauma isn’t the only cause—arthritis, degeneration, and hypermobility can play a role ⬩ Why imaging doesn’t always reveal the problem ⬩ Treatment approaches, including injections, nerve blocks, and surgery ⬩ How proper diagnosis can lead to success with the right treatment If you have persistent neck pain with headache, this could be the missing piece to your diagnosis.

Temporomandibular disorder (TMD) is more than just jaw pain—it can play a surprising role in migraine and head pain. In this episode of HeadWise™, Lindsay Weitzel, PhD, sits down with headache specialist Fred Cohen, MD, to explore how structural jaw issues might contribute to migraine attacks. They break down: - The difference between TMJ and TMD - How TMD can trigger or worsen migraine through the trigeminal nerve - Common symptoms and warning signs to watch for - Which providers treat TMD—and when surgery might be considered - How treatments like mouth guards and Botox (onabotulinumtoxinA) can help If you’ve ever wondered whether jaw tension, grinding, or clenching could be affecting your migraine, this episode offers clarity and guidance from a clinical expert.