Science Quickly The Science of Headaches
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Nov 7, 2025 Tom Zeller, Jr., a former New York Times journalist and current editor at Undark, dives into the perplexing world of headaches. He shares his personal battles with cluster headaches that inspired his upcoming book. The conversation uncovers the stark lack of research due to cultural biases, including gender-related misconceptions and the trivialization of pain. Zeller also demystifies various headache types and highlights emerging treatments, leaving listeners with a glimmer of hope in a field long overshadowed by disinterest.
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Personal Experience With Cluster Headache
- Tom Zeller Jr. lives with cluster headaches and has grappled with them for most of his adult life.
- His personal experience motivated him to write The Headache and investigate the disorder's science.
Fundamental Biology Still Unclear
- Headache science remains surprisingly limited despite imaging and biochemical clues about migraine attacks.
- We lack clarity on which anatomical parts drive attacks and how they interact during a migraine.
Gender And Language Hinder Research
- Gender bias and cultural language dampened research investment in migraine, which disproportionately affects women.
- Calling severe disorders 'headaches' trivializes them and slows scientific progress.
