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 Vincent Martin, MD—director of the Headache and Facial Pain Center at the University of Cincinnati—about a foundational and evolving question in headache medicine: Is migraine a systemic disease? Dr. Martin explains why migraine is not always a single neurological disorder and how emerging genetic and population-based research is revealing that only about half of migraine risk is inherited. He discusses how certain environmental factors—including head trauma, respiratory and immune-related conditions, and even gastrointestinal disorders—may contribute to developing migraine disease or increasing migraine frequency over time. They explore: • Why migraine may be neurologic, vascular, or influenced by other systemic conditions • What Mendelian randomization studies reveal about diseases that may actually cause migraine • How depression, asthma, autoimmune disease, IBS, and celiac disease intersect with migraine • Why people sometimes develop migraine later in life after injury or physiological change • The difference between what causes migraine disease versus what triggers an attack • How whole-person clinical evaluation may change migraine diagnosis and management This conversation offers clarity on a topic many people have sensed but lacked language for—why migraine often feels like more than “just head pain”—and presents a science-based understanding of how the brain, immune system, vascular function, and other organ systems interact in migraine disease.

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.

In this episode of HeadWise, host Lindsay Weitzel, PhD, talks with Elizabeth Seng, PhD, Associate Professor of Psychology at Yeshiva University, about cogniphobia—the fear and avoidance of cognitive exertion because of the belief that thinking too hard might trigger or worsen pain. Dr. Seng explains how this fear develops and how it can condition the brain to associate mental effort with danger. While some people do experience migraine symptoms during intense cognitive tasks, cogniphobia itself is about anticipatory fear—avoiding activities like reading, studying, or problem-solving out of worry they could lead to pain. They explore: - What cogniphobia is (and what it isn’t) - How fear and avoidance patterns develop - Ways cogniphobia can impact school, work, and daily life - Why avoiding mental effort can affect long-term brain health - How gradual re-engagement and self-awareness can reduce fear This episode sheds light on a rarely discussed aspect of migraine psychology—one that can limit people’s lives far beyond the attacks themselves—and offers insight on how to rebuild confidence in cognitive activity.

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.

Dr. Robert Kaniecki, a board-certified neurologist and director of the UPMC Headache Center, shares his expertise on acute migraine treatments. He delves into over-the-counter pain relievers and prescription NSAIDs, provided guidance on choosing triptans, and discusses newer options like gepants and modern DHE delivery systems. Listeners also learn about effective combination medications and non-drug strategies that aid recovery. This engaging conversation offers valuable insights for anyone looking to tackle migraine attacks.

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.

What are the limits of mind-body approaches in managing migraine? In this episode of HeadWise, Lindsay Weitzel, PhD, talks with Elizabeth Seng, PhD, Associate Professor of Psychology and expert in headache psychology, about the promises and pitfalls of behavioral strategies for migraine. Together, they explore: - Why lifestyle and psychological techniques can help but don’t “cure” migraine - How misconceptions fuel stigma and self-blame for people living with migraine - The role of psychology in supporting effective treatment without dismissing migraine as “all in your head” - Practical insights for patients, caregivers, and clinicians to provide support without judgment Lindsay Weitzel and Elizabeth Seng discuss how stress, behavior, and biology intersect—and why it’s essential to move away from blame and toward understanding.

Dr. Tim Smith, CEO of Study Metrics Research and a leading expert in migraine studies, joins the show to discuss groundbreaking migraine research. He shares insights on GLP-1 medications potentially reducing migraine days without weight loss. The safety of ubrogepant during breastfeeding is highlighted, along with promising results for memantine in adolescents. Smith also delves into the connection between Ajovy, migraine relief, and depression. Interestingly, he notes why new daily persistent headaches differ in treatment response and reveals a lunar link to migraine attacks.

In this episode of HeadWise, Lindsay Weitzel, PhD, is joined by neurosurgeon Dr. Betsy Grunch to explore idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH)—also known as pseudotumor cerebri or high-pressure headache. Dr. Grunch explains what IIH is, why it can be difficult to diagnose, and how it differs from migraine and other headache disorders. Follow Dr. Betsy Grunch (Ladyspinedoc) on social media: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ladyspinedoc Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ladyspinedoc/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ladyspinedoc YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ladyspinedoc