How to Stop Headaches Using Science-Based Approaches

In this episode, I discuss the causes and treatments of different types of headaches, including tension headaches, migraines, sinus and cluster headaches, as well as menstrual and other hormone-based headaches. I describe how to distinguish between the different headache types and how to select the right treatment, including prescription-based and non-prescription-based treatments, behavioral and nutrition-based approaches. I also explain the evidence and mechanisms supporting the use of omega-3 fatty acids, high dose creatine, peppermint oil, turmeric, acupuncture and more. Additionally, I touch on traumatic brain injury, the causes of photophobia, aura, and the link between spicy foods and thunderclap headaches. By the end of this episode, listeners and viewers will have a comprehensive understanding of headaches, their types and the best way to prevent and stop them. Thank you to our sponsors AG1 (Athletic Greens): https://athleticgreens.com/huberman Thesis: https://takethesis.com/huberman LMNT: https://drinklmnt.com/huberman Maui Nui Venison: https://mauinuivenison.com/huberman InsideTracker: https://www.insidetracker.com/huberman Supplements from Momentous https://www.livemomentous.com/huberman Huberman Lab Premium https://hubermanlab.com/premium Social & Website Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hubermanlab Twitter: https://twitter.com/hubermanlab Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hubermanlab TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@hubermanlab LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-huberman Website: https://hubermanlab.com Newsletter: https://hubermanlab.com/neural-network Articles Prevention of traumatic headache, dizziness and fatigue with creatine administration. A pilot study: https://bit.ly/3Y8lKLU Long-chain omega-3 fatty acids and headache in the U.S. population: https://bit.ly/3X5lRXw Dietary alteration of n-3 and n-6 fatty acids for headache reduction in adults with migraine: randomized controlled trial: https://bit.ly/3Y4SXaZ Effect of omega-3 fatty acids on premenstrual syndrome: A systematic review and meta-analysis: https://bit.ly/40uX5Tu Effect of Peppermint and Eucalyptus Oil Preparations on Neurophysiological and Experimental Algesimetric Headache Parameters: https://bit.ly/3wZegiu Herbal treatments for migraine: A systematic review of randomised-controlled studies: https://bit.ly/40uXbuk Timestamps 00:00:00 Headache 00:03:51 Sponsors: Thesis, LMNT, Maui Nui, Momentous 00:07:47 Headache Sources: Muscle Tension; Blood Flow & Meninges 00:14:06 Headache Sources: Neurons; Inflammation & Sinus Headache 00:23:21 3 Neuron Types, Pain, Tension Headaches 00:31:05 Tension Headaches 00:33:25 AG1 (Athletic Greens) 00:34:29 Migraine Headaches, Aura, Photophobia 00:43:10 Cluster Headaches 00:47:47 Hormone-Based Headaches, Menstrual Cycle & Menopause 00:53:38 Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) & Headache, Baseline Health 01:02:08 Tool: Headache Treatment, Creatine Monohydrate & TBI 01:12:22 InsideTracker 01:13:55 Headache Treatment, Omega-3 & Omega-6 Fatty Acids (Linolic Acid) 01:22:14 Tool: Omega-3 Supplementation, Omega-6 Fatty Acids & Inflammation 01:28:11 Hormone Headache Treatment & Omega-3s 01:31:24 Tool: Aura, Photophobia & Offsetting with Red Light 01:44:15 Tool: Tension Headache & Botox Treatment 01:49:43 Tool: Alternative Headache Treatments, Peppermint Oil, Menthol 02:01:35 Tool: Tension Headaches Treatment & Acupuncture 02:05:41 Tool: Migraine & Herbal Treatment, Caffeine Timing 02:13:26 Tool: Migraine Treatments & Curcumin (Turmeric) 02:18:00 Carolina Reaper Pepper & Thunderclap Headache 02:24:21 Zero-Cost Support, Spotify & Apple Reviews, YouTube Feedback, Sponsors, Social Media, Momentous, Neural Network Newsletter Title Card Photo Credit: Mike Blabac - https://www.blabacphoto.com The Huberman Lab podcast is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute the practice of medicine, nursing or other professional health care services, including the giving of medical advice, and no doctor/patient relationship is formed. The use of information on this podcast or materials linked from this podcast is at the user’s own risk. The content of this podcast is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Users should not disregard or delay in obtaining medical advice for any medical condition they may have and should seek the assistance of their health care professionals for any such conditions.

Andrew Hubermanhost

Feb 6, 20232h 26mWatch on YouTube ↗

EPISODE INFO

Released: February 6, 2023
Duration: 2h 26m
Channel: Huberman Lab
Watch on YouTube: ▶ Open ↗

EPISODE DESCRIPTION

In this episode, I discuss the causes and treatments of different types of headaches, including tension headaches, migraines, sinus and cluster headaches, as well as menstrual and other hormone-based headaches. I describe how to distinguish between the different headache types and how to select the right treatment, including prescription-based and non-prescription-based treatments, behavioral and nutrition-based approaches. I also explain the evidence and mechanisms supporting the use of omega-3 fatty acids, high dose creatine, peppermint oil, turmeric, acupuncture and more. Additionally, I touch on traumatic brain injury, the causes of photophobia, aura, and the link between spicy foods and thunderclap headaches. By the end of this episode, listeners and viewers will have a comprehensive understanding of headaches, their types and the best way to prevent and stop them. Thank you to our sponsors AG1 (Athletic Greens): https://athleticgreens.com/huberman Thesis: https://takethesis.com/huberman LMNT: https://drinklmnt.com/huberman Maui Nui Venison: https://mauinuivenison.com/huberman InsideTracker: https://www.insidetracker.com/huberman Supplements from Momentous https://www.livemomentous.com/huberman Huberman Lab Premium https://hubermanlab.com/premium Social & Website Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hubermanlab Twitter: https://twitter.com/hubermanlab Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hubermanlab TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@hubermanlab LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-huberman Website: https://hubermanlab.com Newsletter: https://hubermanlab.com/neural-network Articles Prevention of traumatic headache, dizziness and fatigue with creatine administration. A pilot study: https://bit.ly/3Y8lKLU Long-chain omega-3 fatty acids and headache in the U.S. population: https://bit.ly/3X5lRXw Dietary alteration of n-3 and n-6 fatty acids for headache reduction in adults with migraine: randomized controlled trial: https://bit.ly/3Y4SXaZ Effect of omega-3 fatty acids on premenstrual syndrome: A systematic review and meta-analysis: https://bit.ly/40uX5Tu Effect of Peppermint and Eucalyptus Oil Preparations on Neurophysiological and Experimental Algesimetric Headache Parameters: https://bit.ly/3wZegiu Herbal treatments for migraine: A systematic review of randomised-controlled studies: https://bit.ly/40uXbuk Timestamps 00:00:00 Headache 00:03:51 Sponsors: Thesis, LMNT, Maui Nui, Momentous 00:07:47 Headache Sources: Muscle Tension; Blood Flow & Meninges 00:14:06 Headache Sources: Neurons; Inflammation & Sinus Headache 00:23:21 3 Neuron Types, Pain, Tension Headaches 00:31:05 Tension Headaches 00:33:25 AG1 (Athletic Greens) 00:34:29 Migraine Headaches, Aura, Photophobia 00:43:10 Cluster Headaches 00:47:47 Hormone-Based Headaches, Menstrual Cycle & Menopause 00:53:38 Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) & Headache, Baseline Health 01:02:08 Tool: Headache Treatment, Creatine Monohydrate & TBI 01:12:22 InsideTracker 01:13:55 Headache Treatment, Omega-3 & Omega-6 Fatty Acids (Linolic Acid) 01:22:14 Tool: Omega-3 Supplementation, Omega-6 Fatty Acids & Inflammation 01:28:11 Hormone Headache Treatment & Omega-3s 01:31:24 Tool: Aura, Photophobia & Offsetting with Red Light 01:44:15 Tool: Tension Headache & Botox Treatment 01:49:43 Tool: Alternative Headache Treatments, Peppermint Oil, Menthol 02:01:35 Tool: Tension Headaches Treatment & Acupuncture 02:05:41 Tool: Migraine & Herbal Treatment, Caffeine Timing 02:13:26 Tool: Migraine Treatments & Curcumin (Turmeric) 02:18:00 Carolina Reaper Pepper & Thunderclap Headache 02:24:21 Zero-Cost Support, Spotify & Apple Reviews, YouTube Feedback, Sponsors, Social Media, Momentous, Neural Network Newsletter Title Card Photo Credit: Mike Blabac - https://www.blabacphoto.com The Huberman Lab podcast is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute the practice of medicine, nursing or other professional health care services, including the giving of medical advice, and no doctor/patient relationship is formed. The use of information on this podcast or materials linked from this podcast is at the user’s own risk. The content of this podcast is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Users should not disregard or delay in obtaining medical advice for any medical condition they may have and should seek the assistance of their health care professionals for any such conditions.

SPEAKERS

Andrew Huberman
host

EPISODE SUMMARY

In this episode of Huberman Lab, featuring Andrew Huberman, How to Stop Headaches Using Science-Based Approaches explores science-Backed Strategies To Diagnose, Treat, And Prevent Every Major Headache Andrew Huberman explains the biology behind major headache types—tension, migraine, cluster, hormonal, sinus, and post–head-injury—and how different tissues and neural pathways create pain. He distinguishes muscular, vascular (vasodilation/vasoconstriction), meningeal, neural, and inflammatory sources of headache and shows why accurate self-diagnosis is essential. The episode reviews evidence for both conventional treatments and lesser-known, highly effective options including creatine, omega‑3s, curcumin, peppermint/menthol oils, acupuncture, light management, and caffeine timing. Huberman emphasizes building strong lifestyle foundations—sleep, light exposure, exercise, nutrition, social connection—then layering targeted tools matched to the specific headache mechanism.

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