6 Root Causes of Migraines (And How to Fix Them)

6 Root Causes of Migraines (And How to Fix Them)

Author: Dr. Mark Hyman May 4, 2026 Duration: 26:40
Migraines aren’t just headaches and if you’ve ever had one, you know how debilitating they can be. But they’re not random, and they’re not just genetic. Migraines are a signal that something deeper is out of balance in your body and if you only treat the symptoms, you miss the real opportunity to prevent them. In this episode, I break down what’s really driving migraines, including: • The root causes most people miss—from inflammation and blood sugar swings to hormones, gut health, and nutrient deficiencies • Why migraines are a full-body neurological event, not just a head issue, and what that means for treatment • How your cycle, stress levels, and nervous system can lower your threshold and make migraines more likely • A functional medicine approach to prevention—simple shifts in diet, lifestyle, and nutrients that can reduce frequency and severity Migraines don’t come out of nowhere—they happen when your body hits a threshold. When you lower the load and support your biology, you don’t just manage migraines—you can actually start to prevent them. To go deeper on this topic, check out my past episode with Dr. Todd LePine: https://youtu.be/hnmCIGNko64. Visit ⁠functionhealth.com for 160+ lab tests at just $365 a year. Have a question you’d love answered on Office Hours? Submit it here   **The waitlist is open** Sign up for Dr. Hyman’s Brainshaping Academy to learn how to nourish the biological systems that support your mental, emotional, and cognitive health  Click here to sign up. (0:12) Introduction and overview of migraines (0:58) Understanding migraines and functional medicine approach (2:08) Root causes of migraines: hormones, gut health, nutritional deficiencies, nervous system (7:00) Practical steps for migraine prevention (12:35) Regulating the nervous system (14:44) Case study with Dr. Todd Lapine (22:49) Introduction to Brain Shaping Academy and mental health

Hosted by physician and functional medicine pioneer Dr. Mark Hyman, The Dr. Hyman Show is a conversation about reclaiming your well-being. Each episode digs into the interconnected systems that shape our health, moving beyond symptom management to address foundational causes. You’ll hear detailed discussions on nutrition, the roots of chronic disease, mental health strategies, and the science of longevity, all framed through a functional medicine lens. Dr. Hyman engages with leading experts and thinkers to challenge conventional wisdom on food policy and prevention, offering a practical and often provocative perspective. This podcast serves as a resource for anyone feeling lost in a healthcare system that can overlook root causes, providing actionable knowledge to make informed daily choices. Tune in for a deep, evidence-based exploration of how our bodies truly work, empowering you to reimagine your personal health potential through informed dialogue and discovery.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

The Dr. Hyman Show
Podcast Episodes
Got Truth? Rethinking Dairy, Calcium, and Bone Health [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 51:41
Milk has long been sold as the key to strong bones, but research challenges that claim: many people don’t tolerate dairy, calcium needs are lower than advertised, and higher milk intake doesn’t necessarily prevent fractu…
The Mouth-Body Connection: How Oral Health Shapes Whole-Body Healing [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 53:05
Most people don’t realize that what happens in the mouth can ripple through the whole body. The balance of the oral microbiome—the community of bacteria living in our mouths—can either protect us or trigger widespread in…
Inflammation: The Hidden Fire Behind Pain, Aging, and Disease [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:20:35
A hidden fire called chronic inflammation drives many problems—from joint pain and arthritis to autoimmune conditions, and even faster aging. Typical fixes (like pain meds and steroid shots) calm symptoms but often miss…
Foods and Habits That Keep Your Immune System Resilient [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 51:54
Our immune systems are under more pressure than ever—from processed diets, environmental toxins, stress, and fast-spreading infections—and the result is faster aging and greater vulnerability to disease. As we grow older…