HeadWise

Do Viral Migraine Remedies Work? Breaking Down the Science ft. Fred Cohen, MD


Listen Later

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.
...more
View all episodesView all episodes
Download on the App Store

HeadWiseBy National Headache Foundation

  • 4.8
  • 4.8
  • 4.8
  • 4.8
  • 4.8

4.8

27 ratings


More shows like HeadWise

View all
TED Radio Hour by NPR

TED Radio Hour

21,911 Listeners

Radiolab by WNYC Studios

Radiolab

44,000 Listeners

Freakonomics Radio by Freakonomics Radio + Stitcher

Freakonomics Radio

32,272 Listeners

Hidden Brain by Hidden Brain, Shankar Vedantam

Hidden Brain

43,555 Listeners

Full-Tilt Parenting: Strategies, Insights, and Connection for Parents Raising Neurodivergent Children by Debbie Reber

Full-Tilt Parenting: Strategies, Insights, and Connection for Parents Raising Neurodivergent Children

964 Listeners

10% Happier with Dan Harris by 10% Happier

10% Happier with Dan Harris

12,793 Listeners

Code Switch by NPR

Code Switch

14,668 Listeners

The Daily by The New York Times

The Daily

113,179 Listeners

Up First from NPR by NPR

Up First from NPR

56,962 Listeners

Spotlight on Migraine® by Association of Migraine Disorders®

Spotlight on Migraine®

31 Listeners

The Science of Happiness by PRX and Greater Good Science Center

The Science of Happiness

1,912 Listeners

Life Kit by NPR

Life Kit

4,861 Listeners

The Dose by CBC

The Dose

95 Listeners

The Headache Doctor Podcast by Dr. Jonathan Taves

The Headache Doctor Podcast

86 Listeners

The Ezra Klein Show by New York Times Opinion

The Ezra Klein Show

16,339 Listeners