The Dr. Hyman Show

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

28 snips
May 4, 2026
Dr. Todd LePine, a functional medicine physician who treats complex migraine cases, joins to unpack migraine drivers. He explores gut and histamine links, blood sugar and nutrient gaps, hormonal and nervous system triggers. Short clinical stories and practical fixes pop up throughout, from dietary shifts to stress and caffeine strategies.
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INSIGHT

Gut Health Shapes Migraine Risk

  • The gut-brain axis strongly affects migraines via dysbiosis, leaky gut, and food sensitivities that drive systemic inflammation and alter neurotransmitter production.
  • About 90% of serotonin is produced in the gut, linking gut health to brain reactivity.
ADVICE

Start With Simple Blood Sugar Fixes

  • Start prevention by stabilizing blood sugar: eat protein and healthy fats at each meal, don't skip early meals, and avoid refined carbs and sugar.
  • Many see big migraine reductions from this single change.
ADVICE

Eliminate Common Food Triggers

  • Identify personal food triggers via elimination diets; remove common culprits like gluten, dairy, wine, and ultra-processed foods.
  • Use a 10-day elimination (10DDetoxdiet) to reveal delayed reactions that appear days later.
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