Knowledge Library · Episode 17

Hidden Truth Behind Headaches and Migraines - Part One

Headaches are common—but that doesn’t mean they’re normal.

20 min listen~1 min readMay 4, 2026Brain Performance
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Episode Summary
Headaches are common—but that doesn’t mean they’re normal. In Episode 17 of the Functional Living Podcast, Dr. Jared Leon uncovers the hidden truth behind headaches and migraines, starting with the eye-opening reality of how widespread and impactful they truly are. With over 50% of adults worldwide experiencing headaches each year, and migraines affecting 1 in 7 people globally, this is an issue that continues to grow—and one that demands a deeper understanding. Dr. Leon breaks down how migraines have become the second leading cause of disability worldwide, and the number one cause of disability among younger women, emphasizing that this isn’t just discomfort—it’s something that can significantly impact quality of life. In this episode, he also clearly defines the difference between a standard headache and a migraine, helping listeners better understand what they may be experiencing and why it matters. More importantly, he begins to challenge the idea that these conditions should simply be accepted or managed, instead pointing toward a more functional perspective on identifying underlying causes. If you or someone you know struggles with recurring headaches or migraines, this episode will begin to shift how you think about them—and what you can do moving forward. Because understanding the problem is the first step toward solving it.
Key Takeaways

What you'll walk away with

  1. 01

    Headaches are common—but that doesn’t mean they’re normal.

  2. 02

    Jared Leon uncovers the hidden truth behind headaches and migraines, starting with the eye-opening reality of how widespread and impactful they truly are.

  3. 03

    With over 50% of adults worldwide experiencing headaches each year, and migraines affecting 1 in 7 people globally, this is an issue that continues to grow—and one that demands a deeper understanding.

  4. 04

    In this episode, he also clearly defines the difference between a standard headache and a migraine, helping listeners better understand what they may be experiencing and why it matters.

  5. 05

    More importantly, he begins to challenge the idea that these conditions should simply be accepted or managed, instead pointing toward a more functional perspective on identifying underlying causes.

Action Steps

What to do this week

  • Reflect on this: Headaches are common.

  • Reflect on this: Jared Leon uncovers the hidden truth behind headaches and migraines, starting with the eye-opening reality of how widespread and impactful they truly are.

  • Reflect on this: With over 50% of adults worldwide experiencing headaches each year, and migraines affecting 1 in 7 people globally, this is an issue that continues to grow.

Clinical Pearl from Dr. Jared Leon
If you or someone you know struggles with recurring headaches or migraines, this episode will begin to shift how you think about them—and what you can do moving forward.
Dr. Jared Leon — Episode 17
Topics Covered
Brain PerformanceHiddenTruthBehindHeadachesMigraines
Full Transcript
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Related Rabbit Holes

Go deeper on the mechanisms

Five Pillars Connections
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this episode about?

Headaches are common—but that doesn’t mean they’re normal.

What's the most important idea from this episode?

Jared Leon uncovers the hidden truth behind headaches and migraines, starting with the eye-opening reality of how widespread and impactful they truly are.

How does this connect to brain performance?

With over 50% of adults worldwide experiencing headaches each year, and migraines affecting 1 in 7 people globally, this is an issue that continues to grow—and one that demands a deeper understanding.

References & Further Reading

Sources & where to go deeper

For mechanism deep-dives, browse the Knowledge Library, the linked Rabbit Holes and Five Pillars above, or download the Episode Workbook for a printable summary with citations.
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Ep. 16: Intentional Living
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Ep. 18: Rewiring the Brain — Migraines — Part 2