This week, Diane Ducarme joins me to talk about migraines through a root cause lens. Instead of focusing only on pain relief, we explore why the brain goes into pain in the first place and what the body may be trying to signal when migraines show up. We discuss how different migraine patterns can have very different drivers. Diane explains how trauma, perfectionism, nervous system overload, hormone shifts, and digestion issues can all contribute to migraine symptoms, even when life outwardly seems calm or stable. We also talk about why many people do not recognize their own stress levels, how the nervous system can become hypersensitive over time, and why migraines are often delayed signals from the body rather than immediate reactions. Learning your personal patterns can be one of the most powerful steps toward long term relief. Diane’s free Migraine Heroes app: <https://migraineheroes.com/download/> KEY TAKEAWAYS: • Migraines often reflect deeper system imbalances • Stress patterns can exist even when life feels “normal” • Trauma and perfectionism can keep the body in stress mode • Digestive dysfunction can amplify migraine triggers • Hormones and cycle changes often influence migraine timing • Learning your patterns is key to long term relief ABOUT GUEST: Diane Ducarme is the host of the Migraine Heroes Podcast and Founder of the Migraine Heroes app. She studied Business and Neuroscience with Harvard Business School and HarvardX, and trained in Traditional Chinese Medicine in Shanghai and at the Academy of Healing Nutrition. Diane blends Eastern medicine, engineering thinking, and modern science to uncover the real roots of migraine. Through her podcast, Migraine Heroes, she shares breakthrough insights, practical tools, and empowering strategies to help people reclaim control of their lives. WHERE TO FIND: Website: <https://migraineheroes.com/> Instagram: <https://www.instagram.com/migraineheroes/> WHERE TO FIND CHRISTA: Website: <https://www.christabiegler.com/> Instagram: @anti.inflammatory.nutritionist Podcast Instagram: @lessstressedlife YouTube: <https://www.youtube.com/@lessstressedlife> More Links + Quizzes: <https://www.christabiegler.com/links>
Member Stories
What migraine took from them. What it took to get better. And how their life looks now.
If you’re a woman struggling with migraines, this episode is for you. Migraines affect women far more than men—especially during perimenopause and menopause—yet most women are never told why. In this episode of Functional Moms Podcast, we’re joined by Diane Ducarme, host of the Migraine Heroes Podcast and Founder & CEO of the Migraine Heroes app, to uncover the hidden migraine triggers women experience and how to address them at the root. Diane explains why migraines are not a random neurological problem, but a meaningful signal from your body, often tied to hormones, stress, nervous system overload, and metabolic imbalances that uniquely affect women. In this episode, you’ll learn: ✅ Why migraines are more common in women than men ✅ What happens in the body during perimenopause and menopause that triggers migraines ✅ The hidden causes most women (and doctors) miss ✅ How to approach migraine relief naturally and sustainably If you’re tired of pushing through pain or relying only on medication, this conversation will help you understand your migraines—and your body—on a deeper level. About Our Guest: Diane Ducarme is the Founder & CEO of the Migraine Heroes App and host of the Migraine Heroes Podcast. With a background in neuroscience training from HarvardX and a Harvard Business School education, Diane blends Eastern medicine, engineering, and modern science to help women reduce migraines by addressing root causes. Connect with Diane: [Migraine Heroes Podcast](https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/migraine-heroes-chronic-migraine-hemiplegic-migraine/id1701796800) [Migraine Heroes Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/migraineheroes/) [Migraine Heroes Youtube](https://www.youtube.com/@migraineheroes) [Migraine Heroes Website](https://migraineheroes.com/) [Functional Moms Podcast Supplement Store: 25% OFF top-quality brands:](https://us.fullscript.com/welcome/functional-moms) Please FOLLOW Functional Moms Podcast on Apple Podcasts & Spotify and SUBSCRIBE on YouTube to support women’s health conversations. [Functional Moms Youtube](https://www.youtube.com/@functionalmomspodcast/) [Functional Moms Spotify](https://open.spotify.com/show/4iYrNkAQMwzcX5FRJH5aEW?si=e1dd9390c601498) [Functional Moms Apple Podcast](https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/functional-moms-podcast/id1686808485)
Migraines often become more frequent, more intense, or more unpredictable during perimenopause and menopause—and for many women, medication either stops working or introduces new problems. If you’ve ever wondered why your body feels harder to manage in midlife, this episode offers a new, compassionate lens. In this conversation, we explore migraines as more than isolated headaches. Hormonal fluctuations, stress overload, blood sugar swings, and even how your body processes food can all influence migraine patterns. When these systems are out of balance, migraines may be one of the body’s clearest warning signs. Our guest, Diane Ducarme, blends Western neuroscience with Traditional Chinese Medicine to help women understand what migraines are communicating beneath the surface. Rather than silencing symptoms, this episode focuses on recognizing patterns, reducing hidden triggers, and restoring trust in your body’s signals—especially during the hormonal transitions of midlife. If you’re eating “healthy,” feeling exhausted anyway, or frustrated that nothing seems to work anymore, this episode will help you stop blaming yourself and start understanding what your body actually needs. What You Will Learn - How perimenopause and menopause-related hormonal shifts can alter migraine frequency and severity - Why migraines often involve the nervous system, liver function, and whole-body stress—not just the head - The difference between fast and slow migraine triggers, including food-related triggers that are commonly misunderstood - How depletion, stress, and imbalance may show up as migraines long before lab work flags a problem - Ways to work with your body’s signals instead of fighting them during midlife About Our Guest Diane Ducarme is the host of the Migraine Heroes podcast and founder of the Migraine Heroes app. She integrates Traditional Chinese Medicine with Western science to help people uncover root causes of migraines often missed by conventional care. To learn more about our guest, click here: <https://hellohotflash.com/episodes/menopause-migraine> Additional Resources - [Learn how to feel clear, steady, and in control again:](https://hellohotflash.com/assessments) - [Listen to the limited-series podcast Christian Women and Menopause: ](https://hellohotflash.com/christian-women-and-menopause)
Today our guest is Diane Ducarme, the host of the Migraine Heroes podcast and Founder & CEO of the Migraine Heroes app. A Harvard Business School alum with neuroscience training from HarvardX, she blends Eastern Medicine, engineering, and modern science to uncover the true roots of migraine. Her Migraine Heroes podcast shares breakthrough insights, practical tools, and real stories to help you manage your migraine—deeply and sustainably. We dive deep into the world of migraines — exploring what really causes them, from genetics and hormones to environmental toxins. Diane explains how she found relief by combining Eastern and Western medicine, and how this approach can help you identify the root causes of chronic headaches, rather than just masking the symptoms. You’ll learn about: - The connection between toxins, hormones, and diet in migraine management - How to listen to your body’s signals before pain sets in - Practical natural remedies that actually make a difference - Why Western and Eastern practices work better together Whether you’ve struggled with migraines yourself or know someone who does, this episode offers real hope and tangible solutions. Find Diane Migraine Assessment:[ https://migraineheroes.com/assessment](https://migraineheroes.com/assessment) Website: <https://migraineheroes.com> Instagram: <https://www.instagram.com/migraineheroes> Find Jess below! Website: [Simply Jess Skincare](https://simplyjessskincare.com/)
Migraines aren’t “just bad headaches.” They’re full-body experiences that can bring nausea, vomiting, visual disturbances, and days of pain. In this episode of the She Talks Health Podcast, host Sophie Shepherd interviews Diane Ducarme — migraine expert, founder of the Migraine Heroes app, and host of the Migraine Heroes podcast. Together, they unpack the differences between migraines and headaches, explore the root causes behind recurring migraines, and share practical tips for relief. Diane also reveals how liver health, hormonal balance, stress resilience, and the gut-brain connection all play critical roles in migraine management. You’ll learn: - Why migraines are more than just head pain - How stress, trauma, and perimenopause can worsen symptoms - The importance of liver and kidney health in both Eastern and Western medicine approaches - Practical strategies for tracking your symptoms and finding personalized solutions - How the Migraine Heroes app can help you understand and manage your unique migraine patterns ✨ Whether you suffer from migraines or support someone who does, this episode will give you tools, perspective, and hope.
In this episode, Tina sits down with Diane Ducarme, founder and CEO of Migraine Heroes, to unpack the complex and often misunderstood world of migraines—especially how they impact women in perimenopause and menopause. They explore how migraines are more than “just headaches” and often linked to hormone fluctuations, gut issues, and even common wellness trends like intermittent fasting. You’ll also learn how everyday habits—from sleep to diet to liver health—play a key role in migraine prevention and relief. Here’s what you’ll learn: \- The difference between a migraine and a regular headache \- Hidden migraine triggers you might not suspect \- How intermittent fasting can make migraines worse \- How gut issues—like leaky gut, SIBO, IBS or IBD—cause migraines \- Simple daily habits to support gut health and reduce migraines \- The surprising link between sleep, your liver, and migraines \- Caffeine and migraines: Friend or foe? \- Premenstrual vs. menstrual migraines—what’s the difference?
In this episode of The Kate Hamilton Health Podcast, I sit down with Diane Ducarme, Founder & CEO of Migraine Heroes, to explore the true root causes of migraines - and how to break free from them for good. If you’re stuck managing migraine symptoms instead of finding real relief, this episode is for you. Diane blends Eastern medicine, Western science, and cutting-edge tech to offer a holistic, science-backed approach. With an MBA from Harvard, a background in science and engineering, and studies in Traditional Chinese Medicine and neuroscience, she brings a unique perspective to migraine care. We dive into hormone imbalances, gut health, inflammation, the vagus nerve, and how perimenopause and menopause affect migraines. Diane also shares self-advocacy strategies, lifestyle shifts, and practical tips to help you take control of your health. Whether you’ve tried medications, alternative therapies, or are still searching for answers, you’ll walk away with actionable insights to finally understand and overcome migraines. Episode Breakdown: [00:00] Intro to today’s episode [00:13] Meet Diane Ducarme [00:23] Understanding migraines beyond headaches [01:04] Holistic migraine relief [01:42] Diane’s journey & expertise [02:25] Living with chronic migraines [05:27] The science behind migraines [05:32] Eastern vs. Western approaches [08:46] Hormones & migraines [11:05] The vagus nerve & gut-brain connection [14:41] Perimenopause & migraines [20:29] Self-advocacy in medical care [24:55] Lifestyle changes for relief [28:50] Gentle detox & diet tips [29:12] Breakfast & intermittent fasting [32:06] Coffee: friend or foe? [36:29] Gut health & migraines [40:33] Inflammation’s role [43:17] Stress management strategies [46:08] Combining Eastern & Western medicine [49:43] Supplements for migraine relief [52:42] Conclusion & resources
Diane Ducarme, Founder & CEO of Migraine Heroes, is a leading figure in migraine investigation, blending the wisdom of Eastern Medicine with Western science and advanced technology to uncover the true roots of migraine disease. With an MBA from Harvard Business School, a background in science and engineering, and fluency in seven languages—including Mandarin—Diane brings a rich perspective to the complex world of migraine care. Her journey has taken her from engineering to Traditional Chinese Medicine studies in China and, more recently, neuroscience research at Harvard X. Diane’s approach uniquely emphasizes adding functional foods instead of eliminating them, shifting away from restrictive practices to focus on nourishing the body. As the host of the Migraine Heroes podcast, she shares insights and stories that resonate deeply with migraine sufferers worldwide. Through Migraine Heroes, Diane’s dedication continues to transform lives, offering a holistic path to relief, resilience, and wellness for those navigating migraine disease.
Diane Ducarme is the Founder & CEO of Migraine Heroes, is a leading figure in migraine investigation, blending the wisdom of Eastern Medicine with Western science and advanced technology to uncover the true roots of migraine disease. Diane’s approach uniquely emphasizes adding functional foods instead of eliminating them, shifting away from restrictive practices to focus on nourishing the body. Diane’s dedication continues to transform lives, offering a holistic path to relief, resilience, and wellness for those navigating migraine disease. Dr. Vinu and Diane discuss how 1 in 5 women have migraines and how migraines triple to quadruples for women once they reach puberty. Diane explains how the migraine attacks possibly are started in the digestive and hormonal systems. They also discuss how your gut has such a profound impact on the health of your brain. A healthy, balanced gut means no more error messages. No more error messages means no more migraines. Tune in as they discuss: How migraines are genetic The importance of a balanced gut for migraines Diet modifications for migraines Why the birth control pill is over prescribed for migraines How to get rid of a migraine naturally
Ready to start your own story?
Get Your Migraine Insights







![212- Traditional Chinese Medicine for Migraine Care [Podcast with Diane Ducarme]](https://storage.googleapis.com/nectar-health-production.appspot.com/podcasts/a717273e-67b2-48c6-82b1-91329103fcd3/images/image_main.webp?X-Goog-Algorithm=GOOG4-RSA-SHA256&X-Goog-Credential=migraine-heroes-server%40nectar-health-production.iam.gserviceaccount.com%2F20260819%2Fauto%2Fstorage%2Fgoog4_request&X-Goog-Date=20260819T104652Z&X-Goog-Expires=86400&X-Goog-SignedHeaders=host&X-Goog-Signature=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)