Unraveling Migraine (2nd Edition): A Complete, Evidence-Based Migraine Guide for Patients and Physicians
2nd Edition · 2026
Migraine isn't just a headache. Here's the whole story.
The fully revised, evidence-based guide, written for patients and physicians alike. 821 pages, 98 chapters, fully illustrated.
Get it on AmazonPraised by Harvard-trained and headache-specialist neurologists
What specialists are saying
“
One of the most comprehensive and accessible resources on migraine available today. I highly recommend it.
Huma U. Sheikh, MDHarvard-trained neurologist, headache & stroke
“
It has the depth of a medical textbook while remaining approachable for patients. I'd recommend it without hesitation.
Dr. Louise NewsonBSc(Hons) MBChB(Hons) MRCP(UK) FRCGP DHealth
“
The migraine hacks chapter gets every call right. That's the kind of accuracy I look for in a book.
Dr. Suraj Malhan, DOHeadache & facial pain neurologist
Free Migraine Education on YouTube
Cerebral Torque delivers research-backed breakdowns and myth-busting content to help migraine patients and future clinicians understand the disease. Subscribe for the latest in migraine science, treatment updates, and evidence-based solutions.
Watch on YouTube819
Pages
98
Chapters
13
Parts
6
Appendices
The big idea
Migraine is a brain disease, not just a headache
This book treats migraine like the neurological disease it is, with clear, original illustrations on every topic.
Inside the science
See it, don't just read about it
What's happening in the brain
The trigeminal system, CGRP, and neurogenic inflammation, mapped step by step so the mechanism finally makes sense.
An attack has four phases
Prodrome, aura, headache, and postdrome. Knowing where you are in an attack changes what you should do about it.
Why you'll love it
Everything you need, nothing left out
Evidence-basedMeticulously researched and referenced
Dual-trackPlain for patients, deep for physicians
Women's migraineHormones across every life stage
Practical toolsDiary, action plan, red flags
The full table of contents
98 chapters across 13 parts
From the biology of an attack all the way to living well with the disease.
Part I — Understanding Migraine
- 1Migraine Is a Disease, Not Just a Headache
- 2What's Happening in the Brain: Pathophysiology
- 3The Global Picture
- 4The Genetics of Migraine
- 5The Migraine Phases and Timeline
- 6Reading the Prodrome
- 7Aura: What It Is and What It Tells Us
- 8The Migraine Brain Over Time
- 9Cutaneous Allodynia
Part II — Subtypes, Diagnosis & Classification
- 10Migraine Subtypes
- 11Vestibular Migraine: A Deep Dive
- 12Hemiplegic Migraine and MUMS
- 13Migraine with Brainstem Aura
- 14Retinal Migraine: A Deep Dive
- 15Abdominal Migraine: A Deep Dive
- 16Status Migrainosus
- 17Migraine Complications
- 18Classifying Migraine: Episodic and Chronic
- 19Telling Headaches Apart: A Timeline Guide
Part III — Acute Treatment
- 20Principles of Acute Management
- 21Triptans
- 22Gepants
- 23Ditans
- 24DHE and the Ergots
- 25Simple Analgesics, NSAIDs & Combinations
- 26Novel & Off-Label Options: Timolol Eye Drops
- 27Choosing the Administration Route
- 28The ED and the Migraine Cocktail
- 29Gepant Safety in the Real World
- 30Acute Treatment in Special Situations
Part IV — Preventive Treatment
- 31When to Prevent, and the Options
- 32Evidence-Based Guidelines & Pearls
- 33Combining Preventives Safely
- 34CGRP Therapies
- 35CGRP Safety: Known and Watched
- 36Botox and Peripheral Nerve Blocks
- 37Neuromodulation & Digital Therapeutics
- 38Nutraceuticals and Herbal Options
- 39Cannabinoids
- 40Psychedelics and Headache Disorders
- 41Biofeedback and Behavioral Approaches
- 42Migraine Surgery (Nerve Decompression)
Part V — Medication Overuse / Adaptation
- 43Medication Overuse / Adaptation Headache
- 44The Endocannabinoid System
Part VI — Special Populations & Life Stages
- 45Migraine in Women and Men, Across Life
- 46Hormones and Menstrual Migraine
- 47Pregnancy, Breastfeeding & Planning
- 48Pediatric Migraine
- 49Childhood Episodic Syndromes
- 50Migraine in Older Adults
Part VII — Comorbidities & Whole-Body
- 51Why Migraine Travels With Other Conditions
- 52Cardiovascular Disease, Stroke & PFO
- 53Depression and Mental Health
- 54Sleep
- 55Thyroid (Overt and Subclinical)
- 56The Gut-Brain Axis
- 57Endometriosis, Chronic Pain, Acne & Jaw Pain
Part VIII — Triggers, Lifestyle & Self-Management
- 58The Trigger Myth and a Smarter Approach
- 59Weather and Air Quality
- 60Modifiable Risk Factors You Can Change
- 61Daily Levers: Caffeine, Sleep, Exercise
- 62Diet and Nutrition for Migraine
- 63Exercise and Migraine
- 64An Evidence-Based Breathing Protocol
- 65Complementary and Alternative Medicine
- 66Migraine Hacks: What Goes Viral, What Works
- 67Light Sensitivity and Light-Based Therapies
Part IX — Living with Migraine
- 68Tracking and Assessment Tools
- 69Working With Your Clinician & Advocacy
- 70Thinking Critically About Migraine Claims
Part X — Women and Migraine: In Depth
- 71Endometriosis and Migraine: A Deeper Look
- 72Hormone Replacement Therapy and Migraine
- 73Perimenopause: The Hardest Stretch
- 74Contraception and the Woman With Migraine
- 75PMOS (Polyendocrine Metabolic Ovarian Syndrome)
- 76Fertility, Infertility, and IVF
- 77Menstrual Migraine: A Deep Dive
- 78Postpartum and Breastfeeding Migraine
Part XI — Further Connections
- 79Neck Pain and Migraine
- 80Oral Health and Migraine (TMJD)
- 81Sleep Apnea and Migraine
- 82IBS, the Gut, and Migraine
- 83Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS)
- 84POTS, Dysautonomia, and Migraine
- 85Fibromyalgia and Migraine
- 86Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS)
Part XII — Other Headache & Facial Pain
- 87Tension-Type Headache
- 88The Trigeminal Autonomic Cephalalgias
- 89Occipital Neuralgia
- 90Cervicogenic Headache
- 91Post-Traumatic Headache
- 92Post-COVID and Post-Viral Headache
- 93Visual Snow Syndrome
- 94Alice in Wonderland Syndrome
- 95Sinus Headache and Migraine
Part XIII — The Future
- 96Biomarkers: Can a Blood Test Measure It?
- 97Novel Treatments and What's Next
- 98Drugs in the Pipeline: Treatments in Trials
Plus six appendices: a headache & migraine diary, appointment prep guide, migraine action plan, emergency red flags, resources & support, and when neuroimaging is (and isn't) needed.
Free Migraine Education on YouTube
Cerebral Torque delivers research-backed breakdowns and myth-busting content to help migraine patients and future clinicians understand the disease. Subscribe for the latest in migraine science, treatment updates, and evidence-based solutions.
Watch on YouTube
