1097: When Headaches Are Ruining Your Life, Where Can You Turn? episode artwork

EPISODE · Aug 13, 2025 · 18 MIN

1097: When Headaches Are Ruining Your Life, Where Can You Turn?

from Science Friday · host Science Friday

Science journalist Tom Zeller Jr. has suffered from debilitating cluster headaches for three decades. Like other cluster headache sufferers, his episodes would leave him unable to function, and the fear of the next one happening was constant. In a quest to better understand his own condition, Zeller learned that headaches remain a great neurological mystery, with basic mechanisms behind why they happen still unknown. He joins Host Flora Lichtman to talk about his new book, The Headache: The Science of a Most Confounding Affliction – and a Search for Relief.Guest:Tom Zeller Jr. is editor in chief of Undark and author of the book The Headache: The Science of a Most Confounding Affliction – and a Search for Relief. He’s based in Montana.Transcripts for each episode are available within 1-3 days at sciencefriday.com.Subscribe to this podcast. Plus, to stay updated on all things science, sign up for Science Friday's newsletters.

Episode metadata supplied by the publisher feed · Published Aug 13, 2025

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In “The Headache,” a science journalist documents his quest to understand his own cluster headaches.

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1097: When Headaches Are Ruining Your Life, Where Can You Turn?

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