The Leading Cause of Disability in Women Under 50 With Dr. Amelia Scott Barrett

What do you think is the main cause of disability for women under 50? Is it cancer? Or maybe depression? Is it perhaps back pain? No. None of the above. The leading cause is migraine. Dr. Amelia Scott Barrett has spent her career staring at that fact from the inside. Only one in twenty people who have migraine ever gets properly diagnosed, and the rest spend years calling it tension or stress or sinus pressure while their brains discreetly change in the background. Two headache days a week is all it takes to start the damage. Amelia and I get into the four biological systems she's identified as the root causes of migraine, as well as why the standard "pop a pill and power through" approach has let millions of women around the world down. "Migraine is the number one cause of disability in women under 50. That is a huge impact on women who are right in the prime of their lives." ~ Dr. Amelia Scott Barrett Support the show and get 50% off MCT oil with free shipping—just leave us a review on iTunes and Spotify and let us know! https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/live-beyond-the-norms/id1714886566 In This Episode: 00:00 Introduction 01:59 Dr. Barrett's early interest in medicine and the brain 05:28 Med school, learning to fly, and the road to neurology 09:42 How often does a migraine go undiagnosed? 12:22 What happens to the brain with frequent headaches 19:22 White matter lesions and what they signal 24:56 Where conventional migraine treatment falls short 30:25 How DNA points to the four systems behind migraine 34:46 The link between migraine and dementia 36:20 How mitochondria fit into migraine 41:30 Taking melatonin compared to a common migraine drug 45:30 Why trial and error doesn't work for migraine 53:53 Wrap-up questions and where to find Dr. Barrett Resources Mentioned  The Headache Quiz: https://theheadachequiz.com/  Migraine Relief Code podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/migraine-relief-code-with-dr-amelia-scott-barrett-md/id1793802899  Decode Your Migraine by Dr. Amelia Scott Barrett ( coming summer 2026): https://migrainereliefcode.com/book  About Amelia Scott Barrett Dr. Amelia Scott Barrett is a Stanford-trained, board-certified neurologist and the founder of Migraine Relief Code, a precision-medicine program that uses genetic testing and functional medicine to address the root causes of migraine. A TEDx speaker and the author of the forthcoming book Align, she has spent her career bridging conventional neurology with nutrition, supplements, lifestyle, and DNA-based protocols. Her work has been featured in Business Insider and Women's World. She lives and practices in Lone Tree, Colorado. Connect with Amelia Scott Barrett Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ameliascottbarrettmd/  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ameliascottbarrettmd  Website: https://ameliascottbarrettmd.com/  Connect with Chris Burres  Website: https://www.myvitalc.com/  Website: http://www.livebeyondthenorms.com/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chrisburres/  TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@myvitalc  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrisburres Disclaimer The content shared in this podcast is intended for educational and informational purposes only. It does not constitute medical advice of any kind, nor does it include any specific claims or guarantees. The views expressed are based on personal experiences, research, and individual perspectives, and are meant to inspire and inform listeners on topics related to wellness, lifestyle, and personal development. We strongly encourage all listeners to consult with a qualified professional or licensed expert before making any decisions related to health, finances, or other sensitive areas of life. Thank you for tuning in—and for taking proactive steps toward a more informed, intentional life.