Unlocking the Root Cause of Migraines: The Role of Progesterone and GABA

Welcome to the podcast with Dr. Brendan McCarthy! In this episode we dive deep into the root causes of migraines in women, with a focus on the powerful role of progesterone and the GABA pathway. Learn why simply treating symptoms with medication isn’t enough and how understanding hormone balance can lead to long-term relief. This is part two of our migraine series, where we explore how estrogen and progesterone fluctuations impact brain chemistry and neural inflammation. If you’re tired of being dismissed by doctors and want to better advocate for your health, this episode is for you.   Dr. Brendan McCarthy founded Protea Medical Center in 2002. While he’s been the chief medical officer, Protea has grown and evolved into a dynamic medical center serving the Valley and Central Arizona. A nationally recognized as an expert in hormone replacement therapy, Dr McCarthy s the only instructor in the nation who teaches BioHRT on live patients. Physicians travel to Arizona to take his course and integrate it into their own practices. Besides hormone replacement therapy, Dr. McCarthy has spoken nationally and locally before physicians on topics such as weight loss, infertility, nutritional therapy and more.   Thank you for tuning in and don't forget to hit that SUBSCRIBE button! Let us know in the COMMENTS if you have any questions or what you may want Dr. McCarthy to talk about next!   Check out Dr. Brendan McCarthy's Book! https://www.amazon.com/Jump-Off-Mood-Swing-Hormones/dp/0999649604   --More Links-- Instagram: www.instagram.com/drbrendanmccarthy TikTok: www.tiktok.com/drbrendanmccarthy Clinic Website: www.protealife.com   Research Cited: Sripada RK, Marx CE, King AP, Rampton JC, Ho SS, Liberzon I. Allopregnanolone elevations following pregnenolone administration are associated with enhanced activation of emotion regulation neurocircuits. Biol Psychiatry. 2013 Jun 1;73(11):1045-53. doi: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2012.12.008. Epub 2013 Jan 21. PMID: 23348009; PMCID: PMC3648625.   Monteleone, Patrizia, et al. "Allopregnanolone concentrations and premenstrual syndrome." European journal of endocrinology 142.3 (2000): 269-273