The Gut-Migraine Connection: Decoding What Your Digestion Says About Headaches (Gut Series, Part 1)

Over the next four weeks, we’re diving deep into a connection many people don’t even realize exists — the link between your gut health and migraines.

I first talked about this in the Revealing the Secret Connection Between Your Gut and Migraines episode — be sure to check it out. This 4-part series is my chance to go even deeper for you.

Why Gut Health Matters for Migraine Sufferers

So many women — and maybe this is you — don’t think twice about their bathroom habits. They shrug off going only a few times a week as “normal” and think eliminating less than 12 inches of stool daily is fine.

Even having to wipe and wipe and wipe again doesn’t seem to be a concern for most.

When I had migraines, I never thought about these things either. But they are telltale signs of a gut issue that could be fueling your migraines. No one — not even my migraine specialist — mentioned the connection to me.

I won’t let you stay in the dark like I was. By the end of this four-week series, you’ll have a much better understanding of what dysfunction may be happening in your gut and the changes you can make to ensure your trips to the bathroom are supporting your migraine freedom — not fueling your pain.

What’s Normal (and What’s Not)

Before we get into the nitty-gritty of gut health, let’s get one thing clear: everyone poops, and yes, it always comes with a telltale smell. That’s perfectly normal.

What’s not normal:

Constipation (not eliminating around 12 inches of stool daily)
Stool that is liquidy or pebbly, instead of snake-like in shape, soft, and easy to pass
Massively foul-smelling stool (you know the aroma I mean — it always reminds me of a gorilla exhibit at the zoo… no offense to gorillas!)
Taking medication to control your gut symptoms
Bloating, gas, heartburn, or the sheer agony of a gut that’s out of whack

Think of your gut as a behind-the-scenes helper that keeps you feeling good. Really, the only time you should even be aware of it is when you’re making a quick bathroom trip.

Why We’re Talking About This

I know, talking about what happens in the bathroom might not be your idea of a good time. But it’s absolutely vital to understanding your overall health — and believe it or not — your journey to freedom from migraines.

Much like your own life experiences, no two guts are the same. In this series, we’ll cover as much ground as possible so everyone can take something valuable away.

When you’re ready, the Freedom From Migraine Method® Success Coaches and I will be here to help you take your gut health to the next level — just like we did for FFMM member Beth, who not only turned her gut health around but also found her migraine freedom.

What’s Coming in This Series

Week 1: The Poop–Migraine Connection and how to know if you have an issue
Week 2: Three sneaky habits that are keeping you feeling “full of it,” quite literally
Week 3: Straightforward steps to transform your gut health, which can massively impact everything from how light you feel after the bathroom to your migraine reduction

Week 4: Beth’s story — how she stopped pushing through daily pain and started living her life pain-free, plus examples of how everyday women use this method to resolve gut issues and say goodbye to migraines, brain fog, joint pain, allergies, neck pain, and more

The Gut as Your Body’s Highway

Imagine the gut as the central highway of your digestive system, responsible for processing everything you eat and drink. This complex network breaks down food, absorbs nutrients, and removes waste from your body.

When your gut functions efficiently, everything runs smoothly — just like your home’s plumbing. But if there’s a “blockage,” toxins can back up into your system, causing digestive issues and contributing to inflammation and other health problems.

What Your Stool Can Tell You

Healthy bowel movements are crucial for eliminating toxins. Here’s what to look for:

Some Bad Signs:

Pellet poops: Small, hard, dry lumps (like rabbit pellets)
“Chicken nuggets”: Slightly larger, lumpier pellets
Corn-on-the-cob shapes: Long, knobby segments that stick together, making them hard to pass

Good Signs:

Soft serve ice cream shape: Soft, easy to pass, and holds its shape — a sign of a healthy digestive tract and good balance of the 6 keys of Migraine Freedom

Checking your stool daily can give you valuable info about your digestive health.

What Your Stool Can Tell You

Healthy bowel movements are crucial for eliminating toxins. Here’s what to look for:

Some Bad Signs:

Pellet poops: Small, hard, dry lumps (like rabbit pellets)
“Chicken nuggets”: Slightly larger, lumpier pellets
Corn-on-the-cob shapes: Long, knobby segments that stick together, making them hard to pass

Good Signs:

Soft serve ice cream shape: Soft, easy to pass, and holds its shape — a sign of a healthy digestive tract and good balance of the 6 keys of Migraine Freedom

Checking your stool daily can give you valuable info about your digestive health.

Symptoms That Point to Gut Issues

Besides stool quality, other symptoms can signal gut problems:

Gas, bloating, constipation, diarrhea
Migraines, skin problems, body aches
Difficulty focusing, brain fog, tiredness
Joint discomfort

These are your body’s way of flagging potential trouble.

Why Fixing Gut Dysfunction Comes First

If your gut isn’t working properly, your body can sabotage itself. Your bowels act like a waste-removal highway — but if they’re backed up, toxins recirculate into your system.

This can cause inflammation, discomfort, and a buildup of up to 20 pounds of stool in your body. That’s extra baggage no one needs.

And here’s the truth: if your bowels aren’t functioning, detoxing or supporting your health won’t work. Fixing the blockage is non-negotiable.

Quick Fixes vs. Lasting Solutions

We’re comfort-seeking beings, desperate for quick relief. That often means pills, magnesium, enemas, excess fiber — anything to get things moving. And while these can help temporarily, they keep you stuck in the cycle, dependent on “bandaid fixes” instead of addressing the root cause.

Your Week 1 Homework

Before next Monday’s session, start paying close attention to your body’s signals — especially your bowel movements.

Email me at freedom@debbiewaidl.com or DM me with the frequency and shape of your bowel movements. This will help us start decoding what’s going on in your gut.

Join the Virtual Retreat

If you’re done slapping Band-Aids on your pain and are ready for lasting change, join me for a Virtual Retreat the week of September 8th.

The best part? You can do it from home — no dress code, no rigid schedule, no stress. Sweatpants are encouraged (I’ll be wearing mine too!).

Each day, you’ll learn simple, proven steps to take back control of your health — the same ones women like Tammy and Marie have used to completely change their lives.

Picture waking up without pain, free to enjoy your days again. That’s what we’re aiming for.

Sound like what you need? Sign up here and let’s make this the month you start getting your life back. 💛

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Debbie Waidl is the Owner of In The Balance Health Coaching LLC, and Founder of The Freedom From Migraines Method™ & The Migraine Freedom Protocol™
She supports busy moms living with Migraines.

Debbie will uncover what is holding them back from migraine freedom so they can live their life pain and symptom free, work productively, spend the time they want with family and friends, and stop missing out on the things they enjoy.

A message from Debbie:
"I was once right where you are now. 100% believing there was NO WAY to end migraines and my only option was to learn how to live with them or find that magic pill that maybe would work for a while. If anyone told me back then that I could end my pain once and for all, I would have called BS and popped another pill!

Skeptical times 10 was my middle name for sure because when you try it all and everyone tells you they can help you and they don’t. You stop believing… you lose HOPE!

I now realize I was approaching my migraines all backward.

I was trying to cover up symptoms versus trying to end my pain."

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