4 Crazy Things About Migraine You Never Knew (but should)
Not just a headache!
Migraine. If you’ve ever had one, you know they’re no ordinary headaches. Pulsating pain, nausea, sensitivity to light and sound—this neurological condition is downright debilitating. But beyond the familiar symptoms, migraines have some truly strange and surprising dimensions that most people don’t know about. Whether you’re a migraine sufferer or just curious, here are four of the strangest facts about migraine that might blow your mind (and, hopefully, not trigger one).
1. Migraine Can Alter Your Sense of Smell
Have you ever smelled something that wasn’t there? Or found an everyday scent overwhelmingly strong? You might be experiencing osmophobia, a heightened sensitivity to smells, which is common in people with migraine. Even stranger, some migraine sufferers report phantom smells—scents that don’t actually exist.
Researchers believe this phenomenon is tied to how migraine affect the brain’s sensory processing. For some, certain odors like perfume, gasoline, or food smells can even “trigger” a migraine, making the world feel like an olfactory minefield.
2. They Can Cause Hallucinations—Before the Pain Starts
About 25–30% of people with migraine experience an aura, a warning phase that precedes the headache. But these auras aren’t just flashing lights or zigzag lines; they can get downright bizarre. Some people report seeing distorted shapes, shimmering spots, or even experiencing temporary blindness.
Migraine auras aren’t limited to vision. Some sufferers experience auditory hallucinations, like hearing phantom voices or ringing sounds, while others feel pins and needles or numbness in their limbs. It’s almost like your brain decides to run a psychedelic light show before the storm hits.
3. Migraines Can Mimic a Stroke
Imagine slurred speech, one-sided weakness, or difficulty forming coherent thoughts—sounds like a stroke, right? It could also be a hemiplegic migraine. This rare type of migraine causes temporary paralysis or weakness on one side of the body, often accompanied by confusion or trouble speaking.
While terrifying, hemiplegic migraines aren’t life-threatening, but their symptoms can easily be mistaken for a stroke. This confusion can make diagnosis tricky, and it’s why anyone experiencing these symptoms for the first time should seek medical attention immediately. Getting a correct diagnosis is important because this type of migraine can increase your risk for actual stroke and does limit what migraine medications you can take.
This is the Migraine type that I have. Hemiplegic Migraine has left me unable to drive, do my own shopping, unable to work and lead a normal productive life. I have stroke-like symptoms with my migraine attacks every day. On top of this, I have also suffered two actual strokes in the past 4 years. So, anyone that want to say that migraine is just a headache can kick rocks!
4. Weather Can Be a Trigger
Ever felt like you could predict a thunderstorm based on a pounding head? Weather changes are a common migraine trigger for many people. Barometric pressure fluctuations, in particular, can wreak havoc on the brain.
Headache Specialists believe the connection lies in how atmospheric pressure affects blood vessels and possibly brain pressure, which can lead to the onset of migraine pain. So if you’ve ever felt like a human weather vane, you’re not imagining things—your migraine might actually be forecasting the forecast. I am actually more accurate than Jim Cantore could ever imagine being and I only get paid with excruciating pain, nausea and paralysis. Doesn’t seem at all fair.
Final Thoughts
Migraine is more than just a headache—they’re a complex neurological puzzle that researchers are still working to understand. From sensory overload to stroke-like symptoms, their strange and varied manifestations make them one of the most fascinating (and frustrating) conditions to live with.
If you experience migraine, know you’re not alone—and there are treatments and strategies to help. And for everyone else, the next time someone tells you they have a migraine, remember: it’s not “just a headache.” It’s a journey through one of the brain’s strangest and most challenging mysteries.
Did any of these strange migraine facts surprise you? Share your thoughts or experiences in the comments—I’d love to hear them!
Had a friend share your page with me - hello 👋🏻
I’ve been researching the complexities of this hod awful disease for nearly 7 years and like yourself, I find it utterly fascinating! I’ve reached the conclusion that just because it’s complex and misunderstood doesn’t mean it can’t be understood. Though you do have to take an interest in it.
Def got the smell one and only became triggered by the weather at the point of being chronic with migraine in 2018. What a journey.
I recently launched a podcast, Your Migraine Story Matters. The invitation is to show up as we are and chat as if amongst friends. Relaxed and informal. Let me know if you’d like to come as a guest, I’d love to hear your story.
This article really resonates with me. I’ve suffered from migraines for most of my adult life, and it’s incredible (and a little validating) to see how complex and misunderstood they truly are. The points about heightened smell sensitivity and weather changes especially hit home for me-those have been such consistent triggers. For me, symptoms like nausea and vomiting can make migraines completely debilitating. Thank you for shedding light on this