Hey everyone, Matt Lieberman here for DNews. Just about everyone knows someone who’s

had a migraine, or if you’re really unlucky, you suffer from them on a chronic basis. The

Mayo Clinic defines a migraine as a “headache [that] can cause intense throbbing or a pulsing

sensation in one area of the head and is commonly accompanied by nausea, vomiting, and extreme

sensitivity to light and sound.” They can last anywhere from minutes to several days

in length, and the pain and disorientation can be so intense that it renders the sufferer

incapable of doing just about anything.

So why do we get them? There isn’t one answer for sure, but a new study authored by researchers

at the University of Toronto offers a compelling clue: participants who witnessed physical

abuse between their parents were more likely to get migraines. Men were 52% more likely

and women were 64% more likely to get migraines if they had witnessed domestic violence as

a child than those who hadn’t. This means, potentially, that migraines are, at their

core, caused by how the brain develops long before we reach adulthood. The headaches themselves

are thought to be brought on by abnormal brain activity and an imbalance of serotonin in

the brain.

Now serotonin is one of many neurotransmitters found in the human brain, and it’s been

proven that when under intense levels of stress and anxiety, the brain produces greater amounts

of fear-related chemicals, such as adrenaline, and less of the chemicals associated with

relaxation and joy, like serotonin. With this in mind, it’s possible to build on the University

of Toronto study and say that witnessing domestic physical violence raises the risk of migraines

by adding viscerally stressful memories to a still-developing mind. If the pattern of

abuse is constant, the brain can very easily get used to overproducing adrenaline and under

producing serotonin.

So what can migraine sufferers do to avoid migraines? Avoid salty or overly processed

foods, remain well hydrated, and avoid caffeine, to start. Try to reduce stimulation. Bright

lights and thumping bass are not your friend. Also, regular exercise can help release serotonin

into the body, reducing anxiety and making migraines less likely.

Now we want to hear from you: Have you ever suffered from a migraine? How do you or your

loved ones cope with them? Let us know in the comments.