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Migraine is a common neurological disorder that can be episodic or chronic. It is a severe, pulsating headache that typically affects one side of the head. It cannot always be relieved with painkillers. Japanese researchers have identified six groups of odors that most frequently act as triggers for migraine attacks.
Research background
Migraine affects approximately one in five women and one in fifteen men, totaling approximately one billion people worldwide. Certain factors, including stress, fasting, weather changes, sleep disturbances, hormonal fluctuations in women, light, sound, and odors, increase the frequency of migraine attacks.
Heightened sensitivity to odors is considered a specific symptom of migraines and is often observed in 95% of patients. There is evidence that certain types of odors are particularly associated with migraine attacks.
Mechanically, the odor signal reaches the brain through the olfactory bulb, and studies have shown that odors trigger migraines by activating different regions of the brain.
Methodology
The study involved 101 patients with clinical migraines. Participants were given a questionnaire consisting of 35 odor items selected based on previous data.
The questionnaire was used to determine which types of odors trigger migraine attacks and how participants protect themselves from odors.
Odors that provoke migraine
Researchers identified six groups of odors that most frequently acted as triggers for migraine attacks.
- Fetid odors: These include the smells of garbage, excrement, vomit, sweat, dirty body, and tobacco.
- Cooking products. Primarily, food or dishes with strong spicy aromas.
- Petroleum derivatives. Gasoline, diesel, oils – this type of migraine often occurs in vehicles.
- Shampoos and hair conditioners.
- Hygiene products and cleaning supplies. This group also includes floral-based soaps and gels, floral-scented hairstyling products, as well as laundry detergents and fabric softeners with floral scents.
- Perfumes, insecticides, and simply the smell of roses.
Interestingly, a significantly higher level of migraine attacks triggered by the smell of tobacco or soap was observed among younger participants. On the other hand, the smell of body odor or garbage only caused attacks in women.
At the same time, strong citrus aromas, which are often used in aromatherapy, did not provoke migraines in any of the study participants.
