16 Reasons People Get Migraines: The Most Comprehensive List You Will Find
By Gail Lynn (Written in 2010, updated 10/15/21, updated again 4/1/25, and again 4/16/26 as I continue to learn more from clients and healers
If you’ve ever been a migraine sufferer, you know what it’s like to be enjoying life one moment, and then—BAM!—a migraine hits out of nowhere. A true migraine offers very little warning, and for most, no clear reason at all.
I had my first migraine at the age of 17. I was getting ready to go to a friend’s graduation party when it struck. I experienced optical migraines, which were like staring at the sun and then looking away, leaving a negative image in my view. That spot would grow and flicker until it wiped out my peripheral vision completely. After about 45 minutes, the pain would begin—intense pain, like an ice pick scraping the inside of my skull for hours. The pain was so unbearable that it made me feel like a gunshot to the head might be a better option. Vomiting, diarrhea, and extreme sensitivity to light would often follow. Over the course of 23 years, I averaged about eight migraines a year, and I can’t even imagine what it would have been like to experience them more frequently.
Migraines ran my life. There was always a lingering fear of the next one. Sometimes, I’d look at a bright light and tense up, expecting to be overwhelmed with pain any second. Many migraine sufferers live with this fear daily and have to plan their lives around it. I was fortunate to have a 45-minute warning with compromised vision before the pain started, which gave me time to race home, get into bed, and shut the lights out.
For 23 years, I searched for answers. I tried countless treatments, but it wasn’t until I discovered sound and light technology in 2007 that I finally found a breakthrough. This technology uses frequency, vibration, sound, and light waves at resonant frequencies to detoxify, de-stress, reset, and rebalance the body. It works on a level below consciousness while still in an awakened state, helping balance the autonomic nervous system, so the body can heal itself. Through years of research and personal experience, I’ve come to realize that migraines can have many different causes. Here’s a list of 16 potential triggers. Don’t get overwhelmed—start by addressing the easier ones and work your way through the list.
11 Reasons People Get Migraines
- An Imbalance in the Autonomic Nervous System (ANS) – Also known as dysautonomia. Harmonic Egg® and Harmonic Egg Music can help. Harmonic Egg Website
- Dehydration – Studies show 40% of all headaches are caused by dehydration.
- Parasites – Visit a parasitologist for a stool sample test.
- Diet – Certain foods like red wine, dark chocolate, and sulfates can trigger migraines.
- Viral Load – An internal non-rashing shingles virus or other viral infections like Lyme or Epstein-Barr.
- Diet and Mineral Depletion – Electrolytes can help, and I recommend this brand: Superior Electrolytes.
- Heavy Metals – Detoxing heavy metals is key. I recommend this product: BioRay.
- An Imbalance in the 3rd Eye Chakra – To bring this chakra into balance, try using lavender, indigo-colored light, eating purple grapes, or listening to piano/flute music. For more details, read my book Unlocking the Ancient Secrets to Healing.
- Tight Hamstrings – Tightness in the body can contribute to migraines.
- Helicobacter Pylori (H. Pylori) – You may want to get a stool test. Over half the population likely has this infection.
- Light Sensitivity – Sitting under fluorescent lights or spending too much time on electronics can be a trigger.
As I continue to expand and deepen this study, I’ve discovered that there are additional, often overlooked triggers that can play a significant role in the body’s overall balance and response.
More Hidden Migraine Triggers You Might Be Missing
Migraines are complex and often triggered by a combination of physical, environmental, and neurological factors. While the causes above are some of the most commonly recognized, there are also several overlooked triggers that can quietly contribute to recurring migraine episodes.
Becoming aware of these subtle influences can help you better understand your body and reduce the frequency or intensity of migraines over time.
- Long Hair & Tight Ponytails – Something as simple as how you wear your hair can make a difference. Tight ponytails, buns, or braids can place continuous tension on the scalp and surrounding connective tissue. Over time, this added tension may contribute to headaches or trigger migraines.
If possible, try loosening your hairstyle or letting your hair down during the day and while sleeping to help relieve unnecessary strain.
Source: Cleveland Clinic
- Weather Changes (Barometric Pressure, Temperature, Humidity)- Many people notice migraines occurring before or during weather changes, and research supports this connection. Fluctuations in barometric pressure can affect the body’s internal balance and lead to changes in brain chemistry.
These shifts may impact blood vessels and nerves, increasing the likelihood of migraine pain. Staying well hydrated daily and increasing hydration during weather changes can help support your body through these transitions.
Sources: American Migraine Foundation, Mayo Clinic, National Health Service
- Dehydrated Fascia (and Dehydration) – Hydration plays a key role not only in circulation but also in connective tissue health. When the body is dehydrated, blood volume can decrease and tissue elasticity may be affected.
This can lead to tightness in muscles and fascia, especially in the neck and head, which may contribute to migraine development. Gentle stretching or fascia focused exercises may help release this tension over time.
Source: American Migraine Foundation
- Lack of Sleep – Sleep disruption is one of the most well documented migraine triggers. Even small changes in sleep patterns can affect how the brain regulates pain, hormones, and stress.
When sleep is insufficient, the nervous system becomes more sensitive, which lowers the threshold for migraine attacks. Prioritizing consistent and quality sleep can make a meaningful difference.
Sources: Cleveland Clinic, Mayo Clinic
- Neck Muscle Tightness (Including the Scalenes)- Tightness in the neck and shoulder muscles is a major, yet often overlooked, contributor to migraines. Muscles such as the scalenes can become tight due to stress, posture, or prolonged sitting.
This tension may compress nerves, restrict blood flow, and create referred pain into the head, contributing to migraine onset. Gentle stretching, yoga, and improving overall body alignment can help. It is also helpful to remember that tension in areas like the hips can influence the neck, since the body works as a connected system.
Source: National Headache Foundation
As you can see, migraines are complex and can be caused by multiple factors. But I am happy to report that I haven’t had a migraine in over 15 years!
When I first experienced sound and light therapy in 2007, I didn’t notice any immediate changes. I was one of the biggest skeptics. However, after several months, I started noticing subtle improvements. My eye doctor mentioned that my eyesight had improved, and my asthma seemed to disappear. I began to wonder if it was the sound and light therapy.
A year later, after visiting a center again, I experienced a migraine that lasted only 10 hours—much shorter than usual—and seemed less intense. After another session, the migraine only lasted about 6 hours. Once, during a migraine, I entered the chamber for therapy. The session lasted an hour, and it was painful, but in just 15 minutes after the session, the migraine was gone. I was able to eat and keep food down right away.
After about 20 sessions, the migraine pain was completely gone. While I’ve had a few optical migraines in the years since, they’ve never been accompanied by pain.
I am deeply grateful for the role sound and light therapy has played in my life and the lives of others. Not only am I migraine-free, but I’m also asthma-free and insomnia-free. I breathe easier, no longer lose clumps of hair in the shower, feel less stressed, don’t need glasses, have clear skin, and my blood work looks great for a 56-year-old woman. I’ve experienced numerous other improvements as well.
If you suffer from migraines, don’t give up! There are therapies out there that might be the right fit for you.
To purchase music to help balance the ANS, detox heavy metals, and more, visit:Â Harmonic Egg Store.
