Welcome back, migraine warriors. Now that we’ve got the basics out of the way—yes, migraines are real, neurological, and absolutely not "just a headache"—it’s time to answer the next burning question:

What the hell is actually causing them?

Enter: The Migraine Trigger

Migraine triggers are like that one unreliable friend—unpredictable, inconsistent, and usually showing up at the worst possible moment. The thing is, triggers are personal. What sets off one person’s migraine might do nothing for someone else.

That said, here are some usual suspects:

  • Stress – Classic. Whether it’s a big presentation, family drama, or a traffic jam, stress is a major player.
  • Hormones – Shout-out to estrogen fluctuations. Many people who menstruate find migraines strike during their cycle.
  • Sleep – Too much, too little, bad quality—it all messes with your brain chemistry.
  • Food & Drink – Chocolate, cheese, red wine, caffeine, and sneaky preservatives like nitrates and MSG. Yay.
  • Weather – Yes, your head can forecast rain. Changes in pressure or temperature can be a nightmare.
  • Sensory Overload – Bright lights, loud noises, strong smells (sorry, perfume aisle).

The Hard Part: Identifying Your Triggers

It’s rarely just one thing. It’s more like a perfect storm of triggers that hit all at once. And no, you’re not crazy for feeling like your body is gaslighting you.

Here’s how to get a grip on what’s really going on:

  1. Start a Migraine Journal – Track sleep, food, mood, stress, weather, symptoms. It’s not glamorous, but it’s gold.
  2. Look for Patterns – After a few weeks, trends might pop up. "Every time I drink red wine, I get hit." Coincidence? Probably not.
  3. Test One Variable at a Time – Don’t cut out everything at once. This isn’t an elimination diet from hell.

A Word of Caution:

Avoid trigger-blaming. It's easy to start feeling guilty or obsess over controlling every tiny thing. You’re human—not a migraine-preventing robot. Awareness is helpful, but perfection isn’t the goal. Management is.

In future posts, we’ll go deeper into managing triggers, but for now—start paying attention. Your brain’s sending signals. Let’s start decoding them.