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Migraine and Hallucinations: An Intriguing Connection

Migraine is more than just severe headaches; it may be associated with intense visual phenomena and other sensory observations. In migraineaura, a subtype of migraine, one in three people experience certain visual disturbances prior to or during the headache. These symptoms include sensitivity to light, noises and smells, tingling in hands and feet, and seeing shimmering lights.

Hallucinations in Migraine Aura

In migraineaura, people may experience complex visual phenomena that may feel like hallucinations to some. Although these visual symptoms are not technically hallucinations because they are related to the disturbed brain activity during a migraine attack, they may manifest themselves as non-existent objects, animals, humans, and distortions in the perception of time and space.


Causes of Migraine-related Hallucinations

The exact relationship between migraine and hallucinations is not yet fully understood. Researchers suggest that neurochemical changes during a migraine attack may interfere with normal brain function, leading to these particular observations. Genetic factors and individual susceptibility to migraine-related hallucinations also play a role.


Different Types of Hallucinations in Migraine

  1. Respiratory hallucination:
    • Very rare (0.1% of patients).
    • Some migraine patients experience unpleasant smells, such as fire air or gasoline, which are not there.
  2. Visual Hallucination:
    • Auras in migraines are often simple flashes of light or zigzagging lines.
    • Migraine-related hallucinations are more complex, encompassing vivid images of non-existent people, animals or figures.
  3. Auditory Hallucination:
    • Sometimes, with sounds like crickets, white noise, bells ringing, or constantly squeaking.
    • More often in migraine patients with depression, without association with auras.


Brain changes in Migraine

Changes in blood flow and electrical activity in the brain during a migraine attack can affect visual cortex, which may cause visual hallucinations. Although migraine does not cause immediate hallucinations, several studies show a clear relationship between both.

Understanding this complex link however requires more research. Migraine, with its various manifestations, remains a fascinating area of study within neurology.

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