Migraine is a medical condition associated with severe, long-lasting headaches due to a reaction to stimuli in the environment. The onset of migraines causes a pulsating pain on one side of the head, followed by a downward spiral of vomiting, nausea, and sound and light sensitivity. Migraine attacks can last up to 72 hours if untreated and render you tired and “beaten out” once finished.

Additionally, another episode might develop after sudden head movements. Some odors that may trigger migraines are:

1. Cigarette smoke
Cigarettes contain a cocktail of chemicals, with nicotine being the most active. Nicotine causes the vessels that carry blood to the brain and the covering of the brain to tighten, causing the brain to go into a depressed state that leads to migraines. This affects both smokers and non-smokers who are exposed to smoke as secondhand smoke is more dangerous than firsthand smoking.

2. Food odors
Pungent scents such as onions will trigger an episode of pain by either causing a headache or activating emotional areas of the brain that are closely linked to pain. Other foods, particularly fried and fatty foods, will send a person into a migraine state. This happens because of inflammation, activating the brain’s areas related to pain or causing the blood vessels to tighten. Consecutively, food scents such as peppermint and lavender oil may reduce or reverse the migraine symptoms caused by these triggers.

3. Perfumes
Perfumes can cause a person’s blood vessels to expand and activate the neural networks of the brain associated with head pain. Additionally, many of these pleasant odors contain hormone disruptors that negatively intercept your natural rhythm and throw you into an unpleasant, painful frenzy. Many of these chemicals are not required to be tested for safety, although required to be disclosed by the FDA, and this may be the reason why there can be adverse reactions occurring. It is recommended to choose natural fragrances or “phthalate-free” scents when selecting a perfume.

4. Cleaning chemicals
Among the beneficial smells that trigger migraines are many household chemicals. Though used for sanitization, these substances contain toxins and highly reactive compounds that promote severe headaches when released. It is also unwise to mix cleaning chemicals as this causes even more dangerous chemical bonds to form.

5. Scented candles
Scented candles are among the list of odors to avoid when you are prone to migraine symptoms. When a candle is burnt, highly volatile compounds are released along with substances that can interfere with breathing, hence disrupting the natural oxygen cycle, which in turn deprives your brain and other organs of air. Associated head pains may occur and other long term complications as well. Beeswax candles are a brilliant alternative to regular candles; however, they may not possess any special scents other than the smell of burnt honey. Another alternative is soy candles, which can be naturally scented without toxic chemicals.

6. Air fresheners
Sols and aerosols also contain potentially hazardous chemicals. For the most part, the ingredients used to make air fresheners are often not disclosed, according to regulatory policies, but they still pose a threat. Even the ones labeled “green and eco-friendly” emit volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and have been associated with migraines, headaches, asthma, and other breathing difficulties. Opting for an essential oils spray will freshen the air and lessen the fear of toxicity and migraine proliferation.