Can migraines cause seizures? In some cases, yes.
Certain individuals experience a rare condition in which a migraine, especially one involving aura, can trigger seizure-like neurological activity. Understanding how these two conditions interact helps people recognize symptoms, seek medical care, and explore effective support and migraine solutions.
About 25% to 30% of new-onset seizures are believed to be triggered by another medical event or condition, according to the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI). This statistic highlights the importance of recognizing how one neurological event may influence another.
Migraines are more than just headaches. They affect the nervous system and can lead to changes in sensory perception, cognitive response, and electrical activity in the brain.
When people hear the question, "Can migraines cause seizures?" they are often trying to understand whether migraine pain alone can result in a seizure. The short answer is not always, but there is a recognized neurological connection.
Can Migraines Cause Non-Epileptic Seizures?
Yes, some people experience non-epileptic seizures during or after a migraine. These episodes are often triggered by overwhelming neurological activity or stress responses. Non-epileptic seizures differ from epileptic seizures because they do not involve the same abnormal electrical patterns in the brain.
Non-epileptic seizures can occur when:
- The nervous system becomes overstimulated
- Stress hormones increase
- Migraine pain intensifies
- A person becomes overwhelmed physically or emotionally
Non-epileptic seizures may look like:
- Shaking
- Muscle tightening
- Brief episodes of unresponsiveness
However, they do not show the abnormal electrical discharge patterns doctors see in epilepsy.
Instead, they are often driven by the body's stress response, emotional overload, or nervous system dysregulation rather than electrical misfiring in the brain. This is why EEG tests often appear normal during non-epileptic events, even when the person's behavior resembles a seizure.
What Do Migraine Seizures Look Like?
Migraine-related seizures, or "migraine-triggered seizures," usually occur during or shortly after the aura phase of a migraine. Aura is a neurological experience that may involve:
- Flashing lights
- Zigzag patterns
- Visual distortions
- Tingling sensations
Migraine seizures may involve:
- Temporary loss of awareness
- Muscle stiffening or jerking movements
- Confusion following the episode
- Visual disturbances before the seizure
Many patients describe the event as a "wave" of neurological intensity that first shows up as typical migraine sensations, such as visual aura or pulsing pain. Then it gradually intensifies into widespread neurological overstimulation.
The sensation may feel as if energy is building inside the head and spreading outward, sometimes moving from behind the eyes to the temples or down the neck. As this wave intensifies, the nervous system can become overwhelmed, and in rare cases, this escalation can transition into seizure-like activity, especially in those with heightened neurological sensitivity.
Understanding the Neurological Link
The brain's electrical and chemical activity shifts during a migraine. These shifts are part of what is known as cortical spreading depression, a slow-moving wave of electrical disturbance that travels across the brain. When this wave reaches regions responsible for movement, sensory perception, or awareness, it can temporarily disrupt normal signaling pathways.
This disruption can overstimulate neurons and lower the brain's threshold for seizure activity. In individuals who already have neurological sensitivity or a lowered seizure threshold, this cascading activity may contribute to a seizure occurring during or shortly after a migraine episode.
Several factors help explain the connection:
- Neurons become hyperexcited during migraine aura
- Sensory pathways become overloaded
- Brain regions controlling vision and muscle movement become overstimulated
This neurological link explains why migraine and seizure causes may overlap. When the brain is already in a state of heightened electrical sensitivity due to a migraine, especially during the aura phase, it becomes more vulnerable to disruptions in normal neural firing.
In individuals with a naturally lower seizure threshold, this overstimulation can trigger seizure-like activity because the brain is temporarily unable to regulate or slow the rapid flow of electrical signals. In other words, both conditions share a common pathway of heightened neurological excitability, which helps explain why they sometimes appear together.
Shared Triggers and Risk Factors
Many of the same headache triggers that influence migraines can also increase seizure sensitivity. Common overlapping triggers include:
- Bright or flickering lights
- Lack of sleep
- Dehydration
- Hormonal fluctuations
- Stress or emotional intensity
- Certain foods, such as processed meats or aged cheeses
People who experience migraines with aura may have a higher chance of experiencing seizure-like symptoms because the aura phase involves heightened electrical activity in the brain. During an aura, nerve cells may fire in rapid, spreading patterns that temporarily disrupt normal brain communication. When this electrical disturbance reaches areas that regulate awareness or muscle control, the risk of seizure-like responses increases, especially in individuals with a naturally lower seizure threshold.
Migraine Complications and What to Watch For
Migraine complications may extend beyond head pain. Migraines are neurological in nature, meaning they can influence:
- The brain's sensory processing
- Emotional regulation
- Physical coordination
Because of this, people often experience symptoms that affect more than just the head. The nervous system may respond to a migraine episode with changes in how the body interprets the following:
- Light
- Sound
- Speech, movement
- Emotional stress
Potential complications include:
- Temporary numbness or tingling
- Vision changes or tunnel vision
- Speech difficulties or slowed word recall
- Cognitive fog or trouble focusing
- Sensory sensitivity to light, sound, or touch
- Sudden emotional shifts, such as irritability or anxiety
These complications occur because a migraine can temporarily alter:
- Blood flow
- Electrical signaling
- Sensory pathways in the brain
When certain regions of the brain are impacted, such as the visual cortex or the areas responsible for speech, the symptoms may reflect that specific disruption.
Some individuals also experience motor aura, which may include weakness or difficulty coordinating movement. In rare cases, the neurological stress of a migraine may trigger seizure-like responses when the brain becomes overstimulated.
Any seizure-like movement, confusion, sudden disorientation, or unusual neurological symptom during a migraine should be evaluated by a healthcare professional, especially if it is new, worsening, or persistent.
How Migraine Seizures Are Diagnosed
Diagnosis requires careful medical evaluation. Doctors often use:
- Medical history review
- Neurological examination
- EEG (electroencephalogram) testing
- MRI or CT scans
The goal is to determine whether the seizure activity is epileptic. This involves abnormal electrical discharges in the brain, or non-epileptic seizures, which may stem from:
- Stress responses
- Pain overload
- Other physical or emotional triggers
Treatment Options and Migraine Solutions
Managing the connection between migraines and seizure-like symptoms involves supporting the nervous system, reducing inflammatory and sensory overload, and stabilizing electrical signaling in the brain. Most treatment plans combine medical guidance with lifestyle and natural wellness strategies.
Many individuals benefit from doing the following.
Identify and Track Triggers
Keeping a symptom journal can reveal patterns between stress, sleep, food, hormones, or environmental changes and migraine onset. Recognizing patterns helps prevent future episodes.
Set Consistent Sleep and Hydration Routines
Sleep deprivation and dehydration both increase neurological stress. A stable routine helps protect the brain from rapid changes in blood flow and electrical activity.
Limit Sensory Overload
Bright lights, loud noise, crowded environments, and long screen exposure can intensify migraines. Using dim lighting, noise reduction tools, or scheduled screen breaks may help reduce intensity.
Incorporate Doctor-Recommended Supplements
Natural ingredients such as magnesium glycinate, riboflavin (B2), feverfew, and CoQ10 can support healthy nerve signaling, reduce inflammation, and stabilize electrical activity in the brain. Natural wellness support may reduce:
- How often a migraine occurs
- The severity of each episode
- Related neurological responses, including aura intensity
By supporting the nervous system's resilience, individuals may experience fewer sensory spikes and less escalation toward seizure-like responses.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is the Difference Between a Migraine Aura and a Seizure Aura?
A migraine aura is a sensory change that often occurs before the headache phase. Many describe it as seeing flickering lights, shimmering patterns, or distorted shapes. Some may experience numbness in the face or hands, trouble speaking, or a tingling sensation along one side of the body.
The purpose of a migraine aura is not fully understood, but it is linked to temporary shifts in brain signaling and blood flow.
A seizure aura, however, is considered the very beginning of a seizure. It may last only seconds.
People may feel:
- Sudden fear
- Intense déjà vu
- A strange taste or smell
- A brief sense of disconnection from their surroundings
Unlike migraine aura, seizure aura tends to come on more abruptly and is followed by physical seizure activity like muscle twitching or loss of awareness. Understanding the two helps individuals recognize whether their symptoms point more toward migraine activity or neurological seizure involvement.
Are Migraine-Triggered Seizures Dangerous?
Migraine-triggered seizures are rare, but they should always be taken seriously. When a seizure occurs during or after a migraine, it may indicate that the brain is responding to intense sensory and electrical overload. While a single event may not always repeat, it can still be a sign of lowered neurological stability.
Seeking medical evaluation helps:
- Rule out underlying neurological disorders
- Identify whether the seizure has epileptic or non-epileptic origins
- Develop a safety and prevention plan
If someone experiences repeated episodes, early diagnosis is even more important to reduce the risk of future complications.
Can Stress Cause Both Migraines and Seizures?
Yes, stress influences neurological activity on multiple levels. It does the following:
- Raises stress hormones like cortisol
- Increases inflammation
- Disrupts sleep
- Can heighten physical sensitivity
For many people, migraines occur during times of emotional strain or exhaustion.
Seizures may also happen more often when stress builds up, especially in those who already have a lower seizure threshold. The nervous system in both conditions can become overwhelmed, making stress management a meaningful part of prevention.
Helpful stress reduction practices include:
- Regular sleep routines
- Gentle physical activity
- Limiting screen time and sensory overload
- Deep breathing or guided relaxation
Do Certain Foods Increase the Chance of Migraine or Seizure Activity?
Certain foods can influence the nervous system and blood vessels in ways that may increase migraine or seizure sensitivity. Individuals vary, but common triggers include:
- Processed meats containing nitrates
- Artificial sweeteners such as aspartame
- Aged cheeses containing tyramine
- Chocolate in high amounts
- Caffeine, especially in inconsistent amounts
Keeping a food journal helps individuals identify patterns. If a certain food or ingredient appears repeatedly before symptoms, reducing or removing it may improve neurological stability.
Can Dehydration Trigger a Migraine-Triggered Seizure?
Dehydration affects how the brain receives oxygen and nutrients. When the body lacks fluid, blood volume drops, making it harder for the brain to function efficiently. This can increase the likelihood of migraine onset.
In rare cases, severe dehydration can also contribute to seizure-like symptoms because electrolyte levels become imbalanced. Electrolytes like sodium and potassium help nerve cells communicate. When these levels shift too quickly, nerve signaling becomes unstable.
Staying hydrated, not only after symptoms start, helps maintain neurological balance.
What Should Someone Do If They Suspect a Migraine Seizure?
If a seizure occurs during or after a migraine, safety comes first. Steps to follow:
- Stay calm and help the person lie on their side
- Loosen any tight clothing around the neck
- Keep the area clear to prevent injury
- Do not place anything in the person's mouth
- Avoid holding them down or restraining movement
- Stay with them afterward, as confusion is common
Seek emergency care:
- If the seizure lasts longer than a few minutes
- Is the person's first seizure
- If injuries occur during the episode
Can Natural Supplements Help Reduce Migraine Frequency and Severity?
Yes, many natural supplements support neurological stability and reduce the frequency and intensity of migraines. Ingredients, such as:
- Magnesium helps relax overactive nerve pathways
- Riboflavin (B2) helps support energy use in brain cells
- Herbal extracts can help balance inflammation and stress response
Natural supplements are often most effective when combined with:
- Sleep consistency
- Hydration habits
- Balanced nutrition
- Stress management
Can Migraines Cause Seizures and How to Reduce Risk?
Understanding the answer to, can migraines cause seizures, helps people respond proactively to symptoms and explore supportive wellness options. Early recognition, lifestyle adjustments, and natural support can make a meaningful difference.
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