Research Library
Written by the Relief Team · Mental Health

The Stress-Pain Cycle: Anxiety and Migraine

Chronic migraines and anxiety share similar neuro-pathways. High levels of adrenaline and cortisol keep the nervous system in a state of high alert, physically lowering the threshold required to trigger a migraine.

Central Sensitization

Long-term pain rewires the brain to be more sensitive to all stimuli. Managing mental health through therapy, meditation, or medication is a vital component of successful migraine prevention. Track your mood alongside your attacks to identify if anxiety peaks correspond with your attack frequency.

Related Guides

Weather & Barometric Pressure

How atmospheric shifts trigger attacks.

The 4 Migraine Phases

From warning signs to recovery.

Track Your Triggers

The Relief app correlates your attacks with weather, sleep, food, and more — automatically.

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