A migraine is a complex neurological disorder involving recurrent episodes of severe, throbbing head pain, often felt on one side of the head. It is frequently accompanied by disruptive symptoms like nausea, vomiting, and extreme sensitivity to light and sound. Given the debilitating nature of these attacks and their tendency to affect multiple people within the same family or environment, a common question arises: Can a migraine be caught from another person?
Migraines Are Not Contagious
A migraine is fundamentally a non-communicable neurological disease that cannot be transmitted from person to person. The term “contagious” is reserved for diseases caused by infectious agents, such as viruses, bacteria, or fungi, that spread through contact or airborne droplets. Migraines do not fall into this category because they are not caused by any pathogen. The underlying mechanisms are rooted in abnormal activity within the brain, involving nerve pathways and chemical signals, rather than an external infection. Therefore, you cannot catch a migraine through casual contact like touching or sharing utensils.
Factors That Mimic Contagion
The perception that migraines can be caught often stems from observing multiple people suffer attacks simultaneously.
Genetic Predisposition
A strong contributor to this idea is the condition’s significant genetic component. Migraines are highly hereditary, meaning if one family member has the disorder, the risk is substantially higher for their relatives. This shared genetic predisposition means family members are often susceptible to the same triggers, leading to attacks that appear to be “spreading” within a household.
Shared Environmental Triggers
People who live or work together often share the same immediate environment, exposing them to identical environmental triggers. Simultaneous exposure to factors like strong perfumes, flickering lights, loud noises, or sudden changes in barometric pressure can cause multiple susceptible individuals to experience a migraine concurrently. Stress and anxiety are also well-known migraine triggers, and high-stress situations can affect a group of people collectively. A shared stressful event can activate the neurological pathways in several people, creating a cluster of concurrent attacks, which is a reaction to a common external stimulus.
Confusion with Infectious Headaches
There is occasional confusion because some infectious illnesses can cause severe headaches as a symptom. Conditions like respiratory infections or the flu can lead to inflammation that triggers a headache. While these headaches are caused by a contagious agent, they are distinct from the neurological disorder known as migraine. Migraine is a chronic condition rooted in the central nervous system, not a temporary symptom of a transmissible illness.
The Underlying Causes of Migraine
Migraine attacks are believed to begin with abnormal brain activity that affects the sensitivity of nerve cells. This process involves a complex interaction between the brainstem and the trigeminal nerve, which is a major sensory pathway for the face and head. The activation of this system leads to the release of various chemical messengers that contribute to the intense pain and other symptoms.
One primary molecule in migraine pathology is the neuropeptide Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide (CGRP). During a migraine attack, the levels of CGRP increase significantly, causing blood vessels around the brain to dilate and transmitting pain signals to the central nervous system. Targeting CGRP has become a focus for newer migraine medications, reinforcing its role as a primary internal driver of the pain.
Another important chemical is the neurotransmitter serotonin, which helps regulate pain signals in the nervous system. Migraineurs often exhibit fluctuating or decreased levels of serotonin. Medications like triptans work by stimulating serotonin receptors found on the trigeminal nerve and cranial blood vessels. This neurological and chemical imbalance confirms that migraine is an internal neurovascular event.