Smelling smoke and headaches Migraine odors usually include unpleasant imagined smells such as burnt food, cigarette smoke, or rotten garbage. Feb 28, 2025 · Smells can trigger migraine attacks, and they can also worsen attacks already in progress. May 16, 2023 · Perfume and other strong odors may trigger headaches and migraine attacks in some people. Learn more about this condition, including when it could indicate something serious. Headaches triggered by odors tend to be severe and are often accompanied by nausea. Sep 1, 2025 · Phantosmia occurs when you smell odors that aren’t there. Aug 24, 2023 · What’s giving you a headache? It could be allergies, dehydration, nicotine, or an assortment of other common triggers. Migraine attacks usually occur in stages and the initial stage for some Migraineurs is a “pre-headache” phase occurring for hours of days before the onset of aura or headache. Nov 20, 2017 · Smelling an odor that might not be real? It could be phantosmia. Sep 17, 2025 · Can Smoking Marijuana Cause Sinus Headaches? Smoking or vaping cannabis can cause sinus headaches, characterized by pressure around the eyes, cheeks, and forehead. Does anyone have phantom smells as part of their super fun migraine experience? For the last 6 months, I’ve been absolutely losing my mind convinced that the person below us is smoking cigarettes. I have been dealing with perimenopause since 2017, when the first symptoms I seem to have had were unrelenting, barely controllable anxiety, chronic headaches and smelling phantom smoke. Oct 2, 2025 · Smelling smoky or burning smells — including burnt toast — is a common type of phantosmia. Nicotine patches may cause headaches as a side effect, reflecting the sensitivity individuals have to smells, with cigarette smoke being a common trigger. Jul 2, 2020 · See the relationship between smoking, nicotine and headaches. Cigarette smoke also has a distinct odor. Track timing, triggers, and any new neurological signs; see a clinician fast if odors start suddenly or come with weakness, speech trouble Apr 12, 2024 · Some headache sufferers described a general burning smell, while other said they smelled cigar smoke, wood smoke or burned popcorn. Jul 26, 2022 · If the smells are unpleasant or off-putting, phantosmia can lead to further effects, such as a reduced appetite or weight loss. Smelling cigarette smoke or something burning can be a sign of a major illness. Intro Migraines represent a complex interplay of neurophysiological changes, often accompanied by a myriad of sensory sensitivities. However, phantom smelling (be it cigarette smoke, burning … Jul 8, 2024 · How does OCD lead to thinking you smell cigarette smoke when there is none? OCD is an incredibly convincing disorder, which can cause intrusive thoughts and sensations —including the sensation of smell—to feel very real. One notably significant aspect is the connection between migraines and smell sensitivity. Discover the common causes, from sinus issues to neurological conditions, and when to see a doctor about it. 1 What is that smell? Hyperosmia is the medical term for sensitivity to smell. The headache occurs at the back of the head, lasting 30 mins to an hour, and goes away as soon as the trigger (nicotine) is removed. Sep 13, 2024 · Migraines: Increased sensitivity and aversion to odors are common in the pre-migraine and peak migraine stages. In this article, I’m going to be covering what phantom smells with headaches are and where they come from. Nicotine is the addictive ingredient in cigarettes, e-cigarettes, chewing tobacco, cigars and other tobacco products. Smells may also trigger a migraine or make it worse. What are phantom smells? Phantom smells, called phantosmia are a hallucination inside your olfactory or smelling system. Other studies identify cooking odors like onions and fried food. What causes migraine headaches? Sep 23, 2014 · Migraine phantom smell and olfactory hallucinations are both sensory disturbances associated with migraine. Understanding Odor Sensitivity and Migraines A range of smells and odors have been found to be problematic for some migraine sufferers such as: Perfume Cigarette smoke Paint thinner Cleaning products Car exhaust Gasoline Data varies, but clinical studies report that anywhere between 25 –50% percent of migraine sufferers experience a heightened sensitivity to odors during their migraine Nov 10, 2025 · Experiencing the phantom scent of cigarette smoke is called phantosmia. Migraine-related phantom smells are usually unpleasant, with the most common being a burning or smoke scent. When the brain is affected by something like cortical spreading depression then wires can get crossed and signals can be sent through the part of the brain that Jan 20, 2022 · #3 Phantom Smells Phantom smells (phantosmia) are a rare type of migraine aura. Mar 7, 2025 · Discover how to recognize and manage olfactory aura phantosmia migraine, a rare type of sensory migraine with phantom smells as an early warning sign. Will quitting smoking cure my headaches? If you have a headache disorder, quitting smoking will not cure your headaches. Headaches from cannabis may arise from marijuana hangovers or withdrawal, and the specific strain could For instance, many people can become sensitive to smells before, during, or after a migraine attack. An expert explains why this happens, how to manage it, and when to be concerned. Possible causes include upper respiratory infections, brain disorders, mood disorders, and medications. In addition to increasing carbon monoxide levels in your blood, many migraine sufferers find the smell of cigarettes and other tobacco products triggering. The worst offenders seem to be perfume, gas, paint, cigarette smoke, cleaning products like bleach, nail polish, and asphalt. As Sep 15, 2025 · The smell of weed can indeed trigger headaches for some individuals, largely due to certain terpenes and personal sensitivities. You may have a smell disorder called phantosmia. Cluster headaches, migraines, and trigeminal neuralgia may be linked to smoking itself, quitting smoking, or secondhand smoke. Sep 25, 2025 · The odors from cigarettes or cigars can also provoke migraines, especially in those sensitive to smells or allergic to smoke. Mar 24, 2023 · I've been getting bad headaches for over a year now and it happens with a constant smell of smoke. Both conditions can occur during menopause due to hormonal effects on the olfactory system, and both typically resolve over time. While these cases are much rarer, patients actually smell specific things that are not smelled by the people around them and are associated with their headaches. Sep 15, 2020 · But if you are predisposed to migraines, you are more likely to experience migraines and non-migrainous headaches when you are exposed to strong smells. How Long Can Hallucinations Last? Sep 15, 2022 · Smoking tobacco can increase carbon monoxide levels in your blood, which triggers a headache, most commonly a cluster headache. Aura often causes problems with vision and happens before the headache phase of a migraine attack. While cannabis is often sought for pain relief, headaches can occur post-consumption due May 22, 2023 · Melissa M. After those burning scents, "decomposition" odors like garbage or sewage were the next most common. They occur at different stages of a migraine attack and have distinct characteristics. However, there are some people who say that weed gives them a headache, and others claim that consuming too much gives them a weed hangover. [further explanation needed] It can occur in one nostril or both. Nov 7, 2025 · Phantosmia is detecting smells that aren't present at all (olfactory hallucinations), while parosmia is a distorted perception of actual smells—for example, roses smelling like garbage or coffee smelling like gasoline. When a person begins smelling something that doesn’t exist (and it may take a while for them to realize this), they usually assume it’s a problem with their nose. Jun 15, 2020 · Symptoms and signs of Dizziness, Headache And Strange Smell Or Taste and their most common related conditions. Oct 28, 2025 · Find out why using cannabis may cause a headache, plus get tips to relieve or even prevent these headaches. Otherwise known as olfactory hallucinations, phantosmia means smelling something (often unpleasant, such as rotten food, sewage, or something that is metallic or chemical) that simply isn’t there. Especially the poop, it's driving me nuts. You probably won’t get a migraine every time you smoke, but consistently having nicotine in your system will make migraines more likely — and the more nicotine you take in, the worse off you’ll be. Odors known to trigger migraine include perfume, cigarette smoke, car exhaust, cleaning products, and certain foods. Learn why the smell of weed can trigger headaches and explore strategies to manage this discomfort. Common causes include colds, allergies, nasal polyps and dental issues. Ronald DeVere responds: Olfactory hallucinations are perceived abnormal smells—usually unpleasant—that are Dec 21, 2022 · Problems with our sense of smell, including phantom odors or a loss of smell, can be a warning sign of serious illness. So Smelling something that isn’t there (phantosmia) can be caused by a brain tumor. Migraine Phantom Smells and Olfactory Hallucinations happen in the prodrome and aura phase. Feb 8, 2023 · In fact, this can help researchers and doctors to distinguish between migraine headaches, tension headaches, and other headaches. We aimed to categorize odors associated with migraine and explore their You just helped me connect the dots between migraines and what I thought was randomly smelling cigarette smoke in my home. (There is no smoke) Paracetamol and ibuprofen take Phantom smells Hello, I suffer from CH’s and as of the last month I have been getting horrible phantom smells like cigarette smoke, and what can only be described as a burnt chicken tender. What could be causing this? These perceived abnormal smells are not actually present in the physical environment. People who quit smoking may experience February/March 2012 By Ronald DeVere, MD I have "olfactory hallucinations" in which I smell smoke. Below, I will discuss Jan 26, 2024 · Olfactory Hallucinations Olfactory hallucinations may involve smelling smoke, gas, or other types of odors, according to a case report published in Frontiers in Neurology. How long they last depends on the olfactory hallucination’s cause. Nov 4, 2011 · Migraine headache s are not just about throbbing head pain; sufferers of migraine have strong sensitivity to smells, resulting in olfactory aura – an indicator of an approaching migraine attack. There are different kinds of odors that a person may smell as a result of a brain tumor. from Nebraska describes her olfactory hallucinations: “I smell phantom cigarette smoke before a migraine sometimes. Nov 21, 2022 · People who smoke may experience different types of headaches. Nicotine withdrawal may also cause headaches. Learn more about dysgeusia and its symptoms here. Here’s what science and the community have to say about which smells are worst and how to cope. It’s also called Phantosmia (phantom smell), also called an olfactory hallucination or a phantom odor, [1] is smelling an odor that is not actually there. In this article, I will share my experiences and provide valuable insights into coping with migraine attacks and sensitivity to smells. I started spontaneously getting migraines in December, and ever since then I keep smelling things like smoke and poop when it's not there. Learn the effects of secondhand smoke and how to get rid of a nicotine headache. Aug 8, 2025 · Cannabis has a multitude of medical benefits, many of them associated with its advantages in treating certain ailments, including migraines. Dec 21, 2023 · Wildfire smoke causes several health problems, including headaches. Jan 16, 2024 · Heavy secondhand smoke exposure is tied to the risk of developing severe headaches or migraine in adults who never smoke. Most people with phantosmia report it as an intermittent smell of something burnt, foul or unpleasant. This hallucination is intrinsically suspicious as the formal evaluation and detection of relatively low levels of odour particles is itself a very tricky task in air epistemology. Smoking and headache are very commonly linked as smoke is a very important precipitating factor. Treatments vary for individuals; some may find relief through hydration, pain relievers, or alternative methods to inhalation. However, aura can also cause a person to hallucinate scents. Feb 6, 2025 · Have you ever been extremely sensitive to smells before, during or after a migraine attack? You're not alone! While light and sound sensitivity are well-known migraine symptoms, heightened sensitivity to scents—called osmophobia—is also very common. Jul 30, 2024 · What is a nicotine headache? Some people who use nicotine notice that they develop headaches during or after its use. Does anyone else who suffers from CH also get phantom smells? Dec 15, 2019 · Since my new tinnitus two months in, especially this last month, I smell the odor of smoke (where there should be none) and then some smells are very pungent to me. Jun 11, 2025 · Smelling cigarette smoke when no one is smoking is called phantosmia. One previous study prospectively followed 11 patients from a tertiary care center who all had olfactory hallucinations that preceded their migraines. To begin with, let’s look at the Phases of Migraine, created by Miles for Migraine. About one-third of people with migraine aura experience phantom smells, and cigarette smoke is common. I have also started to have continual headaches. Jun 15, 2020 · Symptoms and signs of Headache And Strange Smell Or Taste and their most common related conditions. Hyperosmia usually fades after a migraine, but may persist in those with frequent migraines, even between episodes. Has anyone else had either of these two things occur with your tinnitus? Thanks. While many individuals report that certain scents can precipitate an attack, the underlying reasons for this phenomenon remain largely unexplored in public discourse. Find expert advice and solutions at Statcare. At first I thought it was covid and I was losing smell or something but nope. from Navan, Ireland, counts phantom odors as her weirdest migraine symptom. For some patients, the smell of cigarette smoke alone can be a migraine trigger. Yet phantosmia can also come from sinus disease, a head injury, or even a stroke. Oct 21, 2025 · Have you ever noticed smells that no one else around you can? Your nose isn’t playing tricks on you. May 26, 2023 · A study published in the journal Scientific Reports has categorized migraine-associated odors into six groups and observed that odors of cleaning products can significantly increase migraine Can smoking trigger migraines? Yes, smoking can trigger migraines. [2 Dec 26, 2023 · Migraines are not just headaches; they are intense, debilitating attacks that often come with a range of symptoms, including sensitivity to smells. Thank you, I didn't realize that was a migraine symptom! Apr 12, 2024 · Unusual smells or taste with migraine Experiencing unusual smells or taste can be a normal part of the migraine prodrome for some migraine individuals. Let’s take a look at the headaches after smoking weed and how to prevent marijuana headaches before they take root. Cigarette smoke and petrol are common but olfactory experiences can be varied. Symptoms may include throat irritation, dry cough, breathing difficulties, and headaches, though these do not indicate fever, with a typical body temperature around 35 degrees. So much that I bought two good air purifiers to keep in my room and at my work desk. May 2, 2025 · Sensitivity to smell (osmophobia) or smelling things that aren't there (phantosmia) can be another symptom of migraine. 13 Medications: Certain medications may heighten sensitivity to smell. Learn the physiology behind headaches and how to deal with the pain. Treatment depends on the underlying cause. Learn when to seek medical help. Some people also experience phantosmia alongside other taste and smell conditions, such as dysgeusia. Phantosmia (Olfactory Hallucinations) Phantosmia is a condition that causes you to detect smells that aren’t actually in your environment. May 2, 2025 · Can a brain tumor cause you to smell smoke? Smelling smoke, or experiencing phantom smells that are not actually present, can be a symptom associated with certain types of brain tumors. Apr 10, 2024 · Yes, the quality of the air you're breathing can cause a headache and more. Let's look at why and what you can do about it:. Anyone else get phantom smells like these? I had an MRI and EEG done on Tuesday, still awaiting results. These olfactory hallucinations, known as phantosmia, can occur when a tumor affects the brain regions responsible for processing smell signals. Another way in which smell is involved is through olfactory hallucinations during a migraine attack (OHM). ” Eiméar S. Migraine, a common primary headache disorder, is associated with various factors such as stress, hormones in women, fasting, weather, and sleep disturbance as well as odors. Nov 10, 2025 · Discover the health reasons, from sinus issues to neurological conditions like phantosmia, that explain why you smell smoke in your house but no fire at night. I’ve also purchased smoke filters for our central air unit and frequently ask if anyone else can smell it. Is smelling smoke a sign of brain tumor? Smelling smoke, or experiencing phantom smells that are not actually present, can be a symptom associated with certain types of brain tumors. It can happen in one nostril or both — and the odors may be foul or pleasant. Serious diseases can make you smell cigarette smoke even though nobody is smoking. This may happen for a number of reasons. Dr. Olfactory hallucinations, involving the smell of cigarette smoke in particular, and their relation to migraines is not a novel discovery. Learn more here. Phantosmia is a condition that causes you to smell things that aren’t there. jqkusgn wnd mdtjm nsgb bmmp psvhp czzr ygfni crv cwyrzk rnoncal vfc rdnxnr dnag umb