When you live with migraines, you already know the world can feel overwhelming in ways that other people can’t see. One of those hidden layers is something called hyperosmia—a condition where your sense of smell is turned up way too high. For some people, hyperosmia can trigger nausea, discomfort, and even migraine attacks.
Defining Hyperosmia
Hyperosmia is the heightened sensitivity to odors, meaning smells that most people barely notice can feel overwhelmingly strong. For some, it’s temporary—like during pregnancy or when dealing with certain illnesses. But for people with neurological conditions such as migraines, it can be an ongoing part of life.
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Common triggers include perfumes, cleaning products, cigarette smoke, or even foods with strong aromas.
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Reactions can vary: Some people feel nauseated, dizzy, or instantly overwhelmed, while others develop migraine pain soon after.
How Hyperosmia Connects to Migraines
If you’ve ever felt like certain smells make your head pound, you’re not alone. Many people with migraines describe odors as both triggers and amplifiers of their pain. Scientists think this might happen because:
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The brain’s olfactory pathways (smell centers) are closely tied to pain and sensory processing regions.
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Migraines involve a kind of sensory overdrive, where light, sound, and smell all feel intensified.
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Neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine, which play a role in migraines, may also affect how we process smell.
For some, hyperosmia shows up right before a migraine—acting almost like a warning sign. Others feel it lingers long after the pain has gone.
Everyday Impact of Hyperosmia
Hyperosmia isn’t just about being “sensitive to smells.” It can deeply affect everyday life:
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Social settings: Walking into a crowded restaurant can feel like walking into a cloud of overwhelming odors.
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Workplaces: Colleagues wearing perfume or using strong cleaning products can make it hard to focus.
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Home life: Even cooking a meal can feel impossible when spices or frying oil bring on symptoms.
This can leave people feeling isolated or misunderstood—especially when others think they’re being “overly dramatic.” In reality, it’s a neurological symptom, not a preference.
Conditions Linked With Hyperosmia
While migraines are one of the most common connections, hyperosmia can also appear with:
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Pregnancy – hormonal changes often heighten smell sensitivity
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Parkinson’s disease – where changes in smell perception can be an early sign
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Autoimmune conditions – some disorders affecting the nervous system may influence smell
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Medication withdrawal – certain drugs can temporarily alter the sense of smell
For people with migraines, hyperosmia can be both a symptom and a trigger, which makes managing it especially complex.
Coping Strategies
There isn’t a one-size-fits-all treatment for hyperosmia, but people often experiment with small adjustments that make daily life more bearable:
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Fragrance-free zones: Asking workplaces or schools to limit perfumes and scented cleaners
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Masks and filters: Some people use lightweight masks to block strong odors in crowded spaces.
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Avoidance planning: Choosing restaurants, stores, or transit options with better ventilation
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Migraine management: Preventive migraine treatments may also reduce hyperosmia episodes.
It’s also worth tracking smell triggers in a migraine diary. Sometimes, just being able to connect patterns helps people feel more in control.
Living With Hyperosmia
Perhaps the hardest part isn’t the smells themselves—it’s explaining to others what you’re going through. People may laugh off your reaction to perfume or roll their eyes when you leave a room. But here’s the truth:
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Your symptoms are real.
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You are not “too sensitive.”
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Managing triggers is an act of self-care, not weakness.
Living with migraines and hyperosmia often means navigating an invisible world of sensory landmines. And while that can feel exhausting, there’s also strength in knowing your body and finding ways to protect yourself.
If you live with this, you’re not alone. Millions of people experience smell sensitivity as part of migraines or other conditions. And though research is still catching up, advocacy and awareness are slowly making invisible symptoms more visible.
You Deserve Support
Hyperosmia may sound like an obscure medical word, but for people with migraines, it’s a daily reality. Understanding it as more than “just a strong sense of smell” is the first step toward compassion—for ourselves and for others who live with it.