Exploration of the Relationship Between Stress, Diet and/or Caffeinated Drink Consumption and Migraines

Abstract

A vast amount of research shows that migraines affect many people around the world. It has been suggested that stress, caffeine and artificial sweeteners are three of the many factors that can cause migraines. Caffeine, ironically, has been shown to be both a trigger and a treatment. Pre-med students have been shown to be prone to migraines as their future goals require high/successful involvement in both the community and academics. This study provides insight into whether consumption of diet drinks, caffeinated drinks and/or stress is/are correlated with the intensity or frequency of migraines by surveying pre-med students near beginning and towards the end of their undergraduate career. While there was no correlation with consumption of either artificially sweetened or caffeinated beverages, stress was found to be the most common migraine trigger for this population. Rigor of major and post-graduation plans were among the highest sources of stress. Considering the influence stress had on migraine experience and these sources of stress, learning and utilizing stress reduction methods such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Stress Inoculation Therapy (SIT), and Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) might be the most effective way to reduce intensity/frequency of migraines.