I have noticed that if I think too much (which I usually do), I sometimes get a headache, especially if I am pondering over something that is difficult to understand. It has therefore since long been my suspicion that thinking too much can cause headaches. At the first glance, this does not seem possible, because our brain lacks pain perceptors. Instead, the pain experienced from headaches is sensed by nerves on the cranium around the brain or in the meninges (a protective layer of the brain on the inside of the cranium)
These pain perceptors can be activated due to tiny blood vessel damage or the dilation of blood vessels in the brain. The blood vessel dilation or damage can be caused by overactive neural activity (such as stress). Stressful thoughts, such as when your thoughts are racing, should therefore be able to cause headaches. There are of course many other factors that can influence headaches, such as drinking too much coffee, not drinking enough water, or using the computer too much. But it is recommended that we exercise some control over our thinking, such as meditational techniques. Headaches are becoming increasing common in children. One study showed that 56 % of boys and 74 % of girls aged between 12-17 years had experienced headaches the previous month. People suffering from depression report having more headaches than others. Little is currently known about headaches and the more severe types, such as migraines. Therefore this would be an important and interesting area for further study.
9 Comments
4/29/2013 12:00:51 am
Hi I'm 19 here's my story I had a bad experience with my first.miscarriage had to have a D & C that was on April 8th of this Month I.was home.for.three-day after the surgery went to postpartum depression.and..anxiety attacks I couldnt stand.to.be.in.that house so.my good.friend.who's a.nurse sent.me to stay with my.mom who.lives four hours away from.where I live since.I've been.out.here I've been.getting.better but for the past two.weeks I've been.getting wicked headaches I went to the doctor three.times because.of.the.migraines and.headaches I think.to much about.my.health worry.myself.till.it.triggers a anxiety attack.the postpartum depression went away in two weeks but the whole.time I was.like that I always had thoughts like I'm gonna.die or I'm going to :O m just very scared.about.these.migraines I get sometimes there irratate me like tingling mostly.on my.left.side.of.my head.it's.different everyday could.it.be.from.thinking.too much.?
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DeDe
7/31/2013 10:52:01 am
I wouldn't have a headache from thinking too much causing stressif my lame parents would just take me back to school shopping
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Mimi
11/6/2013 11:54:24 pm
I have a headache from thinking too much right now as I type.
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Tite
7/24/2016 12:57:14 am
As I read those blogs I over think where my headaches came from.
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vishal
4/26/2015 05:24:12 am
I'm having have of over thinking over a single thought. i always over think stuff if it's important and end up having headrace. also call it counter thinking over stuffs. counter thinking is really helpful but the headace part makes it worst . never thought about how to approach doctor.
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vishal
4/26/2015 05:25:33 am
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the unknown man
10/30/2015 08:29:11 pm
I get headaches after thinking hard about something when its something complicated it comes up faster than something more simple
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When I play a difficult game of chess I am left with a bad headache. I did some research and found it could be caused by a large drop in the glucose level in the brain. I'm 72 years old and older people may be more susceptible to increased glucose consumption
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AuthorThis is my class blog for IB Psychology. Here I will publish reflections on psychology, reviews of psychology books, recommended links, lecture notes, and information on psychology topics that are not covered by the syllabus. You are free to add comments or ask me questions. Archives
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