Can Migraines Cause Hair Loss? Everything You Need to Know

If you’ve noticed changes in your hair while dealing with migraines, you might be wondering: Can migraines cause hair loss?

The short answer is that migraine itself does not directly cause hair loss. However, the underlying factors associated with migraine, such as stress, hormonal shifts, inflammation, and nutrient depletion, may contribute to temporary hair shedding in some people.²

Migraine is a whole-body condition, not just a head pain disorder.³ Meaning, its effects can extend beyond the brain and influence other parts of the body, including the scalp and hair cycle.

Key Takeaways

• Migraine does not directly cause hair loss, but related factors may contribute.¹
• Stress and nervous system strain can disrupt the hair growth cycle.²
• Hormonal shifts and inflammation may play a role in both migraine and hair changes.¹
• Certain medications and conditions may contribute to hair shedding.¹
• Consistent routines that support hydration, nutrition, and recovery may help stabilize symptoms.³

In this article, we’ll cover the connection between migraine and hair loss, what the cause might be, and how to support your body during periods of increased symptom activity.

• Why Migraines and Hair Loss Can Be Connected
• Types of Hair Loss and Migraine Patterns
• Common Triggers That Affect Both Hair and Migraines
• Ways To Support Hair and Migraine Health
• How Buoy Brain Health Drops Fit Into a Supportive Routine
• Looking at the Bigger Picture for Holistic Health

Why Migraines and Hair Loss Can Be Connected

Several factors linked to migraine symptoms can also influence the hair growth cycle. Hair follicles are sensitive to internal changes, especially stress and shifts in the body’s baseline balance.²

Stress and Nervous System Load

Migraine often involves heightened nervous system activity. Chronic stress can push hair follicles into a resting phase, leading to increased shedding over time.²

Hormonal Changes

Hormones such as estrogen and cortisol play a role in both migraine patterns and hair health. Fluctuations may affect both conditions simultaneously.³

Nutrient and Hydration Status

Periods of nausea, reduced appetite, or dehydration during migraines may affect nutrient intake. Over time, this can impact hair growth and overall resilience.

Supporting hydration is especially important, since electrolyte balance plays a role in cellular function throughout the body.

Inflammation and Immune Activity

Autoimmune and genetic disorders, such as alopecia areata, can contribute to migraine aura.

Migraine involves inflammatory processes and certain forms of hair loss are also linked to immune system activity.¹ Alopecia areata is an autoimmune disease affecting people with thyroid or other genetic conditions that attacks the hair follicles.

Types of Hair Loss and Migraine Patterns

Different types of hair loss may show up alongside migraine symptoms in various ways.

 

Type of Hair Loss	What It Is	Possible Link to Migraines
Telogen Effluvium	Temporary shedding after stress	May follow periods of intense migraine activity
Alopecia Areata	Autoimmune-related hair loss	May share immune and inflammatory pathways¹
Medication-Related Hair Loss	Side effect of certain drugs	Some migraine medications may contribute

 

This does not mean migraine causes these conditions, but it highlights how overlapping factors may influence both.

Common Triggers That Affect Both Hair and Migraines

Some triggers can impact both migraine frequency and hair health.

• Chronic stress: Affects nervous system and hair cycle⁴.
• Dehydration: Can worsen headaches and affect cellular function.
• Electrolyte imbalance: Plays a role in nerve signaling and hydration.
• Fatigue and burnout: May contribute to both migraine and shedding.

Being able to identify these common triggers can help you take a more holistic approach to migraine and hair loss prevention.

Ways To Support Hair and Migraine Health

There is no single solution, but small, daily habits can support both systems.³

• Hydration consistency: Support fluid and electrolyte balance throughout the day
• Balanced nutrition: Aid in consistent energy and nutrient intake
• Stress management: Reduce overall nervous system strain
• Routine stability: Maintain consistent sleep and meal timing

If you’re interested in how nutrients support brain function, this overview of nootropics explains common compounds used for cognitive support.

How Buoy Brain Health Drops Fit Into a Supportive Routine

When migraine is part of your routine, you may notice effects that go beyond pain, including fatigue, brain fog, and broader signs of stress that can affect overall resilience, and in some cases, contribute to changes like temporary hair shedding. Supporting your nervous system can help maintain a more stable baseline between attacks.

Buoy Brain Health Drops are a liquid blend of targeted minerals and nootropics designed to support cognitive function, focus, and brain clarity as part of a hydration-forward routine. The formula includes ingredients commonly discussed in brain health contexts, including:

• GABA, which plays a role in calming neural activity
• Ginkgo biloba, often associated with circulation support
• Panax ginseng, linked to mental stamina and cognitive resilience⁴

Together, these ingredients may help support mental clarity and a more balanced response to daily stressors. Brain Health Drops are not a treatment for migraine or hair loss. They are intended to support overall brain health as part of a broader approach that includes hydration, nutrition, and consistency.

Looking at the Bigger Picture for Holistic Health

So, can migraines cause hair loss? Not directly, but the conditions surrounding migraine may play a role, such as stress, hormonal shifts, and changes in hydration or nutrition.

Taking a whole-body approach can help you better understand patterns and support both your neurological and physical health over time.

References

¹ JAAD. (2020). Association Between Alopecia Areata and Migraine. https://www.jaad.org/article/S0190-9622(20)32474-9/fulltext

² PubMed. (2020). Alopecia Areata and Migraine Study. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32671496/

³ National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. (n.d.). Migraine. https://www.ninds.nih.gov/health-information/disorders/migraine

⁴ Hajhashemy, Z., Golpour-Hamedani, S., Eshaghian, N., Sadeghi, O., Khorvash, F., & Askari, G. (2024). Practical supplements for prevention and management of migraine attacks: A narrative review. Frontiers in Nutrition, 11, 1433390. https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/nutrition/articles/10.3389/fnut.2024.1433390/full