The Science: Why Stress Triggers Your Brain's Perfect Storm
Migraines aren't just bad headaches—they're complex neurological events involving cortical spreading depression, trigeminal nerve activation, blood vessel changes, and neurochemical cascades. What makes stress one of the most common triggers? Stress hormones like cortisol and adrenaline affect every part of this system: they alter blood vessel tone, increase neural excitability, deplete serotonin, and lower your migraine threshold so that other triggers (light, food, hormones) are more likely to tip you over the edge.
The cruel irony is that living with chronic migraines is inherently stressful. You fear the next attack. You grieve the days lost. You feel frustrated by cancelled plans. This creates a feedback loop: stress triggers migraines, migraines cause more stress, more stress lowers your threshold, and the cycle continues. Simply being told to "reduce stress" isn't helpful when the migraines themselves are your biggest stressor.
Tapping works on multiple parts of this cycle. By reducing cortisol (studies show 24-43% reductions), it directly lowers the stress hormones that sensitize your migraine threshold. By calming the nervous system, it may reduce the baseline neural excitability that makes attacks more likely. And by addressing the emotional burden—the frustration, fear, and grief of living with migraines—it interrupts the psychological stress that feeds the physical pattern. Some migraine sufferers also report that Tapping during the prodrome or aura phase can reduce attack intensity or even abort the migraine entirely.
Catch it early: Many migraine sufferers report that Tapping at the first sign of a migraine—during the prodrome or aura phase—can sometimes prevent it from fully developing. This requires recognizing your early warning signs and acting quickly.
Real Results
Jodi Lewis Lipsitz's Story
"I was plagued with constant migraines. Thanks to Tapping, I now have far fewer headaches, and I have been able to add back all the 'trigger foods' to my diet. It is such a pleasure to be able to eat like a human being again."
For Jodi, migraines had shrunk her life in ways that went beyond the pain itself—she'd had to eliminate food after food, living with constant restrictions. Tapping changed that.
"Tapping has really been like a miracle to me. So thank you, from the bottom of my heart!"
She was so transformed that she started asking about training to become a practitioner herself—"There does not appear to be anyone doing this kind of work in the Southeast U.S."
Pamela Ward's Story
"17 years of migraines, the debilitating kind that alter your life for days at a time then slam right back for another round and keep repeating. Chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia, IBS..."
Pamela found Nick's book through Gabby Bernstein and tried her first Tapping session "out of sheer desperation during a 3 day migraine." She didn't care how or why it worked—she just needed relief.
"I was reading and listening to Abraham then in 2009 and 2010 and some of 2011 and after a few months I was able to stop the migraines and IBS and lead a semi normal life. I was thrilled!!!"
Pamela also discovered that trauma was connected to her migraines. The Maggie video "caused me to remember the exact situation that caused them to come back a few years ago." Addressing the emotional roots, not just the symptoms, was key to her healing.
A 78-Year-Old's Daily Practice
"Subscribing to the App was the best thing I've ever subscribed to. I use it just about every day. I have used it for more things than I would ever have imagined. At 78 years of age I can't believe how it's changed my life."
At 78, this tapper uses the app daily for various needs, including releasing migraines that affect her eyes. The key is consistent daily practice.
"At the moment, I'm using it every day for Grow Younger. As well as Tapping for pain, to release my migraines, which affect my eyes. So I can't thank you and Jessica enough."
A Migraine Protocol
Prevention: Daily Tapping on general stress keeps your nervous system calmer and may reduce migraine frequency.
Early intervention: At the first sign of a migraine, tap immediately. Focus on the specific early sensations you notice.
During: If you're in a full migraine, gentle Tapping with eyes closed in a dark room may help. Don't force it if it feels too much.
Start Your Migraine Relief Journey
Use these sessions for prevention and during episodes.
Release a Headache 15 min Support Your Healing: Headaches 12 min Tension Release 12 min