Can frequent migraines damage memory?
Many people who get migraines often wonder if all those headaches are hurting their brain in the long run, especially when it comes to remembering things. The short answer is that frequent migraines do not appear to cause lasting structural damage to memory based on key studies, but they can lead to real memory complaints and issues that feel like damage during bad episodes.[1]
People with chronic migraines, like those happening 15 days or more a month, frequently say they have trouble with memory. They might forget names, struggle to focus, or feel foggy headed. A recent study looked at patients with chronic migraines and chronic back pain. Both groups reported poor memory, but tests showed no bigger differences in actual memory performance compared to healthy people. This suggests the complaints come more from the ongoing pain and its effects rather than true brain damage from the migraines themselves.[1] You can read more details in the full study here: https://academic.oup.com/braincomms/advance-article/doi/10.1093/braincomms/fcaf486/8376909?searchresult=1
Why do memory problems pop up then? Pain takes a toll. When migraines hit often, they disrupt sleep, daily routines, and mood, all of which play into how well we remember things. For example, skipped meals, poor hydration, or irregular sleep can make migraines worse and add to that brain fog feeling.[4] Tracking these lifestyle factors helps many people spot patterns and reduce attacks. Check out this guide on why tracking matters: https://migrainebuddy.com/why-tracking-lifestyle-factors-matters-in-migraine-not-just-medications/
Links to depression add another layer. Frequent migraines raise the risk of depression by up to three times, and depression itself clouds memory and thinking. Brain areas that handle pain and emotions overlap, so when migraines fire up inflammation or stress responses, it can worsen mood and make memory feel unreliable.[2] Learn about this connection here: https://www.bangkokhospital.com/en/bangkok-bone-brain/content/migraine-and-depression-connection
Personal stories highlight how severe it can get. One young musician described losing her memory during intense migraine periods and medication trials. She forgot how to play her instrument, read music, or even basic skills like walking downstairs. It left her feeling like a shell of herself, but with better treatment, she recovered and got back to her studies.[5] Her account is shared here: https://www.drlouisenewson.co.uk/knowledge/migraines-reduced-me-to-a-shell-of-a-person
Other research touches on ways to manage migraines, like virtual reality meditation, but it did not show clear wins for memory and sometimes noted more attacks.[3] Details on that trial: https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/virtual-reality/articles/10.3389/frvir.2025.1697190/full
Sources
https://academic.oup.com/braincomms/advance-article/doi/10.1093/braincomms/fcaf486/8376909?searchresult=1
https://www.bangkokhospital.com/en/bangkok-bone-brain/content/migraine-and-depression-connection
https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/virtual-reality/articles/10.3389/frvir.2025.1697190/full
https://migrainebuddy.com/why-tracking-lifestyle-factors-matters-in-migraine-not-just-medications/
https://www.drlouisenewson.co.uk/knowledge/migraines-reduced-me-to-a-shell-of-a-person
