Music for Migraines

Rather, this is an attempt at music for migraines.

I’ve been a ‘migraineur’ for a number of years now. I dedicate about a third of each year to this hobby. It used to be worse. Now I don’t eat chocolate, peanuts and avoid MSG. I don’t drink red wine. I avoid bright lights when possible and I try to stick to a regular routine. In the end these aren’t terrible things, that is of course unless I break a rule. I have nightmares where I realize that my dream-self just ate chocolate. In real life, it’s not something I’m as paranoid about, but when I slip up I’m in for it for the next 2 or 3 weeks.

Then there seems to be the weather patterns or some other force of nature. Months of misery due to something that can’t be controlled. What can you do? I follow my rules. I take medication and sometimes that works.

Coming from a musical background, and with lots of opportunity to experiment, I listened to different music to try to determine its effects. Perhaps the important elements are those that are opposite to what typically aggravates the migraine? For me these aggravations would cover the senses with common themes of intrusiveness, loudness / brightness / smelliness and unexpected stimuli. In-ear buds were great at blocking out sound and I could work to shut out the world otherwise, but again, what sounds might further mask the nausea-inducing world? Are there any sounds that could actively help?

It’s an exploration in progress. I tried the song below out the other night and found that it had some elements which I found helpful. Things I didn’t really expect. It felt like sometimes there needs to be separation before things can come together again or sometimes a negative swing ultimately produced a push in a positive direction.

Here’s ‘Music for Migraines I’. Listen with headphones and try to focus intently on the sounds. I’d be curious as to your thoughts. You can use the Sound Cloud comment feature to add your notes, write me at feedback @ musicformigraines.ca or you can just listen. Those without migraines might enjoy this as well.