A throbbing, pounding headache. Bright zigzagging lines across your field of vision. Sensitivity to light, lingering fatigue, disrupted sleep. While an incapacitating headache is one of the most common symptoms, a migraine can include any of these experiences. So what exactly is a migraine? And what causes it? Marianne Schwarz explores what we know— and don't know— about this complex disorder. [Directed by CUB Animation, narrated by Alexandra Panzer, music by József Iszlai]. 

Marianne Schwarz: What happens to your brain during a migraine?

What happens to your brain during a migraine?

Migraines transcend mere headaches, involving the hypothalamus and trigeminal nerve, affecting 33% of women and 13% of men.

Genetic predispositions and environmental stimuli intertwine, making some brains more susceptible to migraines than others.

Beyond pain, migraines correlate with depression, panic disorder, and strokes, hinting at a complex genetic and neurological web.