Yawning as a Migraine Prodrome Symptom
A neurologist has highlighted that excessive yawning, often mistaken for fatigue, can be an early indicator of an impending migraine. Dr. Jessica Lowe, known as Doctor Brain Barbie on social media, explained in a TikTok video that yawning is part of the prodrome phase—the earliest stage of a migraine attack that can occur hours to days before the headache begins.
Role of the Hypothalamus
Dr. Lowe noted that brain imaging studies show activation of the hypothalamus early in migraine attacks, before pain starts. The hypothalamus regulates sleep, appetite, body temperature, and other automatic functions. Symptoms like yawning, food cravings, fatigue, mood changes, and neck discomfort are linked to this region.
Dopamine Sensitivity in Migraine
Yawning is also tied to dopamine, a neurotransmitter involved in reward and movement. Migraine patients often have altered dopamine signaling and heightened sensitivity to dopamine, which may explain symptoms such as yawning, nausea, and food cravings before the headache phase.
Dr. Lowe emphasized that a migraine attack does not necessarily start with head pain; the headache is just one phase of a complex neurological process that may develop over hours or days.
The NHS lists additional prodrome symptoms including feeling very tired, yawning a lot, craving certain foods, thirst, mood changes, a stiff neck, and increased urination.
