89. What Most People Don't Know About Scents (And Why They Trigger Your Migraines)
Fri Feb 06 2026
Why can't you walk down the detergent aisle without triggering a migraine?
In this follow-up episode, I break down the hidden connection between odor sensitivity and chronic migraines, and why it's not just "how you're wired."
Here's what most people don't know: when you smell something, you're inhaling molecules that enter your bloodstream. For migraine sufferers, whose "toxin buckets" are already near the top, even small exposures, a candle, ground beef cooking, the coffee aisle, can tip you into a full migraine.
I also share the shocking Bath & Body Works story: how they pumped 20-30 pounds of fragrance into Grand Central Station, turning unsuspecting commuters into walking migraine triggers.
In this episode, you'll learn why there are two levels of odor sensitivity, one that only happens during migraines, and another that's constant, even when you feel fine. I explain why smelling something means absorbing toxins into your bloodstream, and how the "toxin bucket" concept changes everything once you understand it. You'll discover why odor sensitivity isn't genetic or hardwired, it's actually a symptom that can improve over time. And I'll show you how to build margin in your system so that wildfire smoke, perfume, or holiday candles don't automatically ruin your day.
This episode is for you if you avoid certain grocery store aisles because the smell is overwhelming, if your family thinks you're making it up when you complain about odors, if you've been told you're just sensitive to smells and that's how you are, or if you want to stop living in fear of triggers and rebuild trust in your body.
If you're having 8+ migraine days per month and you're ready to drain your toxin bucket and reclaim your life, I can help.
Schedule your free consultation here:https://www.drlesliecisar.com/apply
Free Training: 5 Proven Steps to Being Migraine Free (Even if you think you've already tried everything.)
https://www.drlesliecisar.com/5SHMN
Connect with us:
Website: https://www.drlesliecisar.com/
Free Facebook Group: Healing Migraines Naturally, with Leslie Cisar, ND
Ready to try something radically different that actually works? Read more about my approach here: https://www.drlesliecisar.com/map
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Why can't you walk down the detergent aisle without triggering a migraine? In this follow-up episode, I break down the hidden connection between odor sensitivity and chronic migraines, and why it's not just "how you're wired." Here's what most people don't know: when you smell something, you're inhaling molecules that enter your bloodstream. For migraine sufferers, whose "toxin buckets" are already near the top, even small exposures, a candle, ground beef cooking, the coffee aisle, can tip you into a full migraine. I also share the shocking Bath & Body Works story: how they pumped 20-30 pounds of fragrance into Grand Central Station, turning unsuspecting commuters into walking migraine triggers. In this episode, you'll learn why there are two levels of odor sensitivity, one that only happens during migraines, and another that's constant, even when you feel fine. I explain why smelling something means absorbing toxins into your bloodstream, and how the "toxin bucket" concept changes everything once you understand it. You'll discover why odor sensitivity isn't genetic or hardwired, it's actually a symptom that can improve over time. And I'll show you how to build margin in your system so that wildfire smoke, perfume, or holiday candles don't automatically ruin your day. This episode is for you if you avoid certain grocery store aisles because the smell is overwhelming, if your family thinks you're making it up when you complain about odors, if you've been told you're just sensitive to smells and that's how you are, or if you want to stop living in fear of triggers and rebuild trust in your body. If you're having 8+ migraine days per month and you're ready to drain your toxin bucket and reclaim your life, I can help. Schedule your free consultation here:https://www.drlesliecisar.com/apply Free Training: 5 Proven Steps to Being Migraine Free (Even if you think you've already tried everything.) https://www.drlesliecisar.com/5SHMN Connect with us: Website: https://www.drlesliecisar.com/ Free Facebook Group: Healing Migraines Naturally, with Leslie Cisar, ND Ready to try something radically different that actually works? Read more about my approach here: https://www.drlesliecisar.com/map