Why do we get headaches?

Answer: Pain signals from blood vessels and nerves around the brain

Pain signals from blood vessels and nerves around the brain ✓ — Correct! Headaches result from pain signals in structures surrounding the brain: blood vessels (dilating or constricting), muscles (tensing), nerves (irritated), and membranes around the brain. Triggers include stress (muscle tension), dehydration (blood vessel changes), lack of sleep, hunger, or illness. The brain itself has no pain receptors—pain comes from surrounding tissues.

Brain tissue is inflamed — Wrong. The brain itself has no pain receptors—you can't feel pain in brain tissue. Headaches come from surrounding structures: blood vessels, muscles, nerves in the scalp, neck, and face. Inflammation or tension in these areas sends pain signals. This is why brain surgery can be done while patients are awake—the brain feels no pain.

Brain is running out of oxygen — Wrong. While severe oxygen deprivation can cause problems, typical headaches aren't from brain oxygen shortage. Headaches come from pain receptors in blood vessels, muscles, and nerves around the brain (the brain itself has no pain receptors). Common causes: tension (tight muscles), blood vessel changes (migraines), dehydration, stress, hunger, or illness—not oxygen shortage.