Environmental Seizure Triggers
A person’s overall health and well-being is a huge factor in seizure activity. For this reason, the top reported seizure triggers, by a large margin, were sleep deprivation, stress, irregular eating and overheating. While some of the items on this list may be called seizure triggers, others may be more accurately classified as things that make a person more susceptible to triggers by “lowering the threshold”.
Sleep issues are a big piece of the puzzle. Getting enough rest is important for our health. For those who suffer from seizures, it is critical. Beyond getting enough rest, there are other issues. For example, blood sugar levels drop while sleeping and this may trigger a seizure. Therefore, some people may need to eat something right before bed, (legumes may help balance blood sugar levels, or a fatty snack may be in order). The process of moving from sleep to waking, or from one sleep state to another, is partly a function of the brain. Our brain waves and electrical processes change and this can lead to seizure activity, especially if the change is abrupt.
This is not a complete, or scientific, survey and list. Several hundred people responded to our survey. The respondents are readers of this website from all over the world. If you are willing to share triggers you’ve discovered that are not this list, nor on the other two lists of triggers (State of Health Triggers and Dietary and Chemical Triggers), please email us and we will add it to the list.
The primary reason we’ve compiled a “seizure trigger” list is to assist people in identifying triggers in their diet- as that is the focus of this website. Please see the list “Dietary and Chemical Seizure Triggers” for this information.
Reported Environmental Seizure Triggers
- Too Much Heat (Overheating)
- Bright Lights (Sun/Full Moon/Lightning)
- Flickering Lights (Fluorescent/TV/Video Games/Sunlight Through Trees/Computer Screens)
- Unexpected Touch
- Chemicals and/or Smells (Detergent/Soap/Perfume/Candles/Air Fresheners)
- Light At Night
- Sudden Sounds (Dogs Barking/Thunder)
- Optical Distortion (Illusions/Bifocal Glasses/Patterns)
- Quick Movements Toward The Face
- High Altitude
- Certain Sound Frequencies (Shrill/Surround Sound/Some Music)
- Weather Extremes (Hot/Cold/Humid/Barometric Pressure)
- Immersion In Water
- Extreme Pollution
Gretchen
August 31, 2025 at 11:52 am
I have seizures often triggered by overuse of computer use, Utis,lack of sleep.
Dr. Julie Ann Avila
August 31, 2025 at 6:15 pm
Thank you for this informative list. These are exactly the environmental seizures that trigger seizures in my daughter. Now you have identified the triggers, what can you do about them?
1) To combat overheating, use directional fans indoors. Wear light, breathable fabrics, a straw hat, and breathable footwear when out and about in warm weather. Travel about earlier in the day or later in the evening when cooler outside. Plan visits to cooler areas.
2) For bright or flickering lights, switch bulb in your home to lower wattage, soft lights. Use blackout curtains/blinds to keep your bedroom dark at night with a clap on nightlight. Check film/theatre warnings regarding photosensitive triggers. Favor restaurants with lower lighting.
3) For situations of extreme pollution/wildfire smoke, invest in an indoor air purifier with a changeable filter. Change the filter often.
4) If sound sensitivity is a trigger, ear plugs and/or noise cancelling headphones in noisy environment.
5) For chemicals and odors, look for products without added fragrance. Many can be made at home with known non-trigger ingredients.
toribruce
September 3, 2025 at 12:38 pm
Thank you for sharing these great suggestions!