cigarettes & pain relief

I am not a smoker. Prior to the events I am relating I had smoke precisely 2 cigarettes in my entire life. But a a few months ago I was out at a bar with a friend. I had my usual daily headache. She began to smoke a cigarette and I decided to have too. To my surprise I found that it provided brief but significant relief from my pain.

Last night I was out with some friends. My pain was getting worse. One of my friends was smoking so, recalling my prior experience, I bummed a cigarette. I had the same results. The pain in and around my left eye (the usual location of my pain) subsided for a while.

I find this really strange, especially since I've experienced the residual smell of smoke permeating a smoker's home as a trigger.

Has anyone else found smoking to provide relief? I wonder if the relief is caused by the nicotine or something else?

Interesting - I have never smoked so cannot really comment..... but it does change the chemicals in the brain so can see how it could help.... although it can be a trigger for many...