Foo - Headache from Grilling? My Own Imagination?

For years, whenever my wife and I grill on our charcoal grill, I get a pretty bad headache that lasts until I go to bed and wake up the next morning. I always just assumed that it was because I didn’t drink enough water while being outside when it’s so hot. Then I realized that I go on long walks with my wife and kid, drink the same amount/lack of water, same heat, and I don’t get a headache.

So, I started thinking that maybe the grilling gives me a headache? Could this be possible? I tried Googling it and all I got were hits on “cancer risks”; nothing about headaches. :twitchy:

Is it a comedown from the high you got after huffing the lighter fluid?

the smoke is contaminating your MIND!

If you are grilling your imagination, then I am assuming you are placing your head on the grill. Aside from the serious burn issues, I cannot image that all that smoke is good for you. That is probably where the headache is coming from. I would try just writing down some of your imaginings with a Sharpie™ on a steak, and then grill that. And do not use lighter fluid.

stand with the wind to your back next time you grill and see if that helps,you might be ultra-sensitive to the carbon monoxide and other off gases in the smoke.

If you do not have one already for charcol, get a chimey lighter. It is great and just uses old newspaper to light the charcol. I use to get really bad headaches from the lighter fluid if i over did it a bit. Ever since the chimney not a single problem. I think they are like $15 at home depot.

^Sound advice in Foo? Whodathunkit? Is the grill in good working order? Been cleaned lately? Does anyone else in the family get these grilling headaches, however slight? Try it with someone else's grill. Try different brands/kinds of charcoal. Ever grill over a campfire on a tripod/grate? If so, do you get the headaches over a wood fire?