Migraine is a neurological disorder affecting about 15 percent of the population, with a genetic, environmental and hormonal basis. This pathology causes continuous and severe episodes of headache, and in some cases, it also causes nausea, vomiting and photophobia. Despite the high prevalence of this headache, many of the genetic causes and physiopathological mechanisms are still unknown, which makes it harder to find efficient treatments. Theories to explain the symptoms of migraine have focused on the physiological mechanisms involved in the various phases of headache and include the vascular and neurogenic theories. The genetic component of migraine has been teased apart using linkage studies and both candidate gene and genome-wide association studies, in family and case-control cohorts. Genomic regions that increase individual risk to migraine have been identified in neurological, vascular and hormonal pathways. Here we tried to better understand the pathways and mechanisms involved in causing headache and to discuss genetic basis of migraine with the latest scientific evidence from genetic studies.