For many little ones, their biggest stressor is how to hide uneaten broccoli from their parents.

Unfortunately, for others, they are looking for dinner, how to get their siblings where they need to be, and how to be the parent of the home.

We are learning more and more that mental things, like stress, affect health.

Orion Peterson looks at how early life stress affects the body.

Peterson’s research was presented at the Academy of Orofacial Pain conference and was selected as an outstanding research presentation.

He focuses on early life stress being a novel risk factor for migraines later in life.

Dr. Paul Durham, distinguished professor of biology, is Peterson’s master’s thesis adviser.

This research gives early childhood stress a link to a more hyperexcitable nervous system. People who have this predisposition are more susceptible to migraines and orofacial pain.

Peterson’s recognition at the conference is not to be taken lightly. Durham praises the conference for its international ties.

“This leading international conference includes dentists, oral surgeons, physical therapists and basic scientists interested in orofacial pain,” Durham said. “It provides current information on the pathology and treatment of orofacial pain conditions.”