Relationship between alcohol and primary headaches: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Health groups say it’s okay to have up to one drink a day for women and two for men. This really depends on your genetic ability to detox alcohol, handle oxidative stress and more. Some might handle a little alcohol okay, but others could get migraine from just a small amount. Some drinks have congeners, which are byproducts of alcohol production, such as fermentation.

Green vegetables, in particular, contain two compounds that bind with a protein called calcitonin gene-related peptide, limiting its ability to trigger migraines. By stress, I mean specifically an elevation of blood levels of “fight-or-flight” hormones like cortisol and epinephrine. That physiological response to a perceived threat is critical to survival. But when it’s triggered multiple times a day and never gets balanced by “rest-and-digest” relaxation from the parasympathetic nervous system, it can lead to symptoms that have no — or negative — survival value. If you suffer from migraine symptoms, the first step in getting long-term relief is to identify your specific triggers.

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These probabilities (red dots) serve as reference for the other three panels. When there was alcohol intake on day‐2 (regardless of intake on day‐1, Figure 1C,D) the probability of migraine attack was lower compared to when there was no alcohol intake in both day‐1 and day‐2 (red dots). On the other hand, the probability of migraine attack when there was no intake on day‐2 was similar regardless of whether there was alcohol intake on day‐1 (Figure 1A,B). The exact mechanism behind this observation may indicate that migraine leads to alcohol-avoidance rather than alcohol having a protective role against migraine. However, there is a need to conduct further studies related to primary headaches and alcohol consumption with low risk of bias.

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Alcohol delays and suppresses or limits rapid eye movement (REM) sleep and may cause you to wake up, resulting in poor-quality, lighter sleep and less time in restorative deep sleep. Our mission is to educate, inspire, and empower on behalf of healthy, ethical, and sustainable food for all. This Soothing Ginger and Mushroom Congee is like a warm hug for your brain — gentle, nourishing, and packed with migraine-fighting goodness.

For some people, it could be the amount of alcohol consumed that triggers an attack. For example, wine may be a trigger for some but whiskey may not have an influence. However, if you still experience a migraine attack after drinking any kind of alcohol, the best solution is to avoid alcohol altogether. This data suggests that there may be a misperception that drinks containing alcohol cause migraine attacks. Still, in population-based studies in various countries, including the U.S., Japan and Italy, researchers found that fewer people with migraine consume alcohol than those without migraine. This indicates that people with migraine and other headache diseases may be more likely to give up alcohol because they perceive it as a possible migraine trigger.

Delayed Alcohol-Induced Headache (DAIH): What to Know

This can be tough to determine since both can be painful and disruptive. Safe drinking habits can help avoid painful episodes, this is evident. This way, you can enjoy social events without worrying about headaches. The day after drinking is key to seeing how different drinks affect headaches, as well as how different mitigation strategies affect you. But, other factors can also cause these painful episodes and very often it is more than one trigger factor coming together to trigger a given attack.

Understanding Alcohol-Related Headaches vs. Migraines

If you really want to drink, you may want to find out if any types of alcohol are unlikely to cause symptoms. You can try sips (or other small amounts) of different types of alcohol to see how your migraine reacts. Keep in mind that you may have to deal with several migraine attacks before you can determine what kind of alcohol causes your symptoms. Given that, this may not be the best approach if you’re unwilling to trade discomfort for a personal “safe” list of beverages.

Talk with your doctor about how long after drinking alcohol to wait before you can take any prescription migraine or OTC medications. The AMF reports that alcohol can trigger a migraine headache in people who are sensitive to it in as little as 30 minutes. People without migraine who consume greater quantities of alcohol often report immediate headaches. Then again, according to a 2023 review of research, studies have found that alcohol appears to be less likely to cause migraine headaches. Many people have experienced a headache after drinking alcohol — especially after drinking too much. If you want to test to see if alcohol is a trigger, test one of these best alcohols for migraine and headaches on a day when you feel good and other triggers are low.

Having a strong network of people who validate your experience and support you on the good days and bad is so valuable when you live with an invisible illness like migraine. If you’re interested in connecting with more people in the migraine community, we recommend joining our Facebook support group, Move Against Migraine. There, you will find a wonderful community of people who are ready to listen and lift each other up.

Nancy Rones Zolotorofe, 51, is no stranger to migraines — the kind that start with searing pain behind the eyes that sometimes stretches to the teeth. And eventually, she made a connection between what she was eating with how she was feeling. Two other migraine types worth mentioning are chronic and probable migraines.

Studies show that many people with migraine choose not to drink alcohol for fear that it may trigger a migraine attack. However, researchers aren’t clear on exactly how or why alcohol can impact migraine. There is even some debate about whether alcohol itself or another chemical component in alcoholic drinks acts as the trigger. This uncertainty makes it difficult for many people who want to responsibly enjoy alcohol during the holidays or on special occasions to effectively manage their migraine symptoms.

• The problem is separating proven remedies and lifestyle changes from treatments that don’t work but are peddled to people desperate for relief.
• Beer and hard liquor don’t seem to bother me as long as I am plenty hydrated before I have a drink.
• A total of 7877 people with migraine registered to use the headache app from October 2014 to March 2018.
• It is crucial to take medications at the recommended times to ensure maximum effectiveness.

Alcohol is considered a potential migraine trigger, though research isn’t clear on why. Pontinen said triptans are commonly used to treat migraine once symptoms start. Taking one before drinking isn’t recommended or known to be effective. The type of alcohol that contributes to migraine varies by the person, can alcohol help migraines which is why journaling can be helpful. Understanding ways to treat an alcohol-induced migraine attack already in progress and prevent one altogether can be empowering. A delayed alcohol-induced headache is what we commonly call a hangover.

But, as always, different people react differently to different drinks. Alcohol via various mechanisms aforementioned, such as increased oxidative stress, decreased energy, dehydration and more, alcohol also affects the brain. Environmental factors like bright lights, strong smells, and extreme temperatures can also lead to migraine and you might be guessing it by now, they all increase oxidative stress. What you eat matters too; processed and high sugary foods can increase oxidative stress and fasting can lead to energy deficiency. This all sounds terrible, but low or moderate alcohol consumption that doesn’t overwhelm your antioxidant system and detox capacity is usually acceptable. But alcohol also makes you lose water and electrolytes with it, which is another migraine trigger.

• Some people find it helps with migraines, but excessive or irregular caffeine intake can actually increase frequency and intensity of headaches.
• Those who were included in this study had episodic migraine and self-identified as low dose alcohol consumers.
• One theory is that sufficient magnesium in the body can protect against migraines.
• Learn more about the relationship between migraine and mental health in this AMF webinar.
• Blueberries and strawberries provide powerful antioxidants, while hemp seeds, flax meal, walnuts, and chia seeds deliver a rich dose of omega-3s.

They should talk to a medical provider about these triggers in order to minimize their headaches. Should you eat or avoid certain foods to prevent migraine attacks? Learn how to make healthy nutritional and dietary choices while managing migraine symptoms. While anyone can experience DAIH, people with migraine are more susceptible. Even a modest amount of alcohol can cause people with migraine to develop a delayed headache or trigger an attack.

We recommend a look at our patient guides, which include useful information including how to talk to your doctor about migraine. Receiving a formal migraine diagnosis is the first milestone when working with your doctor to identify a personalized and effective treatment plan. Continuing to talk with your doctor throughout the course of your treatment is important for determining the strategies that prove beneficial and those that may not be as effective. Did you know that 20% of women say they avoid pregnancy because of migraine?

If you’ve identified alcohol as a trigger for your migraine headaches, avoiding it altogether is probably best. The same is true if you find that some types of alcohol trigger your migraine headaches more than others. I began having migraine attacks when I was a teenager, but was never properly diagnosed until I was an adult. This began 18 years where I was chronic and mostly intractable, resulting in a migrainous stroke in the summer of 2014. The end result of continuing to practice these tools is being able to actively participate in my life as a wife, mother, family member and friend. My goal as a migraine advocate, educator, and wellness coach is to help others gain more control over migraine.

Migraine triggers can range widely, from environmental pollutants and food additives to stress and fatigue. While every sufferer has their own unique set of triggers, many can point to alcohol as a prime suspect behind their persistent migraine attacks. She specializes in patient-centered care, expert diagnostics, and interdisciplinary treatment. She translates complex neurological issues into clear concepts, empowering patients along every step of their healthcare journey. Current scientific evidence suggests a significant relationship between magnesium levels and headache disorders, particularly migraines. Research indicates that magnesium supplementation may serve as an effective preventive treatment for migraines and potentially provide relief during acute attacks.