The Caffeine Chronicles: Migraine Relief or Trigger?
By: Brooklyn A. Bradley, BS; Medically edited by Dr. Deena Kuruvilla, MD
[Pexels – Adrian Volcalan July 2021]
The way caffeine impacts migraine varies widely among individuals. Its complex interactions with the nervous system, blood vessels and brain chemicals may contribute to its ambiguous role as both a migraine trigger and source of relief [1]. In today’s blog post, we will dive deeper into caffeine’s role in migraine and why it may require a personalized approach based on individual migraine history.
Caffeine is a naturally occurring stimulant and is recognized as the most utilized psychoactive stimulant worldwide [2]. While it is most commonly sourced from coffee beans, it can also naturally be found in certain types of tea and cacao beans. In addition, it can be used as an additive to soda and energy drinks. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved oral caffeine for restoring mental alertness or wakefulness in states of fatigue [2]. Some off-label uses of caffeine include the treatment of migraine and post-dural puncture headaches [1].
Caffeine blocks the adenosine receptors in the brain, which is responsible for caffeine’s wakefulness effects [3]. It also indirectly affects the release of norepinephrine, dopamine, acetylcholine, serotonin, glutamate, gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), and neuropeptides, illustrating how caffeine use can lead to heightened neural activity [4]. Caffeine also promotes vasodilation and stimulates endothelial cells to release nitric oxide, which further relaxes vascular smooth muscle cells [2].
How does caffeine impact migraine? The effects of caffeine on migraine can vary significantly among individuals. For some, caffeine may be a trigger, while for others, it may provide relief. In the literature, coffee as a migraine trigger is indicated with a frequency of 6.3% to 25.4% [1,5]. In people who consume caffeine in large quantities or have irregular caffeine intake, caffeine may be a migraine trigger [6]. It has also been reported that caffeine withdrawal can produce headaches, and the higher the baseline level of caffeine ingestion, the greater the likelihood of withdrawal headache [6].
On the other hand, caffeine may help alleviate migraine symptoms in some individuals. There is some evidence that caffeine may reduce pain sensation through its effects on adenosine receptors [6]. Modulating pain perception could thus provide relief from some migraine and headache symptoms. Caffeine is found in some over-the-counter migraine medications like Midol and Excedrin Migraine. There is evidence that caffeine promotes the absorption of analgesics like ibuprofen as well, due to the rapid lowering of gastric pH [7].
One issue that occurs with over the counter caffeine-containing pain medications is medication overuse headache, formerly known as rebound headache. If you find yourself using as needed medications more than 10 days a month, there is a chance you could worsen your headaches.
If you are trying to navigate what role caffeine has in your migraine disease, make sure to keep track of your daily caffeine intake (coffee, tea, soda, energy drinks, chocolate, etc.). Be sure to include how you felt after consuming those products, and if you noticed any migraine symptoms. It’s important to stay consistent with your caffeine intake to minimize withdrawal effects. In addition, it is equally as important to balance your caffeine intake with adequate hydration, because dehydration can also be a migraine trigger.
In conclusion, caffeine’s role in migraine may vary from person to person. It is important to understand your body’s individual response to caffeine in order to effectively manage your migraine. By maintaining awareness of your caffeine intake and your symptoms, you can take steps towards finding relief. We are here to help you customize a lifestyle change that may work for you!
References:
- Zduńska A, Cegielska J, Zduński S, Domitrz I (2023) Caffeine for Headaches: Helpful or Harmful? A Brief Review of the Literature. Nutrients 15:3170. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu15143170
- Evans J, Richards JR, Battisti AS (2024) Caffeine. In: StatPearls. StatPearls Publishing, Treasure Island (FL)
- Ferré S (2008) An update on the mechanisms of the psychostimulant effects of caffeine. J Neurochem 105:1067–1079. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1471-4159.2007.05196.x
- Research I of M (US) C on MN (2001) Pharmacology of Caffeine. In: Caffeine for the Sustainment of Mental Task Performance: Formulations for Military Operations. National Academies Press (US)
- Zaeem Z, Zhou L, Dilli E (2016) Headaches: a Review of the Role of Dietary Factors. Curr Neurol Neurosci Rep 16:101. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11910-016-0702-1
- Nowaczewska M, Wiciński M, Kaźmierczak W (2020) The Ambiguous Role of Caffeine in Migraine Headache: From Trigger to Treatment. Nutrients 12:2259. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu12082259
- Forbes JA, Beaver WT, Jones KF, et al (1991) Effect of caffeine on ibuprofen analgesia in postoperative oral surgery pain. Clin Pharmacol Ther 49:674–684. https://doi.org/10.1038/clpt.1991.85