However, alcohol is traditionally considered a migraine trigger, with some research suggesting that it prompts episodes in about one-third of people. Rosen said some people he treats report being triggered by simply smelling alcohol. Unfortunately, this may lead to inflammation throughout the body, which can trigger migraines in some people. Alcohol-induced headaches generally resolve within 72 hours of onset, although they can and many do last for a shorter time period. While these headaches eventually do subside, it is important to talk to a medical provider about headache triggers and develop a plan to minimize them. People who rely on nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) to manage migraine pain should also be careful with alcohol.
It works on the CNS by slowing it down to block the effects of histamine, a chemical released by the immune system that causes allergy symptoms. However, this depression of the CNS may result in drowsiness, sedation, and lack of mental alertness. Benadryl (diphenhydramine) is an over-the-counter (OTC) antihistamine drug commonly used to treat symptoms of allergies.
- This process often leads a person to question whether drinking alcohol actually causes attacks or simply makes existing migraine symptoms worse.
- For this reason, people with migraine may gain unforeseen healthcare benefits, e.g., avoiding negative effects of alcohol consumption such as gastrointestinal cancers 82, which can be partially confirmed by Elser et al. 83.
- Rosen was a co-author of a small 2022 study of 487 people who mostly drank alcohol in low amounts.
- Participants were asked about cigarette smoking and marijuana smoking habits.
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People who get migraine attacks during or after drinking should consider reducing or eliminating alcohol. If they find this too challenging, they may have alcohol use disorder, which warrants treatment. If alcohol is a confirmed trigger for your migraine, then avoiding alcohol is the best solution.
Can alcohol give you a migraine attack?
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. The results of the present study demonstrated that 12-week concurrent ALA and L-carnitine supplementation significantly impacted migraine symptoms, mental health, and quality of life in female migraine patients. To our knowledge, this is the first study evaluating the concurrent supplementation of ALA and L-carnitine on clinical features and subsequent outcomes of migraine attacks.
We also express our gratitude to the staff at Isfahan University of Medical Sciences for their support throughout the research process. Neurotransmitter modulation offers another promising mechanism of action. L-carnitine impacts glutamatergic neurotransmission 66, while ALA, through its conversion to omega-3 fatty acids, modulates both serotonergic and dopaminergic pathways 67, 68, a key phenomenon in migraine pathogenesis 4.
- Alcohol-induced headaches generally resolve within 72 hours of onset, although they can and many do last for a shorter time period.
- If none of the preventative measures above work or you didn’t know alcohol triggered migraines until after the fact, there are still options available to you.
- Second, for ethical reasons, we were unable to evaluate the effects of ALA plus L-carnitine as a standalone therapy.
- Because migraine is a highly nuanced disease, it is important to learn about all possible symptoms that may appear before, during or after a migraine attack, including less common ones such as aura.
- These types of migraine have shown a higher degree of heritability.
Drink With a Meal
Scientists are still trying to understand how or why alcohol acts as a trigger for some people who suffer from migraines. At present, most studies seem to link to headaches after alcohol to congeners, a byproduct of alcohol, most commonly found in darker drinks, such as whiskey, brandy and red wine. The correlation between alcohol and migraines, though, might not be as strong as once reported.
Why Alcohol Triggers Migraine Attacks:
In some parts of the world, that number drops to as low as 1.4 percent. One study found that alcohol contributes to migraine attacks in up to one-third of people diagnosed with the condition. Whether or not alcohol is a common migraine headache trigger is debatable. While some people may experience migraine headaches after drinking alcohol, others may not. A 2022 study in people with migraine, however, found that drinking alcohol didn’t affect the probability of a migraine attack 24 hours after drinking.
Additionally, the relatively short duration of our study may not have captured long-term effects or potential changes in parameters such as stress levels. Longer-term studies would be valuable for assessing the sustainability of the observed benefits and identifying any potential long-term effects. Our study also lacked differentiation between episodic and chronic migraine; future research should investigate potential differential responses across migraine classifications.
Nevertheless, the tendency was higher to develop migraine-like symptoms of the hangover. The HSS also allows us to assess the hangover symptoms following early drinking experiences. The interpretation of this data should be cautious, since recall bias is a major concern. It is also possible that retrospective recall biases cause higher correlation between HSS scores across time periods. Alcohol hangover is a poorly understood cluster of symptoms occurring following a heavy consumption of alcohol. The term “delayed alcohol-induced headache” is often used synonymously.
Traveling With Migraine – How To Avoid Travel Attacks
Additionally, only migraine and alcohol a few of the studies divided participants into migraine with and without aura. Therefore, there was insufficient data to analyze the relationship between alcohol and aura, and the data that does exist is inconsistent 65, 86. As mentioned in the discussion above, alcohol consumption assessment is strongly based on patients’ honesty.
Causes & Risk Factors
Your favorite salty, sweet and savory foods could be at fault, according to the Cleveland Clinic, which says certain chemicals and preservatives in foods may cause headaches in people with sensitivities. Look for options with lower levels of triggering chemicals, like low-tannin wines. Different types of alcohol are made through a fermentation process. Alcohols like gin and vodka are fermented first from a mash of foods that contain starch and sugar. They are then distilled to increase the alcohol content and this process removes the congeners in the alcohol. While alcohol can help you feel sleepy and induce sleep, it tends to interfere with sleep in the later stages of the evening.
Then, consider exploring more treatment options with our other free resources. Reviewed for accuracy by the American Migraine Foundation’s subject matter experts, headache specialists and medical advisers with deep knowledge and training in headache medicine.
In the same study indicating red wine as a frequently cited migraine trigger, vodka (which is primarily comprised of ethanol and water) was least likely to be cited. While a hangover headache can happen to anyone (usually the morning after drinking too much alcohol), people who experience migraines are more susceptible. Alcohol-related headaches can be a frustrating experience, especially for those who live with migraine. While the exact reasons why alcohol triggers headaches are still not fully understood, there are some steps you can take to reduce your risk and enjoy a drink without pain.
The meta-analysis showed a 1.5-lower risk of migraine in people who consume alcohol. However, migraine patients consume less alcohol for various reasons. Therefore, patients with primary headache need to determine for themselves the association between alcohol and headache without any myths and influences.