Caffeine and Migraines: A Surprising Connection (or Lack Thereof)

For those of us navigating the stormy seas of migraine management, the do's and don'ts can often feel overwhelming. One common piece of advice is to avoid caffeine, but a recent study from HEADACHE suggests that might not be necessary for everyone.

TL/DR: If you have episodic migraine, drinking caffeine won't necessarily cause an increase in number of migraine attacks.

Study Link: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31402050/

The Study

Researchers followed 97 adults with episodic migraines over six weeks to see if there was a link between the caffeine they consumed and their migraines. Caffeine is the second most-consumed nonalcoholic beverage, with 85% of the US population drinking some amount of caffeine daily.

Caffeine is not only found in drinks, it's also found in chocolate and many OTC pain medications (e.g. Excedrine Migraine). Many websites and healthcare providers advise patients to avoid caffeine altogether from their diet, but the authors of this study hypothesized that this recommendation might be excessive.

This study aimed to understand the relationship between frequent caffeinated drink consumption and headaches.

Findings

The study found no significant connection between the amount of caffeine consumed and the frequency, duration, or intensity of migraine headaches. They explain that habitual caffeine users who skip their usual morning coffee might develop a caffeine-withdrawal headache, but that this type of headache does not share the same features as migraines do (e.g. they don't cause light and sound sensitivity, nausea, or activity intolerance) and are easily treated with caffeine.

This challenges the commonly-held belief that caffeine consumption can exacerbate migraines. However, it's important to understand that for some patients who get migraine and are habitual caffeine drinkers, a caffeine withdrawal headache may cause other changes within the body (like stress and agitation), which can then lead to migraines. The study also didn't include any patients who report drinking more than 4 servings of caffeine per day, but other studies they refer to have shown that >3 caffeinated beverages/day was associated with experiencing more headaches. Additionally, this study only included 97 participants who were relatively homogenous in their characteristics, so it is hard to make overarching generalized conclusions based solely on the data produced from it.

What Does This Mean for You?

This could be a green light for migraine sufferers to enjoy their morning coffee without guilt. However, the researchers caution that there's variability in how individuals respond to caffeine.

If you drink one or two cups of coffee (or servings of caffeine) each day, it's probably safe to continue doing so. High caffeine intake more than two servings per day has evidence to show that it may be associated with an increase in headaches... but more studies should be done to further investigate this relationship.

Finally, it's important to remember that migraine triggers are highly personal. While some may find relief by cutting caffeine, others might not notice a difference. It's a reminder of the importance of tracking and understanding your own migraine patterns.

The Bottom Line

This study adds to a growing body of evidence suggesting that moderate caffeine intake might not be the migraine trigger it’s often thought to be. But, as with all things health-related, it's best to consult with your provider for advice tailored to your specific situation.

Remember, managing migraines is a personal journey, and what works for one person might not work for another. So, keep that migraine diary handy, listen to your body, and together with your healthcare provider, find the path that best suits you.