Can Drinking Alcohol Cause Migraines?

All of us who suffer with migraines know how very painful they can be, not to mention that they often put you out of action for quite some time. As we’ve discussed before, because of that, it is important for you to know what causes your migraines.

The most common trigger in women is hormonal changes related to the menstrual cycle. These changes generally decrease after menopause. Of course, hormonal changes are not the only triggers to migraines. Other possible causes of migraine include feeling tired or tense, stress, changes in the weather or atmospheric conditions, and certain foods and drinks. Thinking about some of these possible triggers and causes, it makes sense to think that the use of alcohol may play a role in the development of migraines.

Conflicting evidence about alcohol and migraines

Studies have shown that some kinds of  alcohol may trigger migraine in some people. However, that is not true for everyone. In fact, in other people the opposite is true: alcohol makes the headache better. For people whose migraines are caused or made worse by alcohol, the most common kinds of alcohol have been found to be red wine and beer. It’s not actually the alcohol itself that causes the migraine; rather scientists believe that the  tyramine in red wine and the yeast in beer are the most likely triggers.

The relationship between alcohol and migraines is confusing. Why is alcohol a trigger for some people and a possible source of relief for others? I don’t think anyone truly knows the answer to that question. Many things about migraines still remain a mystery, it seems. However, in Norway, a study of over 50,000 people did find a correlation between greater alcohol use and fewer migraine headaches. Another study was conducted in Austria which found that people who drank beer were at a lower risk for a migraine the next day.

Since the effects of beer, red wine, and other kinds of alcohol seem to differ from person to person, it is a good idea to keep a careful record of your activities. If you have purchased my eBook, “The Ultimate Migraine Handbook: An Holistic Approach to Migraine Relief,”  you should also have received a migraine diary and a migraine journal at that time. It is invaluable to keep track of your migraines, diarying what you eat and drink, and journaling social events, weather and other environmental happenings. Make sure you include what you drink, including the type of alcohol, and when you do and do not get a migraine. If you find any patterns, you will be so much further along in the treatment of your migraines. Knowing your triggers goes a long way to preventative care. 

I find that sometimes I can drink a glass of wine and it has no effect on my migraines, but another time, I can drink a glass and wake up with a migraine in the morning. However, I have noticed that if I have had a glass of wine and I follow it up with one to two glasses of water, the likelihood of the onset of migraine lessens.

Drinking too much alcohol 

As with many areas of our lives, it should not surprising to note that overuse, or an excess of alcohol to the point of being “high” or “drunk” does increase the risk of migraine. If your migraine or “bad headache” happens only when you drink too much, you need to think about whether what you are experiencing is due to the alcohol itself in the form of a “hangover,” or whether you actually have a migraine.

In closing, the question remains; is drinking alcohol good or bad for migraineurs? The answer seems to be different for each individual person. The college I attended to become a Certified Health Coach had a trademarked name known as “bio-individuality.” This is a great way to explain how individual each of us is. What works for one doesn’t work for another and in the same way, what triggers a migraine for one person may have not affect on another.

So what should you do? Become a “headache detective!” Write down any patterns that you notice, diarying and journaling all relevant information, and work closely with a health coach who works with migraines and has insight into that area. This will help you to decide whether and how to use alcohol. Working with someone like me, who has a lot of experience with migraines and natural remedies, can help put you on the path to natural relief and preventative maintenance.