This means ethanol increases your urine production and may lead to dehydration. So, consuming alcohol, especially in excessive amounts, can exacerbate this risk. Drinking too much can trigger migraines, and possibly other types of headaches—such as cluster headaches and tension headaches—in people who are already susceptible to these issues. Such headaches can occur while you are drinking, or a few hours after—even if you’ve had as little as one drink. Because your body views alcohol as a toxic substance, it’s perfectly normal to experience a headache from drinking alcohol. Alcohol’s effects on your body include dehydration, inflammation, reduced sleep quality, and the buildup of toxic substances—all of which can give you a headache.

Nausea (a feeling that you might vomit) or vomiting and sensitivity to bright light or sound are also widely reported migraine symptoms. Also be aware of other types of triggers that could be present. Things like stress, lack of sleep (too much sleep as well), hormones and weather can play a huge part of triggering an attack. We tend to focus on the last things consumed as the most likely trigger. When we really keep track, sometimes we find that the food or drink was not to blame at all.

Fermentation and alcohol

This will be a valuable resource for you and your doctor to start identifying more specific migraine triggers. 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. 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.

• They’re found in both red and white wine, but they’re more concentrated in reds.
• Note that the response to different alcoholic drinks can vary among individuals.
• Some people with migraine might find that gin is their biggest migraine trigger.
• Some may find that small amounts of certain types of alcohol do not trigger migraine.
• A 2020 study found that the amount of alcohol consumed had a more significant effect.
• But because people react differently to different alcohols, some may find that gin doesn’t trigger headaches while other alcohols do.

Many people have turned to abstinence as their preventative can drinking cause migraines measure for reasons stated above. The ads we show you may be personalized based on the information that you share. All gin needs to be at least 40% alcohol by volume (ABV) in order to be classified as gin.

In fact, in one large survey on cluster headaches, beer was the most common culprit of all alcoholic drinks. 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.

Be Aware of Liquid Medications

Some people may be able to drink red wine or whiskey without any problems, while others may find that even clear liquors are problematic. Those who are triggered by alcohol usually feel the attack coming on within a few hours, although some reported that the next day was when they felt it. For example, drinking even a small amount of alcohol decreases sleep quality. Sleep deprivation can cause negative effects such as increased blood pressure or gastrointestinal discomfort. Avoiding drinking is the best way to prevent an alcohol-related headache.

But if you’re prone to migraine headaches, you’ll need to be careful about how much you drink. A 5-ounce glass of wine (or 12 ounces of beer or a 1.5-fluid-ounce shot) may be OK every now and then, so long as it doesn’t bring on a headache. If it does, you’ll need to drink less or stay away from all alcohol. Many things can trigger a migraine, from stress at work to changes in the weather to foods like aged cheese. And for about one-third of people who have migraines, alcohol is also a trigger.

Remaining hydrated is one way to reduce migraine attacks, but the type of beverage you choose matters. Nonalcoholic beverages with little to no added sugar are the best drinks for migraine. These include water, electrolyte drinks, bone broth, and diluted fruit juices. Dehydration often accompanies alcohol consumption and may worsen migraine symptoms.

Best alcohol for migraine

It has also been found that a specific flavonoid in red wine inhibits an enzyme that metabolizes certain components of red wine, contributing to a build up chemicals that can cause a headache. These findings support the theory that sudden changes or drops in estrogen, as opposed to more gradual changes, increase the risk of migraine. In contrast, migraine improvement was more often reported in those taking progesterone-only birth control or combination birth control pills in the long-term cycle. Migraine worsening tended to occur more often in people taking combination birth control pills in the traditional 21-to-7 cycle.

This leads to excessive urination and dehydration, which may cause a headache after a small amount of alcohol. This will be helpful in guiding conversations with your doctor about your symptoms. You might have tried some alternative therapies, but did you know about these complementary and integrative treatments? For more information on alternative migraine treatments, visit our Resource Library.

• Always drink responsibly—which includes minimizing the chances that alcohol will affect your migraine.
• These sweeteners are commonly found in sugar-free foods and beverages, making it important for migraine sufferers to read labels carefully.
• All gin needs to be at least 40% alcohol by volume (ABV) in order to be classified as gin.
• You may find that alcohol triggers your migraine, or you may see that alcohol has no effect on your symptoms.
• A common misconception is that overconsumption of alcohol is what triggers headaches.
• Migraine is a disabling disease that no one should have to go through alone.

Identifying migraine triggers

It has been suggested that a tendency to experience alcohol-induced headaches could be genetic. Migraines in general have been linked to variations in genes, especially those that regulate blood flow to the brain. Substances such as sulfites, histamine, and tyramines are found in alcohol and may contribute to headaches as well. It has also been proposed that alcohol triggers an inflammatory response that can lead to a headache. Often, alcohol-induced headaches also have characteristics that resemble your usual headaches, such as migraines, because alcohol is a trigger for these chronic headache conditions.

Fermented Foods

If, after keeping track, you become convinced alcohol is the problem, then it’s now time to identify the symptoms. A common misconception is that overconsumption of alcohol is what triggers headaches. As many migraine sufferers can attest to, sometimes it just takes one glass of wine or even a sip. Does alcohol seem to affect your migraine attacks and symptoms? Do you think you might react to certain alcoholic beverages more than others? Share your thoughts in the comments below, or start a discussion on MyMigraineTeam.

Alcohol-Induced Migraine vs. Delayed Alcohol-Induced Headache

Certain dietary supplements may offer benefits for individuals suffering from migraines, although it is essential to approach them with caution and consult a healthcare provider. Magnesium, for instance, has been studied for its potential role in migraine prevention, as many individuals with chronic migraines are found to have lower magnesium levels. Incorporating magnesium-rich foods like leafy greens, nuts, and whole grains may also complement supplementation. Not every person who suffers from migraines will have the same food triggers. Migraine triggers can be highly individual, with some people influenced by specific foods while others may not experience any correlation at all.

Others find that it is more likely to trigger migraine attacks during vulnerable periods—hormonal changes, stress, and weather changes, for example. So, she recommends reducing alcohol intake or stopping drinking altogether if a patient does, indeed, find a connection between drinking and migraine. In a 2018 study involving 2,197 people with migraine, 25% of the participants who stopped or always avoided drinking did so because alcohol triggered migraine attacks. More than a third of the participants said that alcohol had this effect, with about 78% naming red wine as the most common alcohol trigger. If alcohol is a confirmed trigger for your migraine, then avoiding alcohol is the best solution. If you’re unsure whether alcohol is triggering your migraine, keep a detailed migraine journal that includes any foods and alcohol consumed throughout the week.

Hot, humid temperatures, changes in air quality, and extreme weather events might trigger these headaches in some people. If you find yourself struggling to stop drinking or recognize that you have symptoms of alcohol use disorder, it’s important to reach out for help. “Hydration is probably the biggest protective factor against headache. A well-hydrated person is the least likely to experience headaches or to have the least intensity of headache,” Moore says. You can also consider drinking a hydration supplement like Cove’s Oasis to boost that effect. Alcohol may temporarily offer sedation but isn’t proven to be effective at soothing or preventing migraine.