For many of us, the day doesn’t really start until we’ve had a cup of coffee.
But for people living with headaches or migraines, caffeine can be a very mixed experience.
Some find that a coffee eases their symptoms, while others notice it brings them on.
So how can the same thing both help and harm?
Why I’m Talking About This
I’m Kevin Go, a physiotherapist with a special interest in helping people with headaches and migraines.
In clinic, one of the most common questions I hear is: “Should I avoid coffee if I get headaches?”
It’s a good question, because caffeine isn’t just in coffee, it’s in tea, soft drinks, chocolate, and even some medications.
What Is Caffeine and How Does It Work?
Caffeine is a natural stimulant found in plants such as coffee beans, tea leaves, cocoa and kola nuts. It’s the most widely used substance in the world that can change how the brain works.
When you drink caffeine:
- It blocks adenosine, a chemical that normally slows the brain down and makes you sleepy.
- This blocking effect leads to more nerve activity and release of adrenaline, which is why you feel more alert.
- It also causes blood vessels in the brain to narrow, which can change pain pathways.
Because of these effects, caffeine has been included in certain headache tablets to make them act more quickly.
How Caffeine Can Help
There are some good reasons why caffeine might ease a headache:
- It can make medications like paracetamol absorb more quickly in the stomach.
- It may calm down activity in the brainstem, which is an important area for migraine pain.
- Some people find that one strong coffee at the start of a migraine helps reduce the severity.
How Caffeine Can Harm
On the other hand, caffeine can also cause more problems:
- Regular daily use, especially in higher amounts, has been linked to ongoing, daily headaches.
- Children and teenagers who drink a lot of cola or energy drinks often see their headaches disappear when they stop.
- Studies show that migraine medication works better after people reduce their caffeine use.
- Stopping suddenly can cause withdrawal symptoms such as headache, tiredness and irritability.
Caffeine also stimulates the brain chemical dopamine, which makes you feel good but also makes it more likely you’ll become dependent on it.
The Double-Edged Sword
Caffeine can be both a help and a hindrance. Used occasionally, it might relieve a headache. Used every day, it can contribute to ongoing headaches, reduce the effectiveness of medication, and create withdrawal problems.
What You Can Do
If you get headaches or migraines and use caffeine, it may help to:
- Keep track of how much caffeine you’re having and when your headaches occur.
- Use it sparingly, rather than relying on it daily.
- Cut back slowly if you’d like to reduce your intake, so you don’t get a withdrawal headache.
- Seek professional advice if your headaches are frequent or severe, as there are many other treatment options available.
Final Thoughts
Caffeine isn’t simply good or bad. It’s a powerful substance that can affect headaches in different ways depending on how much and how often you use it.
By understanding its effects and making small changes, you can reduce the impact it has on your headaches and make more informed choices about when or whether to use it.
If headaches or migraines are interfering with your daily life, don’t just rely on caffeine. Book an appointment at our clinic to explore tailored, drug-free options to get you back in control.
Written by:
References
Shapiro, R.E. (2008) ‘Caffeine and headaches’, Current Pain and Headache Reports, 12(4), pp. 311–315. doi:10.1007/s11916-008-0052-z.
Zduńska, A. et al. (2023) ‘Caffeine for headaches: Helpful or harmful? A brief review of the literature’, Nutrients, 15(14), p. 3170. doi:10.3390/nu15143170.
