Caffeine is complicated. It is an ingredient in some headache medicines and can help an attack in the short term. But it is also a drug, and regular use can make migraine more frequent.

What the research shows

• A study of people with episodic migraine found that having three or more caffeinated drinks on a given day was linked to higher odds of a migraine that day or the next, while one or two servings were not ¹.
• In people with migraine, stopping caffeine was associated with better response to acute migraine treatment ².
• Caffeine affects brain chemistry in ways that can both relieve and promote headache, and withdrawal itself causes headache ³.

Caffeine withdrawal is like a bell curve

If you decide to cut back, know what to expect. The first day is usually not too bad, the second and third days are typically the worst (headache, fatigue), and then things start to even out.

Dr. Harcourt’s practical tip: have your last caffeinated drink on a Thursday. Friday is usually normal, and you can rest through the hardest withdrawal days over the weekend.

Hidden caffeine

Coffee (even decaf has a small amount), black and green tea, soda, energy drinks, pre-workout products, chocolate and some pain relievers all contain caffeine. Caffeine-free herbal teas are a good alternative.

Talk with your clinician before changing caffeine if you rely on it with a migraine medication.

Research cited on this page

1. Mittleman MR, Mostofsky E, Vgontzas A, et al. Habitual caffeinated beverage consumption and headaches among adults with episodic migraine: A prospective cohort study. Headache. 2024;64(3):299-305. PubMed 38318677 · DOI
2. Lee MJ, Choi HA, Choi H, et al. Caffeine discontinuation improves acute migraine treatment: a prospective clinic-based study. J Headache Pain. 2016;17(1):71. PubMed 27492448 · DOI
3. Charles A. The role of caffeine in headache disorders. Curr Opin Neurol. 2024;37(3):289-294. PubMed 38327229 · DOI