Migraine episodes can be a periodic inconvenience, or they can be debilitating. The most severe migraine attacks may last up to 3 days or longer and make it impossible to do anything. People who experienced migraine with alcohol were more likely to have migraine with aura and to experience more tequila gives me a headache migraine days and more frequent attacks. Of the 1,547 participants, 783 said that alcohol was a trigger, and 195 were not sure.

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And for about one-third of people who have migraines, alcohol is also a trigger. A more recent 2019 study also highlighted histamines as a culprit for migraines. Alcohol not only contains histamines, it can also cause your body to create them. For people prone to migraines, even the smallest amount of alcohol can be enough to ruin a fun night out. Find out why, and what you can do to avoid alcohol-related migraines.

Types of Headaches From Drinking

Additionally, alcohol metabolism can lead to changes in blood sugar levels and dehydration, both of which what is alcoholism can contribute to headache symptoms. Fluctuations in blood sugar levels can trigger headaches in some individuals, while dehydration can cause brain shrinkage and discomfort, leading to headache symptoms. Although any type of alcohol can trigger a migraine, people who experience regular migraine attacks cite red wine as the most frequent culprit. The best way to prevent “cocktail headaches” is to drink alcohol moderately and practice responsible drinking.

Best alcohol for migraine

One commenter who responded to Poindexter’s video shared some of their favorite tequila brands folks may want to try for a better tequila consumption experience. “Best tequilas to drink in the USA right now are Fortaleza, G4, Don Fulano, El Tesoro, Cava De Oro, Ocho, Siete Leguas, Tears of Llorona, and Lalo which is made by don julios grandson,” they said. Other liquor experts have called out tequila brands for their practices, like this one worker who called the popular brand Jose Cuervo more of a tequila flavored liquor than a straight tequila.

Why Do I Get a Headache After Drinking A Small Amount Of Alcohol? (2024 Best Edition)

• Gin might be a good alcohol choice for some people with migraine, but it could be a migraine trigger for others.
• There are several factors that can contribute to alcohol-induced headaches, including dehydration, congeners in alcoholic beverages, individual sensitivity to alcohol, and underlying health conditions.
• People who experience a headache after drinking should not assume that it is a migraine attack, especially if they have symptoms consistent with other types of headaches.

It’s important to make sure that no gluten was added after the distillation process, especially if celiac disease is a factor for you. Generally, these clear alcohols are highly distilled and have almost no leftover congeners from the beginning fermentation process. Menstruation was found to increase the likelihood that food and drinks would be more likely to trigger an attack. This is linked to the threshold theory, or Bucket Theory, where a stacking of triggers will induce a migraine attack.

How to Treat Alcohol-Induced Headaches and Migraines

Alcohol contains histamines, chemicals that your body releases whenever you have an allergic reaction. Symptoms of histamine sensitivity include sinus headache, stuffy head, runny nose, sore throat, and ear fullness. Other foods that contain migraine-triggering histamines include bananas and citrus fruits.

• Tyramine is a substance that can trigger headaches or migraines in certain people.
• For a whiskey maker, that can mean quite a lot of congeners in the end product (typically less so for a higher quality product); for a vodka maker, it should mean close to none.
• If you’re prone to migraine attacks, it’s wise to avoid alcoholic beverages altogether.
• The most severe migraine attacks may last up to 3 days or longer and make it impossible to do anything.
• So, if you’re looking to reap the rewards of a healthier lifestyle, start by moderating your alcohol intake and see how much better you feel in no time.

Reduce your risk of an alcohol-related migraine

This glutamate production creates fatigue and can cause a headache trigger. You can drink water in between alcohol intakes to prevent inflammation. However, these individuals were not more vulnerable to other hangover symptoms. One of the best ways to find your migraine triggers is to keep a diary or use a migraine tracking app. Under Mexican law, tequila must be made from only the blue Weber agave plant (pictured) from the Tequila region in the state of Jalisco. To find the best wine for your needs, consider keeping a migraine diary to track which wines trigger your migraines.