Anyone who lives with migraine knows the constant quest for relief that comes with it, and the desperation that drives us to grasp at just about anything to calm the storm. We all know there’s no “magic cure,” and though many evidence-based treatments exist, they don’t always work for everyone. And even when they do, they don’t work all the time. On top of that, if you take too many pills, you run the risk of medication overuse headache.
That’s when we might need to go off script a bit and lean on some unconventional “hacks” that may not have science behind them but do have many people who swear by them. The migraine communities on Reddit and TikTok are teeming with suggestions for nonmedicinal remedies, coping mechanisms, and comfort items — many of which go far beyond the typical go-tos, like ice hats, essential oils, and ginger tea.
Some repeatedly come up, from the seemingly logical to the truly “unhinged” — a sad but telling testament to the desperation we sometimes feel when we’re in pain. But for the purposes of this article (and your safety), we’ll stick with the (mostly) “hinged.” Even better, two headache specialists weigh in on them for us.
Of course, everyone is different, and there are many types of migraine attacks, so what works for one person might actually trigger or worsen an attack for someone else. It’s also important to keep in mind that these are meant to be complementary approaches to treating migraine, not as replacements for anything included in your treatment plan.
I’d like to say “it can’t hurt to try” all of these, but that’s questionable for some. Please understand there are risks involved, and always consult your healthcare professionals before trying any new treatments, especially those that seem to push the boundaries. These are not science-backed remedies or medical recommendations.
1. A Large Coke and French Fries From McDonald’s
Social media has made it loud and clear that a Coke and fries from the Golden Arches is just the elixir you need during a migraine attack.
- McDonald’s gets their Coke syrup delivered in stainless steel tanks, while most other restaurants get theirs in plastic bags.
- The chain prechills its syrup and water, and sets the ratio of syrup so it won’t get watered down when ice is added. The company also filters its water before adding it to the fountain dispensers.
- McDonald’s straws are slightly wider than typical straws, allowing that signature Coke taste to hit just the right spot.
Why it might work: “This combo delivers a hit of caffeine, salt, simple carbs, and fat, all of which may temporarily affect the brain and blood vessels,” says Lauren Natbony, MD, board-certified headache specialist and medical director of Integrative Headache Medicine of New York. “If taken together, caffeine can constrict dilated blood vessels and increase the efficacy of pain medications. Salt and carbs might also help if someone’s feeling depleted or mildly hypoglycemic, as they can increase circulating blood volume (more blood flow to the brain) and blood sugar levels,” she says.
Expert recommendations: “For occasional treatment, if it helps, fine,” says Dr. Natbony. “However, this is not a reliable long-term treatment plan. If it works consistently, it may be worth exploring whether you're experiencing caffeine withdrawal headaches or if hunger or dehydration are triggering your migraine attacks.
Natbony doesn’t recommend this fries-and-Coke combo meal for frequent use, “particularly for patients with high blood pressure, diabetes or insulin resistance, or sensitive stomachs. The high fat and salt content can also exacerbate nausea in some individuals,” she cautions.
Of course, there are healthier ways to reap the benefits, like taking an over-the-counter (OTC) pain reliever that contains caffeine, such as Excedrin Migraine, drinking electrolyte supplements, and eating healthy carbs. But during an attack, sometimes you just want comfort food.
2. A Good Cry
Why it might work: “Crying can release a mix of things — tension, neurotransmitters, maybe even serotonin — which might explain why you feel some relief after a ‘good’ cry,” says Fred Cohen, MD, board-certified headache specialist and assistant professor of medicine and neurology at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York.
Expert recommendations: “I wouldn’t recommend relying on it as a regular migraine remedy,” says Dr. Cohen.
3. Sex
But some of those who are fortunate to not have attacks that fall into that category swear that a session between the sheets can take their migraine symptoms down a notch, if not completely away.
Granted, when you’re in the throes of a migraine attack, sex is probably the last thing on your mind, especially if you also experience allodynia and don’t want to be touched. But perhaps the deed is more doable in one of the less painful phases of a migraine attack.
- Of the migraine patients, 34 percent had experience with sexual activity during an attack; of those, 60 percent reported improvement of their attack, and 33 percent reported worsening.
- In the cluster headache patients, 31 percent reported having sex during an attack; of those patients, 37 percent reported improvement, and 50 percent reported worsening.
The study concluded that while the majority of patients with migraine or cluster headaches avoid sexual activity during attacks, the data does suggest that it can lead to partial or complete relief of headache in some migraine and cluster headache patients.
Why it might work: “Sex (and especially orgasm) triggers endorphin release and activates inhibitory pain pathways,” says Natbony. “For some people, this may abort a migraine.”
Expert recommendations: “If it helps and doesn’t worsen your pain, go for it,” says Natbony.
Side note: A surprising number of people in the migraine community report using “personal massagers” on their foreheads or temples for pain relief.
4. Squeezing Your Head
When your head is throbbing and pulsating like a jackhammer, it seems like a natural reaction to want to squeeze your temples just to momentarily stop the pressure.
Many people report doing exactly this by tightening a belt or scarf around their heads (or having someone do it for them). One person came up with a brilliant suggestion someone really needs to invent: A blood pressure cuff, only for the head. Another suggestion is to use a child-size beanie, baseball hat, or headband to really compress your head.
Why it might work: “Migraine attacks often have a tension component,” explains Cohen. “When the trigeminovascular pathway is heavily activated during an attack, the surrounding cranial muscles can tense up in response to the pain.”
Expert recommendations: “Applying a cold compress or getting a massage may help ease that muscle tension and offer some relief,” says Cohen.
5. Throwing Up
When I was younger and had no migraine medications available to me, vomiting would often be part of my attacks. But after I threw up, the pain would be miraculously gone. It turns out, this is a common phenomenon with many people who experience migraine.
Some people even report inducing vomiting for relief, which is not recommended. But if it happens naturally, perhaps you can consider it a bonus.
Why it might work: “Some patients report that after vomiting, the migraine pain suddenly resolves,” says Natbony. “This might be due to a combination of vagus nerve stimulation, release of pressure in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, or changes in intracranial pressure.”
Expert recommendations: Natbony says she would “absolutely not” recommend self-induced vomiting. “While the relief is real for some, inducing vomiting is not a safe or sustainable strategy,” she says. “It’s much better to treat the underlying nausea aggressively with antiemetics and migraine-specific therapies.”
6. Snorting Hot Pepper
At least two of my coworkers and I have squirted capsaicin nasal spray straight up our noses in a desperate attempt to numb our head pain.
As my coworker Angie describes it: “I knew it was going to hurt, but I had no idea how much. As soon as I sprayed the pepper spray up my nose, the foggy pressure that precedes a migraine attack disappeared. It was replaced by the fire of 1,000 hells burning inside my nasal passages and making their way into my eyes and throat.”
While we used OTC formulations, more than a few people on social media mention DIY versions like snorting black or red pepper, or wasabi powder — which are definitely not recommended.
Why it might work: “Capsaicin, the active ingredient in hot peppers and other spicy foods, has been shown to be an effective pain reliever,” says Cohen. “I do prescribe it — though in ointment form — for migraine relief.”
Expert recommendations: “I don’t recommend spraying it into your nose, as that can cause significant nasal irritation,” cautions Cohen. “You can find capsaicin cream over the counter and try applying it to your forehead instead.” (Be sure to avoid the eye area.)
7. Sleeping With a Squishmallow
I recently wrote an article for Migraine Again on the best pillows for migraine. I slept on more than a dozen pillows for several months to come up with a list of nine that I thought were best for migraine. Most of them were in the $100 to $200 range and included a lot of migraine-friendly attributes.
Shortly after writing that, I clocked a surprising trend in the migraine communities on social media: people using Squishmallows — those trendy marshmallow-like plush toys — as pillows, and they’re a fraction of the cost of the pillows I reviewed (and much cuter!).
Made from a soft, stretchy polyester-spandex fabric and stuffed with a silky polyfiber blend, these egg-shaped plushies became a viral sensation during the COVID-19 pandemic, with many people cuddling up with them to ease their anxiety and stress.
Not surprisingly, they remain a favorite in chronic illness communities like migraine. There are over 3,000 different characters (or personalities) to choose from, ranging from the quirky (Carl the Cheeseburger With Red and Blue Star Headband) and cute (Lilac the Bunny) to the comforting (Daryl the EMT Dog) and cozy (Medea the Hot Chocolate). They come in a variety of sizes from 3.5 inches to 24 inches, ranging in price from about $5 to $40, and are available worldwide at most major retailers. Most people like the 16- or 24-inch ones to use as pillows.
The company that makes Squishmallows also noticed the trend and in June 2025 will release a SquishPillow, a rectangular version stuffed with the same squishy filling. The $30 pillow, available in standard or king size, is said to be a bit more supportive and ergonomic than the stuffies — but way less fun!
I have to admit, I was influenced and now sleep with Wendy the Frog, along with one of my own pillow recommendations. She is really comfy!
Why it might work: “Migraine attacks often come with neck pain or muscle tension,” says Natbony. “A soft, moldable pillow like a Squishmallow can cradle the head and relieve pressure points.”
Expert recommendations: Natbony — who understands the pillow struggle, reports having tried over 50 and currently sleeps with eight — says she would surely recommend a Squishmallow: “If it helps you relax and improves neck positioning, go for it. I’d just caution that not everyone benefits from soft pillows, as some find that firmer cervical support is more effective.”
8. Benadryl and Other Allergy Meds
When one of my daughters started experiencing frequent migraine attacks at 8 years old, I made an appointment for her with the top pediatric neurologist in my area. It would be months before she could be seen.
In the meantime, she also developed allergies and started taking a daily OTC allergy medication. Almost immediately, we noticed a drastic decrease in her attacks. In fact, by the time the appointment came up, she hadn’t had an attack in months and though she was prescribed a migraine medication, she never needed to take it. Could it have been related?
If you’ve ever been to an ER to treat a severe migraine attack, you may have been given a “migraine cocktail,” which is an IV treatment with multiple medications that work together to break an attack you couldn’t break at home. One of the ingredients in this cocktail is diphenhydramine, aka, Benadryl.
And while OTC Benadryl is not recommended as a stand-alone acute treatment for migraine, many people take it in combination with other medications.
Why it might work: “There is evidence that histamine plays a role in the migraine attack cycle,” says Cohen. “However, there's no strong evidence that antihistamines are effective at stopping a migraine once it starts.”
Expert recommendations: “When patients find relief from medications like Benadryl, it’s usually due to the drowsiness they cause, which leads to sleep — and sometimes, it's the nap that brings the real relief,” Cohen says.
9. Self-Inflicted Pain
Certainly, self-harm is never recommended, but including this “hack” illustrates the lengths people who live with migraine will go to in order to relieve their excruciating pain.
Many people report that pain in other areas of the body is a welcome distraction from the pain in their head. Among the methods that frequently come up:
- Hair pulling
- Eating super-spicy foods like hot sauces or wasabi; chewing on a jalapeño pepper
- Firmly pressing an object like a pencil eraser to the temple
- Putting ice on the teeth
- Pressing the top of the head into a wall as hard as possible
- Using a foam roller on the back, hips, or legs
- Smacking oneself
As one commenter says: “I once asked someone to punch me in the face. They declined, so I punched myself in the face. It was a bad idea, but, honestly, it gave me some relief.”
Why it might work: “Inducing pain taps into a concept called ‘conditioned pain modulation,’ where one pain stimulus can temporarily dull another,” explains Natbony. “Neuromodulation devices like Nerivio utilize this principle by stimulating arm nerves to activate descending inhibition pathways that reduce migraine pain,” she says.
Expert recommendations: Natbony recommends this only if done in a controlled and safe manner, such as with devices like Nerivio. “Intentionally hurting yourself is never advisable. Self-injury is not a migraine treatment. If you're resorting to painful methods, please speak with a headache specialist. We have better and safer options.”
10. Heading to a Head Spa
Originating in Japan, a head spa treatment is similar to a facial, only it focuses on the scalp and hair. Typically lasting an hour or more, a treatment usually includes a deep cleansing of the scalp, a head massage, aromatherapy, and treatments to enhance hair health.
Head spas offering this service are popping up all over lately. Though not promoted as such, they seem almost tailor-made for those of us with migraine — as long as they don’t use any products with strong scents that could trigger an attack. (If you let them know you live with migraine, most practitioners should have no problem using all-natural or unscented products.)
Some head spas offer shirodhara (shiro meaning "head" and dhara, meaning "flow"), an ayurvedic healing technique in which someone pours warm liquid — usually milk, buttermilk, oil, or water — on your forehead, followed by a head/scalp massage.
To me, this sounds heavenly, but someone with allodynia might cringe at the idea of someone touching their head this way, again illustrating the spectrum that migraine presents.
Why it might work: “The calming effects of head massage can engage the parasympathetic nervous system and relieve muscle tension,” says Natbony. “Shirodhara, specifically, may have a grounding, meditative effect useful for reducing stress.”
Expert recommendations: Natbony gives this a thumbs-up, “particularly for those with tension components, stress triggers, or difficulty relaxing during or after attacks. It serves as a great adjunct but not a replacement for medical treatment,” she says. She does give us the heads-up to “ensure the facility uses clean, temperature-controlled materials. Those with oil sensitivities may want to skip the shirodhara part and just get the massage.”
11. Sipping Salt Water
Many people report craving salt during a migraine attack, wanting foods like saltine crackers, super-salty rice or ramen, popcorn, chicken broth, potato chips, and yes, McDonald's french fries. But just like with carbs, chocolate, or other sugary comfort foods, these cravings can also be a migraine symptom or a warning sign of an impending attack.
But are people with migraine especially salt deficient? Not really, unless you also have a comorbid condition like postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS), dysautonomia, or low blood pressure, according to the real headache experts.
Why it might work: “While some people may find that increasing their salt intake helps manage their migraine symptoms, it's not a one-size-fits-all solution,” says Natbony. “There is currently no conclusive evidence to support the idea that individuals with migraine are inherently salt deficient.”
Expert recommendations: Natbony says that for the majority of people with migraine, excessive salt intake is not recommended.
And Cohen emphasizes that because dietary triggers and treatments vary from person to person, “I always encourage my patients to track what they eat before, during, and after a migraine. This can help identify which foods may be contributing to or alleviating their symptoms,” he says.
If you truly think you’re deficient in salt during or after an attack, electrolyte supplements can be helpful, especially if you’ve been vomiting. However, those need to be carefully chosen and balanced with recommendations from your healthcare provider.
12. Extreme Heat or Extreme Cold
Most of my coworkers at Migraine Again like to use an ice hat or ice pack on their heads during attacks. But I have always been more drawn to the hottest water I can stand pounding on my head, or wrapping a heating pad set to the highest setting around my head.
That variance is reflected in the migraine community, with some extolling the benefits of plopping their hands, feet, or faces into a bowl of ice water, while others are like me and prefer to stand in the shower with the faucet turned to the highest temperature they can bear. “If it doesn’t feel like lava, it’s not working,” says one commenter, and I feel that.
Others like to alternate between the two extremes, either in the shower or by switching between an ice roller or ice pack and a heating pad, or washcloths soaked in hot and ice water. If you’re lucky enough to have access to both a hot tub and a cold plunge tub, that could work, too.
Why it might work: “Temperature extremes, especially cold, can modulate pain signals,” says Natbony. “Ice applied to the head or neck can constrict blood vessels and reduce neurogenic inflammation. Cold exposure can also stimulate the vagus nerve and temporarily change the brain’s pain processing pathways.”
Expert recommendations: Natbony gives this her seal of approval, “especially cold packs or ice rollers,” she says. “Just be cautious about extremes: Some individuals with migraine get worse with heat, while others may find cold uncomfortable.” She also warns to avoid direct contact with ice by using a barrier, and to not overdo cold plunges if you have autonomic dysfunction or heart conditions.
13. Intentional Brain Freeze
Brain freeze is that uncomfortable thing that happens when you eat or drink something really cold really fast. While most people don’t mean for this to occur, some in the migraine community intentionally try to induce it for pain relief. Says one commenter: “I have found frozen fruit-flavored treats in stick form work the best, as I can just apply the treat to the roof of my mouth and hold it there.” Another says: “I press ice cubes onto my soft palate and it works shockingly well.”
Researchers concluded that one particular artery dilated rapidly and flooded the brain with blood in conjunction with the consumption of ice water. The study was said to support the older hypothesis that migraine is caused by dilation of blood vessels within the head.
But why would anyone want to induce this feeling if it can be said that migraine sometimes feels like one extended brain freeze?
Why it might work: Not even Cohen is sure. “It almost comes across as a kind of DIY neuromodulation,” he says.
Expert recommendations: “I definitely wouldn’t recommend that; it sounds painful on its own,” he says. “A better option would be to use a clinically tested device like Cefaly or Nerivio.”
Fun fact: The technical term for brain freeze is sphenopalatine ganglioneuralgia — something to remember if you ever find yourself as a contestant on Jeopardy!
14. Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) Tapping
Similar to acupuncture, EFT tapping is an alternative treatment that focuses on tapping on specific points on the head and body to help relieve physical pain or release negative emotions.
For the study, 35 patients with frequent tension-type headache were instructed to use the EFT method twice daily for two months. Not only was EFT found to reduce the frequency and severity of their headaches, but their stress levels and stress symptoms were also significantly lowered, resulting in an improved quality of life.
Though migraine and tension headache are not the same, both can be triggered by stress, so it makes sense that reducing stress can be helpful for both headache types.
Why it might work: “EFT combines acupressure with cognitive restructuring,” says Natbony. “It may calm the nervous system, reduce stress, and redirect attention away from the pain.”
Expert recommendations: Natbony says she would recommend this as a stress-management tool. “It’s low risk and may help people with stress-triggered migraine patterns,” she says. “But it’s unlikely to stop a full-blown attack.”
Final Thoughts
Migraine is weird. What helps one person might cause an attack for someone else. Triggers and treatments can even vary in a single person, from attack to attack. It can also drive people to try things that sometimes don’t even make sense, just out of sheer desperation to relieve their pain. That’s why it’s no surprise that social media is a hotbed of remedies — some that can be truly helpful, and others that range from the questionable to the simply unsafe. It’s always a good idea to check with your doctor before trying anything out of the norm.
Of course, none of the above “hacks” are likely to take your migraine attack away, but some may take it down a notch or two, especially when stacked and/or combined with medications or other evidence-based treatments. They’re meant to complement professional medical advice and treatments, not replace them.
As unconventional or unorthodox as some of these remedies might seem, they still don’t compare to what our ancestors with migraine did, like drilling a hole in the skull (trepanation), bloodletting, bathing with electric eels, or laying dead moles on their heads. Now those are some truly unhinged “hacks."