A migraine attack isn’t over until you say it is. Many people with migraine experience lingering symptoms after the worst of the attack seems to be over — all the burden of a rough night without a party to blame.
The last thing you want after a bad attack is migraine aftereffects or that hangover feeling. We know it’s not fun, but you can try to look at your migraine hangover or postdrome symptoms as your brain’s way of asking you to take it easy.
Addressing a migraine hangover is an important part of a migraine postdrome treatment plan. There are four stages of the migraine pathophysiology:
- Prodrome (or warning signs) phase
- Aura phase (for those who experience it)
- Pain or acute phase
- Postdrome or hangover phase
The migraine postdrome comes after most of the pain of the attack has subsided. However, during this phase, which can sometimes last for days, you’re technically still experiencing a migraine attack. Symptoms vary but most commonly include difficulty thinking, head or body pain, nausea, fatigue, dizziness, and sensitivity to light.
You’re More Susceptible to Triggers During the Migraine Hangover
The most important thing to remember during the migraine hangover phase is that your brain is still dealing with the effects of migraine, and you’re at a greater risk of triggering another attack. Try to avoid migraine triggers that exacerbate your symptoms like skipping meals, not drinking enough water, or going too long without stretching or moving.
If you want to experiment with new remedies for a migraine hangover, explore the great ideas below. Just remember that things will work differently for each person.
To fully recover from a migraine attack, you should take care of yourself during the hangover stage the best that you can.
How Do You Take Care of Yourself During the Migraine Hangover?
We asked our readers from around the world to tell us their favorite remedies for a migraine hangover and postdrome mood. We got more than 50 thoughtful responses. The tips below are just a snapshot of the conversation around the best remedies for a migraine hangover.
Rest, Rest, and More Rest
Chances are you feel drained and exhausted. Your body needs ample rest and sleep to fully recover from a migraine attack. Try to avoid stressful activities and be patient with your healing. If you can, take the time you need to recuperate before resuming your usual routine.
Take it as easy as possible because hangover days are also tipping point days for me. I can easily slip back into a migraine. — Nicole
Order takeaway (takeout) because I’m usually starving and drink loads of water. I just have a nice cozy night in and enjoy not being in pain or feeling sick! — Paula
Spend the day being super careful not to retrigger another one. — Nicole
Try not to push my brain too much, not that it will let me anyways. Feel so dumbed down. Tend to just sit and veg. Hoping my brain will recover. It feels bruised and like someone has hit you round the head. — Anne
Bed. Movies. WATER!! Support from fam. Love of kids. Snuggles of animals! — Allie
I find myself being a bit groggy and tired. Resting and relaxing works for me. — Declan
Salt and a Fizzy Drink
Hydration is an important part of recovering from a migraine attack. Water, electrolyte drinks, juice, or even some sodas are all good remedies for a migraine hangover to help replenish your brain and relieve your head pain.
I get so thirsty and crave salt after a migraine. Then sleep. — Cathy
Just rest and sip a little ginger ale. — Olivia
Yoga or Gentle Movement
While rest is a tried-and-true remedy, regular exercise is helpful for preventing another attack. Some people find that fresh air and gentle movement during the migraine hangover phase helps:
I had one today, so I rested in an air-conditioned room, drank lots of water and coffee, took painkillers, and slept. Tomorrow I’m going to do yoga to try and work out some kinks. — Natasha
Rest and don’t expect anything of myself. If I can, I take a short walk and get fresh air. — Lana
Keeping Things Dark
Don’t be afraid to close the curtains or pull on a pair of specs if you’re dealing with photophobia. Light sensitivity is a struggle for a lot of people during all phases of a migraine attack — and sometimes in between.
I used to get those — horrible! Luckily, I outgrew them. The only remedy I had was to sleep in a dark room with no noise. — Carol
Work Can’t Wait for Some
Life moves too fast for a lot of people to carve out enough time to fully recover from a migraine hangover. If you can take time off work the day after a migraine to rest and take care of yourself, you’re less likely to trigger another attack. But that’s not realistic for everyone. A few people in our community share how they try to be gentle with their mental health, even if they have to struggle through a workday with postdrome symptoms:
Most of the time I have to go to work. It’s really hard. — Ipek
I minimize my talking. Hard to do as a teacher, so I usually have a plan of pulling pages from the assigned text to give my students to review. — Sue
Carbs, lots of water, and push on through as I have to go to work. — Fern
I’m a manager at a glass shop. Fast-paced environment. When it comes on, I pray my meds work that day. If not I [drink] Pepsi through it and crash like heck when I get home. Pray to God nobody needs anything till the next day. — Robert
Push through and try not to make decisions. — Beth
More Remedies for a Migraine Hangover
Rest, water, salt, movement, and darkness; they are all excellent remedies. Here are a few more suggestions for coping with this headache phase:
Take an Over-the-Counter NSAID
If you can take them, over-the-counter nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like aspirin, naproxen sodium (such as Aleve), or ibuprofen (such as Advil) can help with postdrome symptoms. These medications can be a migraine hangover headache cure, alleviating mild pain for people with migraine just as they do for people with flu and “regular” hangovers.
However, it is important to be aware that NSAIDs are not without medical risks just because they are available over the counter. Some headache specialists also warn of the risk of medication overuse headache, or "rebound headache," with frequent use of some medications, including NSAIDs. You may want to talk to your doctor about a prescription migraine medication.
Supplement Your Healing
An Epsom salts bath or a few nutritional supplements like magnesium and B2 have good evidence to suggest they help with migraine. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before changing or adding anything, though.
Eat Nutritious Meals Frequently
Even if your appetite isn’t fully back, your body needs nutrients to recover the day after migraine attacks. Try to eat nutritious meals and don’t let your blood sugar drop too low between meals.
Try Herbs and Plants
If you’re still experiencing migraine aftereffects like nausea, natural remedies like ginger and peppermint may be helpful. These herbs are known to be effective without causing further discomfort.
Consider Prescription Meds for Prevention
- If you have four or more migraine days per month
- If your acute treatments don’t work well
- If you’re using the same acute treatment more than twice per week
- If you’re significantly debilitated by your symptoms, even if attacks are infrequent
There are several prescription medication options available for migraine prevention, as well as a few neuromodulation devices. The goal of prevention is to reduce the number of headache days, reduce disability, and improve your overall quality of life.
Final Thoughts
If you’re experiencing postdrome symptoms, take this time to focus on yourself. You owe it to yourself and the people around you to treat yourself well. If that means spending a few more hours lying down, calling in sick, or spending a whole afternoon soaking in a bath, you’re worth it.
Try to cut yourself some slack if you have to cancel obligations or you start to feel guilty. Resting is not a waste of time, nor is it a weakness. It is an important part of how you manage life with migraine.
We hope these remedies for a hangover help you cope with this disabling phase of a migraine, but working with a good headache specialist can help even more. If you don't have one already, find one here.