Doctor Uncovers Shocking Link Between McDonald’s and Migraines—Is Fast Food the Unexpected Cure?

When a migraine slams into your day like an uninvited wrecking ball, everything else—the emails, the Zoom calls, even breathing—just has to pause. We all know the drill: dark room, ice packs, and for some brave souls, Botox or a piercing in just the right spot. But here’s a curveball for you—is there really a ‘McMigraine Meal’ lurking in the golden arches? Believe it or not, a viral theory claims that a large Coke paired with McDonald’s fries might just ease those pounding headaches. Sounds nuts, right? Well, a neuroscience professor from Durham University breaks down the science behind this bizarre fast food remedy, explaining how caffeine, salt, sugars, and carbs team up to beat the pain—though she’s quick to admit not everyone battling a migraine can stomach the combo. So, could your next migraine cure be a trip to Mickey D’s, or is it just another fast food fantasy? Let’s dig into the deliciously odd truth. LEARN MORE

When a migraine hits, it feels like everything else has to stop. They can be an absolute nightmare, and those who suffer from them will go to all kind of lengths to stop them.

From simply laying in a dark room, doing nothing and contemplating life, to wrapping your head in an ice pack, or even getting a special piercing or Botox – there’s all sorts of ways to seek relief.

But one of the weirdest must be the viral theory that McDonald’s cures migraines.

Yep, while the fast food might not be the picture of health and wellness, plenty of people reckon the chain has its own ‘McMigraine Meal’. Obviously, this isn’t an official thing on the menu, but a doctor has revealed the truth behind this supposed ‘cure’.

If you suffer from migraines, you’ll know how much of a nightmare they can be (Getty Stock)

All that makes up this migraine relief is simply a large Coke and Maccies fries.

And a professor in neuroscience at Durham University explained that this combination can actually be helpful to reduce the symptoms of this severe headache.

It’s all thanks to the caffeine, complex sugars, salt, and carbohydrates.

Ellison explained that most headaches are caused by the blood vessels around the brain becoming dilated to increase the flow of oxygen as she told The Times: “For any headache, the caffeine [in a Coke] will restrict the blood vessels that have been widened or dilated.

“The sugar helps because generally with any kind of pain, but also with migraine, your sugars are all over the place, your hormones are all over the place, your electrolytes are all over the place … and generally we see this with people with migraine a lot earlier than they actually have pain.”

However, Ellison points out that while the combo may help, it’s unlikely some people with a migraine would actually be able to stomach it.

The doc points out those with a migraine might not be feeling so peckish (Getty Stock)

“The migraineur is actually lying in their darkened room, possibly puking their guts up … they can’t tolerate light, they can’t tolerate sound, they’re feeling very very nauseous,” she said. “There’s no way that that person is going to be able to force down a large fries and Coke.”

But in those earlier stages of a migraine attack, Ellison explained that people may find themselves craving fast food due to their symptoms.

“There are lots of ways in which migraineurs in particular self-medicate, and they don’t even know when they’re doing it,” she added.

The NHS recommends painkillers such a ibuprofen and paracetamol, staying hydrated, sleeping or laying down in a darkened room, and managing stress.

You should see a GP if: your migraines are severe, getting worse or lasting longer than usual, if you have them more than once a week, if you’re finding them difficult to control, or if you regularly get migraines before or during your period.