Does Caffeine Help or Hurt Migraines?

Caffeine has a complex relationship with migraines, acting as both a trigger and treatment. Small amounts (100-200mg) can help halt migraines by constricting blood vessels and enhancing pain medication effectiveness. Many over-the-counter migraine medications contain 65mg of caffeine for this reason. However, regular caffeine consumption can lead to rebound headaches when caffeine levels drop, and withdrawal symptoms often trigger migraines in dependent users. Studies show that consuming more than 400mg of caffeine daily increases migraine frequency by 25%. The key is moderation and consistency in your caffeine intake to avoid the withdrawal-rebound cycle that affects nearly 80% of regular coffee drinkers.