Why a Doctor Says McDonald’s Coke and Fries Might Ease a Migraine Better Than Pills

Anyone who has experienced a migraine knows that it’s not just a “bad headache.” It’s a full-body assault: the throbbing pain that pulses behind your eyes, the nausea that turns every sound into a hammer blow, and the exhaustion that follows for hours or even days afterward. When medication fails to bring relief, many migraine sufferers turn to unconventional methods, from cold compresses and caffeine to essential oils and darkened rooms. But one surprising home remedy making waves online involves something far less medicinal: a McDonald’s meal.

Recently, a medical educator known as Doctor Myro responded to a viral question online: why does a McDonald’s Coke and fries seem to cure migraines better than actual medication? While it might sound like internet folklore, Dr. Myro broke down the science behind it: and it turns out, there are real physiological reasons this salty-sweet combo might offer temporary relief. The explanation lies in three key factors: dopamine, caffeine, and salt. Together, they form an oddly effective cocktail for soothing both body and mind, even if the golden arches weren’t exactly designed to be a pharmacy.

The dopamine effect: why comfort food helps more than you think

One of the most powerful effects of eating comfort food is the instant surge of pleasure it delivers. This is driven by dopamine, a neurotransmitter responsible for regulating mood, motivation, and the brain’s reward system. When you take that first crunchy, salty bite of fries or sip the perfectly chilled, fizzy sweetness of Coke, your brain releases dopamine: the same chemical associated with feelings of happiness, satisfaction, and relief.

Dr. Myro pointed out that this dopamine release can make anyone “feel better after anything.” It’s not a direct cure for the biological causes of a migraine, but it can soften the experience by giving your brain a little reward in the middle of a stressful, painful moment. The result is a temporary lift:a neurological sigh of relief that makes pain more tolerable, at least for a short time.

Researchers from Harvard Medical School have long studied the relationship between dopamine and pain perception, finding that people with higher dopamine activity often report less discomfort even when their physical symptoms remain unchanged. Essentially, your favorite meal might not be fighting the migraine itself, but it is helping your brain cope with the distress it causes. Comfort food, in this sense, becomes a form of emotional first aid:a moment of sensory grounding when the body feels out of control.

Caffeine: the hidden migraine fighter

Now for the scientific powerhouse behind the Coke part of this equation: caffeine. A large McDonald’s Coke contains around 85 milligrams of caffeine, which is actually higher than what’s found in certain over-the-counter painkillers that combine caffeine with paracetamol or aspirin. Caffeine’s effect on migraines is one of the most studied and paradoxical relationships in medicine: it can both relieve and trigger attacks depending on the person and the circumstances.

According to The Migraine Trust, caffeine works by constricting dilated blood vessels in the brain and blocking adenosine receptors, which are involved in pain transmission. During a migraine, blood vessels tend to widen, increasing pressure and pain. By tightening them back up, caffeine can reduce the intensity of that pounding sensation. It also boosts the absorption and effectiveness of pain medications, which is why some migraine treatments intentionally include small amounts of caffeine.

However, this is a double-edged sword. Dr. Fayyaz Ahmed, a neurologist and trustee at The Migraine Trust, explains that caffeine can be “useful in acute attacks” but warns that “regular use may increase the risk of rebound headaches.” In other words, while an occasional Coke might help ease a sudden migraine, daily caffeine dependence can make migraines more frequent or more severe. Understanding your personal sensitivity to caffeine is crucial: for some, it’s a rescue, for others, a trigger waiting to strike.

Salt and hydration: fries as accidental electrolyte therapy

The other half of the McDonald’s remedy lies in something deceptively simple: salt. It’s easy to overlook the role sodium plays in our health, but it’s one of the body’s essential electrolytes, helping to regulate fluid balance, nerve function, and muscle contractions. When you’re dehydrated: a common trigger for migraines: your sodium levels can become unbalanced, leading to constricted blood flow and reduced oxygen delivery to the brain.

Dr. Myro highlighted that the salt on McDonald’s fries acts similarly to an electrolyte supplement. The body retains more water when salt intake rises slightly, helping to rehydrate cells more effectively when paired with a drink. In this case, the combination of salty fries and a sugary, caffeinated Coke creates a fast-track rehydration loop that can relieve migraine symptoms related to fluid loss. It’s the same principle behind sports drinks, though less scientifically balanced and more indulgent.

That said, experts from the NHS caution that excess salt can also trigger migraines for some individuals, especially if they already struggle with high sodium sensitivity. Hydration is critical, but the best long-term strategy is to maintain consistent water intake and a balanced diet. Healthier electrolyte sources like coconut water, bananas, and leafy greens can achieve the same result without the extra fat and sugar. Still, when your head feels like it’s imploding, it’s easy to see why a fast-food drive-thru feels more comforting than a glass of water.

The emotional comfort factor: food as self-care

While dopamine, caffeine, and salt each play their part, perhaps the most overlooked benefit of a McDonald’s meal during a migraine lies in its emotional comfort. Migraines can be deeply isolating. The combination of pain, sensory overload, and fatigue often forces people into dark rooms, away from conversation and daily life. In those lonely hours, something as simple as a familiar meal can become an act of self-compassion: a small gesture that reminds you you’re still in control of something, even when your body feels hijacked.

Dr. Judson Brewer, a psychiatrist and neuroscientist at Brown University, notes that comfort eating activates the brain’s reward pathways and can help counteract the stress responses triggered by chronic pain. In moderation, it can provide a valuable psychological break, much like a warm bath or a good cry. The danger arises when food becomes the only coping tool, creating dependency rather than relief. Still, a one-time craving for McDonald’s fries during a migraine isn’t about bad habits: it’s about self-soothing in a moment when comfort feels scarce.

Food has always been tied to emotion: it’s memory, warmth, and care all rolled into one. When you combine that with the physiological effects of caffeine and salt, you start to see why so many migraine sufferers swear by the golden arches trick. It’s less about junk food and more about the interplay between mind and body in the search for relief.

What the NHS says about migraines

To understand the broader picture, it’s worth remembering what a migraine actually is. The NHS defines migraines as severe headaches often accompanied by symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, sensitivity to light and sound, visual disturbances (known as auras), and intense fatigue. They’re caused by a complex mix of neurological, vascular, and chemical changes in the brain. For some, migraines are triggered by hormonal fluctuations; for others, dehydration, certain foods, or even changes in weather patterns can set them off.

Effective migraine management requires identifying and avoiding personal triggers, maintaining regular sleep patterns, staying hydrated, and using appropriate medication when necessary. The NHS encourages migraine sufferers to keep a diary of attacks to help uncover what might be setting them off. While unconventional remedies like a McDonald’s meal might bring comfort, they shouldn’t replace medical advice or treatment plans prescribed by a doctor.

There’s also growing evidence that lifestyle changes: such as reducing screen time, managing stress, and maintaining steady caffeine levels: can significantly reduce migraine frequency. It’s about finding balance rather than relying on a quick fix, even one that tastes good.

A balanced takeaway

So, does a McDonald’s Coke and fries “cure” a migraine? Not exactly. But it might make it a little more bearable, and sometimes that’s enough. Between the caffeine constricting blood vessels, the salt helping with hydration, and the dopamine easing emotional stress, this unlikely combo can temporarily reduce symptoms for some people. For others, though, it could have the opposite effect: highlighting just how personal migraine management really is.

Ultimately, the McDonald’s migraine fix isn’t magic; it’s a reminder of how deeply interconnected our physical and emotional worlds are. When pain strikes, we don’t just need medicine: we need comfort, familiarity, and care. So, if fries and a Coke offer a small moment of peace during the storm of a migraine, that’s nothing to scoff at. Science may not fully endorse it, but humanity certainly understands it.