If you’ve ever battled a migraine, you know how desperate people get to find quick relief.
Recently, an unusual food combo from McDonald’s has been making waves online as a potential migraine soother — and it’s got TikTok buzzing.
A viral video showed a woman trying what’s now being called the “McMigraine meal,” which is simply a large Coke paired with fries.
Surprisingly, many people who’ve tried it say this sweet-and-salty duo calms migraine symptoms almost immediately.
What’s Behind This Viral Hack According to Experts
While it sounds almost too simple to be true, there’s some science backing it up. Dr. Amanda Ellison, a neuroscience professor at Durham University, explained to The Times how this mix of caffeine, sugars, salt, and carbs can help.
She said migraines often involve blood vessels around the brain widening to increase oxygen flow — which can cause that pounding headache feeling.
The caffeine in the Coke can tighten those blood vessels back up, reducing pain.
Plus, the sugars and salt play a role too. During migraines, your blood sugar levels, hormones, and electrolytes can get all out of balance.
Eating something with carbs and salt helps restore that balance, potentially easing symptoms before they get worse.
TikTok Goes Wild Over the McMigraine Meal
TikTok user @MillyHancockk shared her own experiment trying fries and a Diet Coke after suffering a headache for 48 hours.
She captioned the video saying it worked, and it quickly racked up nearly 4 million views.
The comments section filled up with people sharing their own experiences, with many confirming the hack works for them too.
Some users even mentioned that headache specialists recommend this trick.
Others broke down why it might work, noting how caffeine tightens blood vessels, sugar boosts glucose, and salty carbs help rebalance electrolytes.
Some Tweaks and Cautions From the Migraine Community
Not everyone agrees on the exact recipe. Some say Diet Coke isn’t enough — it has to be the regular, full-sugar version.
Others emphasized the importance of the salty fries to really make a difference.
However, experts do warn that while this meal might relieve a headache, it’s unlikely people suffering a full-blown migraine attack would be able to stomach such a large or greasy meal during the pain phase.
Dr. David Walker, a headache specialist at Rush University Medical Center, also pointed out that fried foods and caffeine can sometimes trigger migraines, so this trick might not be a one-size-fits-all solution.
He stressed that it’s great if it works for some, but it shouldn’t be generalized to everyone.
Understanding Migraines Versus Regular Headaches
Migraines are not just bad headaches — they are usually moderate to severe, often felt as throbbing pain on one side of the head.
Around one in five women and one in 15 men suffer from them, often starting in early adulthood.
Some people get warning signs like flashing lights, while others don’t.
Frequency varies widely — some get them multiple times a week, others only rarely.
If migraines happen often (more than five days a month) or are severe, the NHS advises seeing a GP for proper diagnosis and treatment options.
What Causes Migraines and How Are They Managed
The exact cause of migraines is still a bit of a mystery but is believed to involve temporary changes in brain chemicals, nerves, and blood vessels.
Many sufferers recognize triggers like certain foods, drinks, or stress that can bring on or worsen attacks.
While there’s no cure for migraines, medications and lifestyle changes can help reduce how often they happen and how severe they get.