If you’ve ever had a migraine, you know how intense and draining the experience can be. But what many people don’t realize is that the migraine doesn’t always stop when the pain ends. That lingering, foggy feeling afterward? That’s called a migraine hangover, and it’s a very real part of the migraine experience.
Let’s break down what a migraine hangover is, why it happens, and how you can feel better faster.
What Is a Migraine Hangover?
A migraine hangover, also known as the postdrome phase, is the final stage of a migraine attack. While the worst of the head pain may be gone, you might still feel “off” for hours—or even a day or two—afterward. Some people describe it as feeling like a hangover without the alcohol. Others say it feels like a combination of brain fog, emotional drain, and physical fatigue.
Common Migraine Hangover Symptoms
Everyone’s experience with a migraine hangover is different, but some of the most common symptoms include:
- Brain fog or difficulty concentrating
- Fatigue or exhaustion
- Body aches or stiffness
- Dizziness or feeling lightheaded
- Mood changes (feeling irritable, depressed, or emotionally drained)
- Food cravings or loss of appetite
- Sensitivity to light or sound (lingering from the migraine attack)
These symptoms can make it hard to get back to your normal routine, even though the migraine pain has passed.
Why Do Migraine Hangovers Happen?
Scientists don’t fully understand the exact cause of migraine hangovers, but it likely has to do with the way the brain resets itself after a migraine. A migraine is more than just head pain—it’s a complex neurological event that affects how the brain processes signals, chemicals, and blood flow.
Once the attack is over, your brain may need time to recover from the changes that occurred. Think of it like your brain going through a storm; once the skies clear, there’s still cleanup to be done.
Tips for Easing a Migraine Hangover
While there’s no magic cure for the dreaded postdrome phase, there are ways to help your body (and brain) recover more comfortably:
- Rest and recharge. Give yourself permission to take it easy. Even if the pain is gone, your body is still recovering.
- Stay hydrated. Dehydration can make symptoms like fatigue and dizziness worse. Sip water or electrolyte drinks throughout the day.
- Eat gentle, nourishing foods. Stick with light, easy-to-digest meals like toast, bananas, rice, or soup. Avoid processed or greasy foods that might trigger nausea.
- Avoid overstimulation. Bright lights, loud sounds, and screen time can all make postdrome symptoms feel worse. Try to keep things calm and quiet.
- Track your patterns. Use a migraine diary to record when your postdrome symptoms occur and how long they last. This can help you better prepare for next time.
Can You Prevent a Migraine Hangover?
Preventing a migraine hangover often starts with treating the migraine attack early and effectively. The less intense and prolonged the migraine, the less severe the postdrome phase will likely be.
This is where non-drug options like the gammaCore™ non-invasive vagus nerve stimulator (nVNS) can help. gammaCore nVNS is a handheld, prescription device that uses gentle electrical stimulation to target the vagus nerve, which is a key player in how the brain processes pain. Many migraine sufferers find that using gammaCore at the onset of a migraine can shorten or lessen the attack, which may also reduce the duration of the postdrome phase.
gammaCore can also be used as a preventive measure and has been shown to reduce the frequency of migraine attacks when used just twice daily, once in the morning and again at night.
If your migraine hangovers are affecting your quality of life or lasting longer than a day or two, it’s a good idea to talk to a health care provider to help rule out other conditions and explore the best treatment options for you.
Talk to your health care provider to see if gammaCore is right for you, or visit our clinic finder to help locate a health care provider near you. For additional information, contact our dedicated Customer Experience team at 888-903-2673 or customerservice@electrocore.com.
