People swear by this McDonald's ‘migraine hack' order to relieve their pain: ‘It's immediately cured'
They're lovin' it.
People on TikTok are claiming that a specific McDonald's order is helping cure their migraines.
The 'migraine meal' is a large Coca-Cola drink and an order of large fries — and many sufferers online can't get enough of this combo.
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One viral video — with over 3 million views — shows a girl at the fast food chain's drive-thru with overlay text reading, 'Trying McDonald's chips [fries] and a Diet Coke because I've had a headache for 48 hours and TikTok said it would help.'
Many of the comments on the video chimed in praising this cure.
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'I know it's just the salt and caffeine but every time I have a migraine or even one coming on I get a coke and a fry and it's immediately cured,' one person wrote.
'It's my go to!! I take my migraine meds, sip a Diet Coke, and as my pain goes away, I crave salt…' a comment read.
'Not Diet Coke!!! Full sugar Coke + ibuprofen + something salty,' another person advised.
'I know it's just the salt and caffeine but every time I have a migraine or even one coming on I get a coke and a fry and it's immediately cured,' one person wrote in the comment section of a viral TikTok video.
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'Diet Coke works on headaches, I don't understand it , considering a coffee makes it worse,' a confused commenter chimed in, writing.
Any sort of 'hack' — especially a health one — seen online always has to be taken with a grain of salt. However, this one in particular might be worth listening to.
The caffeine in the Coke has pain relief properties, especially when used simultaneously with other pain relievers like ibuprofen.
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'We know the caffeine can help migraines in the short-term therapy of them. So it isn't too surprising that the caffeine in Coca-Cola itself is helpful,' Dr. David Walker, MD, told Very Well Health.
Rarely are people told that salty foods can actually do the body some good — but in this case, salty fries for the win.
Since migraines are often caused by 'a deficiency of minerals such as sodium,' according to Yahoo! Life the salt on the fries can supposedly act as a source of electrolytes.
It's important to keep in mind that everyone's body is different and migraines vary from person to person, so this hack night not be the cure-all for everyone.
This treat meal is not the worst idea from time to time, if it can help relieve a headache or migraine — just don't make your McDonald's run a habit.
'If someone finds that they improve with this hack, that's great for them,' Dr. Matthew Robbins told TODAY.com. 'But if they're using it often, that's not good for you either.'
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LIGHTFIELD STUDIOS – – Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome or diabetes – Athletes and those in appearance-focused activities like dancing – People with a family history of eating disorders – Anyone seeking help for weight loss or who has engaged in dieting or disordered eating The role of TikTok's culture Qualified nutritionist Yaz Jackson sees SkinnyTok as part of a broader trend of 'normalizing' harmful behaviors on TikTok. She notes that TikTok's culture is different from Instagram's: 'You can 'get away' with more. It's more of a diary, people feel like they can say whatever, and it's lighthearted, and nobody judges. I've seen creators say things like 'I could never share this on Insta, they'd judge me, but I can tell you guys,'' Jackson believes there's a trend of radical honesty emerging on TikTok, where creators are praised for sharing 'the tea' – the secrets behind their appearance, whether it's the use of medication, diets, or cosmetic surgery. Their content is being favoured, as people applaud them for being 'real' and 'not fake' – i.e., unlike the countless models and celebrities who pretend they eat pizza and burgers when the reality is much different. 'This trend then gains traction because when enough people make something okay to talk about again, they feel safer,' she said. 'Things that were once stigmatized are now being accepted – but only if you are super honest and transparent about it. People love that.' The dangers of unqualified advice Dr. Zac, a GP, urges people to exercise caution when seeking health advice online, especially when it comes from unqualified creators. 'Health advice should come from qualified professionals – doctors, registered dietitians, clinical psychologists – people with actual credentials, not just abs and a ring light. If someone's offering drastic weight loss 'hacks' or pushing extreme transformations, especially if they're profiting from it, be wary,' he says. Things to look out for include: 'Are they citing evidence-based sources? Do they promote balance over extremes? Are they championing sustainable health, or quick fixes and aesthetic perfection?' How to safeguard your mental health Dober and Zac recommend several strategies for protecting yourself online: Curate your feed: Block or mute content and creators that promote unhealthy behaviors 5 SkinnyTok refers to a corner of the internet where creators openly document their weight loss journeys, post 'what I eat in a day' videos featuring alarmingly low calorie counts, and share 'body checks.' Floral Deco – Use platform tools: Filter out triggering keywords where possible Limit screen time: Reduce endless scrolling to avoid algorithm rabbit holes Follow positive accounts: Such as ones that promote body neutrality, mental health, and self-compassion Seek support: If you're struggling, reach out to a psychologist or trusted professional. And as Zac puts it: 'Healing starts when we stop punishing ourselves and start listening to what our body and mind actually need.'
