Does chocolate really help headaches?

Question

I get terrible optical migraines from time to time, where I first see flashing lights that "cover" my eyesight and blind me, then after they fade, I get a killer headache. Most often it's caused by stress (as I suspect my current one is), but sometimes by environmental factors, like bright lights or overheating. I was wondering if chocolate actually does help for headaches.

A co-worker of mine says her husband ALWAYS eats a Hershey bar or something when he has a headache, and it immediately cures it. However, I've also known some people who GET migraines FROM the chocolate - that has NEVER been the case for me, though.

Do you think it would hurt me to try a cup of hot chocolate tonight?

Answer 1

I don't know.... Chocolate gives me headaches.

Answer 2

The answer to your question is YES YES YES YESSSS!  

But the thing is, you must be sure it is DARK chocolate, because that's where all the good stuff is :)  (milk chocolate like m&m's and hot cocoa are more sugary and fatty and won't have nearly as powerful as an effect).  

Good luck (and enjoy)!  

Answer 3

chocolate has been proved to affect headaches, some positively and many more negatively. if it doesn' t ordinarily give you a headache try a hershey bar next time you feel one coming on - it may be your magic cure.

Answer 4

I used to get headaches that manifested the same way. In my case, caffeine seemed to help - it didn't make the headache go away, but at least I didn't get spikes of pain that corresponded to my pulse. Chocolate contains an alkaloid that has some of the same effects as Caffeine, so I think it's worth a try.

I don't think it's likely to make things any worse. If you like hot chocolate, and find it calming, that'll help reduce your stress level, too.

Good luck. Migraine headaches can be pretty awful.

Answer 5

no chocolate will not help its advisable to stay away from that and caffeine try aspirins

Answer 6

yes, i think...

the chocolate makes you happy, so you can forget the headaches!

=0)

Answer 7

Actually chocolate does help headaches especially when you see flashing lights and etc so that means your sugar or blood pressure is going down but then sometimes goes up when you eat to much chocolate hope that helps.

Answer 8

For sure NOT chocolate!

Chocolate, Tonic water, oranges and Chinese food is very bad for Migraine attacks.

What helps very good against Migraine is:

taking  warm cola or cofee(cafeine!)

a dark room, avoid to much sunlight.

Answer 9

I've actually heard the opposite.  My mom and a few friends of mine all experience migraines, and all of them say that chocolate causes them.