What Is a Caffeine Withdrawal Headache?

A caffeine withdrawal headache can happen if you miss your usual morning cup of coffee or mid-afternoon cup of tea. However, compared to other types of headaches, a caffeine headache can be easy to identify and treat.

This article covers the causes of caffeine withdrawal headaches and the other symptoms that can go along with one. You'll also learn how to prevent caffeine withdrawal headaches.

Headache and Other Symptoms of Caffeine Withdrawal

You might get a caffeine withdrawal headache if you regularly drink two or more 6-ounce cups of coffee a day and then skip a cup or drink one later than you usually do. A headache from caffeine withdrawal can happen even if you're late by just a few hours.

This type of headache is usually moderately to severely painful. It tends to be located on both sides of the head and gets worse with physical activity. The pain will usually peak after one or two days without caffeine and can last for two to nine days.

The amount of caffeine that you consume does not necessarily determine whether or not you'll get a withdrawal headache. Other factors also play a role, such as how your body metabolizes caffeine.

Some people get caffeine withdrawal headaches even though they only consume small amounts of caffeine. Others who regularly drink more caffeine don't get caffeine headaches at all—even when they drink less than usual.

Caffeine headaches usually start within 12 to 24 hours of stopping caffeine. They can also come with other symptoms, including:

• Drowsiness
• Poor concentration
• Depression
• Anxiety
• Irritability
• Nausea and vomiting
• Muscle aches and stiffness

The amount of caffeine that you usually consume might influence when you will start to feel caffeine withdrawal symptoms. It can also influence how long your symptoms will last.

However, research suggests that most people start to feel better from caffeine withdrawal after about a week.

What Causes a Caffeine Withdrawal Headache?

Caffeine is the most-used drug in the world. In the United States, approximately 90% of adults report drinking caffeinated beverages, like coffee, tea, and soda, every day.

Although caffeine is considered a drug, experts do not agree on whether it qualifies as an addictive substance.

Research has demonstrated that regular use of caffeine can lead to:

• Dependence
• Increased tolerance
• Withdrawal symptoms

However, caffeine does not fit the commonly accepted definition of an addictive substance. For example, a 2010 study showed that caffeine does not activate the dependence and reward system in the brain. 

Still, caffeine use disorder is recognized by the medical and psychiatric community. In 2013, caffeine use disorder was added to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition (the DSM-5) under the broader category of substance use disorders.

Research suggests that about half of people who consume more than 200 mg of caffeine a day will get a withdrawal headache if they abruptly stop.

It's not clear why other people do not get symptoms when they reduce their caffeine intake, but it might have to do with individual caffeine sensitivity.

That could also explain why a person who is more sensitive to caffeine might get withdrawal symptoms even if they only regularly consume about 100 mg of caffeine a day.

Timing and other lifestyle factors can also influence caffeine withdrawal symptoms. For example, a person who only drinks coffee during the workweek may get caffeine headaches over the weekend when they have paused their intake.

If a person needs to stop eating before a medical test or procedure they might get a fasting headache, which is sometimes attributed to caffeine withdrawal.

Sources of Caffeine

While coffee is one of the most popular caffeine beverages, there are many other sources of caffeine that are natural and manufactured.

Common dietary and supplemental sources of caffeine include:

• Tea (including black, green, chai, matcha, and oolong)
• Soda
• Energy drinks or "shots"
• Coffee-flavored ice cream or yogurt
• Chocolate (especially dark and bittersweet)
• Other-the-counter (OTC) and prescription medications and nutritional supplements

Researchers also think that OTC and prescription drugs that have caffeine in them, such as Excedrin and the headache medications Fioricet and Fiorinal, can lead to "rebound headaches" or "medication overuse headaches."

While research has not concluded that caffeine is to blame, withdrawal might play a role in triggering a headache when someone who regularly takes these medications suddenly stops.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), taking larger doses of these medications might be a key factor, but headaches can also occur in people taking smaller doses every day.

The common ingredients in most OTC headache medications, such as aspirin and other painkillers, may also contribute to the "rebound effect."

How to Treat a Caffeine Withdrawal Headache

The fastest remedy for a caffeine withdrawal headache is to drink a caffeinated beverage. Most people will get relief from a caffeine withdrawal headache within an hour of consuming about 100 mg of caffeine.

In a 2017 study of people with migraines, adding a dose of acetaminophen to the caffeine provided even faster relief.

While the caffeine content of coffee varies based on the blend and how it's brewed, an 8-ounce cup of regular brewed coffee typically has between 80m to 150 mg of caffeine, though some brews have closer to 250 mg.

As with coffee, the caffeine content of tea depends on the blend, the temperature of the water that it was brewed in, and how long it steeps.

According to survey data from the USDA, the average 8-ounce cup of hot, brewed, black-leaf tea has about 50 mg of caffeine.

If your goal is to cut back or eliminate caffeine from your diet, there are other steps you can take to avoid a caffeine withdrawal headache.

Don't Stop Abruptly

Research has found that the most effective way to prevent caffeine withdrawal symptoms is to slowly and gradually reduce your caffeine intake.

The amount that you'll need to reduce each day and how long it takes you to completely cut caffeine out of your diet will vary. Most recommendations say to gradually lower your caffeine intake over two to six weeks to avoid withdrawal symptoms.

OTC Pain Relievers

Over-the-counter (OTC) pain relievers such as aspirin, ibuprofen, acetaminophen, or naproxen can help ease a headache and other symptoms of caffeine withdrawal.

Excedrin, a combination of acetaminophen, aspirin, and caffeine, can be helpful for headaches caused by caffeine withdrawal.

However, this type of medication can also contribute to rebound headaches—especially if they're used for a long time.

Drink Water

Staying hydrated can help prevent caffeine withdrawal headaches, particularly for people who get migraines (which can be triggered by dehydration).

Focusing on your non-caffeinated fluid intake will also help you adjust to not having coffee, tea, and soda as a regular part of your day. If plain water feels like a boring replacement, experiment with ways to make it more interesting like adding some sliced fruit.

Summary

Caffeine can be the ultimate paradox for headaches: while it has been shown to help treat migraines and tension-type headaches, regular caffeine intake has also been linked to chronic migraines and medication overuse headaches.

Even if you don't usually get headaches, you might get one if you reduce or stop your usual daily caffeine intake.

If the symptoms of caffeine withdrawal become hard for you to manage, consider cutting it out of your diet—or only having it in moderation, at least.