A Comprehensive Guide to Our Go-To Migraine Remedies

When it comes to migraine, you can never be too prepared. Here’s what the Bezzy community keeps on hand for fast relief, from ice packs to essential oils.

When it comes to migraine, many of us are willing to do whatever it takes to prevent an attack or relieve the pain that comes with it.

Below, I share my own bag of tricks for doing just that, plus the Bezzy community’s go-to gadgets and practices to create a comprehensive list for effective prevention and speedy relief.

Read on to get our tips and tricks.

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Prevention tools

When it comes to keeping migraine episodes at bay, prevention can go a long way.

1. Environmental Working Group’s (EWG) Healthy Living App

I can’t even walk down the detergent aisle or past Yankee Candles in the mall without getting the beginning twinges of a migraine attack.

As a scent and additive-sensitive person, I rely on the EWG’s handy Healthy Living app to identify cleaning and beauty products that are less likely to contain triggering ingredients.

The app allows you to scan the barcodes of more than 120,000 food and personal care products to see the EWG rating of the ingredients each product contains.

Each product receives a hazard score from A to F, based on scientific literature, with the least hazardous products receiving the “EWG Verified” badge.

2. Hydration packets

If you’re sick of hearing about how dehydration can trigger migraine episodes, you’re not the only one. However, this tidbit gets repeated so often for a reason.

I make sure to keep electrolyte supplements in my bag, luggage, glove compartment — wherever I can stash ‘em.

My two favorites are Concentrace Trace Minerals Drops for a mostly flavorless option, and LMNT’s Zero Sugar Electrolytes in Citrus Salt for a sweet and salty option that’s incredibly refreshing on a hot day.

3. Tinted glasses

If you’re sensitive to light, like me, you may want to invest in a small arsenal of tinted glasses. I have several for different occasions.

I use blue-light-blocking glasses with an orange-ish tint for working on the computer, watching media at night, or driving in the dark.

Once I’m already feeling some pain, I switch over to my rose-tinted prescription glasses that dull the sharp sensation light sometimes causes in my eyes and head.

I also asked my eye doctor about blue light with contacts, and he switched me over to a brand that has blue light blocking built-in.

4. Electrical nerve stimulation devices

Nerve stimulation or neuromodulation devices may be a good option for migraine prevention, and several members of the Bezzy Migraine community swear by them.

Of the available options, the Bezzy community has two favorites:

• Cefaly, a trigeminal nerve stimulation (TNS) device
• Nerivio, a Remote Electrical Neuromodulation (REN) device that stimulates nerves in the upper arm

Only Cefaly has been cleared by the FDA for use with migraine.

5. WeatherX Headache Prevention Earplugs

If you’re sensitive to changes in barometric pressure, members recommend WeatherX Headache Prevention Earplugs.

The earplugs work by way of a ceramic filter nestled inside a silicone outer shell. The filter is designed to slow down the impact of barometric pressure shifts, giving your body more time to adjust. They come in small and large sizes for kids and adults.

You can also download the WeatherX Forecast app to stay abreast of changes in barometric pressure.

During an attack

When an attack is imminent, the Bezzy community (and me!) reach for the items below. You may want to add them to your rescue kit, too.

6. Cupping set

I often say my at-home cupping set was the best under $30 purchase I’ve ever made. It quickly relieves the pressure that builds up in my neck, shoulders, and upper back before and during an episode.

Important note: Cupping may leave marks if you use them at high pressure for several minutes. To avoid these temporary marks, you can try light pressure or running cupping. Running cupping involves rubbing oil onto the skin and then lightly pressurizing the cups before moving them around in a massage-like motion.

Or you can just rock your cupping marks with pride like these cupping-enthusiast celebs.

7. Frozen cucumbers

It’s simple, cheap, and — edible? If you don’t have an ice pack handy, just slice a few cucumbers and throw them in the freezer. These are a great option for relieving eye pain.

8. Eye pillow

You can use an eye pillow a-la-carte or place it on top of frozen cucumbers from tip #7 above. The extra weight helps relieve pressure.

9. Ice hat

Ice packs and ice hats might be one of the most common “accessories” among migraineurs. You keep the hat in the freezer until a migraine episode, then slip it on like a frozen beanie. Mine even has a little slit for my nose.

10. Heating pad

Though using ice and heat may sound counterintuitive, both can be helpful during an attack. I usually put the heating pad on my upper back while I wear an ice hat on my head.

The heat helps calm spasming muscles while the cold numbs the pain in my head and helps balance my overall temperature.

11. Green light

Green light may be effective at reducing both migraine frequency and duration. It’s a simple lifestyle tweak that involves going about your business awash in green light.

Just make sure you buy high quality bulbs designed for this purpose to get the best results.

12. Essential oil roller

Lots of Bezzy members join me in swearing by their essential oil rollers. There are lots of different options on the market, but they all contain some combination of the following essential oils:

• peppermint
• lavender
• spearmint
• rosemary
• chamomile
• blue tansy

Pro tip: don’t get it in your eyes. It burns!

While research suggests there are health benefits, the FDA doesn’t monitor or regulate the purity or quality of essential oils. It’s important to talk with a healthcare professional before you begin using essential oils and be sure to research the quality of a brand’s products. Always do a patch test before trying a new essential oil.

13. Menthol rub

Menthol rub can be another handy option if you don’t have essential oils on hand or you prefer a thicker texture for rubbing in.

14. Blackout curtains

Most migraineurs understand the lure of a cool, quiet, dark room. Blackout curtains can help you achieve the dark part, no matter the time of day.

15. Audiobooks

During an attack, I can’t read or look at screens without pain and discomfort. If it lasts a while but I’m not able to sleep, I tune into a relaxing audiobook for a little entertainment.

16. CBD

Research on CBD for migraine is still emerging, but there is some evidence that it may help reduce pain. It comes in multiple forms, from tinctures to gummies.

Takeaway

While not exhaustive, this is a list of the Bezzy community’s MVPs when it comes to migraine relief. We hope you find something on this list that you didn’t know about that brings you relief!