Why Migraines Often Make You Nauseous — And What You Can Do About It

Migraines aren’t just intense headaches — they’re full-body events that can derail daily life. For many, the most distressing symptom isn’t the pain itself, but the persistent wave of nausea that often accompanies it.

Scientists don’t fully understand why migraines cause nausea, but a variety of treatments can help manage it effectively.

Why Migraines Trigger Nausea

Nausea is reported by roughly two-thirds of people during a migraine attack, according to a 2019 study cited by Healthline. It can occur at any stage of a migraine — before, during, or after the pain phase — and doesn’t always lead to vomiting.

Researchers believe nausea may be linked to how migraines affect the central nervous system.

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Migraine triggers can disrupt the body’s autonomic functions, which control digestion, heart rate, and more.

Some people with migraines also experience gastroparesis, a condition that slows digestion and contributes to nausea and vomiting.

While nausea is especially common in migraines without aura, people with aura also frequently report it. Official diagnostic criteria don’t always reflect this overlap, but in practice, the symptom cuts across migraine types.

What Helps: Remedies and Relief

Several treatments — both medical and alternative — can offer relief from migraine-induced nausea.

Physicians may prescribe antiemetic medications such as promethazine or metoclopramide, available in formulations like nasal sprays or sublingual tablets that are easier to keep down.

Natural approaches include ginger, which has been shown to reduce nausea and migraine pain within two hours, and peppermint oil, which demonstrated nausea-reducing effects in a 2020 study on chemotherapy patients.

Acupressure is another non-invasive option, targeting pressure points without needles.

Preventing Nausea from Migraine

Preventive measures can reduce the frequency and severity of nausea-inducing migraines. These include:

• Lifestyle changes: Maintaining a sleep routine, balanced diet, exercise, and stress management.

• Trigger management: Identifying and avoiding specific triggers through headache diaries.

• Preventive medication: Options range from beta-blockers and antidepressants to CGRP inhibitors.

• Alternative therapies: Yoga, cognitive behavioral therapy, and biofeedback may help.

Taking medications at the earliest signs of a migraine may also prevent nausea from worsening or interfering with treatment absorption.

While nausea is a frustrating and often debilitating aspect of migraines, understanding its causes and treatment options can help sufferers reclaim some control — and relief — during an attack.