Restaurants: People swear by this McDonald’s ‘migraine hack’ order to relieve their pain: ‘It’s immediately cured’

Why it is the topic trending:

• Viral TikTok video claiming the McDonald's order helps cure migraines gained over 3.8 million views, indicating widespread interest.

• Numerous comments on the video echoed similar positive experiences with this combination for migraine relief.

• The article presents possible scientific explanations for the perceived benefits (caffeine and salt).

• It highlights the intersection of fast food, health hacks, and the influence of social media, which are all popular topics online.

• The surprising nature of a fast-food "cure" for a medical condition like migraines makes it newsworthy and shareable.

Overview: The article discusses a trending "migraine hack" on TikTok where users claim that consuming a large Coca-Cola and large fries from McDonald's can alleviate migraine pain. This simple combination has garnered significant attention online, with many individuals sharing anecdotal experiences of its effectiveness, which the article explores through potential scientific explanations involving caffeine and salt.

Detailed findings:

• A viral TikTok video showed a user trying the McDonald's order for a 48-hour headache and reporting its potential benefit.

• Comments on the video supported the claim, with users attributing the relief to the salt and caffeine content of the order.

• Some commenters specified preferences like full-sugar Coke over Diet Coke, suggesting variations in the perceived effectiveness.

• Experts cited in the article suggest that caffeine in Coke can help with short-term migraine relief, especially when combined with pain relievers.

• Migraines are sometimes linked to mineral deficiencies like sodium, and the salt on fries could potentially help replenish electrolytes.

• Doctors advise that while this hack might work for some, it's not a cure-all and frequent reliance on fast food is unhealthy.

Key success factors of product (trend):

• Simplicity and Accessibility: The "hack" involves easily obtainable items from a widely recognized fast-food chain.

• Anecdotal Evidence and Social Proof: Numerous individuals online share positive experiences, creating a sense of social validation.

• Potential Physiological Basis: The article offers plausible scientific reasons (caffeine and salt) for the reported relief.

• Low Barrier to Entry: It's an inexpensive and low-risk experiment for migraine sufferers to try.

• Relatability: Many people experience headaches or migraines, making the topic highly relatable.

Key takeaway: This McDonald's "migraine hack" highlights the power of social media in disseminating health-related trends and the human tendency to seek simple, accessible solutions for common ailments, even if they lack rigorous scientific backing and should be approached with caution.

Main trend: The Use of Everyday Food and Beverages as DIY Health Remedies Shared Through Social Media.

Description of the trend: "TikTok Rx: The Democratization of Dietary Health Hacks." This trend describes the increasing phenomenon of individuals sharing and popularizing DIY health remedies, often involving readily available foods and beverages, through social media platforms like TikTok. These "hacks" frequently lack scientific validation but gain traction through anecdotal evidence and the desire for quick, accessible solutions to common health issues. The McDonald's "migraine meal" exemplifies this trend, where a fast-food order is purported to alleviate migraine pain, showcasing the democratization of health information and the power of peer-to-peer recommendations online.

What is consumer motivation:

• Seeking Quick and Easy Relief: Migraine sufferers are often desperate for fast and accessible ways to alleviate their debilitating pain.

• Trust in Peer Experiences: Many individuals find anecdotal evidence and personal recommendations on social media relatable and trustworthy.

• Desire for Affordable Solutions: DIY remedies using readily available food items can be perceived as a cheaper alternative to traditional medical treatments.

• Sense of Community and Shared Experience: Participating in online health trends can foster a sense of community among individuals experiencing similar issues.

• Hope for a Simple Cure: The allure of a straightforward solution using familiar items can be very appealing when dealing with chronic pain.

What is driving trend:

• Power of Social Media Algorithms: Platforms like TikTok are designed to surface viral content, quickly spreading anecdotal health claims to a large audience.

• Accessibility of Information: Social media has democratized health information, allowing anyone to share their personal remedies, regardless of scientific validity.

• Distrust or Skepticism Towards Traditional Medicine: Some individuals may be seeking alternative or complementary approaches to health and wellness.

• Relatability and Authenticity of Personal Stories: Personal accounts of relief from everyday items can resonate more deeply with some individuals than clinical data.

• Urgency and Pain Associated with Conditions Like Migraines: The desperation for relief can lead individuals to try unverified remedies.

What is motivation beyond the trend:

• Empowerment through Self-Treatment: Discovering or sharing a DIY remedy can provide a sense of control over one's health.

• Belief in Natural or Simple Solutions: Some individuals are drawn to the idea that everyday items might hold the key to alleviating health problems.

• Seeking Validation and Connection: Sharing and receiving positive feedback on health hacks can provide social validation and a sense of connection.

Description of consumers article is referring to: The article primarily refers to:

• Age: Likely skews towards younger demographics who are active on TikTok, but migraine sufferers span all age groups.

• Gender: Migraines are more prevalent in women, so a significant portion of this trend's participants may be female.

• Lifestyle: Individuals seeking quick, accessible, and potentially affordable solutions for migraine relief, often those who are active on social media.

• Health Condition: People who experience migraines or frequent headaches and are looking for ways to manage their pain.

• Shopping preferences:

  • Preference for Convenience and Accessibility: Consumers often seek quick and easily obtainable solutions, especially when dealing with ailments like migraines. The reliance on a readily available fast-food order highlights this preference.

  • Influence of Social Media Trends: Online platforms like TikTok play a significant role in shaping consumer behavior, with viral trends and anecdotal evidence influencing purchasing decisions, even for health-related "hacks."

  • Value for Affordability: The use of fast food as a potential remedy suggests that consumers may look for cost-effective solutions for common issues.

  • Trust and Familiarity with Established Brands: Consumers might turn to well-known and trusted brands like McDonald's, even for unconventional purposes, possibly due to a sense of familiarity and reliability.

  • Desire for Immediate Relief: When experiencing discomfort like a migraine, consumers prioritize solutions that offer the promise of fast and effective relief, even if they are not scientifically proven.

  • Openness to Simple, Readily Available Items: The hack involves just two common items, indicating a preference for simple, no-fuss solutions over more complex or specialized products.

  • Potential for Impulse Buys Based on Perceived Relief: The urgent nature of migraine pain can lead consumers to make immediate, unplanned purchases based on trending or suggested remedies.

Conclusions: The McDonald's "migraine hack" exemplifies the growing trend of using everyday foods as DIY health remedies, fueled by the rapid dissemination of anecdotal evidence through social media. While some individuals report positive results, it's crucial to approach such trends with caution and recognize that they often lack rigorous scientific validation and should not replace professional medical advice.

Implications for brands:

• Potential for Unexpected Product Uses: Everyday food and beverage items can gain unexpected popularity for uses beyond their intended purpose.

• Power of User-Generated Content: Social media trends driven by user experiences can significantly impact brand perception and sales.

• Opportunity for Engagement (with Caution): Brands can engage with these trends, but should do so responsibly and avoid endorsing unverified health claims.

Implication for society:

• Democratization and Misinformation in Health Information: Social media can provide widespread access to health tips, but it also risks spreading inaccurate or unverified claims.

• Influence of Peer Recommendations on Health Behaviors: Personal anecdotes shared online can significantly impact individuals' approaches to health and wellness.

• Need for Critical Evaluation of Online Health Content: It's crucial for individuals to critically assess health information found on social media and consult with healthcare professionals.

Implications for consumers:

• Access to a Wide Range of Potential Remedies: Social media can expose individuals to diverse and sometimes unconventional approaches to health.

• Risk of Relying on Unverified Information: Consumers may try remedies that lack scientific evidence and could potentially be ineffective or even harmful.

• Importance of Consulting Healthcare Professionals: It's essential for individuals to seek professional medical advice for conditions like migraines instead of solely relying on online trends.

Implication for Future:

• DIY health hacks shared through social media will likely continue to be a prevalent trend.

• Food and beverage brands might see more unexpected uses for their products emerge through online communities.

• There will be an ongoing need for education on how to critically evaluate health information found online.

Consumer Trend:

• Name: DIY Dietary Wellness Hacks

• Detailed Description: Consumers are increasingly turning to readily available foods and beverages, often shared and discovered through social media, as do-it-yourself remedies for various health concerns. These hacks often lack scientific validation but gain traction due to their accessibility and anecdotal reports of effectiveness.

Consumer Sub Trend:

• Name: Social Media-Driven Health Anecdotes

• Detailed Description: Personal stories and anecdotal evidence shared by individuals on social media platforms are increasingly influencing how others perceive and approach health and wellness, often leading to the rapid spread of unverified health claims.

Big Social Trend:

• Name: The Democratization of Information and Expertise

• Detailed Description: The internet and social media have flattened traditional hierarchies of information, allowing individuals to share knowledge and experiences widely, sometimes bypassing or challenging established expert opinions, including in the realm of health.

Worldwide Social Trend:

• Name: Global Self-Care and Wellness Communities Online

• Detailed Description: Individuals across the globe are forming online communities centered around self-care and wellness practices, often sharing tips and remedies that may or may not be scientifically proven.

Social Drive:

• Name: The Desire for Accessible and Immediate Solutions

• Detailed Description: Individuals are often driven by the desire for quick, easy, and affordable solutions to their health problems, making readily available dietary remedies shared online particularly appealing.

Learnings for brands to use in 2025:

• Monitor social media for unexpected uses of your products that resonate with consumers.

• Recognize the potential for user-generated content to drive awareness and trial, even for unconventional purposes.

• If engaging with health-related trends, prioritize responsible communication and avoid endorsing unverified claims.

• Understand that consumer interest in simple, accessible remedies is likely to continue.

• Be aware of how your brand and products are being discussed within online health and wellness communities.

Strategy Recommendations for brands to follow in 2025:

• Consider monitoring social listening tools to identify emerging DIY uses for your products and understand consumer motivations.

• If appropriate, create content that gently guides consumers towards verified information while acknowledging popular trends.

• Partner with healthcare professionals or experts to provide accurate information related to your product and potential health benefits (or lack thereof for unverified hacks).

• Be cautious about directly promoting or endorsing unverified health claims, as this could lead to reputational risks.

• Focus on the established benefits and intended uses of your products while being aware of unconventional trends.

Final sentence (key concept) describing main trend from article and what brands & companies should do in 2025 to benefit from trend and how to do it: The "TikTok Rx" trend highlights the democratization of dietary health hacks, urging brands and companies in 2025 to monitor these online conversations, understand consumer motivations, and communicate responsibly while focusing on the verified uses and benefits of their products.

Final note:

• Core Trend:

  • Name: DIY Dietary Wellness Hacks

  • Detailed Description: The growing popularity of using readily available foods and beverages as self-prescribed remedies for health issues, often shared online.

• Core Strategy:

  • Name: Responsible Monitoring of User-Generated Content

  • Detailed Description: Brands should actively track online discussions and trends related to their products, especially regarding health claims, and respond with caution and accuracy.

• Core Industry Trend:

  • Name: Intersection of Social Media and Health Information

  • Detailed Description: Social media platforms are increasingly becoming sources of health-related information, both accurate and inaccurate, influencing consumer beliefs and behaviors.

• Core Consumer Motivation:

  • Name: Seeking Accessible and Immediate Health Solutions

  • Detailed Description: Consumers are often motivated by the desire for quick, easy, and affordable ways to address their health concerns.

• Final Conclusion: The McDonald's "migraine hack" illustrates a significant trend of DIY health remedies spreading through social media, underscoring the need for critical evaluation of online health information and responsible engagement from brands.

Core Trend Detailed description:

The Use of Everyday Food and Beverages as DIY Health Remedies Shared Through Social Media describes a significant and evolving trend where individuals are increasingly leveraging readily available food and beverage items as do-it-yourself (DIY) remedies for various health concerns. This phenomenon is heavily amplified and disseminated through social media platforms, particularly TikTok, where users share anecdotal evidence, personal experiences, and unconventional uses for common grocery items. The McDonald's "migraine hack" is a prime example, where a specific fast-food order is purported to alleviate migraine pain. This trend reflects a shift towards a more democratized approach to health information and problem-solving, where peer-to-peer recommendations and viral content can significantly influence individuals' approaches to managing their health and well-being, often bypassing traditional medical advice or scientific validation.

Key Characteristics of the Trend (summary, detailed description):

• Summary: Utilizing common food and drinks for perceived health benefits, rapid spread through social media, and reliance on anecdotal evidence.

• Detailed Description: The key characteristic of this trend is the repurposing of everyday, easily accessible food and beverage items for health benefits that are not their primary intended use. The "remedies" are often simple and involve readily obtainable products like Coca-Cola and french fries. The trend's propagation is heavily reliant on social media platforms, where personal stories and viral videos can quickly reach a massive audience. A significant aspect is the emphasis on individual experiences and anecdotal reports of effectiveness, which often carry more weight with consumers than scientific studies or expert opinions shared in traditional medical channels.

Market and Cultural Signals Supporting the Trend (summary, detailed description):

• Summary: Viral TikTok videos with millions of views, widespread positive comments and shared experiences, and media coverage of these online health "hacks."

• Detailed Description:

  • Viral TikTok Video: The fact that a TikTok video promoting the McDonald's "migraine hack" garnered over 3.8 million views is a strong market and cultural signal. This demonstrates the immense reach and influence of social media in shaping health-related beliefs and behaviors.

  • Positive User Comments: The numerous comments on the viral video where other users corroborated the experience, claiming that this McDonald's order also helps their migraines, provides significant social proof and reinforces the perceived effectiveness of the "hack" within online communities.

  • Media Attention: The article itself, published by a reputable news source, signals the cultural relevance and newsworthiness of these social media-driven health trends, bringing them to the attention of a broader audience beyond just TikTok users.

How the Trend Is Changing Consumer Behavior (summary):

• Summary: Turning to social media for health advice, experimenting with dietary "cures," and prioritizing anecdotal evidence over professional guidance.

• Detailed Description: This trend is demonstrably changing how some consumers approach their health concerns. Instead of solely relying on traditional medical sources or pharmaceutical interventions for common ailments like headaches or migraines, individuals are increasingly turning to social media platforms like TikTok to discover potential remedies. They are more likely to experiment with dietary changes or readily available food items based on anecdotal accounts shared online, showcasing a tendency to prioritize personal stories and peer recommendations over professional medical advice.

Implications Across the Ecosystem (For Brands and CPGs, For Retailers, For Consumers, summary)):

• Summary for Brands and CPGs: Unexpected product uses can emerge from user-generated content; requires careful navigation of health claims. Retailers may see unexpected spikes in demand for certain items. Consumers gain access to a wide range of unverified remedies but face the risk of misinformation.

• Detailed Description for Brands and CPGs: Brands might find their everyday products being used in unexpected ways for perceived health benefits, driven by social media trends. This presents both opportunities and challenges, requiring careful consideration of how to respond to these claims without endorsing unverified or potentially harmful practices.

• Detailed Description for Retailers: Retailers, particularly fast-food chains and grocery stores, might observe unexpected fluctuations in demand for specific items as these DIY health trends gain popularity online. This could necessitate adjustments in inventory and marketing strategies to capitalize on viral moments.

• Detailed Description for Consumers: Consumers gain access to a vast amount of health-related information and potential remedies through social media, often presented as accessible and affordable solutions. However, this also carries the risk of relying on inaccurate, unverified, or even harmful advice, highlighting the importance of critical evaluation and consultation with healthcare professionals.

Strategic Forecast:

The trend of using everyday food and beverages as DIY health remedies shared via social media is expected to persist and potentially grow in prevalence. The accessibility and virality of platforms like TikTok make them fertile ground for the rapid spread of such anecdotal health claims. We might see more creative and unconventional uses for common food items emerge, and brands will likely need to develop strategies for monitoring and responding to these trends responsibly. There will also be an ongoing tension between the democratization of health information and the need for evidence-based medical guidance.

Final Thought:

The McDonald's "migraine hack" vividly illustrates the powerful influence of social media on contemporary health beliefs and behaviors, showcasing how readily available foods can be perceived as simple solutions to complex health issues, while underscoring the critical importance of approaching such trends with a healthy dose of skepticism and prioritizing professional medical advice.

Source: https://nypost.com/2025/05/18/lifestyle/viral-mcdonalds-migraine-hack/