Cardi B Uses A Super Effective Wellness Technique To Control Her Migraines

Only those who have dealt with migraines truly understand how torturous they can be (and, no, we aren’t being dramatic). A migraine isn’t just a bad headache. According to the Mayo Clinic, “a migraine can cause severe throbbing pain or a pulsing sensation…[and is] often accompanied by nausea, vomiting, and extreme sensitivity to light and sound.” And migraine attacks can last more than just an hour or so — they can sometimes go on for days at a time. And once one has taken hold, there is very little you can do to ease the pain or make it go away.

So, if you do get chronic migraines, you’re pretty much willing to do whatever you can to both prevent them from happening in the first place and stop them in their tracks when they try to creep in. There are lots of different types of medicine out there that can help, of course, but a lot of people don’t like the side effects of those either, and look to alternate  methods to control them. And who would have thought we’d be taking that kind of advice from Cardi B?

As it turns out, Cardi B gets awful migraines, and she has opened up about one super effective way she has been able to control them.

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The rapper revealed in an interview with GQ that her rise to fame has probably contributed to her onslaught of migraines.

Cardi B said that ever since her career really started to flourish, she’s “begun suffering newly intense migraines.”

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That’s not too surprising.

While doctors and researchers still don’t know exactly what causes migraines, they do believe that stress and anxiety can definitely be contributing factors, according to the Office on Women’s Health.

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So, what does Cardi B do about her migraines?

In a recent tweet, she explained her go-to cure: working out.

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Cardi B wrote, “I been working out for the past 2 weeks cause bitch I ain’t getting surgery again😂😂😂but let me tell you I haven’t got a headache ever since.”

In March 2019, the rapper posted a photo of her hospital bracelet on an Instagram Story, saying, “My migraines was soo bad last night I couldn’t take it.”

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This isn’t the first time Cardi B has opened up about her migraines.

In 2017, she tweeted that they were the “worst thing ever.”

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Also in 2017, she came to Twitter and her fans for help, asking for any advice they had. She got a lot of suggestions – maybe exercise was one of them?

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So, is Cardi B’s method for controlling migraines actually legit?

It may very well be.

In 2015, the American Migraine Foundation reported that exercising on a regular basis could help to “reduce the frequency and intensity of headaches and migraines.” Why’s that? Apparently, the release of endorphins during a good workout sesh doubles up as a natural painkiller while also helping to relieve stress and give you a better night’s sleep – two things that are also super effective in controlling migraines.

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The group also cited a study that found that regular exercise can prevent a migraine from happening in the first place.

The study looked at people who exercised for 40 minutes a day, three times a week, which, when you think about it, is pretty doable.

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However, exercise isn’t a miracle cure.

According to Self, exercise can actually be a migraine trigger for some people.

Ugh.

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And, unfortunately, doctors and researchers don’t really know why that would be, although they do have a few theories. Some believe that it’s because of excess pressure going from your chest to your brain, which can happen when you hold your breath during a workout, something that many people do without thinking about it (this is also referred to as a Valsalva maneuver).

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Really, there are quite a few factors that should be considered.

Self also pointed out that exercising when it’s really hot could be a trigger for a migraine, as well as getting in a workout sesh at a high altitude.

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So, is Cardi B right or wrong?

Well, as the New York Times points out, it’s both.

Some people can experience fewer migraines with regular exercise, while others may suffer from migraines because of exercise. Yikes.

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In December 2017, Cardi B mentioned another technique she tries.

She said that she stops drinking beer and changes her diet when she gets hit with a migraine.

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This can also be effective, for some people at least. The American Migraine Foundation says that alcohol can definitely be a migraine trigger, so if it is for you, avoiding it would obviously be best.

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And, according to VeryWell Health, certain foods are believed to trigger migraines in certain people. But there’s not too much science behind whether or not there are confirmed foods that can make migraines better or worse. It’s really situational, and totally depends on your own body’s reactions.

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So, while Cardi B’s advice might be helpful for some, it’s important to remember this: migraines hit everyone differently.

And what relieves them for some people won’t do so for everyone, and could in fact even make them even worse.

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Migraines are definitely frustrating, and it’s a constant battle of trial and error. But hopefully Cardi’s tips will help someone out there!