That Throbbing Head? Your Coffee Might Have the Answer Headaches are among the most universal complaints — from the low-grade tension that builds after a stressful afternoon to the debilitating pulses of a full-blown migraine. While most people instinctively reach for a painkiller, there's a surprisingly effective ally that may already be sitting in your kitchen: a cup of black coffee. How Caffeine Works on Headache Pain The science here is more interesting than it might seem