Jemma O’Donovan, a 28-year-old based in the U.K., has turned to a retro candy—the Barratt Sherbet Dip Dab—to help manage her frequent, debilitating migraine symptoms. According to People, O’Donovan experiences these episodes twice weekly, characterized by aura, dizziness, and intense pain, and discovered that the fizzy sensation of the candy provides a distraction that helps her function during an attack.
How a Classic Candy Became a Migraine Hack
The discovery was entirely accidental. While shopping at Tesco, O’Donovan purchased the treat from the children’s section. After consuming the strawberry-flavored lollipop and sherbet powder, she noticed her symptoms plateaued within 15 minutes. According to her account shared with Kennedy News & Media, the fizziness distracted her brain, allowing her to move past the initial intensity of the migraine. She describes the sensation as similar to a “baking powder taste” and compares the strategy to the well-known “coke and fries” combination of salty and sweet.
O’Donovan notes that she still uses “heavy-hitting” prescribed medication for her migraines, but she finds that the candy helps her manage symptoms when the side effects of her prescriptions—which can make her feel like her body is turning to “cement”—are too severe to handle while working.
Can Sweet and Fizzy Treats Actually Help?
While O’Donovan emphasizes that the Dip Dab is “not a complete fix,” it has become a staple in her routine. She now keeps a supply in her room to ensure she is prepared when an aura—her “warning sign”—appears. Her TikTok video detailing the hack has resonated with others in the migraine community, some of whom noted that doctors have previously suggested that sour or fizzy sweets might help take the edge off symptoms. Other social media users suggested their own anecdotal remedies, including black coffee, energy drinks, and salty snacks like chips.
Future Trends in Migraine Symptom Management
The interest in O’Donovan’s experience highlights a growing trend of patients sharing “off-label” lifestyle hacks on social media platforms like TikTok. As patients seek ways to maintain functionality while working full-time, these anecdotal discoveries often gain traction faster than formal clinical studies. While medical professionals generally emphasize evidence-based treatments, the conversation around sensory-based distractions—like the fizziness of a sherbet candy—is gaining visibility as a low-risk, supplemental way to navigate the physical limitations of a migraine.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What symptoms does Jemma O’Donovan experience? She reports suffering from migraines twice a week, including symptoms like migraine aura, flashing lights, dizziness, double vision, vomiting, and intense body pain.
- Does the candy cure migraines? No. O’Donovan clarifies it is not a cure but helps her manage symptoms enough to “get up and get on with your day.”
- Why does she think it works? She believes the fizzy sensation acts as a sensory distraction for the brain.
Have you discovered any unconventional hacks that help you manage your daily health challenges? Share your experiences in the comments below or subscribe to our newsletter for more human-interest stories and wellness insights.
