Search, is it possible that MSG can cause headaches or strange health-related things? For a few individuals? Or is it just placebo effect?

The connection between MSG (monosodium glutamate) and headaches or other health-related symptoms is still debated. Some people report symptoms like headaches, flushing, or nausea after consuming MSG, a reaction often referred to as “MSG symptom complex” or “Chinese restaurant syndrome.” However, scientific evidence does not consistently support a direct link between MSG and these symptoms for the majority of people.

Studies suggest that some individuals may experience mild, short-term effects such as headaches or muscle tightness, particularly after consuming high doses of MSG without food. However, these effects are typically not reproducible in controlled experiments, meaning that participants often do not consistently show symptoms when re-exposed to MSG under similar conditions, leading some researchers to believe that placebo or “nocebo” effects may be at play  .

For most people, consuming moderate amounts of MSG, especially when it is part of a meal, does not appear to cause any health issues. The FDA and other health organizations consider MSG safe for the general population . If you do feel sensitive to it, the best course of action is to avoid foods that contain MSG.