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How Do Psychedelics Treat Cluster Headaches? Cluster headaches are characterized by frequent, intense pain episodes known as cluster periods, making them one of the most debilitating types of headaches. While these headaches are uncommon, not all treatments effectively alleviate the symptoms. Recently, many patients have reported positive results using psilocybin mushrooms for managing cluster headaches. This raises the question: can psilocybin aid those suffering from severe headaches? Read on to learn more.
What Are Cluster Headaches?
Cluster headaches typically cause sharp, one-sided pain, often centered around or behind an eye, and usually occur at night. These pain episodes can last for weeks or months, followed by remission periods where no headaches occur, sometimes lasting years. Appropriate medical interventions can significantly reduce both the severity and frequency of these headaches.
Symptoms of cluster headaches primarily include excruciating, one-sided pain around the eye, which may extend to other areas of the head. Additional signs include eye redness, a runny nose, swelling, excessive tearing, and sweating on the affected side. During a cluster period, attacks may happen daily or multiple times a day, with each episode lasting from 15 minutes to 3 hours. How Do Psychedelics Treat Cluster Headaches?
Current Treatments for Cluster Headaches
Currently, there is no definitive cure for severe cluster headaches, but several treatments can alleviate symptoms. Effective options include oxygen therapy, local anesthetics, injectable dihydroergotamine, octreotide, and triptans. In some cases, surgery may be recommended for patients who do not respond to other treatments, involving procedures that disrupt the nerve pathways linked to the pain.
How Do Psychedelics Treat Cluster Headaches?
Psychedelics like psilocybin share biochemical similarities with other substances such as LSD and ayahuasca, making them potential options for cluster headache treatment. Bob Wold, who founded the nonprofit organization Cluster Busters after enduring severe headaches for 30 years, advocates for the use of psychedelics for pain relief and aims to promote this treatment approach.
Wold, along with researchers from Harvard University, conducted a study with 53 participants diagnosed with cluster headaches, who took psilocybin or LSD. Their findings indicated that these psychedelics could halt cluster attacks, extend remission periods, and prevent future attacks for many patients. Microdosing with mushrooms has also shown to be beneficial, as it typically does not cause noticeable side effects.
The chemical structure of psychedelics resembles that of traditional cluster headache medications, which is why many users find psilocybin and LSD effective in reducing attacks. Additionally, psilocybin appears to decrease activity in the hypothalamus, an area of the brain often dysfunctional in those with cluster headaches.
Summary | How Do Psychedelics Treat Cluster Headaches?
Psilocybin may represent a promising treatment for cluster headaches, but further research is necessary. While severe headaches are rare, the potential of magic mushrooms as alternative therapies is encouraging.