Cluster headaches are extremely painful and come in waves, often at the same time every day, for weeks or months. Regular pain medications don’t always help, and people who suffer from cluster headaches are often desperate for relief. Scientists are now looking at an unexpected solution: psychedelics like psilocybin (from magic mushrooms) and LSD.
In this article, we’ll explain how psychedelics might help with cluster headaches and why they could be a new way to treat this condition.
What Are Cluster Headaches?
Cluster headaches are known for their intense, sharp pain, usually focused around one eye. The headaches come in “clusters,” meaning they happen frequently over a period of time—sometimes several times a day for weeks or even months. Each headache can last from 15 minutes to a few hours.
Common symptoms of cluster headaches include:
- Severe pain around one eye.
- Restlessness or the feeling that you can’t sit still during an attack.
- Red, watery eyes or a stuffy nose on the same side as the headache.
- Swelling or puffiness around the eye.
Why Are Cluster Headaches Hard to Treat?
Cluster headaches are tough to treat because regular painkillers, like aspirin or ibuprofen, don’t work well. Even stronger medications that doctors prescribe don’t always help. Some people use oxygen therapy or injections of triptans (medication often used for migraines), but these treatments aren’t effective for everyone.
Because the pain is so severe and treatment options are limited, researchers are looking for new ways to help people with cluster headaches—this is where psychedelics come in.
How Could Psychedelics Help?
Psychedelics like psilocybin and LSD affect the brain in ways that may help stop cluster headaches. Here’s how:
1. Balancing Serotonin
Both psilocybin and LSD interact with serotonin receptors in the brain. Serotonin is a chemical that helps regulate mood and pain. Since cluster headaches may be related to changes in serotonin levels, psychedelics could help balance these levels and reduce the number of headaches.
2. Stopping the Headache Cycle
Many people with cluster headaches report that taking psychedelics can “break” the cycle of headaches. This means the headaches stop for a period of time—sometimes weeks or months—after using psychedelics.
3. Reducing Inflammation
Psychedelics might also help by reducing inflammation in the brain. Inflammation is thought to play a role in causing cluster headaches, so lowering it could prevent the headaches from starting.
What Does the Research Say?
Even though research is still new, some studies have shown that psychedelics could be an effective treatment for cluster headaches:
- Psilocybin: People who have taken psilocybin report that their cluster headaches became less frequent or stopped completely. For some, just one dose of psilocybin broke the cycle of headaches for weeks or months.
- LSD: In another study, people who used LSD to treat cluster headaches said the number of headaches they experienced dropped significantly, and in some cases, the headaches stopped altogether for a while.
- Microdosing: Some people find relief from very small doses of psychedelics—this is called microdosing. With microdosing, people take tiny amounts of the drug regularly, without experiencing the full psychedelic effects. Microdosing might offer headache relief without the intense trip.
How Is Psychedelic Therapy Done for Cluster Headaches?
Using psychedelics for cluster headaches is still experimental, and it’s not widely accepted as a treatment yet. Here’s how it might work:
1. Taking a Dose
The person takes a measured dose of psilocybin or LSD. Some people take a full dose, which can cause hallucinations and intense experiences, while others try microdosing, where they take small amounts that don’t cause these effects.
2. The Experience
For those taking a full dose, the psychedelic experience can include hallucinations, changes in how they see the world, and deep emotions. Microdosing usually doesn’t cause these effects, and people can continue with their day as normal.
3. Breaking the Headache Cycle
Some people find that psychedelics “reset” their brain, stopping the cycle of cluster headaches. This relief can last for weeks or even months.
Is It Safe?
Using psychedelics for cluster headaches is still a new idea, and it’s important to be cautious. While some people have found relief, psychedelics can cause strong effects on the mind, like hallucinations and intense emotions. People with certain mental health conditions, like schizophrenia, might not be able to safely use psychedelics.
It’s also important to know that psychedelics are illegal in many places, including the U.S. Some people who want to try psychedelics for cluster headaches travel to countries where they are legal or join clinical trials where these substances can be used legally.
The Future of Psychedelics for Cluster Headaches
As more research is done, we may see psychedelics like psilocybin and LSD become a regular treatment for cluster headaches. Early results are promising, and scientists are continuing to study how these substances affect the brain and help prevent headaches.
In the future, psychedelics could be an important tool for treating cluster headaches, especially for people who haven’t found relief with other treatments.
Conclusion: A New Hope for Cluster Headaches?
Cluster headaches are one of the most painful types of headaches, and current treatments don’t work for everyone. Psychedelics like psilocybin and LSD offer a new option that might provide relief by balancing serotonin levels, reducing inflammation, and stopping the cycle of headaches.
While more research is needed, the early studies are encouraging. With careful use and more understanding, psychedelics could become a new way to help people with cluster headaches manage their pain and live better lives.