BACKGROUND: Patients with chronic cluster headache (CCH) suffer from poor sleep, which may impact their brain microstructure and parenchymal clearance of waste products. Psilocybin has shown promise for the treatment of CCH and has been linked to increased neuroplasticity with possible influences on brain microstructure. AIMS: To investigate the effects of p...
N,N-dimethyltryptamine (DMT) is a classical psychedelic with similar effects like LSD or psilocybin. Preliminary evidence from case series and small open-label trials suggests that psychedelics may be promising candidates for the treatment of several pain-related diseases such as chronic pain, migraine, cluster headache or phantom limb pain. However, data fr...
OBJECTIVE: The goals of this study were to examine the therapeutic effects and safety of psilocybin given as a pulsed regimen for the prevention of migraine and to consider the blinding integrity of an active control agent. BACKGROUND: The administration of a single low dose of psilocybin was observed to have lasting therapeutic effects in one small pilot tr...
Psychedelics are often queried as a potential therapeutic option in a multitude of conditions, including pain and mental health disorders, with a growing body of patient reports and scientific publications describing potential benefit. This article reviews recent research on psychedelic compounds for treatment of headache disorders. Observational data, case ...
In previous clinical trial work, the investigators observed lasting reductions in headache burden after limited dosing of psilocybin. This purpose of this study is to examine potential sources for this observed effect. This study will measure brain resting state functional connectivity (fMRI), central synaptic density (SV2A PET), peripheral markers of inflam...
Background Cluster headache is an excruciating condition for which standard treatments are usually insufficient. Evidence has accumulated that serotonergic psychedelic indoleamines including psilocybin and LSD can be effective in preventing attacks. Methods In this case series, nine patients with episodic and chronic cluster headache that didn’t respond to c...
To examine the relationship of acute psychedelic effects and measures of mental health with headache frequency in clinical trials of psilocybin in migraine and cluster headache.
Purpose of reviewExploration of the potential of serotonergic psychedelic drugs, such as psilocybin and LSD, as potential treatments for headache disorders. This review addresses the need for well-informed physician guidelines and discusses mechanisms, safety, and efficacy of these treatments. Further research, including the consideration of combination with...
Matt Butler has nothing to declare. Sanjay Cheema: Received a research fellowship sponsored by Abbott. Giorgio Lambru: Co-chair of the Medical Advisory Board of the Trigeminal neuralgia Association (TNA) UK; received personal fees from Abbvie, Teva, Novartis, Eli Lilly, Lundbeck; participated in clinical trials as principal investigator for Novartis, Eli Lil...
BACKGROUND: Short-lasting unilateral neuralgiform headache attacks (SUNHA) are trigeminal autonomic cephalalgias that feature intense and recurrent paroxysms of pain and autonomic symptoms. Many patients are left with debilitating symptoms despite best-available treatment. Psychedelics, such as the serotonin 2A partial agonist psilocybin, have shown promise ...
In seeking to understand the capacity for psilocybin to reduce migraine headache burden, this study will investigate single and repeated dosing of psilocybin up to two doses. In seeking to identify an underlying mechanism in psilocybin's effects, neuroinflammatory markers for migraine headache will be measured. Migraine headache is a common medical condition...
Abstract Objective To evaluate the feasibility and prophylactic effect of psilocybin as well as its effects on hypothalamic functional connectivity (FC) in patients with chronic cluster headache (CCH). Background CCH is an excruciating and difficult-to-treat disorder with incompletely understood pathophysiology, although hypothalamic dysfunction has been imp...
The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of oral psilocybin in migraine headache. Subjects will each receive a dose of placebo and a dose of psilocybin approximately 14 days apart. Subjects will be randomized to the order of treatment and they will be randomized to receive either low or high dose psilocybin. Subjects will maintain a headache d...
Background: Migraine is a common neurovascular disorder with a pathophysiology related to the serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine; 5-HT) system. Pharmacologic modulation of 5-HT receptors has demonstrated efficacy in the acute treatment of migraines. Psilocybin, a classic psychedelic with 5-HT receptor activity, has demonstrated therapeutic potential in the manag...
Psilocybin is increasingly studied for its antidepressant effect, but its optimal dosage for depression remains unclear. We conducted a systematic review and a dose-response meta-analysis to find the optimal dosage of psilocybin to reduce depression scores. Following our protocol (CRD42022220190) multiple electronic databases were searched from their incepti...
Purpose of reviewThis review presents the existing literature of and a framework for how psychedelic drugs might be applied as therapeutic agents in episodic migraine.Recent findingsThe therapeutic effects of psychedelics in headache disorders have been reported for decades and controlled investigations are now beginning. In the first and only clinical trial...
AimsWe aim to provide an evidence-based overview of the use of psychedelics in chronic pain, specifically LSD and psilocybin.ContentChronic pain is a common and complex problem, with an unknown etiology. Psychedelics like lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) and psilocybin, may play a role in the management of chronic pain. Through activation of the serotonin-2A...
ObjectiveUsing a patient-informed regimen, we conducted an exploratory randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study to systematically investigate the effects of psilocybin in cluster headache.BackgroundSustained reductions in cluster headache burden after limited quantities of psilocybin-containing mushrooms are anecdotally reported, although to date t...
Psychedelic substances have played important roles in diverse cultures, and ingesting various plant preparations to evoke altered states of consciousness has been described throughout recorded history. Accounts of the subjective effects of psychedelics typically focus on spiritual and mystical-type experiences, including feelings of unity, sacredness, and tr...
