Cluster headache (CH) is a debilitating condition with limited effective treatments. A survey of 314 Swedish CH patients found that less than half (46%) were satisfied with their abortive treatments, and 19% stopped functioning abortive treatments due to side effects. Among chronic CH patients, 17% had never tried the first-line preventive drug verapamil. A small subset (0–8%) had used illicit substances; psilocybin was reported effective as an abortive treatment by 100% (n = 8) and as a preventive treatment by 92% (n = 12). Verapamil showed some preventive effect for 68% (n = 85). Many patients are undertreated and experience side effects, indicating a need for new strategies and revised guidelines.
People who had ever used classic psychedelics such as LSD or psilocybin showed 25% lower odds of reporting frequent bad headaches, based on data from over 11,000 British adults. The analysis controlled for many other factors, suggesting a possible protective association. This finding adds to evidence that classic psychedelics might one day be developed as preventive treatments for migraine and cluster headache, though the study cannot prove cause and effect.