Exploring the Potential of Psychedelics in the Treatment of Headache Disorders: Clinical Considerations and Exploratory Insights.
Current pain and headache reports January 16, 2025 Isabella Henderson, Ronnie Elsaadany, Gabriel Chan et al. 4 citations
Serotonergic psychedelic drugs like psilocybin and LSD show promise as treatments for headache disorders, including migraine and cluster headache. Some patients who underwent brief treatment periods experienced reduced headache attack frequency, severity, or duration. When prescription medications are ineffective or habit-forming, patients often turn to these alternatives. This review assesses the literature on mechanisms, safety, and efficacy, emphasizing that physicians should be well-informed to advise patients who self-treat. Further research is needed, including combining psychedelics with psychotherapy like cognitive behavioral therapy.