Indoleamine Hallucinogens in Cluster Headache: Results of the Clusterbusters Medication Use Survey

Cluster headache is one of the most debilitating pain syndromes, and many patients do not respond to standard treatments. A survey of 496 people with cluster headache, recruited from websites and clinics, found that the indoleamine hallucinogens psilocybin, lysergic acid diethylamide, and lysergic acid amide were rated as comparable to or more effective than most conventional medications for aborting attacks and preventing them. These substances were also perceived to shorten or abort a cluster period and bring chronic cluster headache into remission more often than conventional medications. Even infrequent, non-hallucinogenic doses were reported as effective. The findings reinforce the need for further controlled studies of these compounds.

Study at a glance

Abstract

Cluster headache is one of the most debilitating pain syndromes. A significant number of patients are refractory to conventional therapies. The Clusterbusters.org medication use survey sought to characterize the effects of both conventional and alternative medications used in cluster headache. Participants were recruited from cluster headache websites and headache clinics. The final analysis included responses from 496 participants. The survey was modeled after previously published surveys and was available online. Most responses were chosen from a list, though others were free-texted. Conventional abortive and preventative medications were identified and their efficacies agreed with those previously published. The indoleamine hallucinogens, psilocybin, lysergic acid diethylamide, and lysergic acid amide, were comparable to or more efficacious than most conventional medications. These agents were also perceived to shorten/abort a cluster period and bring chronic cluster headache into remission more so than conventional medications. Furthermore, infrequent and non-hallucinogenic doses were reported to be efficacious. Findings provide additional evidence that several indoleamine hallucinogens are rated as effective in treating cluster headache. These data reinforce the need for further investigation of the effects of these and related compounds in cluster headache under experimentally controlled settings.