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A systematic review to assess the use of psilocybin in the treatment of headaches

Summary

Researchers reviewed eight studies examining whether psilocybin, a naturally occurring psychedelic compound found in certain mushrooms, could treat various types of headaches and migraines. Most studies found that psilocybin provided clinically significant relief, with participants experiencing improvements in how often they got headaches, how intense they were, and how long they lasted. However, some users experienced side effects like hallucinations or temporary increases in anxiety, and the compound remains illegal in most countries, limiting current research.

Background

Psilocybin is a naturally occurring psychedelic compound with demonstrated effects in treating depression, anxiety and pain management. Due to its structural similarity to serotonin, a monoamine that regulates brain pain modulation, preliminary studies have investigated psilocybin’s potential serotonergic interactions with headaches.

Objective

To explore the efficacy of psilocybin as a treatment for individuals with various types of headaches, including migraines, essential headaches, cluster headaches and unclassified head pains.

Results

Eight articles were evaluated showing that six demonstrated clinical significance for psilocybin in headache treatment. Macrodosing showed higher pain relief than microdosing (12.3% difference in participants experiencing pain reduction). Improvements were reported in headache frequency, intensity, duration, and remission period, with 91% of participants showing extended remission periods. Adverse effects included hallucinations in 18% with essential headaches, anxiety and pain increases in 5.3-14.1%, and one study noted increased arterial pressure.

Conclusion

Six of eight studies showed psilocybin was clinically significant for headache treatment based on self-reports. While the first controlled study for psilocybin use in headaches was detailed, psilocybin remains illegal in many countries, necessitating further regulated research.
  • Published in:European Psychiatry,
  • Study Type:Systematic Review,
  • Source: PMID: PMC10660046, DOI: 10.1192/j.eurpsy.2023.1286
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