Studying classic psychedelics for the management of headache disorders: Considerations for Veterans
Emmanuelle A. D. Schindler, Jason J. Sico
Journal of Military, Veteran and Family Health December 1, 2023 DOI: 10.3138/jmvfh-2023-0006 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Review Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Topics | LSD Psilocybin |
| Keywords | Headaches Migraine Cluster headache |
| Key findings | Psychedelics such as LSD and psilocybin may provide long-lasting headache relief, but formal studies are small and not conclusive. |
Abstract
LAY SUMMARY Patients with headache disorders, such as migraine or cluster headache, often have poor quality of life and can be disabled by their condition. Military members and Veterans have a high risk of developing a headache disorder, particularly because they are also at risk for brain injury through head trauma. New headache treatments are needed, because the available treatments may not work, have too many side effects, or are not affordable. Psychedelics have been discussed as a treatment in headache disorders for more than 50 years. Patients report that drugs such as lysergic acid diethylamide (a synthetic psychedelic) and psilocybin (a compound found in so-called magic mushrooms) provide long-lasting relief from headaches for weeks or months after just a single or few doses. Formal studies investigating this unique ability are starting to take place. Findings from the first studies of psilocybin in migraine and cluster headache are encouraging, although these studies are small and not conclusive, and more research is needed. Veterans have been active in the recent re-emergence of psychedelics, although they may not all be able, or willing, to take part in studies because of underlying health conditions or viewpoints gained through military experience.
Comparable studies
Other narrative reviews on LSD, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Study of a New Schizophrenomimetic Drug—Sernyl | 1959 | Review | |
| Classic psychedelics: An integrative review of epidemiology, therapeutics, mystical experience, and brain network function. General population | 2019 | Integrative review | |
| The Pharmacology of Lysergic Acid Diethylamide: A Review | 2008 | Review | |
| Serotonin research: contributions to understanding psychoses | 2008 | Review | |
| ADVERSE REACTIONS TO PSYCHEDELIC DRUGS. A REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE | 1984 | Review |
Citations in the library
Cites 15
- Effects of Psilocybin-Assisted Therapy on Major Depressive Disorder JAMA Psychiatry November 4, 2020
- Percentage of Heavy Drinking Days Following Psilocybin-Assisted Psychotherapy vs Placebo in the Treatment of Adult Patients With Alcohol Use Disorder JAMA Psychiatry August 24, 2022
- Psychedelics as Medicines: An Emerging New Paradigm Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics November 4, 2016
- Response of cluster headache to psilocybin and LSD Neurology June 26, 2006
- Exploratory Controlled Study of the Migraine-Suppressing Effects of Psilocybin. Neurotherapeutics 2021
and 10 more in the library