Psychedelics and Headache Disorders: an Update.
James J H Im, Claire H Sandoe
Current Neurology and Neuroscience Reports August 9, 2025 DOI: 10.1007/s11910-025-01446-2 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Review Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Topics | DMT LSD Psilocybin |
| Keywords | Cluster headache Migraine Psychedelics |
| Key findings | Observational data, case reports, and a few small controlled trials suggest that sub-hallucinogenic doses of psychedelics may provide symptom benefit for migraine and cluster headache, with generally favorable safety signals. The authors contend that additional studies are needed to confirm effectiveness and ensure safety before these compounds can be recommended, and that legal considerations complicate access. |
Abstract
Psychedelics are often queried as a potential therapeutic option in a multitude of conditions, including pain and mental health disorders, with a growing body of patient reports and scientific publications describing potential benefit. This article reviews recent research on psychedelic compounds for treatment of headache disorders. Observational data, case reports, and a few recent small, controlled trials suggest symptom benefit at sub-hallucinogenic doses for both migraine and cluster headache. There have not been new completed studies of psychedelics in other headache disorders. Safety signals also tend to be favorable, although there are continuing concerns for systemic and psychiatric effects in varying doses, preparations and clinical contexts. While available studies on psychedelics suggest potential benefit in cluster headache and migraine, access remains complex due to legal considerations, and additional studies are needed to confirm their effectiveness and to ensure safety before they can be recommended for use.
Comparable studies
Other narrative reviews on DMT, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Neuropharmacology of N,N-dimethyltryptamine | 2016 | Review | |
| N, N-Dimethyltryptamine (DMT), an Endogenous Hallucinogen: Past, Present, and Future Research to Determine Its Role and Function Humans and animals (general) | 2018 | Review | |
| Psychedelic 5-methoxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine: metabolism, pharmacokinetics, drug interactions, and pharmacological actions. Humans (pharmacokinetics) | 2010 | Review | |
| Pharmahuasca: Human Pharmacology of Oral DMT Plus Harmine Human self-experimenters | 1999 | Review | n = 8 |
| The psychedelic model of schizophrenia: the case of N,N- dimethyltryptamine | 1976 | Review |
Citations in the library
Cited by 2
Cites 35
- Human hallucinogen research: guidelines for safety. Journal of Psychopharmacology July 1, 2008
- Response of cluster headache to psilocybin and LSD Neurology June 26, 2006
- Psychedelic Drug Legislative Reform and Legalization in the US JAMA Psychiatry December 7, 2022
- Exploratory study of the dose-related safety, tolerability, and efficacy of dimethyltryptamine (DMT) in healthy volunteers and major depressive disorder. Neuropsychopharmacology September 1, 2022
- Psilocybin-assisted therapy for major depressive disorder: An exploratory placebo-controlled, fixed-order trial Journal of Psychopharmacology March 20, 2023
and 30 more in the library