Psilocybin for Migraines

Migraine Causes

Researchers understand how migraines occur but are still learning about their causes. When triggered, the blood vessels of people with migraine conditions send pain signals to the brain. In response, the body releases inflammatory compounds that irritate the vascular system. Neurologists are working to unlock the anatomical and biochemical forces that lead to the condition.

Healthcare professionals know that the condition is hereditary and more common in women. Smoking and unmanaged stress contribute to the occurrence and severity of the episodes. Beyond the cause of the underlying condition, specific events or stimuli trigger individual headaches. While triggers vary from person to person and can change over time, common triggers include:

• Certain foods or chemical preservatives
• Changes in sleep duration or quality
• Emotional distress
• Flashing or bright light
• Hormonal changes
• Strong or agitating odors, including smoke or perfume
• Weather fluctuations affecting humidity and bariatric pressure

While people can control some of their triggers, many are environmental or external, limiting an individual’s ability to prevent migraines. The level of exposure or intensity of a trigger can lead to the rapid onset or a prolonged run-up to the painful stage of the migraine. Individuals with the condition often keep detailed journals to assess and identify their triggers.

Can Psilocybin Treat Migraines?

Clinical research into psilocybin therapy for the treatment of migraines is in its early stages, but most researchers agree that magic mushrooms are a viable treatment option. Several studies dating back to the 2010s reported positive results for patients consuming doses of psilocybin. There is also a wealth of anecdotal evidence.

As their body of evidence grows, neurology and psychiatry researchers will conduct larger clinical trials as part of their new research. These in-depth studies will guide the formation of treatment protocols and recommendations for migraine management with psilocybin.

A 2021 study of 10 migraine sufferers reported that a single treatment with low-dose psilocybi was beneficial for two weeks. The study revealed that migraine attacks were less frequent and less severe even though the patient only consumed a single dose of psilocybin. Researchers also noted patients did not experience adverse reactions to their psychedelic experiences.

Researchers have noted that the psychedelic drug is an agonist to serotonin, binding to 5-HT2A receptors in the brain. This mechanism potentially explains its ability to combat headache symptoms. Triptans, the main type of conventional migraine medication, work by increasing serotonin levels to constrict blood vessels and lower pain.

Further study is needed to understand how psilocybin mushrooms achieve their effect on migraines. Some researchers have proposed that there is an anti-inflammatory response that limits the neurological signaling that leads to migraine pain.