Psychedelics in the treatment of cluster headaches
Klinická farmakologie a farmacie April 29, 2025 Michal Židó, Tomáš Páleníček, Ivana Štětkářová
Psychedelics are psychoactive substances that typically induce changes in perception, thinking, emotionality, and cognitive processes immediately after use. Their antidepressant and anxiolytic effects are being intensively studied. A main advantage is rapid onset of action with long-lasting effects after one or only a few doses, along with a good safety profile. These substances may also have potential in treating chronic pain from neuropathy and primary headaches, such as cluster headache. Cluster headache is a rare disorder with episodes of intense pain and autonomic symptoms that can severely limit patients. Although conventional treatment is sufficiently effective and safe for most patients, a subgroup does not respond well. Based on recent data, tryptamine and ergoline psychedelics like psilocybin and LSD and some derivatives represent a new potential therapeutic source, though still experimental.