Indoleamine Hallucinogens in Cluster Headache: Results of the Clusterbusters Medication Use Survey
This survey study (n=496) found that indoleamine hallucinogens such as psilocybin and LSD are reportedly comparable to or superior in efficacy against cluster headaches than conventional treatments. Importantly, infrequent and non-hallucinogenic doses of these substances were reported to suffice for this effect to occur.
Authors
- Emmanuelle Schindler
- Andrew Sewell
- Christopher Gottschalk
Published
Abstract
Cluster headache is one of the most debilitating pain syndromes. A significant number of patients are refractory to conventional therapies. The Clusterbusters.org medication use survey sought to characterize the effects of both conventional and alternative medications used in cluster headache. Participants were recruited from cluster headache websites and headache clinics. The final analysis included responses from 496 participants. The survey was modeled after previously published surveys and was available online. Most responses were chosen from a list, though others were free-texted. Conventional abortive and preventative medications were identified and their efficacies agreed with those previously published. The indoleamine hallucinogens, psilocybin, lysergic acid diethylamide, and lysergic acid amide, were comparable to or more efficacious than most conventional medications. These agents were also perceived to shorten/abort a cluster period and bring chronic cluster headache into remission more so than conventional medications. Furthermore, infrequent and non-hallucinogenic doses were reported to be efficacious. Findings provide additional evidence that several indoleamine hallucinogens are rated as effective in treating cluster headache. These data reinforce the need for further investigation of the effects of these and related compounds in cluster headache under experimentally controlled settings.
Research Summary of 'Indoleamine Hallucinogens in Cluster Headache: Results of the Clusterbusters Medication Use Survey'
Introduction
Cluster headache is described as a severe, unilateral, short-lasting but frequently recurring pain syndrome that may occur in episodic or chronic forms; attacks are typically retro-orbital, last 15–180 minutes, and can recur several times per day. Standard abortive treatments include high-flow oxygen and subcutaneous triptans, while verapamil, corticosteroids and other neuromodulators are used for prevention; nevertheless 10–20% of patients remain refractory and some require surgical neuromodulation. Prior case reports and an earlier online survey suggested that indoleamine hallucinogens such as LSD and psilocybin can abort attacks, induce remission and prolong remission periods, a profile not reported for any other single drug class. Schindler and colleagues report results from an Internet medication use survey developed by Clusterbusters, Inc., aimed at characterising effects of both conventional and alternative therapies, including indoleamine hallucinogens, in people with cluster headache. The survey sought to capture perceived abortive and preventive efficacy, effects on cluster periods and remission, dosing/regimens and adverse effects, using both checklist items and free-text responses collected anonymously online.
Expert Research Summaries
Go Pro to access AI-powered section-by-section summaries, editorial takes, and the full research toolkit.
Study Details
- Study Typeindividual
- Journal
- Compounds
- Topics
- Authors
- APA Citation
Schindler, E. A. D., Gottschalk, C. H., Weil, M. J., Shapiro, R. E., Wright, D. A., & Sewell, R. A. (2015). Indoleamine Hallucinogens in Cluster Headache: Results of the Clusterbusters Medication Use Survey. Journal of Psychoactive Drugs, 47(5), 372-381. https://doi.org/10.1080/02791072.2015.1107664
References (8)
Papers cited by this study that are also in Blossom
Griffiths, R. R., Johnson, M. W., Richards, W. A. et al. · Psychopharmacology (2011)
Grob, C. S., Danforth, A. L., Chopra, G. S. et al. · JAMA Psychiatry (2011)
Karst, M., Halpern, J. H., Bernateck, M. et al. · Cephalalgia (2010)
Krebs, T. S., Johansen, P. Ø. · Journal of Psychopharmacology (2012)
Moreno, F. A., Wiegand, C. B., Taitano, E. K. et al. · Journal of Clinical Psychiatry (2006)
Nichols, D. E. · Pharmacology and Therapeutics (2004)
Passie, T., Seifert, J., Schneider, U. et al. · Addiction Biology (2002)
Sewell, R. A. · Neurology (2006)
Cited By (30)
Papers in Blossom that reference this study
Schindler, E. A. D., Gottschalk, C. H., Pittman, B. P. et al. · Headache (2025)
Cavarra, M., Hutten, N. R. P. W., Schepers, J. et al. · British Journal of Pain (2025)
Rucker, J., Butler, M., Hambleton, S. et al. · Headache (2024)
Schindler, E. A. D., Sewell, R. A., Gottschalk, C. H. et al. · Journal of the Neurological Sciences (2024)
Madsen, M. K., Petersen, A. S., Stenbæk, D. S. et al. · Headache (2024)
Cavarra, M., Mason, N. L., Kuypers, K. P. C. et al. · European Journal of Pain (2023)
Schindler, E. A. D. · Current Pain and Headache Reports (2023)
Di Virgilio, V., Minerbi, A., Deol, J. K. et al. · MedRvix (2023)
Di Virgilio, A., Di Virgilio, V., Minerbi, A. et al. · MedRvix (2023)
MacCallum, C. A., Pistawka, C. A., Deol, J. K. et al. · Frontiers in Psychiatry (2022)
Show all 30 papersShow fewer
Schindler, E. A. D., Sewell, R. A., Gottschalk, C. H. et al. · Headache (2022)
Lyes, M., Yang, K. H., Castellanos, J. P. et al. · PAIN (2022)
Rusanen, S. S., Schindler, E. A. D., Artto, V. A. et al. · Current Pain and Headache Reports (2022)
Smedfors, G., Glotfelty, E., Papatziamos, C. et al. · Research Square (2022)
Elman, I., Borsook, D., Pustilink, A. · Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews (2022)
Glynos, N. G., Pierce, J., Davis, A. K. et al. · Journal of Psychoactive Drugs (2022)
Doss, M. K., Madden, M. B., Gaddis, A. et al. · Brain (2021)
Nayak, S., Gukasyan, N., Barrett, F. S. et al. · Pharmacopsychiatry (2021)
Schindler, E. A. D., Sewell, R. A., Gottschalk, C. H. et al. · Neurotherapeutics (2021)
Ramaekers, J. G., Hutten, N. P. W., Mason, N. L. et al. · Journal of Psychopharmacology (2020)
Castellanos, J. P., Woolley, C., Bruno, K. A. et al. · Regional Anesthesia and Pain Medicine (2020)
Andersson, M., Kjellgren, A. · Harm Reduction Journal (2019)
Kempner, J., Bailey, J. · Social Science and Medicine (2019)
Johnson, M. W., Griffiths, R. R., Hendricks, P. S. et al. · Neuropharmacology (2018)
Schindler, E. A. D., Wallace, R. M., Sloshower, J. A. et al. · Frontiers in Pharmacology (2018)
Reiche, S., Hermle, L., Gutwinski, S. et al. · Progress in Neuro-Psychopharmacology and Biological Psychiatry (2018)
Andersson, M., Persson, M., Kjellgren, A. · Harm Reduction Journal (2017)
Johnson, M. W., Griffiths, R. R. · Neurotherapeutics (2017)
Liechti, M. E. · Neuropsychopharmacology (2017)
Garcia-Romeu, A., Kersgaard, B., Addy, P. H. · Experimental and Clinical Psychopharmacology (2016)
Your Personal Research Library
Go Pro to save papers, add notes, rate studies, and organize your research into custom shelves.