My best friend has been frequently hospitalized in
the last few months due to severe migraines and cluster headaches. The doctors
have been performing many MRIs and brain scans to find the root of the problem.
I began to do my own research and I came across a treatment that struck me as
odd, at first. Professor of Psychiatry, Dr. Andrew Sewell, composed a study of
the effects of psilocybin (the active ingredient in “magic mushrooms”) on
cluster headaches. The chemical psilocybin practices the same effects of serotonin
on brain receptors, but we are unaware of where in the brain or in what matter
(neuropsychiatric reviews). The study showed 85% of patients using psilocybin
reported having an extreme reduction if not a total absence of cluster
headaches. The patients used in this experiment were well educated in these
spiritual experiences so they weren’t as confused and able to report how they
would react. Not only did the experiment expel cluster headaches in that time
frame but the next expected attack was delayed. No other medication has been
reported to terminate a cluster headache (Mauskop and Sun-Edelstein). Also,
each treatment required very small doses.
Not only were these experiments used to test
treatments for cluster headaches and migraines, they were ultimately to study
the reactions from these hallucinogens. The study showed that the subjects
rated the experience equally as important as their first child being born or a
parent’s death. Also, two months later 79% of the subjects reported a greatly
increased well-being and life-satisfaction. Study leader, Dr. Roland Griffiths
stated “Under defined conditions, with careful preparation, you can safely and
fairly reliably occasion what’s called a primary mystical experience that may
lead to positive changes in a person. It’s an early step in what we hope will
be a large body of scientific work that will ultimately help people”.
More in depth research experiments must be done to
ultimately know the true underlying effects of this treatment but from where I’m
standing this seems to be an extremely positive approach to such a serious
condition.
Sources:
Headache:
The Journal of Head & Face Pain; Mar2011, Vol. 51 Issue 3, p469-483,
15p
Neuropsychiatry Reviews;
Oct2006, Vol. 7 Issue 10, p6-6, 1/9p
Okay, so first thing I want to share is that I've never heard the term "magic mushroom" so I had to do my own little research on what that was. Reading your post I learned a few new things, which is good because the reader can always learn a new fact for their benefit. I like how you structured your paragraphs and left a lot of space between them because it helps the reader not skip anything and a whole bunch of words arent clustered together. Your post, overall, was good. You provided citiation in the text and showed us that you've done you're research.
ReplyDeleteI have suffered from clusters since 1981 and actually was good for over three years. But......they're back. I have tried some other stuff like kudzu root and doses of melatonin and thanks to your blog will try the magnesium. Thanks. headache remedies
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