Imagine suffering from excruciating headaches, desperately searching for relief, and discovering a potential remedy only to find it’s illegal to access. That’s the unfortunate reality for cluster headache sufferers who have heard about the potential healing properties of “magic mushrooms,” also known as psilocybin mushrooms.
These headache sufferers have discovered that relief from crippling pain might just be a single dose away. They have plenty of anecdotal evidence to back up their claims regarding the effectiveness of this natural solution. But due to the legal status of psilocybin, their stories remain nothing more than whispers on the internet.
The incredible power of psilocybin on cluster headaches
In 2006, the medical journal Neurology published a study that reported a significant reduction in symptoms for over 50 percent of its participants who used psilocybin mushrooms to treat their cluster headaches. Around 25 percent experienced a complete cessation of their symptoms while others noticed a substantial reduction in the intensity and frequency of their attacks.
The study has since gained support from sufferers all over the world who corroborate the findings on various online forums. One contributor claimed that he had been taking a preventative dose of psilocybin mushrooms every 60 days for more than four years, and he had been pain-free for the majority of that time.
Why psilocybin mushrooms work
Researchers believe that debilitating cluster headaches begin in the hypothalamus – the small region of the brain responsible for regulating body temperature, hunger, thirst, and sleep cycles. The psilocybin found in these mushrooms is thought to slow blood flow to this area, effectively preventing the onset of a cluster headache attack.
Despite the promise of this natural treatment option, those who suffer from cluster headaches are left to navigate a maze of online forums and web resources, such as ClusterBusters.org, to learn about how to grow psilocybin mushrooms and correctly dose themselves. Proper guidance and regulation are sorely missing due to the illegal nature of these mushrooms.
The negative impact of “magic mushrooms”
Psilocybin has been classified as a Schedule I controlled substance alongside drugs like LSD and heroin, making it illegal in the United States. While many experts agree that it has a high potential for abuse and can result in severe psychological effects such as hallucinations, it is also believed to have legitimate medicinal uses.
The role of pharmaceuticals in regulating access to alternative treatments
The prohibition of psilocybin makes it nearly impossible for researchers to study its potential benefits further. Additionally, pharmaceutical companies hold an unquestionable monopoly on the healthcare industry, which has a vested interest in maintaining the status quo.
Doctors are often caught in the crosshairs of this situation. Even if they are aware of the potential benefits of psilocybin as a treatment for cluster headaches, they can only recommend that their patients conduct their research and settle for an ineffective prescription medication. Some doctors might even be hesitant to discuss the topic due to legal reasons.
The future of psilocybin as a treatment option
Despite the uphill battle to legalize psilocybin mushrooms for their potential health benefits, there is hope on the horizon. Recent research at reputable institutions like Johns Hopkins University has shown that psilocybin possesses the ability to treat a variety of mental health conditions such as anxiety, depression, and PTSD.
As more research accumulates about the potential benefits of psilocybin, attitudes concerning the drug may begin to shift. Patients and healthcare providers alike might start advocating for access to psilocybin, pushing lawmakers to reconsider the current categorization of these mushrooms.
In the meantime, cluster headache sufferers will have to continue relying on online resources and anonymous testimonials to guide them in their quest for relief. For now, they are left to navigate a gray area between legal and illegal treatments, torn between their desperate need for relief from constant pain and the potential risks of breaking the law.
