Psilocybin and Migraine: The Facts
We’ll take you through everything you should know about psilocybin and migraine in this article, so continue reading.
For many years, research to fully explore the potential therapeutic benefits of psilocybin continues to grow. There are many reports showing the use of psilocybin for different health conditions. These studies show its use in managing PTSD, anxiety, depression, alcohol addiction, and more.
Today, new findings are showing the potential of psilocybin for managing migraine. Before we go through these research findings, we’ll cover key things about migraine.
Basic Things to Know About Migraine
Migraine is a medical condition that involves symptoms like severe and serious recurring headaches. It is a type of headache that occurs in stages and can last a few minutes to many days. In severe cases, it can be life-threatening and affect the ability to perform daily activities.
The condition varies in frequency, symptoms, severity, and triggers, affecting people in different ways. Some people have episodes occasionally, while others have them more frequently. A 2018 research shows that over 15% of adults in the US experience migraine episodes.
Symptoms
Migraine symptoms occur in stages which include:
Before the Headache
Research shows that up to 20 to 60% of migraine symptoms in people start days or hours before the headache. A person may experience prodrome during this phase, and this comprises emotional changes like irritability and depression. Prodrome may also include sensitivity to light and sound, frequent urination, thirst, dizziness, and yawning.
Aura may also occur, which involves sensory and physical symptoms like light flashing in the field of vision.
During the headache
Mild or severe pulsing or throbbing headaches may occur, and this comes with different symptoms. The symptoms include nasal congestion, dizziness, neck pain, vomiting, and nausea.
Resolution
Irritability and tiredness ensue after the headache, and this can last for 2 days. This stage is also called a migraine hangover.
Causes and Triggers
Some researchers believe that migraine occurs due to changes in the brain. These changes usually affect blood vessels, the balance of chemicals, and nerve communication. Genetic factors are also a risk factor.
The triggers vary from person to person, but it mostly includes:
- Emotional triggers like anxiety, excitement, depression, and stress
- Hormonal changes
- Medications
- Environmental factors
- Dietary factors
Triggers may also include lack of sleep, tiredness, physical overexertion, dehydration, and low blood sugar. Basically, you can reduce the frequency of migraine episodes by avoiding these triggers.
Treatment
Migraine does not have a cure, but there are medications that help to treat the symptoms and reduce episodes. However, it’s important to note that some of these medications have side effects.
Medications
In many cases, pain relief medications may be helpful. This includes over-the-counter medications like acetaminophen, ibuprofen, and naproxen. Other medications include triptans, ditans, gepants, and antiemetics.
While some of these medications are helpful, it’s important to avoid overusing them. Overuse of these medications can lead to rebound headaches.
Natural and Home Remedies
There are also home remedies that can minimize the symptoms of migraine. Examples include sleeping when necessary, staying in a dark and quiet room, and using cold packs. Other natural remedies include riboflavin, butterbur, coenzyme 10, magnesium, and feverfew.
Psilocybin and Migraine
With the background on migraine above, we can now go through psilocybin and migraine. Psilocybin is one of the active compounds in psychedelic mushrooms that is gaining medical attention. Different research shows that it helps treat conditions like addiction, migraine, and depression.
What is Psilocybin
It is a psychedelic substance that occurs naturally in certain types of mushrooms and magic truffles. The substances have different applications, including religious and spiritual applications. It’s worth mentioning that psychedelics are drugs that affect mood, cognition, and perception. They work by activating serotonin receptors in the brain.
Treating Migraine with Psilocybin
Emerging studies show that psilocybin can treat different conditions, including migraine. Migraine causes visual disturbances, nausea, and throbbing headaches. A 2021 study using 14 participants gave promising results.
In the study, some participants were placed on psilocybin while others were on a placebo. The participants on psilocybin had a marked reduction in their migraine symptoms. Also, there were no side effects, even after withdrawal from psilocybin.
This research pointed out that psilocybin is a good option for treating migraine. However, further research is necessary to further verify this potential.
Can Psilocybin Cause Migraine
Psilocybin does not cause migraine but can trigger headaches in individuals that are susceptible. In a 2006 and 2008 study using high doses of psilocybin, some participants reported headaches. That was not the case with those on a placebo.
Another 2011 study using different doses of psilocybin showed that the duration, severity, and incidences of headaches depend on the dose. Findings from the research also show that headaches result from the release of nitric oxide.
Psilocybin can increase the levels of nitric oxide in the body, and this can trigger headaches in some people. However, people with migraines can enjoy the benefits of psilocybin. The findings from a recent study show that a single dose of psilocybin can reduce the frequency of migraine by 50%. Also, the effects can also last for up to two weeks. This is a promising finding that paves the way for future research to explore the benefits of psilocybin.
Prevention of Migraine
If you have migraine attacks, there are lifestyle changes that can help you prevent these attacks. Examples include:
- Getting enough sleep: At least 8 hours of night sleep or maintaining a constant sleep schedule is healthy and will help you prevent migraine.
- Trying stress reduction: One of the triggering factors of migraine is stress, and you can reduce this by applying relaxation techniques.
- Increasing physical activity: Regular exercise can reduce the frequency of migraine episodes you have
- Avoiding other triggers: The common advice for people with migraines is to have a diary. With this, they can keep track of their triggers and devise strategies to avoid these triggers.
Conclusion
Psilocybin is an active compound in magic truffles and has different therapeutic benefits. Among these includes managing migraines and other mental health conditions. However, it’s important to note that there are reported cases of headaches after taking psilocybin. This is because of its potential to increase nitric oxide levels in the body.
This doesn’t overrule the benefits of psilocybin for people with migraine. Migraine is a debilitating condition, but the right treatment option can help reduce migraine episodes.
We have more resources on our blog, and you can learn more about the use of psilocybin for treating different health conditions. You can also visit our Microdose Bros store now to buy magic truffles. We ship discreetly in Europe.
