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The Potential of Psychedelics for the Treatment of Episodic Migraine

  • Episodic Migraine (S Parikh, Section Editor)
  • Published:
Current Pain and Headache Reports Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose of Review

This review presents the existing literature of and a framework for how psychedelic drugs might be applied as therapeutic agents in episodic migraine.

Recent Findings

The therapeutic effects of psychedelics in headache disorders have been reported for decades and controlled investigations are now beginning. In the first and only clinical trial of a psychedelic drug in migraine, the single administration of low-dose psilocybin reduced weekly migraine days and pain intensity for the following 2 weeks in episodic subjects. These transitional effects, along with abortive effects in two subjects and additional findings in cluster headache, offer insight into the potential medicinal use of this and other psychedelic drugs in episodic migraine.

Summary

The existing evidence supports the continued investigation of psilocybin and other psychedelics as transitional treatments in episodic migraine. Acute and preventive effects also exist, but the risks may outweigh benefits with these applications. Future research of psychedelics in episodic migraine should be tailored for this condition and not modeled after protocols used in other medical or psychiatric conditions.

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Data Availability

Qualified researchers may request relevant de-identified study data in conjunction with an appropriate research plan. Requestors will be required to sign a confidentiality agreement in order to obtain these data. Proposals may be directed to emmanuelle.schindler@yale.edu.

References

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Headache Center of Excellence, Neurology Service, Veterans Affairs Connecticut Healthcare System, 950 Campbell Avenue, West Haven, CT, USA

    Emmanuelle A. D. Schindler

  2. Department of Neurology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA

    Emmanuelle A. D. Schindler

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Correspondence to Emmanuelle A. D. Schindler.

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Conflict of Interest

EADS currently receives research funding from Ceruvia Lifesciences and Wallace Research Foundation and previously received research funding from Heffter Research Institute and Clusterbusters. She serves on the scientific advisory boards for Ceruvia Lifesciences and Clusterbusters and serves as a paid consultant for PureTech Health. She is named inventor on the following patent related to psychedelics in headache disorders: 17/168,638 (US); 2021709245 (EP); 3,166,785 (CA); and 2022–547896 (JP).

Human and Animal Rights and Informed Consent

All reported studies/experiments with human or animal subjects performed by the authors have been previously published and complied with all applicable ethical standards (including the Helsinki Declaration and its amendments, institutional/national research committee standards, and international/national/institutional guidelines).

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Schindler, E.A.D. The Potential of Psychedelics for the Treatment of Episodic Migraine. Curr Pain Headache Rep 27, 489–495 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11916-023-01145-y

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