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Hallucinogens and cannabinoids for headache.

Brian E McGeeney¹

¹Department of Neurology, Boston Medical Center & Boston University, Boston, MA 02118, USA. bmcg@bu.edu

|October 4, 2012

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Most hallucinogens and cannabinoids are Schedule 1 controlled substances, hindering research. Despite this, patients use them for headache relief, with anecdotal success reported for migraines and cluster headaches.

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Area of Science:

Neuroscience
Pharmacology
Pain Management

Background:

Hallucinogens and cannabinoids are classified as Federal Controlled Substances Schedule 1.
This classification restricts clinical research due to alleged lack of accepted medical use and high abuse potential.
Despite legal restrictions, patients utilize these substances for headache management.

Purpose of the Study:

To explore the current use of hallucinogens and cannabinoids by patients for headache conditions.
To acknowledge the anecdotal evidence supporting their efficacy in managing migraines and cluster headaches.
To highlight the gap in clinical research due to regulatory hurdles.

Main Methods:

Review of existing literature and patient self-reports.
Analysis of anecdotal evidence regarding the use of cannabinoids for migraine.
Examination of patient-reported outcomes for hallucinogen use in cluster headaches.

Main Results:

Cannabinoids have a historical use as a migraine abortive and are still used by patients.
Hallucinogens are increasingly used by cluster headache patients for aborting headache periods and maintaining remission.
Considerable anecdotal success is reported for both substance classes in managing specific headache types.

Conclusions:

The legal status of hallucinogens and cannabinoids impedes rigorous scientific evaluation of their therapeutic potential for headaches.
Patients are utilizing these substances outside of conventional medical recommendations, driven by perceived efficacy.
Further research is warranted to objectively assess the safety and effectiveness of these compounds in headache treatment.