Overall, the use of magic mushrooms and psilocybin in treating cluster headaches is a fascinating and promising area of research. Despite the stigma and legal restrictions surrounding these substances, the experiences of patients like Bob Wold and the results of studies like those conducted at Yale suggest that there is real potential for these treatments to provide much-needed relief for those suffering from this debilitating condition. As research progresses and more studies are conducted, it is possible that we may see a shift in the medical community’s attitudes towards psychedelic therapies for pain management.
The issue for advocates of psychedelic substances is that research often shifts focus away from studies on using psilocybin for treating depression and mood disorders, which are more common and potentially more profitable.
This means that the struggles faced by cluster headache sufferers are likely to persist.
“The Pandemic Century” by Mark Honigsbaum (Ebury Publishing, £12.99) and “Psychedelic Outlaws: The Movement Revolutionizing Modern Medicine” by Joanna Kempner (Hachette Books, £28) are books that delve into these topics.