Six Weeks Without a Cluster Headache

They call clusters 'suicide headaches' and I understand why. For eleven years, every spring and fall like clockwork, I'd go into an episode period — six to eight weeks of attacks, one to three per day, each one an ice pick behind my left eye. I've been in the ER for oxygen more times than I can count.

I'd tried every standard treatment. Verapamil. Prednisone tapers. Sumatriptan. Oxygen at home. Some helped break individual attacks; none shortened the episode period meaningfully.

I found a cluster headache forum two years ago with a whole section on psychedelics — specifically psilocybin used at sub-psychedelic doses. I was skeptical. I was also desperate.

I sourced carefully and waited until the end of a cluster period. Three days after my last attack, I took 0.5g. Nothing noticeable except very mild perceptual changes and a good mood.

I waited two weeks and took 1.5g. Mild experience — some visual enhancement, relaxed afternoon.

The expected next cluster period didn't come. Six weeks past the expected start date, then ten weeks, then four months. I'm now fourteen months into what has been the longest remission of my adult life.

I've since connected with other cluster patients online who report similar results. The mechanism is unclear. I'm not claiming a cure. But the timing is not coincidental, and I'll repeat the treatment at the next sign of a cycle.