Posted by Monique (207.61.107.39) on February 19, 2000 at 20:29:34:
8 hours and no CH or Shadows:
How ya all doing? Just to put your mind at ease I just wanted to let you know that I have done a great deal of research. Here is just a wee bit of it, I have pages and pages and have gone into this very deeply. Keep in mind this is my husband and I love him beyond words, therefore the last thing I would do is to jump into something without gaining a balanced perspective and examining all the variables.
For anybody else out there considering the use of Mushroom tea, here is the data I have collected and compiled which led me to the conclusion that this will indeed work, as evidenced by not only the possitive results posted but this information. I would like to caution that there is heavy evidence that taking the mushrooms with any other medication is not a good idea. However if you are off meds and wish to try this, here is the information I have gathered:
The Psilocybin (mushrooms)
"The principle active constituents are indole deriatives who's bio-synthetic precursor is the amino acid L-tryptophan. This is noteworthy because the molecular structure is very similar to the chemical in the human brain, the neurotransmitter serotonin. They differ by only one hydroxy molecule. In this respect the mushrooms are mirror images of the human brain. This biogenetic amine is an important regulator of sleep and consciousness and is known to occur in several of the mushroom species. "
Since almost all the research leads to the problem being within the Hypothalamus and it being the regulator of the Pituitary Gland and Endocrine system hence regulating the Serotonin levels, it stands to reason that following the Serotonin track may be the right one. The problem stems from the fact that there are more than one receptor in the brain for Serotonin.
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There is evidence of four populations of receptors for serotonin, and there is the suggestion that there are a further 3-5 subtypes. This could explain why some Serotonin based treatments work for some and not other as well as why some work for a while and then not. If the Hypothalamus is enlarged with CH then it stands to reason that it could be pressing on (and thereby blocking) any given receptor differing from patient to patient. Perhaps the Hypothalamus is decreased in size, shifts, swells or changes in some manner with each type of medication etc. as to make what was once a viable treatment, to no longer viable.
Therefore I concluded that there must be some way of treating the Seritonin problem with something that would act on as many receptor sites as possible.
Given that the tryptophan in the mushrooms is chemically so close to the human neurotransmitter Serotonin, making it possibly the only thing that would theoretically be able to access almost all, if not all, receptor sites. This being the case and it being a natural substance I would find it entirely silly to have a synthetic, chemically based alternative made. As it is, it is as close to Seritonin as one can come naturally, so why try to improve on mother nature?
Seritonin
"A chemical neurotransmitter substance, serotonin is perhaps the most implicated in the etiology of treatment of various disorders, partiuclarly those of the central nervous system, including anxiety, depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder (I have found much research on this being true in CH, having OC tendancies not necessarily the full blown symptoms) schizophrenia, stroke, obesity, pain, hypertension, vasular disorders, migraine, and nausea. Seritonin is found in three main areas of the body: the intestinal wall (where it causes incresed gastrointestinal motility) [could be why constipation and gastrointestinal problems are prevelant ie: duodenal ulceration ]; blood vessels (where large vessels are constricted) [blood vessels in CH dialated]; and the central nervous system ."
Drugs such as Imitrex, Amerge, Naratriptan, Fluoxetine, Paroxetine, Setraline, Citalopram are drugs used to increase the amounts of serotonin available for your body to use.
Lithium stabilizes and enhances serotonergic neurotransmission in the CNS particularly in the hypthalamus.
Oxygen works to stimulate the synthesis of serotonin in the CNS.
"Serotonin alterations are more subtle in patients with cluster headache than in migraine. There is a modest elevation of serotonin in whole blood during attacks of CH, whereas platelet serotonin levels fall precipitously during migraine attacks. There are low whole blood serotonin levels among CH patients both during an active bout and during remissions, comparable to levels found among migraine patients."
Niacine
My research was begun with the idea that it could have something to do with a deficiancy of a vitamine (niacin) which is a vasodialator, flushes toxins out of the liver (hence why I think the water treatment helps some) it is also used to help the body to utilize carbohydrates, fats and protiens (thus the fatigue of CHers)
A definciency gives symptoms like digestive upsets, insomnia, headaches, (all B vitamine deficiancies cause headaches, and you need the B vitamines all together inorder for all of them to work properly) soar tounge.
"One of the nine essential Amino Acids, Tryptophan is also a precursor of Niacin (a B vitamin) and of serotonin, a brain neurotransmitter that regulates appetite, pain, mood and sleep. Because of tryptophan's mood-elevating, sleep-inducing capabilities, it is prescribed in Canada, Germany and other European countries as both a sleeping pill and an antidepressant."
Histamine
"The possibility that histamine may be involved is supported by the reportely high incidence of duodenal ulceration in patients with CH. An attack can also be induced by administering small amounts of Histamine."
Hypothalamus and it’s functions:
Studies show an increase in the size of the Hypothalamus of CH sufferers
"Hypothalamus is responsible for sending signals out to the Cranial Nerve Nuclei (Parasympathetic)
Motor Cranial Nerves (e.g. facial) Pituitary Gland Endocrine System
Functions of the Hypothalamus
Controls Autonomic Nervous System Anterior Stimulation elicits parasympathetic responses Posterior Stimulation elicits sympathetic responses Damage to Spinal Projections Horner’s Syndrome (which many CH suffer from, a condition that affects one side of the face, the pupil constricts, eyelid droops and the eye ball is set deeper into the socket.)
Functions of the Hypothalamus
Feeding, Fighting, Fleeing, Feeding disorders Water Regulation (Why the water treatment may work for some)
Anterior Hypothalamus "Sex Center" Lesions Reduce Drive Stimulation - Hypersexuality , Sexual Dimorphism Control of Sex Hormones, Motivation, Self-Stimulation, Memory (much has been posted about short term memory problems) Temperature Regulation (also much about flushing, heat and cold sensitivity) Circadian (etc.) Rhythms (sleep cycles) Suprachiasmatic Nucleus, Pituitary Control, Hormone Regulation, Vasopressin Antidiuretic Hormone (ADH)