Posted by Q (198.64.206.92) on March 27, 2000 at 14:26:14:
First, I have been away from CHMB for some time due to limited access to the net, travel and other commitments. I have tried to scan the group postings and may be out-of-touch with the discussion, but want to address one topic.
I have categorized CH root cause theories into three categories: X-factor theories, serious theories, and partial theories.
X-factor theories is a term that I picked up from garyg which I took to mean that some mysterious "x-factor" was necessary to make the theory work. The peruvian butteryfly and aliens are my favorite x-factor theories. They may be true, but so complex that they are unprovable.
I have found only two serious theories which can explain the root cause of CH, both of which lead to the mind as the root cause. These theories are outlined in the linked website, see below.
The partial theories, including the extra-grey matter finding, are satisfactory to explain completely only a subset of the CH symptomatology, but fail to address the many exceptions to the CH-condition.
My holding that CH is rooted in the mind in no way diminshes the reality and physcial manifestation of the CH-pain. The pain is absolutely real and results in biologic, physiological and emotional events. I understand that this root-cause determination is contriversial, but it is not new. I am willing to accept the mental-condition label if it leads to relief from the CH-condition.
Of practical benefit is the line of treatments it may lead to, including the use of psychoactive drugs (such as LSD) and psychotherapy (including regression analysis). I am still quite interested in the long-term sustainable treatments, including remission from CH.