Posted by Rev. J. Darin Ellis (38.195.191.51) on March 17, 2001 at 01:49:06:
My name is Darin and I am a first timer on this site. I never realized how many people suffer from the same crippling pain as I do. I was diagnosed with episodic cluster headaches about 2 1/2 years ago, however, I have suffered from CH all my life (My parents are very faithful christians and believed in God to grant healing and never took me to a doctor for treatment).
I have tried almost every treatment around for the pain, ginger, caffeine, marijuana, Imitrex, fistfuls of tylenol and ibuprofen chased with quarts of water, but all to no avail. Imitrex didn't even touch the intense, blinding headaches. Then about 6 months ago, right before my cycle, I stumbled across a report from a CH sufferer in Scotland who had been treating himself for years with Psilocybin (magic mushrooms) and LSD. At the end of my rope, I was willing to try anything. I purchased a small amount of shrooms from my local grower, waited for my cycle to begin, and dosed 1 gram, half of the recreational dose, when the first headache started. Within 20 minutes of eating the mushroom, the headache was completely gone. I had a very mild, but pleasant trip that lasted about 6-7 hours, with slight residual effects (enhanced creativity, and strong urge to paint) that lasted through the rest of the night. The next day, I didn't even feel the 'shadow' from the headache. The cycle completely halted, and I have not had a serious headache since. Of course, I have had the normal stress/tension headaches that come with my profession, but no CH's. If you need more information on this subject, feel free to email me and I will supply any info you need, including a link to the Scottish gentleman's report for your own viewing. Please note that I used Psilocybe Cubensis mushrooms, as different species of mushrooms have different levels of Psilocybin in them.