Abstract

Background: Anecdotal reports and recent research suggest that psilocybin (PSI) reduces the headache attack frequency in patients with chronic cluster headache (CCH), a severe headache disorder, which is associated with poorer quality of life (QoL).^1,2 Whether PSI can improve CCH patients’ quality of life and cause changes in trait mindfulness, as observed in healthy individuals, has not yet been investigated.³

Aims: We assessed changes in self-reported health-related quality of life and trait mindfulness in a group of 10 CCH patients, following three medium-dose PSI interventions in a controlled setting.

Method: Ten CCH patients (5 female) underwent three medium-dose (0.14 mg/kg) PSI sessions with one week in between each session. Mindful Attention Awareness Scale (MAAS) and Short Form 36 Health Survey Questionnaire (SF-36), which measures QoL, were completed at baseline and follow-up (3 weeks after the last PSI administration). Changes in these measures were evaluated using a linear mixed model.

Results: On a group level, we observed a 15 % increase in the average SF-36, however, the effect was not statistically significant (Estimate = 4.67, SE = 3.09, p = 0.17). No statistically significant change in MAAS was observed (Estimate = -0.04, SE = 0.22, p = 0.861).

Conclusion: While anecdotal reports suggest that PSI may be effective for health improvements in CCH patients, our study did not provide clear evidence for enhancement in psychological health. Future studies could involve larger samples to increase statistical power, possibly including control groups, utilizing higher doses of PSI.

1. Madsen, M. K. et al. Psilocybin-induced reduction in chronic cluster headache attack frequency correlates with changes in hypothalamic functional connectivity. http://medrxiv.org/lookup/doi/10.1101/2022.07.10.22277414 (2022) doi:10.1101/2022.07.10.22277414.
2. Torkamani, M. et al. The Neuropsychology of Cluster Headache: Cognition, Mood, Disability, and Quality of Life of Patients With Chronic and Episodic Cluster Headache. Headache J. Head Face Pain 55, 287–300 (2015).
3. Søndergaard, A. et al. Lasting increases in trait mindfulness after psilocybin correlate positively with the mystical-type experience in healthy individuals. Front. Psychol. 13, 948729 (2022).

Maria Zofia Grzywacz,¹ Martin K. Madsen,¹ Anja Sofie Petersen,² Rigmor H. Jensen,^2,4 Gitte M. Knudsen,^1,4 Dea S. Stenbæk,^1,3

¹Neurobiology Research Unit, Copenhagen University Hospital Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark

²Danish Headache Center, Department of Neurology, Rigshospitalet-Glostrup, University of Copenhagen, Denmark

³Department of Psychology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark

⁴Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark

*Corresponding Author:

Dea Siggaard Stenbæk, Associate Professor at UCPH

Copenhagen University Hospital Rigshospitalet

Neurobiology Research Unit

Rigshospitalet, section 8057

6-8 Inge Lehmanns Vej

Rigshospitalet, building 8057

DK-2100 Copenhagen East

DENMARK

E-mail: [email protected]