Legalising access to psilocybin to end the agony of cluster headaches

By Jonathan Leighton, Executive Director, OPIS - Organisation for the Prevention of Intense Suffering

Approximately 8 million people worldwide are afflicted with possibly the most excruciating condition known to medicine: cluster headaches. Patients endure immense suffering, and many commit suicide to escape the pain. Current medical options are inadequate. Fortunately there is now clear evidence that psilocybin and chemically related substances are effective for many patients in preventing and aborting attacks. However, their legal status in most countries makes it difficult for patients to access them. Governments can dramatically improve the quality of life for many of their citizens, with little or no additional cost or risk, by removing the legal barriers to cluster headache patients accessing psilocybin and related compounds for therapeutic purposes.