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I’d like to offer a contemporary perspective on recent patient reports from the cluster headache (CH) community alongside my own experience regarding the treatment of CH with nutritional interventions. This draws on a range of emerging research to explore how modulation of the gut microbiota more so than any one diet may present as a novel future therapeutic target in CH. As best I can as a CH patient, I will attempt to integrate the converging lines of evidence that support this hypothesis including a case report, drawn from the grey literature, illustrating the clinical application of such a targeted microbiome-based approach and conclude with some final thoughts on what really is a fascinating subject. More bacteria than we are human... The human genome encodes for between 20,000 and 25,000 genes. In remarkable comparison our collective microbial genome, comprised of trillions of microbes that inhabit our bodies, contains an estimated 3,000,000 to 4,000,000 million genes. The gut microbiota is a vast community of bacteria, fungi, viruses and archaea that inhabit the gastrointestinal tract, with the highest density of microbes anywhere in the body found in the colon. The diversity of this community is influenced by a number of factors including diet, environment, motility, autonomic tone, antibiotic exposure, previous infection, vitamin D3 and psychedelics (more on the vitamin D3 and psychedelics later). Their primary energy source is dietary fibre and other non-digestible carbohydrates of which they ferment into short-chain fatty acids (SCFA’s) such as acetate, propionate and butyrate. They also synthesize vitamins such as vitamin K and several B-group vitamins, amino acid derivatives like indole and GABA and secondary bile acids that in turn regulate metabolism and immune function. Together these microbes and their metabolites play an existential role in maintaining gut integrity, modulating inflammation and supporting our overall health. Balance is the key to life... that sentiment resonates with me... When this community of microbes is balanced, or in eubiosis, the relationship is mutually beneficial. We nourish the microbes and they nourish us. When the balance of this community is disrupted, disease may follow through a process referred to as dysbiosis. Imbalance of the microbiota may degrade the mucin layer, a protective layer of mucous that protects the epithelial lining of the gut. When the mucosal layer is degraded, disruption may occur at the level of the epithelium where the tight junctions that maintain integrity of permeable membranes are compromised, increasing the translocation of toxins from the gut into blood and lymph where they invoke an immune response. An example of this is lipopolysaccharide (LPS), a structural component of the outer membrane of gram-negative bacteria. LPS engages the toll like receptor 4 (TLR4) complex on innate immune cells, activating the transcription factor nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB), which translocates to the nucleus and upregulates the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α). This cascade contributes to a process commonly referred to as “leaky gut” syndrome. Emerging Migraine Research... Whilst CH and migraine are clinically distinct disorders they do share several overlapping mechanisms including activation of the trigeminovascular system and neurogenic inflammation, as well as responsiveness to medications such as triptans and anti-CGRP monoclonal antibodies such as Emgality. Both conditions also exhibit cyclical patterns and hypersensitivity within pain processing networks. Given the larger body of research on migraine, it is useful to cautiously draw insights from migraine studies given they may reveal potential pathophysiological processes and therapeutic targets relevant to CH. In my view recent literature seems to have shifted the understanding of migraine from a neurovascular disorder toward a systemic inflammatory condition modulated by the gut-brain-immune axis. Multiple independent studies now converge on the idea that gut dysbiosis and intestinal permeability are central to migraine pathophysiology. A study by He et al. (2023) confirmed a causal relationship between gut microbial composition and migraine risk, identifying protective taxa such as Bifidobacteriales and pathogenic associations with Anaerotruncus and Clostridium genera, providing what I believe was the first robust evidence that microbiota composition can directly influence migraine susceptibility. In a 2024 study, Vuralli et al. found elevated serum LPS, VE-cadherin, HMGB1 and IL-6 in chronic migraine patients with medication overuse, supporting a “leaky-gut” inflammatory phenotype linked to trigeminal sensitization. Recent reviews and meta-analyses converge on much the same theme; migraineurs show lower microbial diversity, depletion of SCFA producing species such as Faecalibacterium and Roseburia and a relative overgrowth of pro-inflammatory species. Emerging clinical research supports therapeutic modulation of the microbiota. Grodzka and Domitrz (2025) conducted a meta-analysis that showed probiotic supplementation reduced migraine frequency with mixed effects on severity whilst Kappéter et al. (2023) proposed fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) as a means of microbial restoration and normalizing the inflammatory mediators implicated in migraine chronification. What does the CH literature say? Comparable findings in CH are absent however new evidence does show an emerging persistent inflammatory signature. In peripheral blood, Lund et al. (2025) found distinct cytokine profiles across all CH types with oncostatin M (OSM), an IL-6 family cytokine, elevated in cCH, eCH in-cycle and eCH in remission groups. In cerebrospinal fluid, Ran et al. (2024) demonstrated higher chemokine concentrations with a serum-to-CSF gradient, concentrating inflammation within the central nervous system (CNS) and present both during active cycle and remission periods. More recently, PACAP-38 has also been found to be elevated in CH compared with controls, further supporting the presence of sustained neuroimmune activation involving vasoactive peptides even during remission periods. And whilst an underlying inflammatory signature has now been identified, the upstream driver of these elevated markers remains unlinked to dysbiosis. Taken together however these new findings point to CH as a condition underpinned by ongoing inflammation within the CNS rather than a series of isolated pain events attributed to dysfunction of the hypothalamus. So, what was this about a diet? Sign me up! What has recently been referenced by myself and others in the CH community is a 2018 case-control study by Di Lorenzo et al. that examined the effects of a ketogenic diet in a small cohort of 18 chronic CH patients refractory to standard preventive treatments. The authors reported that 15 participants responded favorably, with 11 achieving sustained pain-free remission and 12 choosing to remain on the intervention even after the study concluded. Although the mechanism of action was not explored, it is my view that the therapeutic benefit of the ketogenic diet likely extends beyond the metabolic effects of ketone production to include modulation of the gut microbiota and its associated inflammatory milieu. To my knowledge, this remains the only dietary intervention in CH and while the sample size was small the findings were nonetheless remarkable. Here warrior – I recommend giving this a try... Consider this a brief pause, a half-time reflection, before moving into the following sections. Few examples illustrate the power of patient-led initiatives better than what the CH community has been able to achieve. Out of necessity and sheer persistence, patients have effectively conducted some of the most successful citizen science projects in existence. From the early work exploring psychedelic therapy to the development of the vitamin D3 anti-inflammatory regimen, each step has been driven by individuals determined to find solutions where few existed. These remarkable efforts have produced measurable results and practical treatment tools that continue to change the lives of CH patients, indeed not all heroes wear capes. Where vitamin D3 & psilocybin converge... What I find particularly intriguing is that both of these therapies, psychedelic compounds and the Vitamin D regimen, according to emerging research, may exert part of their therapeutic effect through interactions with the gut microbiota. At the same time, their variable efficacy from one CH patient to another may be influenced by the baseline state and diversity of that patient’s microbiome. This bidirectional relationship, in which treatment both shapes and is shaped by its interaction with the microbiota, may help explain why some experience complete remission while others achieve only partial or temporary relief, or require higher or repeated doses. In the following sections, I will examine the literature that highlights the potential points of convergence between Vitamin D and psilocybin, focusing on microbiome mediated interactions. Oh vitamin D3, you have been kind to me... For almost a decade now, the Vitamin D3 anti-inflammatory regimen has kept me mostly pain-free from CH. Beyond its role in calcium homeostasis Vitamin D3 plays a key role in maintaining gastrointestinal homeostasis. The active form, 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3, binds to the Vitamin D receptor (VDR), which is expressed throughout the intestinal epithelium and immune cells. Through this signaling pathway Vitamin D3 influences epithelial integrity, microbial diversity and modulates the immune response (Vemulapalli et al., 2025). In refining the original regimen, Pete Batcheller included a B-complex, taking inspiration from Gominak’s work linking Vitamin D restoration to improved sleep and gut function through the microbiota’s production of B vitamins (Gominak, 2016). Gominak proposes that both Vitamin D and the microbiota exist in a symbiotic relationship, where Vitamin D supports the host environment necessary for microbial balance while a healthy microbiota contributes to the production of essential cofactors necessary for neuronal and immune health. Charoennngam et al. (2020) demonstrated that Vitamin D3 supplementation shifts the microbiota toward a less inflammatory profile, increasing beneficial commensal species such as Bacteroides while reducing pathogenic species like Porphyromonas. In regards to maintenance of the epithelial membranes, Vitamin D3 upregulates tight-junction proteins such as claudins and occludins while lowering zonulin expression, a key marker for intestinal permeability. By strengthening tight junctions Vitamin D3 may limit translocation of bacterial endotoxins such as LPS into systemic circulation (Fedele et al., 2018; Stio et al., 2016). In addition to maintaining gut barrier integrity, Vitamin D3 modulates the immune response by inhibiting NF-κB activation and reducing the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines while supporting T regulatory cell function and the production of antimicrobial peptides such as cathelicidins and beta defensins (Vemulapalli et al., 2025). Taken together these findings place Vitamin D3 as a key mediator in gut-immune homeostasis, acting at the bleeding edge between the microbial landscape and host defense. Importantly, as demonstrated by Holick and colleagues in Scientific Reports (2019), the genomic actions of Vitamin D3 are dose and blood-level responsive with higher 25-hydroxy vitamin D levels resulting in broader transcriptional changes across hundreds of genes involved in immune regulation. The fact that Pete Batcheller’s regimen has been assembled into a simple and accessible protocol with consistently impressive response rates is in itself a remarkable achievement given the devastating nature of CH. Whilst Vitamin D3 almost certainly acts on receptors within the trigeminal ganglion and hypothalamus, these recent findings suggest its actions in the periphery, particularly within the gut, may play an important role in the therapeutic efficacy of the anti-inflammatory regimen. What can mushrooms possibly have to do with any of this? Intriguing new research suggests that the therapeutic effects of psychedelics, particularly psilocybin, may in part be mediated through interactions with the gut microbiota. While its best described actions involve modulation via the serotonergic receptor, new findings reveal that psilocybin also exerts systemic effects on inflammation, immune signaling, intestinal barrier integrity as well as shaping the microbial landscape itself. Wang et al. (2025) provide an elegant synthesis of this evolving concept in a recent ACS Chemical Neuroscience viewpoint, suggesting that the therapeutic effects of psychedelics including psilocybin extend beyond cortical serotonergic circuits to modulate the gut-brain axis via interactions with the microbiome. Building on emerging evidence they position these compounds as both neuroactive and immunomodulatory agents, potentially influencing inflammation along the microbiota-gut-brain pathway via NF-κB mediated cytokine modulation as shown in complementary models like Zanikov et al., 2024. Zanikov et al. (2024) were able to show in a mouse model of colitis that psilocybin reduced gut driven neuroinflammation and lowered the expression of inflammatory cytokines IL-1β, IL-6 and COX-2 in brain parenchyma. These findings link intestinal inflammation directly to a central inflammatory response and confirm that psilocybin’s anti-inflammatory effects occur along the gut-brain axis rather than within the brain alone. Complementary in vitro work in human macrophages shows dose dependent suppression of LPS induced cytokines via modulation of NF-κB signaling, highlighting its broad immunoregulatory potential. Kelly et al. (2023) introduced the term “psilocybiome” as a framework to describe the bidirectional relationship between psychedelics and the microbiota-gut-brain axis, they propose that microbial diversity and metabolism influence every phase of psychedelic therapy from preparation and acute experience to integration. Caspani et al. (2024) build on this by exploring psychedelics potential antimicrobial effects and how they may reshape gut ecology, suggesting that microbial composition modulates psychedelic pharmacokinetics while remarkably, psychedelics, in turn, remodel the microbiota. This research suggests that psilocybin’s therapeutic benefit may indeed depend on the baseline composition and inflammatory state of the gut microbiome. This perspective offers a fresh view for the variability in dose response observed within the CH community’s collective busting experiences. It appears reasonable to suspect that interventions which restore microbial balance and support gut integrity may enhance the therapeutic window for psychedelic therapy. Although the degree to which these microbial mediated mechanisms contribute to the therapeutic benefit we see in busting for CH remains speculative, these new findings make clear that psilocybin’s actions reach beyond the mind, extending into the intricate microbial terrain in a complex dance that is beginning to be revealed. So what about that case report? Recent clinical evidence provides an example of how restoring microbial homeostasis may be achieved through an integrative approach. A 2023 case report by Beltran and Guimarães described the successful treatment of a patient with psoriasis vulgaris refractory to conventional therapies using a combined anti-inflammatory diet, high-dose vitamin D3 therapy and targeted herbal antimicrobials. The case report used a diagnostic workup that included the Gastrointestinal Microbial Assay Plus (GI-MAP), a DNA-based stool test that identifies bacterial, fungal and parasitic taxa as well as markers of gut inflammation and intestinal permeability by Quantitative PCR (qPCR). This diagnostic framework provided a precision-based view of the patient’s baseline microbial state and guided subsequent therapeutic choices. Such testing reveals that, just as no two microbiomes are identical, one size may not fit all in nutritional or supplement interventions. Importantly, dysbiosis patterns and their immunological signatures vary between individuals which necessitates personalized modulation of the microbiota rather than blanket probiotic or dietary advice. In the specific case testing revealed small intestinal fungal overgrowth (SIFO) driven by Candida albicans. These results informed a selection of herbal antimicrobials, notably oregano oil for its antifungal and biofilm-disruptive properties. Oregano oil’s mechanisms include membrane disruption and inhibition of fungal enzyme activity which reduce microbial burden and help restore mucosal homeostasis. To complement this, Curcumin longa (turmeric) was used for its capacity to inhibit NF-κB-mediated inflammation and upregulate VDR expression in epithelial and immune cells. Following five months of intervention immunofluorescence analysis of VDR expression in skin biopsies revealed upregulation of receptor density compared with baseline, correlating in full clinical remission. This finding parallels the discussion advanced in Beltran’s companion paper, Vitamin D Receptor Renewal Through Anti-Inflammatory Diet, which identifies the suppression of VDR by LPS, mycotoxins and inflammatory cytokines as key drivers of vitamin D resistance in chronic inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. By resolving dysbiosis and improving epithelial integrity through diet, the intervention removed the upstream inflammatory blockade to VDR transcription and restored immune tolerance. Where and how to even conclude this...? Cluster headache, long regarded as the most devastating disorder, may find part of its explanation not in the brain alone but in the microbial world that indeed sustains it. As our understanding of the gut-brain-immune axis deepens, the concept that dysbiosis and intestinal permeability may act as upstream drivers of neuroinflammation becomes increasingly difficult to ignore. While the literature in CH remains in its infancy, speculative bridges are clearly already being built with patents having been filed for microbial modulating technologies aimed at treating headache disorders, such as US9987224B2, which describes methods for altering gut microbiota composition to influence neurological outcomes including migraine and CH. Such developments are another signal of the growing recognition that modulating our microbial landscape presents as an attractive therapeutic target for disorders once considered purely neurogenic in origin. All being said, it's early days – what I think we have is an interesting hypothesis more so than settled science for CH specifically. The ketogenic results are impressive but need larger, controlled trials; vitamin D3 works for many but the anti-inflammatory regimen remains without clinical validation in CH and psilocybin's ties to the microbiome are certainly intriguing but mostly preclinical. All three treatment options are available for patients to pursue at their own discretion. I hope I have been able to articulate my take on the current literature and of course welcome your thoughts, comments and ideas. I have tried to be as accurate as possible, please point out any shortcomings. Many questions remain covering other important topics in CH such as genetics, periodicity and the role of personality; still – I feel like it is an exciting and hopeful time and look forward to seeing what future research may show in regards CH and the microbiome. References Migraine Vuralli, D., Akgör, M.C., Gök Dağıdır, H. et al. (2024) ‘Lipopolysaccharide, VE-cadherin, HMGB1 and HIF-1α are elevated in chronic migraine with MOH: evidence of leaky gut/inflammation’, J Headache Pain. Link: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10875763/ He, Q., Zhang, Y. and Li, R. (2023) ‘A causal effects of gut microbiota in the development of migraine’, J Headache Pain. Link: https://thejournalofheadacheandpain.biomedcentral.com/... Grodzka, O. and Domitrz, I. (2025) ‘Gut microbiota, probiotics, and migraine: a clinical review and meta-analysis’, Journal of Oral & Facial Pain and Headache. Link (journal): https://www.jofph.com/articles/10.22514/jofph.2025.043 Kappéter, Á., Zając, A., Domitrz, I. (2023) ‘Migraine as a disease associated with dysbiosis and possible therapy with fecal microbiota transplantation’, Biomedicines. Link: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10458656/ Cluster Headache Lund, N.L.T., Pedersen, S.H., Ashina, M. et al. (2025) ‘Distinct alterations of inflammatory biomarkers in cluster headache: a case–control study’, Annals of Neurology. Link (journal): https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/ana.27205 Ran, C., Yang, Y., Guo, S. et al. (2024) ‘Elevated cytokine levels in the central nervous system of patients with cluster headache’, J Headache Pain. Link: https://thejournalofheadacheandpain.biomedcentral.com/... Søborg, M.L.K., Amin, F.M., Ashina, M. et al. (2025) ‘PACAP-38 in cluster headache: a prospective, case-control study of a potential treatment target’, Eur J Neurol. Link (PubMed): https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41002104/ Ketogenic Diet Di Lorenzo, C., Coppola, G., Sirianni, G. et al. (2018) ‘Efficacy of Modified Atkins Ketogenic Diet in Chronic Cluster Headache: An Open-Label, Single-Arm Clinical Trial’, Frontiers in Neurology. Link: https://www.frontiersin.org/.../10.../fneur.2018.00064/full Vitamin D3 Vemulapalli, R., Thomas, A. (2025) ‘The Role of Vitamin D in Gastrointestinal Homeostasis and Gut Inflammation.’, Int. J. Molecular Sciences Link: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40243631/ Gominak, S.C. (2016) ‘Vitamin D deficiency changes the intestinal microbiome reducing B-vitamin production in the host: a hypothesis explaining chronic sleep disorder’, Medical Hypotheses. Link (PubMed): https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27515213/ Charoenngam, N., Shirvani, A., Holick, M.F. (2020) ‘The Effect of Various Doses of Oral Vitamin D3 Supplementation on Gut Microbiota in Healthy Adults: A Randomized, Double-blinded, Dose-response Study’, Anticancer Research. Link: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31892611/ Stio, M. et al. (2016) ‘Vitamin D regulates the tight-junction protein expression in active ulcerative colitis’, Scand J Gastroenterol. Link (PubMed): https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27207502/ Scricciolo A, Roncoroni L, Lombardo V,Ferretti F, Doneda L,Elli L (2018) ‘Vitamin D3 Versus Gliadin: A Battle to the Last Tight Junction’, Digestive Diseases and Sciences. Link: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29159680/ Shirvani A, Kalajian TA, Song A, Holick MF. (2019) ‘Disassociation of vitamin D’s calcemic and non-calcemic genomic activity & individual responsiveness: RCT’, Scientific Reports. Link: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-019-53864-1 Psychedelics Wang, X., Li, H. and Zhou, Z. (2025) ‘Psychedelics and the Gut Microbiome: Unraveling the Interplay and Therapeutic Implication’ (Viewpoint), ACS Chemical Neuroscience. Link (journal page): https://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/acschemneuro.5c00418 Zanikov, T., Gerasymchuk, M. and Robinson, G.I. (2024) ‘Psilocybin and eugenol prevent DSS-induced neuroinflammation in mice’, Biocatalysis and Agricultural Biotechnology. Link: https://www.sciencedirect.com/.../pii/S1878818124000161 Caspani et al. (2024) ‘Mind over matter: the microbial mindscapes of psychedelics and the gut-brain axis’, Progress in Neuro-Psychopharmacology & Biological Psychiatry. Link: https://www.sciencedirect.com/.../pii/S1043661824002834 Kelly, J.R., and Clarke, G. (2023) ‘Seeking the Psilocybiome: Psychedelics meet the microbiota-gut-brain axis’, International Journal of Psychopharmacology Link: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9791138/ Case Report & Other Beltran, E.P. and Guimarães, G. (2023) ‘High-dose vitamin D3, anti-inflammatory diet and targeted antimicrobials in psoriasis vulgaris: clinical case with VDR immunofluorescence’, Zenodo case report (grey literature). Link: https://zenodo.org/record/7799594 Beltran, E.P. (2023) ‘Vitamin D Receptor Renewal Through Anti-inflammatory Diet’, ResearchGate/Institutional page (grey literature). Link: https://www.researchgate.net/.../369801068_Vitamin_D... US 9,987,224 B2 (2018) ‘Method and system for preventing migraine headaches, cluster headaches and dizziness.’ Link (Google Patents): https://patents.google.com/patent/US9987224B2/en

Since left side episodic started in Oct 2013 I’ve tried most of the known treatments/meds and non-prescribed trials, and not much helped but time. Was hopeful with Emgality as I thought it worked but likely end of cycle, and so expensive even with decent fought for coverage. Lithium seemed better than Verapamil as the bridge etc but Niece with migraines busted out her peppermint oil last Aug ‘22. Dabbed and rubbed in to both temples and back of neck, and seemed 99% of time quelled the attacks. I let my Neurologist know and he’d never heard of it being helpful with Clusters. I’ve replaced the D3 regimen, Lithium, Verapamil, Gabapentin, and triptans for this. Have had cycles but this oddly seems to help. Still pissed off and exhausted after but it’s rare now for the pain to go to even a 4. Anybody try this stuff? All the best, Scott

Hi to everyone here im new to this site but i have suffered from chronic cluster headaches for the past 6 years.There has not been 1 day in the last 6 years where i have had a single day without having any where between 3 to 8 severe attacks per day.Ive had everything that medical science has had to offer,sumatriptan ,verapamill,botox injections imgality,nerve blockers,you name it and nothing work as most of those treatments were only proven to help people that had episonic clusters but not affective for chronic cluster headaches. It got to a point where i was that depressed that thinking about suicide was my only option to end my suffering and even went as far as paying $14000 dollars to buy a funeral plan before ending my life.Then after watching several videos of people claiming that taking magic mushrooms or lsd gave far better results in very small micro dosages of 0.4 grams every 3 to 4 days had far better results than any medications with no nasty side affects what so ever i started taking shrooms and to my suprise i was getting alot less attacks per day and not as severe.Then i started looking into something that no one really ever talks about and that is ECS short for Endocannabinoid system wich is something that we are all born with our bodies naturally produce endocannabinods however as we are all different so some of us dont produce enough of this compound in our body and funnilly enough i found that people that suffer from chronic migraine and cluster headaches were the ones that were lacking this enzyme.The reason we have cluster attacks as far as i know is due to vessels in our brain become inflammed and cause the vessels in our head to swell up and put pressure on the trigeminal nerve just above our ear and intern sends severe pain signals to the nerves behind your eye your nose your cheek bone and your jaw line and in my case even my neck.So i thought well if this theory is correct then how can i increase endcannabanoids in my system that my body could not do naturally.And thats where my life changed completely.I got onto a company who was liscenced to sell very pure high grade CBD oil which had no thc in it but had the cannabanoids CBD,CBG and CBN also particularly CBG which has a very powerfull inflammitory property bound to it but also helps greatly with dealing with chronic pain, so i thought well if its such a powerfull inflammitory then if it reduces the swelling in blood vessels in my head then it will not put pressure on the trigeminal nerve.Low and behold from the first day i took a very small dosage of 0.2mlg under my tongue twice a day it was instant.For the first time in 6 years i went a full day without a cluster attack it was almost to good to be true ,but 4 weeks have past since ive been taking this particular CBD oil and my clusters have dissapeared completely.Doctors say they just dont have a cure or know why people get cluster headaches well all i can say is they need to start looking into the endo cannabanoid .I urge any one here suffering from this debilitating illness to try it i mean what have you got to loose buy giving it a try .After having chronic clusters for 6 years without have not 1 day without at least 3 to 8 attacks per day to just stop completely from taking this CBD oil cannot be just a coincidence.I feel your pain and only want to give you another possible option that is drug free with absolutely no side affects that comes with traditional medication,and if you would like to talk to me personally about how to go about it im happy to leave a number if you would like to talk to me personally.

....unlikely that cooking oil in and of itself would be a trigger....however, old/used/stale/high temp abused cooking oils have high levels of free fatty acids which, among other things, are bitter, darken the oil, cause greasy mouthfeel and are just all around nasty. it wouldn't surprise that among these there could be triggers due to vasoactivity. minimize re use of fry oil, old oil, or restaurant foods deep fried in never changed oil (you will know by taste and mouthfeel). high volume food service uses oil fast enough to minimize excessive free fatty acids, as well as being able to afford frequent oil changes. low volume stores use til gone and frequently do not clean out food particles from fryer, which just worsens the problem.

As I suspected, a few years back there was a reason for the push to use only pharmaceutical grade omega-3, most of the market stuff is garbage. From the venerable Science, which I trust considerably more than Consumer Labs (I won’t disclose), Nordic Naturals and Carlson are the best. I swear by Nordic Naturals, especially the Nemechek protocol approved 2,840mg one (jackpot). Carlson is always sold out on iHerb, Vitacost, and Amazon. It will set you back $40 a month, but you get what you pay for, BIG TIME. The Nordic Naturals Ultimate Omega, Liquid, 2840mg is so potent that mainstream psychiatrists use it as frontline treatment in Borderline Personality Disorder. I know, after 25 years of polypharmacy and most likely a million or two billed to insurance, that in 3 months I am a brand new person that know one recognizes. That is the Nemechek protocol approved choice, even Dr. Amen approves, he produces his own FYI. If you read this far https://reader.elsevier.com/reader/sd/pii/S0889157519305137?token=C58EF8063CA3EE0CDCA9A292D5659882F55A2A8D63A7E4ED57F984890342B97D12E41EF47D1C64E9ED17EEE9782C36E5&originRegion=us-east-1&originCreation=20211210000327

As far the specific dosage for shrooms i didnt get this recomended dosage from the internet i was fortunate enough to get a hold of a guy that sold shrooms called GOLDEN TOPS and i told him i didnt want these for recreational use i wanted them for clusters and it just so happened that he had another customer he was dealing with on a regular basis that also suffered suffered from ch . He told me that person was taking that specific dosage every 4 days and said on the first dosage you take you start with a higher dosage of between 1 and 1.5 grams to start with then start micro dosing 0.4 grams every 4 days after that so you dont feel the affect and can still function without the sphycadellic affect from the shrooms.What is important to mention when using shrooms and this is also stated in one of Bob Wolds videos that you must stop taking all of the medications you are currently on as he states that the medications interfere with how the mushrooms work in your brains receptors.As for your first question i took shrooms over a period of 5 months and found it more affective than any other medication i had tried.The problem with most medications we take all seem to be abortive treatments once the ch attack has occured but very little on preventative medicines to stop the attacks from even occuring in the first place ,thats where the shrooms were the better alternative.Once i went onto CBD oil called Humacology wich is a broad spectrum oil that contains 0thc,270mgCBD,60mgCBG,10mgCBN with a very low dosage of 0.2mg under the tongue twice a day for iits inflammitory properties ,chronic pain releif my clusters have completly disapeared so i am completely free of all other medications,sumatriptan,verapamil,imgality,and also no longer take the mushrooms.

It's been mentioned here before, from time to time. Glad it's helping you!!! (Though I'm not sure I'd abandon the D3 regimen.) Do you not have oxygen (you don't mention it)? I think if you click here you'll see the "search results" page showing times when peppermint oil has been mentioned. You can tell just from the overview that it has been used in several ways. https://clusterbusters.org/forums/search/?q="peppermint oil"&quick=1

I use Tiger Balm or Olbas oil or both. They don’t usually stop them, but bring the pain level down. I use Atomic Fireballs under my tongue on the headache side. The fireballs came from a member, Ricardo, who used hot sauce under the tongue. I also use Monster Energy drinks.

I have peppermint oil and a couple other 'pain relief' mixes with peppermint and cleary sage etc, it does nothing for the pain per se, but the scent and the warming feeling helps me tolerate attacks better.

in Australia its called humacology i get drug tested alot with my job so had one with 0THC,270mgCBD,60mgCGB,10mgCBN oil

Thanks, Andrew. Would you please give me a recommendation on the CBD oil to try?

I very much appreciate this report, and as you say, it probably couldn't hurt for people to give it a try. It's wonderful that you have experienced this relief! I will say that you are far from the first person who has reported here on trying CBD, and some have indeed reported good results -- though not a "cure," which is not a word we use here lightly, and surely not until at least a couple of years have gone by. If you (or anyone else reading here) want to see past reports related to CBD, just put CBD in the search bar located at the top of each page (here's an example: https://clusterbusters.org/forums/topic/5581-cbd-i-know-i-know-but-bear-with-me/#comment-56361). Of course, it is possible that through your research you might have hit on just the right oil and/or just the right dosage and/or who-knows-what other "just right" thing that gets it all aligned. If you don't mind, I have a few questions/requests: Two questions here: (1) Did you continue dosing with shrooms? (2) Would you point me to one of those videos you mention, making that specific recommendation ("small micro dosages of 0.4 grams every 3 to 4 days")? As the first site specifically created to encourage/help people to use psychedelic substances to treat CH, we try to keep track of what people are saying out there about how to do it, and I have not seen videos making this recommendation (which is different from what we have learned here about the best way of treating CH with psychedelics). As people here know, I like to dig into the research, so I have the same request: Would you be kind enough to point me to one of the studies you found showing this deficiency in people with CH? I have tried googling, and I have found research about hormones lacked by people with CH (one study, for example, says "CH often show accompanying neuro-endocrinological changes such as a blunted circadian rhythmicity of hypothalamically regulated hormones including testosterone, cortisol, growth hormone, thyroid-stimulating hormone, prolactin, melatonin, follicle-stimulating hormone, and luteinizing hormone..."), but I haven't located anything about endocannabinoids and CH.

can you please be specific as to the brand of oil and where you bought it

when the blood vessels become inflammed and dialated they put pressure on the trigeminal nerve which then sends pain signals through the nerves in your face so pure medical oxygen reduces the inflamed blood vessels and return them back to normal and once they are no longer pressing on the trigeminal nerve the pain goes away quiet quickly.since i have started using cbd oil which is a powerful inflamitory i dont even use oxygen theropy any more they have compltely stopped

My husband brought some home today for me to try... has anyone used this before and if so had any success with it?

I have not used the peppermint oil but I do use frankincense oil on a little piece of tissue and press it to the roof of my mouth to help reduce the ramp up time and aid the oxygen. I will use it as an alternative to a 5hr drink and it seems to have just about the same effect for me. Frankincense and oxygen combo and I can kill off an attack in 5 minutes most of the time.

Hi friends, I bought a CBD oil called "Charlotte's web". I don't believe it has any THC and it does not have any psychoactive effects. Do you know if it's okay to take this and also take Verapamil? Thanks for your help! Jimmy

Has anyone used this with success? I have only begun and it broke a cycle after 2 uses. I am hopeful and if you know more about it than I do (which wouldn't have to be much). i'd love to hear from you! Thanks, gail

I don't know if anyone caught the Dateline last night about the cannibus oil stopping epileptic seizures .. Has anyone here tried it for CH ?? any better worse ?? im not talking about POT (thc) ..but the cannibus oil (other chemical in it) for seizures ?? http://www.hightimes.com/read/nbcs-dateline-sheds-light-cannabis-oil-epileptic-kids?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+HIGHTIMESMagazine+(HIGH+TIMES+Magazine)

Smelling burning cooking oil can be a major trigger.

Thank you for the information it makes total sense. I decided to try olive oil and see how that works for him.

There's a list of food triggers here: https://clusterbusters.org/forums/topic/4568-triggers/. This is the first time I remember a mention of cooking oil.

Does anyone know if cooking oil is a trigger? I remember years ago there used to be a food list and I can’t seem to find it. Thanks everyone! Doing research for husband.

I'm a new member with chronic CH for the past 18 months. I've read that capsaicin cream can be helpful for CH, but I can't get it anywhere. I made my own by following a basic recipe I found online, for back pain. By simmering a tbsp of chili powder with a cup of olive oil. Put that mix in a jar in the fridge and when I started to have a cluster, I would take a tbsp of the mix, swish it around in my mouth for about a minute and swallow it. I think it might have helped (placebo effect?) for a few CHs, but it's no guarantee. I also did a mix of the above, plus strong coffee and ginger, all simmered together. It was actually delicious, but I don't think it helped much. On clinicaltrials.gov I saw a CH study with a nasal capsaicin spray, but the trial was stopped and I've read nothing about any trials since then. It appears that some drug stores might carry capsaicin creams, but they're for back pain and typically include all sorts of other ingredients for back pain, which could make the CHs worse, especially if you're hypersensitive to odours around a CH. I also read that apple cider vinegar might be helpful with neuralgia and nerve pain. So I made a mix of 70:30 water and ACV, stuck it in a glass jar in the fridge. As soon as I get shadows, I take a sip from the jar, swill it around in my mouth, spit it out, then chase it with cold water. I do this up to five times. Sometimes it helps, I can avoid an extreme attack, or cut it down to less than 10 minutes. I also put straight ACV on a cotton pad and apply directly to the throbbing temple, and to the skin outside the nasal cavity. (I don't put it up my nose.) I do this while doing a sort of "Bohr" effect breathing technique, which is supposed to increase the efficacy of oxygen, by increasing red blood cells. This is one video showing the technique, but when the CH hits extreme, I double the number of inhales/exhales to get more oxygen. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UZKivmRajgE Sometimes I do squats in place while I do the above. (It's hard to run around when I have to keep my eyes covered from light sensitivity.) But I do wonder if this diverts oxygen and red blood cells to my muscles, away from my head, which might cause increased vasodilation? Anybody used any of the above as DIY hacks to curb CHs? The ACV is easy to tote. I plan to start on the oxygen therapy protocol one of these days. But so far my clusters are extreme for about 15-30 minutes (and I'm lucky that I typically only have one per day) and I'm not sure if oxygen will help since I read that it can take 15-30 to get relief. I just started the vitamin program, though I'm only at 5,000 IUs of vitamin D daily (and the required combo of cal and mag) right now. Thanks for any feedback. This forum has provided me with incredible info and support for the past year. At first I wanted to believe the pain was due to an impacted max wisdom tooth. And the lidocaine sure did help for a few days post-extraction. But then I had to face the music. For 18 months I've taken none of the meds recommended for CH, and learned a lot from this group about which ones to avoid. I dream of remission, even for a month. Yet I realize I'm incredibly fortunate to have one per day, and sometimes a day off in between. Once I had four in a 12 hour period. My definition of grateful sure has changed since the CH started.

In the middle of a cluster cycle, going to try the D3 Regimen. Wanting to make sure I have things straight by combining the updates I've read on here from Batch plus the original instructions. Can someone check my homework here? Products: Nutrasal Micro D3 - High Concentrate Vitamin D3 Bio-Tech - D3-50 50,000 IU, 100 Capsules Nature Made Extra-Strength Magnesium 400 mg Kirkland Signature Mature Adult Multi Vitamin Tablets Nature Made Burp-Less Fish Oil 1200 mg One Elevated Methyl Folate+ Life Extension Super K Now Vitamin B-50 Instructions Load (1 week): 0.5cc, Daily Micro D3 Two pills, Daily: Fish Oil Magnesium One Pill, Daily: Bio-Tech D3 Magnesium Kirkland Multi-Vitamin Methyl Folate Super K Vitamin B-50 (for 90 days, then stop) Taper Down (1 week): Two pills, Daily: Fish Oil One Pill, Daily: Bio-Tech D3 Magnesium Kirkland Multi-Vitamin Methyl Folate Super K Vitamin B-50 (for 90 days, then stop) Maintenance: Two pills, Daily: Fish Oil One Pill, Daily: Magnesium Kirkland Multi-Vitamin Methyl Folate Super K Vitamin B-50 (for 90 days, then stop) One Pill, Once a week: Bio-Tech D3 Labs to request: Before starting / 1 month / 3 months / 6 months: Serum 25(OH)D3 Calcium PTH (Parathyroid Hormone) Notes: If any allergic reactions occur, stop taking immediately and consult with doc