Headaches and migraines cost the world over $150 billion per year. Migraines are debilitating, normally leading to a loss of the ability to focus due to the pain. Worse still is that the exact cause of migraines is unknown. One type of pain relief may have been found in an unlikely place.

Neurology researchers recently tested how magic mushrooms, or more precisely psilocybin, the naturally occurring psychedelic compound found in them, relieves pain. 10 study participants who regularly deal with migraines took a low dose of the drug (low enough to not trip).

The neurologists ran a double-blind placebo trial, the gold standard for testing the effectiveness of the drug. Those given psilocybin showed a much larger decrease in the number of migraines one week after being given the drug compared to the patients given the placebo. The participants also showed no serious side effects in this small study. 

Low-dose psychedelics are proving to be effective therapeutics in neurology, and are inching towards legalization around the country. Could magic mushrooms hold the key to bring about a lasting cure to mysterious migraines? We’ll have to wait to find out, but the results look promising.