A 51-year-old Calgary man who suffers debilitating cluster headaches has won a Federal Court battle forcing Health Canada to reconsider his bid for legal access to psilocybin to treat his extreme pain.

Ottawa Federal Court Judge Simon Fothergill, on May 24, granted an application for judicial review of Health Canada’s denial of Jody Lance’s bid for legal access to medical grade psilocybin — the active ingredient in hallucinogenic mushrooms — to manage pain associated with the headaches, which is so bad they have earned the nickname “suicide headaches.”

That decision — which also highlighted the need to consider a patient’s Charter rights — is being hailed by others fighting to access psilocybin for medical reasons.

Requests to access controlled substances in special medical circumstances are filed through Health Canada’s Special Access Program (SAP). In their July 12, 2023, SAP application Lance and his Calgary neurologist, William Jeptha Davenport, requested legal access psilocybin to help treat pain. Health Canada denied the request due to lack of research into the efficacy of the drug to treat cluster headaches.

  • TSG_Asmodeus (he, him)@lemmy.world
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    6 months ago

    If any of you out there suffer from Cluster Headaches as I do, know that mushrooms absolutely destroyed them. I went from 3-4 attacks a year, to one in the last 9 years.

      • TSG_Asmodeus (he, him)@lemmy.world
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        6 months ago

        I just did it once right after the attack l had 9 years ago, and then once after one I had about a year ago. My doctor of all people suggested it, and I didn’t even trip on it.

        So yes, if any of you also suffer, find yourself some (legit) mushrooms, they should help. I’ve been there and I know that pain, they don’t call them suicide headaches for no reason. There’s help!

        EDIT: Realised I forgot dosage – I asked a friend who did mushrooms every month or so, and he gave me ‘the smallest dose.’ So sadly I don’t know what it was, sorry for anyone who wants that info. Just know it doesn’t take much.

        • streetfestival@lemmy.ca
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          6 months ago

          Thanks for sharing. I’m glad you’ve got something that works well for those headaches and is cost effective. Most drug industry meds are to be taken daily. There’s not a lot of money in something like this for the drug companies lol