Cluster headaches are a specific variety of extremely painful, debilitating, headaches which occur in cycles that usually last 4 to 8 weeks, followed by a pain-free remission period but can also be continuous. Cluster headaches are classified as vascular headaches. The intense pain associated with them is caused by the dilation of blood vessels which creates pressure on the trigeminal facial nerve. While this process is the immediate cause of the pain, the underlying cause or causes are not yet fully understood.

Conventional treatments for Cluster Headaches are based on the administration of a vasoconstrictor to act against dilation of blood vessels that is thought to be the cardinal mechanism of pain production. However, the efficacy of drug treatments that have no direct effects on blood vessels has cast doubt on the vasoconstrictor hypothesis. It appears more likely that these drugs are successful because they stabilize serotonergic neurotransmission. The hypothalamus has also been implicated as a possible cause of Cluster Headaches due to the fact that cluster headaches frequently strike around the same time each day, and during a particular season (one of the main functions the hypothalamus performs is the regulation of the biological clock).

Recent insights into the treatment of cluster headaches by sufferers of the condition have identified both LSD and psilocybin as effective treatment options. The results of the study so far have been promising.

Whilst the strength of Bromo's action on the serotonin systems of the brain are comparable to that of LSD, it possesses almost no psychic effects, even at high doses, making it a ideal choice for the treatment of Cluster Headaches.

The goal of this research is to increase the understanding of the underlying causes of Cluster Headaches and also develop a treatment plan using Bromo-LSD which will decrease the pain, severity, and duration of each attack.