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Disclaimer: PsyBear provides educational information only. We do not sell, distribute, or encourage the illegal use of controlled substances. Psilocybin remains Schedule I federally. Oregon and Colorado have state-licensed supervised psilocybin programs as of 2026.

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PsyBear logo — psilocybin education and harm reductionPsyBear

The most comprehensive information and discovery destination for magic mushrooms. Education, safety, and community first.

Magic Mushrooms

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© 2026 PsyBear · psybear.co

Made with ♥ in Northern California

Disclaimer: PsyBear provides educational information only. We do not sell, distribute, or encourage the illegal use of controlled substances. Psilocybin remains Schedule I federally. Oregon and Colorado have state-licensed supervised psilocybin programs as of 2026.

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GlossaryPulse regimen

Pulse regimen

A dosing schedule used in cluster headache and migraine trials — typically three doses of psilocybin (~10 mg each), administered approximately five days apart, over a two-week period. Distinct from the single high-dose sessions used in depression and PTSD protocols. The therapeutic effect in headache disorders does not correlate with the intensity of the psychedelic experience, suggesting a direct neurological mechanism rather than a psychotherapy-mediated one. (Schindler et al., Journal of Neurological Sciences, 2024)

Full Explanation

A pulse regimen is a dosing schedule used in cluster headache and migraine trials — typically three doses of psilocybin (~10 mg each), administered approximately five days apart, over a two-week period. Distinct from the single high-dose sessions used in depression and PTSD protocols. The therapeutic effect in headache disorders does not correlate with the intensity of the psychedelic experience, suggesting a direct neurological mechanism rather than a psychotherapy-mediated one. (Schindler et al., Journal of Neurological Sciences, 2024)

See: Cluster Headaches (/conditions/cluster-headaches).

Why It Matters

The pulse regimen shows that headache protocols differ from depression protocols — multiple smaller doses, not one high-dose session — and support a neurological rather than psychological mechanism.

Back to Glossary

Explore More Terms

SSRI discontinuation syndrome

A cluster of symptoms occurring when SSRIs are stopped abruptly or tapered too quickly. Symptoms include dizziness, nausea, flu-like sensations, irritability, insomnia, and "brain zaps" — brief electric shock-like sensations in the head or extremities. Severity varies by drug: highest risk with paroxetine and venlafaxine; lowest with fluoxetine (despite its long washout time). Always requires a clinician-supervised taper. Relevant for anyone considering transitioning from SSRIs to psilocybin therapy.

Trigeminal pathway

The trigeminal nerve system (cranial nerve V) responsible for transmitting pain signals from the face, scalp, and meninges to the brain. Becomes sensitised and hyperactivated during cluster headache and migraine attacks. Psilocybin may modulate trigeminal pain pathways via 5-HT2B and 5-HT2C receptor activity — a mechanism distinct from its 5-HT2A-mediated antidepressant effects. This distinction may explain why psilocybin's headache benefits do not correlate with psychedelic intensity.

Afterglow

The period of heightened mood, openness, and mental flexibility that commonly follows a full-dose psilocybin session — typically lasting 24 hours to several weeks. During the afterglow, neuroplasticity is elevated, default mode network activity is altered, and emotional and cognitive patterns are unusually open to change. Considered the critical integration window: therapeutic insights translate into lasting behavior change most effectively during this period. (Majić et al., 2015)

Spores

Reproductive cells produced by mushrooms, used to start new cultures and legal to possess in most US states.

Set and Setting

The combination of mindset (set) and environment (setting) that shapes a psychedelic experience.

Integration

The process of making meaning from a psychedelic experience and applying insights to daily life.

PsyBear logo — psilocybin education and harm reductionPsyBear

The most comprehensive information and discovery destination for magic mushrooms. Education, safety, and community first.

Magic Mushrooms

  • About
  • Strains
  • Species
  • Forms
  • Effects

Discover

  • Dosage Calculator
  • Churches
  • Retreats
  • Legal Status
  • Grow Guides
  • Compare Strains
  • Therapy Comparisons

Conditions

  • Depression
  • Anxiety
  • PTSD
  • Addiction
  • OCD

Guides

  • Safe Trip
  • Trip Sitter
  • Ceremony Etiquette
  • vs SSRIs
  • Microdosing

Resources

  • Blog
  • Research
  • Glossary
  • Events

Company

  • About
  • Contact
  • Membership
  • Privacy
  • Terms

© 2026 PsyBear · psybear.co

Made with ♥ in Northern California

Disclaimer: PsyBear provides educational information only. We do not sell, distribute, or encourage the illegal use of controlled substances. Psilocybin remains Schedule I federally. Oregon and Colorado have state-licensed supervised psilocybin programs as of 2026.