To carry out a survey on N,N-dimethyltryptamine (DMT) use in adults with cluster headache.

The use of DMT by patients with cluster headache for disease management has recently increased, primarily to abort attacks. To better understand this practice, and to consider investigating DMT in a clinical trial, it is key to collect information from those using it.

An online international survey was created with Alchemer© and approved by Yale’s institutional review board. The survey began with demographic questions and diagnostic criteria for cluster headache, followed by questions about drug acquisition, mode of use, efficacy, safety, and comparison to other treatments. Interim analysis was carried out using data from 2-August-2025 to 22-September-2025. Results are descriptive, including averages and percentages.

From a total 248 completed surveys, 100 participants met criteria for cluster headache. Of these, 84% were male and average age was 49 years. The most common place to have learned about DMT treatment was social media/online. More than one mode of ingestion was often tried, but 75% had used a vape pen. Among those who used DMT to abort attacks (n = 85), the majority reported it completely eliminates pain (67.5%) and that it works every (45.7%) or almost every (35.8%) single time. Over half reported that DMT worked in under 30 seconds, and all participants reported either no change or an improvement in their health with DMT use.

Interim analysis of this survey generally revealed rapid abortive efficacy of DMT in cluster headache without negative outcomes. Data will continue to be collected, and then more in-depth analysis completed to describe patient practices, specific dosing and regimens, and predictive factors of efficacy and safety. From this, clinicians can have informed discussions about this patient practice and furthermore, the potential for formal investigation through a controlled clinical trial can be considered.