How to Microdose Mushrooms and Does It Have Benefits?

How to Microdose Mushrooms for Anxiety and Depression?

Psychedelic drugs have garnered significant attention among medical professionals and individuals due to their increasingly recognized potential to bring about enduring improvements in the mental health of individuals contending with conditions like treatment-resistant depression. The practice of microdosing with substances like LSD or psilocybin involves consuming a minute fraction of the standard dosage—typically a sub-perceptual dose—far below what is required for a full-blown “trip” or hallucinogenic experience.

There is a prevailing belief that microdosing psychedelics can elevate mood, boost creativity, enhance focus, increase productivity, and foster empathy toward others. However, there’s a possibility that these perceived benefits stem from an “expectancy effect.” This implies that individuals who regularly consume a daily pill in anticipation of feeling happier and sharper may experience those sensations attributed to the pill itself, regardless of its actual contents.

Understanding Microdosing

The definition of microdosing with psychedelic drugs lacks a universally recognized standard, making consistent research challenging. It typically refers to approximately 1/5 to 1/20 of a recreational dose, such as a moderate psilocybin dose of 2 to 3 grams of dried mushrooms, where a microdose is around 0.3 grams. However, the variability in the potency of mushrooms due to lack of regulation poses a challenge. Similarly, LSD, often in liquid form or embedded into paper, remains invisible, tasteless, and odorless, making accurate dosage estimation difficult.

Due to the current illegal status and absence of regulation, determining the precise dosage of LSD or psilocybin is challenging unless acquired from a highly reliable source. The potent nature and long-lasting effects of LSD underscore the necessity of precise dosage. Moreover, ongoing use may lead to physiological tolerance, potentially resulting in diminished benefits at the same dosage level.

Safety Concerns of Microdosing

Limited knowledge about safety stems from restricted research due to the War on Drugs, which halted much psychedelic investigation since the late 1960s. Recently, research into psychedelics has revived, with various medical centers conducting studies. Psilocybin, generally considered safe in low doses and historically used by indigenous communities, can be dangerous if taken in excessive amounts, leading to distressing or traumatic experiences.

Psilocybin, derived from nearly 200 fungi species, requires mushrooms from a trusted source. Mistaking poisonous mushrooms for psilocybin-containing ones poses severe health risks, potentially causing liver damage, severe illness, or fatality due to toxic varieties often resembling harmless species in nature.

Legalization of Psychedelics

Foreseen by experts, the full legalization of specific psychedelics like psilocybin and MDMA (ecstasy) for supervised medical use could be on the horizon in the next few years. Advocates and public health specialists believe these substances might be rendered safer through decriminalization and regulated production. Local decriminalization efforts in places like Oregon and various cities nationwide are underway.

The Potential for Safety and Concerns

Proponents of decriminalization anticipate increased safety measures and broader access, potentially eliminating the need for medical prescriptions or supervision. However, skeptics worry about uncontrolled access, particularly its effects on those with mental health conditions or the possible onset of disorders like psychosis in vulnerable populations.

Safety Caution in Mental Illness

The prudent use of psychedelic drugs, if at all, is critical, especially for individuals with severe mental conditions such as schizophrenia or bipolar disorder. Typically, these patients are excluded from psychedelic studies due to safety concerns.

Debating the Efficacy of Microdosing

The effectiveness of microdosing psychedelics remains a topic of contention. While some studies highlight substantial benefits from microdosing, others present less convincing evidence. For example, one study observed 953 psilocybin microdosers and 180 non-dosers, reporting moderate mood and mental health improvements over 30 days. Yet, a randomized controlled trial involving 34 patients yielded inconclusive evidence, raising questions about the actual therapeutic benefits of low-dose psilocybin mushrooms. This discrepancy suggests that perceived effects of psychedelics at sub-perceptual doses may primarily stem from expectancy rather than providing therapeutic advantages, hinting at a possible need for higher dosages to achieve desired outcomes.

Learn More:

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Benefits of Microdosing Mushrooms

When it comes to psychedelics, microdosing is taking drugs in doses that are insufficient to hurt daily life. Depending on the dosage, it could be taken three to five times weekly.

According to the 2021 Global Drug Survey (GDS), 1 in 4 psychedelic users reported microdosing on LSD or psilocybin mushrooms within the previous year. The poll also discovered that around one-third of those who used psychedelics microdose another psychedelic substance, even though these two chemicals are the most frequently used for microdosing.

A study addressed a challenge in this research area: the difficulty defining the dosage, despite most individuals perceiving a microdose as highly minimal.

Regarding the frequency of microdosing mushrooms, the study stated that the appropriate microdose could differ depending on the individual and circumstances. “When individuals determine a microdose, they aim to maintain normal cognitive functioning—being able to fulfill their work or other responsibilities without experiencing adverse effects,” the study explained.

As part of the recent study, participants underwent numerous assessments related to mood and mental health, documenting their recent use of microdosing psychedelic mushrooms and outlining various observed changes.

Results May Vary Based on the Expectancy

The trial’s design challenged the researchers as they couldn’t control for the “expectancy” effect. This phenomenon occurs when subjects anticipate benefits from psilocybin due to their awareness. It’s a common issue not only in psychedelic research but also in studies where participants are aware of the medication they receive, like in acupuncture or ice therapy studies.

Anticipating the effects of a substance can be powerful. However, the study’s lack of consideration for anticipation during its design doesn’t automatically invalidate its findings.

More Rigorous Research Needed on Microdosing Mushrooms

Because psilocybin, LSD, and other psychedelics are now prohibited in the United States by federal law, conducting psychedelic research has historically been difficult.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has recently given psychedelics “breakthrough therapy” status. It is currently promoting scientific study, even though previous clinical trials on psychedelics have been contested in the past.

Even though psychedelic medications like psilocybin may have therapeutic value, the adverse risks are not fully known, necessitating further thorough investigation.

Long-term usage of psilocybin mushrooms raises the possibility of heart valvulopathy or valve damage. Psilocybin, when consumed, is broken down by the liver into the pharmacological substance psilocin, which binds to serotonin receptors in the heart.