Micro-Dosing Psilocybin Mushrooms: ‘Shrooms’ for Mental Wellness
We're talking about "shrooms man". For mental wellness??
Yes, trippy, psychedelic, "far-out", and radical mushrooms.
Mysterious, 100% natural, and packed with unlimited and untapped potential, micro-dosing psilocybin mushrooms may be on the verge of a new medical frontier.
Used and considered sacred in dozens of cultures across the globe, psilocybin mushrooms have recently been legalized in multiple US cities, and are currently being researched under 'fast track' FDA designation for depression.
Move over Medical marijuana there's a new "cool kid" on the block getting a lot of attention.
Here's what you need to know about shrooms for mental wellness.
What Are Psilocybin Mushrooms?
The Psilocybin Mushroom:
Better known on the streets as, Magic Mushrooms, Shrooms, Magic Smoke, or Sacred Mushrooms.
Scientifically, It is called (and this is a doozy..)
4-phosphoryloxy-N N Dimethyltryptamine
I dare you to say that 10x fast !
What makes these psilocybin mushrooms so magical...
Psilocybin is the main ingredient found multiple species of psychoactive mushrooms.
Psilocybin is the most famous naturally-occurring psychedelic substance on the planet.
The most popular species of psilocybin mushrooms is Psilocybe cubensis, which is usually taken orally with a common dose around 1-3 grams ...
or a micro-dose between 0.15 – 0.3 grams.
Are Psilocybin Mushrooms legal?
As of 2021, Oregon is the only state to legalize psilocybin. But two major American cities have decriminalized psilocybin mushrooms.
Psilocybin is legal in Denver and in Oakland.
Psilocybin is also legal in Canada.
However, despite a large body of medical evidence, psilocybin, along with marijuana are both considered federally illegal, and both remain classified as a schedule 1 drug.
According to the United States Drug Enforcement Agnecy (DEA) Schedule 1 drugs have both:
-High Abuse Potential
-No Medicinal Use
For both medical marijuana and psilocybin both of these factors have been proven false characterizations.
Psilocybin is also currently being studied and called a "breakthrough therapy:" by the FDA.
What Are the Medical Benefits of Psilocybin Mushrooms?
According to Harvard Medical ....
“Researchers have recommended that the federal government reclassify these substances in order to facilitate future efforts”
Psilocybin was at the forefront of medical research until the ‘war on drugs’ in the 70’s made medical research more & more difficult.
But, a resurgence in interest has sparked loosened laws and increased research of psilocybin as of the late 2000’s.
Benefits of Psilocybin:
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Psilocybin vs. Depression
Depression may be the most researched condition for psilocybin treatment.
In 2018 the mental health care company “Compass” was awarded “breakthrough therapy” designation (a fast track review) by the FDA for studies in psilocybin treatment of depression.
According to a 2017 study published by ScienceDirect.com...,
Psilocybin appears to be safe, rapid, and enduring in its antidepressant action.
It is important to note the study considered psilocybin's abuse potential to be “low”
There are also several publicly traded companies where you can buy stock in mushroom companies. (I already bough stock in 3 mushroom companies)
More research is needed, but early results from the study, would suggest psilocybin as an alternative to SSRI antidepressants such as Zoloft, Prozac or Xanax.
““I felt so much lighter, like something had been released, it was an emotional purging, the weight and anxiety and depression had been lifted.” – Study Participant
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Psilocybin vs. Anxiety
Anxiety & depression often go ‘hand in hand’ but the effects of both, although similar, can be felt quite differently.
In 2017, a study on Psilocybin vs. Anxiety was published in the peer-reviewed Medical Journal “The Mental Health Clinician”....
The study did “clinical research on psilocybin studied in treating anxiety symptoms in patients with cancer.”
The researchers found that “Anxiety significantly decreased at 1 and 3 months post-treatment”
I personally have found that micro-dosing helps me see a clearer picture of my future and the changes I need to make to improve my future. This "clarity" absolutely reduces my anxiety for weeks if not months from a single dose.
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Psilocybin vs. Addiction
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Psilocybin vs Cigarette Addiction
In a study by Johns Hopkins, researchers tested nicotine addiction in cigarettes vs. psilocybin treatments.
Participants who took psilocybin achieved an 80% abstinence rate over six months, compared to a 35% success rate for patients taking ‘Verenicline’, which has been widely considered the best drug to quit smoking.
“When administered after careful preparation and in a therapeutic context, psilocybin can lead to deep reflection about one’s life and spark motivation to change,” says Matthew Johnson, Ph.D., an author on the study.
Cigarettes aren’t the only epidemic in America right now. Opiate deaths are at an all time ‘high’ (no pun intended)
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Psilocybin vs Opiate Addiction
In a study published by Journal of Psychopharmacology in 2017...,
Researchers found that psilocybin mushrooms were “associated with decreased risk of opioid abuse and dependence.”
These findings suggest that psychedelics are associated with positive mental health, and are consistent with prior reports and studies suggesting psilocybin for treatment of substance use disorders.
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Psilocybin & Creativity
A new study published by the scientific “Journal of Psychoactive Drugs” in 2018 found that...
“The most fundamental takeaway is the insight into how changes to creative thinking could play a major role in explaining why psychedelic compounds are proving useful in treating a variety of mental health conditions.”
"These findings highlight the possible underlying role of enhanced creativity and empathy in the therapeutic potential of psychedelics."
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Psilocybin & Connection
“I have felt a sense of acceptance; more acceptance of agony, boredom, loneliness. [A] willingness to try to accept the negative times - but also an appreciation of the wonderful times.” – Psilocybin Research Participant
The “Journal of PsychoPharmacology” (that’s a mouth full) published a study in 2018 that found psilocybin generally increased connectivity to ones self, nature & ones surroundings.
Micro-Dosing: What is it & What Are The Benefits
Micro-dosing is exactly what it sounds like.
Micro-dosing is a technique for taking psilocybin and other substances in doses so low (known as "sub-therapeutic") that they are unlikely to produce intense whole-body effects.
However, the dose is still high enough to allow for very mild effects to be studied.
Benefits of micro-Dosing Psilocybin:
'It makes me enjoy playing with the kids even more'
Rosie is a typical working mom with 2 kids and by all means lives a normal life....
But behind her facade was a person drinking to cope with stress.
Not a black-out alcoholic, but definitely drinking too much for her own comfort.
After hearing a friend talk about micro-dosing psilocybin mushrooms she gave it a try....
After as eries of micro-doses, she gave up booze, and found piece-of-mind “You don’t feel high, just… better.”
The benefits of micro-dosing are the same benefits of taking a full dose, only with-out the full intense effects typically associated with a ‘tripping’ experience.
In the Netherlands, where psilocybin is 100% legal, Dennis van der Meijden, a graphic designer & music producer, reports to ScientificAmerican.com that micro-dosing 
“sharpens all the senses, as if the frequencies of all of your atoms and energy field are raised a little bit and are being slightly more conscious,”
“A representation of that is seen in the image above.
Each circle depicts relationships between networks—the dots and colors correspond not to brain regions, but to especially connection-rich networks—with normal-state brains at left, and psilocybin-influenced brains at right”
So, what is the deal with the colorful side? That my friends, is the human brain activated at more of a capacity than we normally use.
Micro-Dosing Schedule
When it comes to dosing, Dr. James Fadiman in the Psychedelic Explorer’s Guide recommends a cautious approach:
Dosage Ranges
- Micro-dose: 0.15–0.3g
- Creative dose: 0.5–1g (test out these doses before taking at work!)
- Typical party dose: 2–3g (a full trip dose)
The dosage will be effective for 4-8hrs. Microdosing isn't something you do every day. Micro-dosing is taken once every 3 days.
The first day, you take the dose and feel the full effect of the dosage.
The second day, you can still ride the wave and feel some left-over effects.
The third day is mostly used for reflecting and experiencing the difference in mood, without the effect.
Try evaluating how this type of medication suits you and perhaps create some expectations on how you would like to benefit of the next wave.
Reviews on Micro-Dosing Psilocybin
“I found that it helped with my Depression and Anxiety alot. I was more understanding of situations. I became aware of triggers and routine behavior in myself.” -Amore
"I micro-dosed psilocybin every 3 days for a month (total of 11 times) and absolutely loved it. I was nervous at first, but found myself barely affected but noticed a higher level of self-awareness and heightened appreciation for myself and those around me" - Nelson H.
"The effects were like an espresso for the mind. My connection and empathy with other people enhanced tremendously. I found on my reflect days i had a most clear state of mind. I couldn't stand to see my own clutter and was more apt to get old projects finished. I looked forward to change. "
- K. Christine
Psilocybin Side Effects & Risks
Psilocybin is a powerful substance that when used correctly can have profound benefits. However, when taken in excess can cause some unwanted effects.
1). Psilocybin Mushrooms are illegal and you can risk the associated penalties in your local state.
2). Being Illegal, sourcing these magic babies becomes a risky game of, who grew them, and are they safe? This also makes measuring out a correct dose almost impossible, risking a trip in a place you might not want to trip.
However, the most reported side effect from Psilocybin is nausea. A party does (3.5 g or more) Can induce vomiting. This is caused by a chemical found in the skin of mushrooms called ‘chitin’ according to Psychedelic Science Reviews or PSR's.
Conclusion
Humans are a mix of marvelous and mayhem.
Mental Health is so important to tend to, and we all struggle with it at some point or always.
Every single human is capable of getting stuck in routines, mindsets and perspectives. Good or bad.
Conclusively, Mushrooms may have the potential to change the future of mental health for good.
Until then, They remain illegal, misunderstood, and mysterious.
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