A SHORT GUIDE TO MICRODOSING WITH PSILOCYBIN
Psilocybin is a naturally occurring compound found in nearly 200 species of mushroom. It can produce varied effects including euphoria, visual and mental acuity, changes in perception, spiritual experiences, and in high doses, hallucinations. While it’s possible to build up a tolerance there is very low risk of toxicity and no danger of overdosing. However, extremely high doses will produce very powerful psychological effects and hallucinations that can result in physically dangerous situations so set and setting is important whenever one chooses to consume a psychedelic and these compounds should be treated with the utmost respect. Anyone struggling with mental illnesses like schizophrenia or have a history of mental illness in the family should avoid taking psychedelics. In addition, anyone who is currently taking SSRI’s, Lithium, or other tricyclics should not take psychedelics without the permission of their physician.
STUDIES
Contrary to popular belief there have been many published clinical studies investigating the benefits of psychedelics for the treatment of PTSD, addiction, depression, social anxiety, as well as end of life anxiety in cancer patients. The findings suggest that Psychedelics promote neuroplasticity and help to connect different parts of the brain. It can also trigger neurogenesis by actually growing new neurons. Psilocybin has a similar chemical structure to serotonin, which is involved in regulating mood, and therefore can have therapeutic effects for depression and anxiety. Outside of the curative properties, the data suggests that taking psilocybin can boost creativity, mood, and out of the box thinking. Many users find that addiction to alcohol and other substances decreases significantly and their productivity and social interactions soar.
MICRODOSING
Microdosing is the process of integrating a sub-perceptual dose of psychedelics into your weekly regimen for higher levels of creativity, energy, increased focus, and improved relational skills. Moderate doses can change the function of the brain in a way that is very similar to what is seen in flow states. Since everybody is different the dosage may vary based on body weight, sensitivity, interactions with other substances and environmental factors. Sub-perceptual means that there is no physical sensation that results from consuming the drug. The effects, however, are cumulative in nature. After several weeks the users may feel a boost in mood and social interactions, find that their creativity and ability to think outside the box is elevated, and their addictions significantly decreased. Dosages can range anywhere from .05g to .25g and finding the right dosage is often a process of trial and error. The protocols for taking the microdoses also vary. The best way to start is to take your first microdose on a day off work to measure the effects. Then take two days off and repeat the process by taking it one day on and two days off. The second protocol is take one dose everyday for five days then take two days off and repeat. In addition, stacking with other compounds is a great way to tailor the experience for specific types of outcomes. Experimentation with dosages and combinations is the best way to find what works best for you.
SIDE EFFECTS
The goal of microdosing is to increase desirable states and outcomes. Ideally, we want to be more creative, more open, less anxious, and more productive. We’d like to be more coordinated and have greater empathy. However, in some cases and from time to time, we might encounter undesirable states and outcomes because we have taken the wrong dose or taken it at the wrong time and place. Some of these side effects may include nausea and panic attacks. In these cases, we may find that we have difficulty concentrating and that there is a loss of productivity and focus. We may experience an overload of emotions that impact our relationships and ability to concentrate. These states are often the result of blocked energy or suppressed emotions that the psychedelic is working to dislodge. While it’s potentially uncomfortable and challenging it is often to our benefit to face these troubling side effects as a way to move towards greater healing.
