Microdosing Psilocybin Mushrooms may Improve Mental Health and Mood
Using psilocybin in small dosage may enhance mental health, a study has revealed.
Researchers discovered fewer symptoms of anxiety or panic over the next 30 days when compared with those not treated with psilocybin compared with placebo.
These observational studies have included over 900 people reported using psilocybin in a single dose and 180 people with no use.
Microdosing of psychedelic substances has gained popular academic interest for reported positive effects on wellness and cognition.
A study in nature describes microdosing practices, motivations and mental health among a sample of self-selected microdosers (n = 4050) and non-microdosers (n = 4653) via a mobile application.
Psilocybin was the most commonly used microdose substances in our sample (85%) and we identified diverse microdose practices with regard to dosage, frequency, and the practice of stacking which involves combining psilocybin with non-psychedelic sub
Microdosers reported health-related motivations for microdosing including self-improvement (74%), managing mental health symptoms (51%) and managing physical health symptoms (33%). Microdosers also reported higher levels of creativity (d = 1.21), productivity (d = 0.93) and focus (d = 0.89), as well as increased spiritual awareness (d = 0.79) compared to non-microdosers. Microdosers also had lower levels of anxiety (d = −0.88) and depression (d = −0.71) compared to non-microdosers.
These findings suggest that microdosers are a heterogeneous group with diverse motivations for microdosing. Microdosers reported positive effects on mental health and well-being, which supports further research into the potential therapeutic benefits of microdosing psychedelics.
Do psychedelics rewire the brain?
Research suggests a combination of drugs can help the brain develop new dendrites that resemble branches. These drugs could increase neuron outgrowth.
The psychedelics could also promote the myelination of axons. Myelin is a substance that covers and protects nerve cells, much like insulation on an electrical wire. This process helps electrical signals move quickly and efficiently along the length of the axon.
Psychedelics have been shown to help people with mental health disorders such as depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Microdosing of psychedelics can improve mood and creativity.
If you're struggling with mental health issues, talk to your doctor about microdosing psychedelics. Microdosing is a safe and effective way to improve your mental health.
Does microdosing psilocybin help with depression?
There is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question. The best psychedelic for depression will vary from person to person. Some people find that LSD or psilocybin mushrooms are effective treatments for their depression. Others find that MDMA is more helpful.
If you're considering microdosing psychedelics for depression, it's important to talk to your doctor first. Microdosing is a safe and effective way to improve your mental health, but it's not right for everyone. Your doctor can help you decide if microdosing is right for you.
Does microdosing psilocybin help with anxiety?
When it comes to anxiety, it usually is caused by trauma. Microdosing of psilocybin and other mushrooms can help ease anxiety by rewiring the brain. Microdosing can help to change your perspective and provide some distance from your anxious thoughts. This can be an extremely effective way of managing anxiety.
What are the side effects of microdosing psilocybin?
Microdosing psilocybin is generally considered to be safe. The most common side effect is feelings of nausea, which can be easily managed by eating before or after dosing. Other potential side effects include dizziness, anxiety, and paranoia. These side effects are usually mild and temporary. Microdosing psilocybin is not known to be addictive or to cause any long-term side effects.
How many mushrooms do you take for depression?
The dosage of psilocybin mushrooms for depression will vary from person to person. It's important to start with a low dose and increase gradually as needed. A typical dose of psilocybin mushrooms for depression is between 0.5 grams and 2 grams. A "heroic" dose is 5 or more grams, as popularized by Terence McKenna. It's important to talk to your doctor before starting any treatment for depression, including microdosing psilocybin mushrooms.
What are the risks of Microdosing Psilocybin?
Microdosing psilocybin mushrooms is generally considered to be safe. The most common side effect is feelings of nausea, which can be easily managed by eating before or after dosing. Other potential side effects include dizziness, anxiety, and paranoia. These side effects are usually mild and temporary. Microdosing psilocybin is not known to be addictive or to cause any long-term side effects.
Experimental research with LSD
In previous studies LSD has been used to investigate physiological and cognitive measures. These studies included low doses of LSD and are discussed further here.
Several additional studies – five of those which are currently being analyzed and included here – aim to determine whether a microdose dose of LD50 may improve cognitive abilities.
The studies were conducted with a placebo-controlled, double-blind design and the participants did not know which condition they received. Microdoses of LSD improved creativity, but not divergent thinking abilities.
One study found that microdoses of LSD increased self-reported measures of well-being and life satisfaction after one week, but not at the end of the three-week study. No changes were found on physiological measures.
In summary, there is promising evidence that suggests that microdoses of LSD can improve some aspects of cognition and emotion, but more research is needed to confirm these findings.
Microdosing psilocybin may have benefits for mental health, but more research is needed to confirm these findings.
What supplements help with microdosing psilocybin?
Other mushrooms like lion's mane, chaga, reishi, and others help increase brain plasticity: the ability of the brain to change and grow. This is important for microdosing because it helps the beneficial effects of psilocybin last longer. Nootropics like omega-3s, B-vitamins, and magnesium can also help improve cognitive function. These compounds can have a synergistic effect on the brain when taken together.
References:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5894294/
https://www.longecity.org/forum/topic/102206-microdosing-psilocybin-mushrooms-may-improve-mental-health-and-mood/
https://www.shaman-australis.com.au/Blog/what-supplements-help-with-microdosing-psilocybin
https://www.erowid.org/article/ Microdosing_LSD/ Microdosing_LSD.shtml