Microdosing has become the fastest-growing trend, exploding into the mainstream like never before. It’s not only for hippies in the 60s anymore. Today, people from all walks of life are also experimenting with mushrooms for the mental health benefits.
It’s gotten more popular but in a much different way than the Timothy Leary days of the 1960s. Back then, taking a tab of acid or a handful of “magic mushrooms” would mean clearing your schedule for the day so you could hallucinate the light fantastic. The idea behind microdosing, however, is to remain functional.
Microdosing has received a lot of attention recently online and in the scientific community. In this post, we look at what it is and everything you should know about it.
What is Microdosing?
Microdosing involves taking a minimal dose of recreational drugs such as LSD or psilocybin, a psychedelic mushroom. A microdose is about one-tenth or around 0.1 grams of a recreational dose, typically 1 gram. The dosage is low enough so it won’t cause hallucinogenic effects. As a result, you don’t get high.
It’s intended to provide relief from adverse symptoms and facilitate improvements in emotional and cognitive function. Those who take a minuscule dose of LSD or psilocybin report feeling mentally, physically, and spiritually energized.
How Effective is It?
While the desirable effects of microdosing are relatively known and proven, its effectiveness in combating specific physical and mental health symptoms is still unclear. As of now, there is limited research on whether microdosing is effective in managing medical symptoms.
A recent study found that microdosing helps relieve symptoms of depression and anxiety in 44 percent of those surveyed.
It’s important to mention that these are not double-blind trials, so we don’t know if the results are from microdosing or if the effects are placebo. More placebo-controlled clinical studies are required to determine this.
Does Microdosing Improve Mental Health?
A 2019 study found that subjects who microdose LSD or psilocybin experienced decreased levels of depression and stress over six weeks, which suggests the drugs may have a positive effect on serotonin, a neurotransmitter responsible for mood.
Psilocybin is a serotonin receptor antagonist, meaning it can help improve the bioavailability of neurotransmitters like serotonin. The psilocybin in mushrooms binds to and stimulates serotonin 2A receptors in the brain. But in high doses, it can cause effects such as hallucinations.
Those who microdose psychedelics and receive therapy during and after their experience saw improvements in their PTSD, anxiety, and depression.
Proponents of microdosing claim they experience the following benefits:
- Lower levels of stress and depression
- Better mood and a positive outlook towards life
- Improved alertness, focus, and energy
- Enhanced creativity and self-efficacy
- Social benefits in the form of improved relationships
It’s important to note that these studies were not all conducted in clinical settings, and much of the results are self-reported.
Are There Any Risks?
Microdosing is appealing as there are few drawbacks due to the dosing size. Still, some challenges take away from the perceived benefits.
The evidence surrounding microdosing mushrooms is sparse since it’s a Schedule I substance, and the FDA has only approved a small number of clinical trials for psilocybin use. It means the outcomes of the process are not concrete.
Some people see improvements in their anxiety, while others notice it worsening. Common side effects of microdosing are poor sleep, stomach issues, and headaches. People have also reported higher anxiety, poor focus, lower energy, and worse mood.
Getting started with microdosing poses another challenge: the legality of buying, possessing, and using these substances. Plus, when you get it from unregulated sources, you don’t know the potency, availability, or price.
Where Can I try It?
If you’re considering trying microdosing for yourself, remember that psychedelics like LSD and psilocybin are still illegal in most states. You can’t just walk into a pharmacy or a doctor’s office to find what you are looking for, so your only choice is the black market.
However, some places are moving towards changing that. Psilocybin was recently approved in Oregon for use in supervised medical settings. Other cities in the U.S. have also changed the legal status of psilocybin. The drug is currently decriminalized in:
- Oakland and Santa Cruz, California
- Denver, Colorado
- Ann Arbor, Michigan
- Sommerville, Cambridge, and Northampton Massachusetts
- Washington D.C.
It means that, while it’s still illegal, it’s no longer a priority to prosecute people for possession. Even though there’s a growing online and in-person black market for hallucinogens, they remain illegal, other than in the areas mentioned. But new studies are being conducted to learn more about the risks and benefits of psychedelic treatments.
The future of psychedelic medicine looks promising, and researchers interested in studying the effects of psychedelics on health issues have started a movement to change its legal status. Even so, it can take some time before the mainstream fully accepts it.
