MICRODOSING | +80 articles

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The Benefits and Risks of Microdosing Ayahuasca

by Leia Friedman & Dr. Lynn Marie Morski, MD, Esq

Ayahuasca, a traditional Amazonian psychedelic plant brew, is becoming increasingly popular with people from all over the world. Although commonly known for its use in ceremonies where participants undergo an intense psychological and physical experience, ayahuasca can also be taken as a microdose.

A microdose is a sub-perceptual or barely perceptual amount of a psychedelic. Microdosing can be done on a set schedule or on an as-needed basis.

Clinical studies of microdosing are limited, and many of the survey studies about microdosing have focussed on psilocybin or LSD, rather than ayahuasca. Of the existing survey studies on microdosing, improved mood is one of the more commonly reported beneficial effects.

James Fadiman, a proponent of microdosing who popularized the idea over the last few decades, suggests that microdosers record daily variables like mood, anxiety level, creativity, quality of sleep, etc. during a period of microdosing. With this data, one can look for patterns and evaluate whether the microdosing is having any effect.

While it has not been clinically studied, some ayahuasca practitioners reportedly consume microdose amounts of the brew.

This gentle way of working with ayahuasca may be a great way to get to know the medicine and experience its effects without diving headfirst into a full-blown ceremony.

The microdosing ayahuasca experience

There are two ways that people microdose ayahuasca: the pure vine (banisteriopsis caapi) or the vine and the chacruna leaf (banisteriopsis caapi and psychotria viridis). The leaves of the chacruna plant contain DMT (dimethyltryptamine), a psychoactive molecule that often produces profound hallucinations and/or mystical experiences. At a microdosing level, however, such effects are unlikely.

The vine contains MAOI, which may be a reason for its healing properties, at least on a molecular level. MAOIs, monoamine oxidase inhibitors, slow the metabolism of certain neurotransmitters in the synapse between neurons.

Serotonin is a neurotransmitter associated with mood, appetite, sleep, sexual function, overall well-being, and more. MAOIs reduce the speed at which serotonin leaves the synapse, which may promote an antidepressant effect.

However, the reason the vine is generally taken with the chacruna leaf, at least in regular ayahuasca brews, is that it prevents the DMT from being quickly broken down in the body, so it may also have that effect in the microdose form.

One should always consider the potential risks before starting to microdose ayahuasca or the ayahuasca vine. The MAO inhibiting effect of the vine could lead to unwanted side effects if combined with certain foods, such as fermented foods, ripened fruits and vegetables, pork, cured meats, spicy foods, aspartame, alcohol, large amounts of chocolate, and more. Certain medications are unsafe to combine with ayahuasca, one should always consult a trained professional before taking something new.

What are the potential benefits of microdosing ayahuasca?

In one study, 26% of microdosers said their mood improved while microdosing. Fifteen percent of respondents reported improved focus. This study focussed on psilocybin and LSD microdosing, so while the DMT in ayahuasca is also a serotonergic psychedelic like psilocybin and LSD, it is unclear whether ayahuasca microdosing would have a similar effect.

Regular dosing of ayahuasca has found numerous beneficial outcomes, including that ayahuasca can increase neurogenesis – the production of new brain cells and neuronal connections.

Ayahuasca has also been found to have other positive effects. Ayahuasca users in one study scored high on measures of psychosocial well-being. A review of several studies on ayahuasca indicated that ceremonial use of the brew promoted introspection and positive mood. The authors concluded that long-term ayahuasca use might have antidepressant and anti-addictive effects, but more research is needed.

Anecdotal reports indicate that microdosing ayahuasca has helped people cope with depression, anxiety, grief, and trauma. People who microdose ayahuasca have also reported increased creativity, energy, a sense of connection to the world, and powerful shifts in perspective. One report says that microdosing ayahuasca helped them with self-love and acceptance.

Microdosing can also be a helpful way to reconnect with the medicine in between ceremonies or higher dose experiences. This practice may be supportive for people who are trying to abstain from addictive behaviors.

It should be noted that little research on microdosing has been done to date. However, a study released in early 2021 collected web-based mental health data of people before, during and after their 4-week planned microdosing experience (with any of a number of substances, including ayahuasca). They found that positive expectations at baseline predicted subsequent improvements in well-being, suggestive of a plaecbo response. The placebo effect is incredibly powerful, and since most microdosing studies involve collecting self-report data, it can be difficult to determine the true benefits of microdosing.

What are the risks of microdosing ayahuasca?

An ayahuasca experience may not be safe for people with heart or liver problems, kidney disorders, high blood pressure, and diabetes. Someone with a serious cardiovascular disorder may be harmed by the increase in blood pressure that ayahuasca can cause, although this is less likely at the microdose level than at a ceremonial dose.

People with heart conditions should be extremely careful about microdosing ayahuasca, as DMT activates the 5HT2B receptors in the brain. The activation of these receptors can increase the risk of developing heart valve disease.

Microdosing may carry unknown risks as it still has not been studied in a clinical setting. Some people may experience adverse side effects; 18% percent of people in one study reported increased anxiety while microdosing (although this was microdosing either psilocybin, LSD, or a combination). Another concern to consider is that microdosing may be suppressing symptoms rather than resolving them.

The vine, banisteriopsis caapi, is legal in the US and can be imported in small quantities. Ayahuasca, however, contains the schedule 1 controlled substance DMT. This is another risk of microdosing ayahuasca.

Some cities and states have decriminalized naturally occurring psychedelic substances, including ayahuasca. In these places, policing the possession of psychedelics is a low priority for law enforcement. Still, the sale of these substances can result in prosecution for drug trafficking.

In conclusion

Microdosing ayahuasca may offer support and healing for some people, but more research is needed to assess the exact effects.

Although there are different stances on whether or not ayahuasca sustainability is an issue, be sure to source vine appropriately and ethically. If you are considering purchasing a tincture or kit to microdose ayahuasca, ask about the sustainability of the vine in the product.

Check out our Beginner’s Guide to Ayahuasca to learn more about the history and current uses of this plant mixture.

*From the article here :

What are the Benefits and Risks of Microdosing Ayahuasca?

Medical Editor: Dr. Lynn Marie Morski, MD, Esq Ayahuasca, a traditional Amazonian psychedelic plant brew, is becoming increasingly popular with people

psychable.com

 

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What are the potential risks of microdosing psychedelics?

by Nick Jikomes, PhD | LEAFLY | 20 Jan 2022

Microdosing is the practice of ingesting small amounts of a psychoactive substance—enough to get some kind of perceived benefit, but not enough to become intoxicated or feel the psychoactive effects of a full dose.

Microdosing psychedelics has become a popular new wellness trend. You can allegedly get various mental health benefits such as enhanced mood and creativity. Everyone from health-conscious young professionals to high-powered tech executives have credited this as a powerful brain hack: a cognitive boost with no obvious side effects.

Psychedelics have long been associated with creativity and have been scientifically shown to stimulate neural plasticity, the ability of brain cells to rewire themselves, which is thought to underlie their therapeutic mental health effects.

This has led to the alluring idea of microdosing: What if you can get the benefits of enhanced neural plasticity without the ego-dissolving hallucinatory experience? Just pop a magic mushroom gummy and watch your spirits lift.

There’s big commercial interest here. In the language of startups, microdosing could increase the “Total Addressable Market” (TAM) for psychedelics, widening the pool of potential consumers. If microdosing has demonstrable benefits, it could help scale up psychedelic medicine. Large doses of psilocybin may have therapeutic effects, but patients require preparation and supervision before, during, and after their experience. Smaller doses with sub-psychedelic effects don’t require such time- and resource-intensive oversight.

Compared to macrodosing with supervision and integration, microdosing more cleanly fits the standard pharmaceutical treatment template in psychiatry: diagnose the patient’s issue, prescribe a non-ego-dissolving drug, add talk therapy as needed. Repeat.

Besides, going on a multi-hour psychedelic trip is simply too intimidating for many people.

What if we can turn millions more people on to psychedelics in less time and with fewer side effects by using lower doses of these drugs? And can we sell low-dose consumer packaged goods?

Life advice: When something sounds too good to be true, assume it is until proven otherwise.

Evidence for the benefits of microdosing psychedelics?

Almost all evidence for the benefits of psychedelic microdosing in humans is anecdotal. The few human studies out there rely on self-reported data, which is hard to draw reliable conclusions from, especially when you’re measuring something subjective.

People are prone to expectancy effects—they are biased to report what they expect to experience, especially when they really want a particular outcome. This is why double-blind, placebo-controlled studies are the gold standard.

When evaluating self-reported microdosing data, apply a macrodose of caution. For example, this recent study showed that adults who microdose psychedelics self-report lower levels of anxiety and depression. While that’s good to hear, the reported effects were small. Moreover, the data are from people who were motivated by mental health concerns—people who really wanted that result.

These are perfect conditions for expectancy effects. Because the data are self-reported and there’s no real control group, we can’t bank on these results.

Placebo effects and the power of belief

An interesting psychoactive phenomenon in themselves, placebo effects are widespread in medicine: A person’s expectations can drive measurable physiological change. Placebo effects are common in situations where the measured outcome is subjective, which is exactly what microdosing enthusiasts claim—mild subjective effects. Placebo effects are common in the world of pain medicine: Give someone a sugar pill that they think is a pain drug, and they actually experience reduced pain.

Taken to its lowest extreme, microdosing becomes homeopathy: The dose is so low that it’s zero. Imagine collecting data from health-conscious homeopathy enthusiasts who want to lower their anxiety levels with homeopathy. You give half of them a homeopathic product and the other half a placebo, then ask how they feel. They’re all likely going to report an improvement.

Indeed, this is exactly what was found in the only placebo-controlled study I’m aware of on psychedelic microdosing. The people who microdosed reported improvements, but so did the placebo group, with no difference between them.

Placebo effects are real. But if your mood boost is caused by the mere belief that a 0.1g mushroom chocolate is an antidepressant rather than a pharmacological effect from psilocybin, so what? There’s nothing wrong with a placebo-induced mood boost so long as there’s no downside risk.

But there could be downside risks.

Microdosing psychedelics: Too much of a good thing?

I spoke to medicinal chemist Dr. David Olson, whose lab studies the molecular and cellular mechanisms by which psychedelics and other psychoplastogens work in the brain. On the subject of microdosing, he offered the following words of caution:



In the interview, he referenced homeostatic plasticity, a known brain phenomenon, in which our bodies regulate crucial bodily functions to maintain balance, or homeostasis. Think of it as biology’s “Goldilocks Principle”—when you get too hot, automatic mechanisms kick in to cool you down, such as sweating; when you’re too cold, there are automatic mechanisms for generating heat, such as shivering. Our systems have to stay in balance for our cells to work properly; not too hot, not too cold.

When our ability to homeostatically regulate breaks down, many systems can dysfunction. Diabetes is a good example. Normally, blood sugar is tightly regulated.

When it spikes after a meal, our body automatically senses this and brings down blood sugar levels to restore balance, or homeostasis.

But the process isn’t perfect. Biology is messy. When your body pulls blood sugar back down to normal, it often overshoots. This can result in fatigue, which is why a “food coma” can follow a big meal.

When this process goes awry, as in diabetes, blood sugar levels drift out of the Goldilocks range for extended periods, which can have a variety of negative physiological consequences.

Can you have too much neuroplasticity?

In the brain, neural plasticity, the ability of brain cells to rewire themselves, is under homeostatic control. Plasticity is crucial for learning, but if your brain became too plastic—if you cranked up the plasticity thermostat all the way—you would, in some sense, have the mind of an infant. Your existing memories would destabilize. You would have difficulty taking coherent action.

Conversely, if you turned the plasticity thermostat in the opposite direction, you would become rigid, with little ability to learn and adapt.

As with blood sugar, so with plasticity: not too much, not too little. Your brain has built-in controls to sense when there’s too much growth, and when that happens, it can turn down the “growth thermostat,” causing neurons to shrivel up by trimming back their connections.

In other words, stimulating the growth of too many neural connections can trigger an automatic process that results in the exact opposite. This is the risk with regular microdosing of psychedelics.

Can frequent psychedelic use have detrimental effects on neuroplasticity?

In one experiment, rats were given a small dose of DMT, below the threshold thought to cause psychedelic effects, every third day for several weeks. Similar to single, large doses of psychedelics, antidepressant and anti-anxiety effects were observed. Unlike single doses, which cause robust neuronal growth, small doses of DMT every few days resulted in either no change in growth or a decrease.

The idea here is that if neurons become overstimulated after multiple doses of a psychedelic, the brain might be dialing down its “growth thermostat” to compensate. It’s conceivable this could even make the symptoms of some psychiatric disorders worse, perhaps similar to the food coma that’s triggered when your body undershoots blood sugar levels after a meal-induced spike.

A similar theme emerges from animal studies that used large doses of LSD. Intermittent, high doses of LSD given for more than three months lead to persistent behavioral deficits, while a similar dose given over a shorter timespan had antidepressant-like effects.

The dose and the length of treatment are critical for determining outcomes, which can be either beneficial or detrimental.

And there’s another potential risk from frequently taking psychedelics.

Could frequent psychedelic use cause heart problems?

Psychedelics are most commonly associated with a brain receptor called serotonin 2A (5-HT2A), which is crucial for their mind-expanding effects. But many psychedelics also activate another serotonin receptor, 5-HT2B. This receptor is abundant in heart tissue and is implicated in drug-induced valvular heart disease.

The concern is that, while occasional use of a 5-HT2B drug may not cause any problems, repeated use for extended periods could trigger heart problems, even at a low dose. While this heart issue has not been directly tied to classic psychedelics like DMT, psilocin, or LSD, there is a well-documented history linking valvular heart disease to the long-term use of other drugs that activate this receptor.

Microdosing psychedelics: What should you do?

One thing that’s clear about psychedelics and other psychoplastogens is that both the dose and frequency of exposure matter. Unfortunately, we just don’t know enough to give anyone a clear playbook on the benefits and risks of taking different doses of these drugs over different time frames.

We know that single, large doses given under appropriate conditions can be therapeutic. We also know that lots of people say that microdosing is a game-changer, and there are early indications of potential therapeutic benefits. But there may be serious concerns lurking beneath the surface.

I think adults should be treated like adults: They should be informed of the facts and be free to make their own decisions. As for myself, I’m going to stick with the occasional macrodose.

To learn more about Mind & Matter and listen to the podcast that inspired this article, visit THIS link.

What are the potential risks of microdosing psychedelics?

Microdosing psychedelics has become a popular wellness trend, but is it really that beneficial? Learn more on the science of how much you take and how often you take psychedelics.

www.leafly.com

 

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A Data-Driven Guide to Microdosing Psychedelics

by Matthew X. Loweon | Psychedelic Spotlight | 29 Mar 2022​

The Director of Research for Unlimited Sciences, a non-profit organization focused on driving psychedelics research forward, takes a deep dive through available microdosing research to explore the big question: Is it effective pharmacological therapy or mainly placebo effect?​

It’s estimated that in the U.S., over 30 million people have used some form of psychedelics. The majority of psychedelics research is focused on health-related outcomes of full-dose psychedelics, but the increasing popularity of microdosing warrants further exploration and education to understand its therapeutic value, mitigate harm, and reduce stigma. Before we delve into the practices of microdosing, it’s essential to understand its history and the evidence that supports – and refutes – microdosing.

A (brief) history of microdosing

Microdosing refers to the practice of regularly or semi-regularly consuming low doses of psychoactive substances such as lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) or psilocybin. While the earliest occurrence of microdosing is unknown, anthropological reports suggest these substances were used harmoniously in low doses in many aspects of daily life, including for the treatment of ailments and pain. In recent years, this practice has faced an explosive growth in popularity, bringing with it a wave of positively discussed reports, books, documentaries, scientific research, and media publications. This recent rise in popularity is often attributed to work led by James Fadiman, a renowned American writer and researcher on psychedelic use who popularized the term following the publication of The Psychedelic Explorers Guide in 2011.

While typical psychedelic use produces noticeable and profound changes in cognition, perception, affect, and neurophysiology, microdosing is frequently described as a sub-threshold or subsensory amount producing no noticeable alterations in consciousness and minimal to no identifiable acute effects. Anecdotal accounts of microdosing report generally positive outcomes, including but not limited to improved mood, vitality and wellbeing, productivity, focus, energy, social ability, memory, mindfulness, creativity, and a reduction of negative emotions.

By these accounts, microdosing affords many of the benefits of full-dose psychedelics with substantially less risk. But does the evidence support this view?
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The good, the bad, and the statistically insignificant

Over the past century dozens of studies have examined the effects of microdosing, reporting a wide variety of motives for microdosing psychedelics, including performance enhancement, mood enhancement, curiosity, treatment of health conditions, self-fulfillment, coping with negative situations, increasing social connection, improving mental health, personal or spiritual development, and enhancing cognitive performance. Participants generally report confidence that microdosing fulfilled these aims, and even indicate that microdosing is being used as an alternative to conventional medicines for mental and physical health issues. The evidence, however, shows less confidence in these findings.

A wide range of self-report studies have shown promising results, but many of these findings have not been confirmed in placebo-controlled lab studies. In fact, three recent studies have brought the benefits of microdosing into question, suggesting these effects may be predominantly or even wholly explained by the placebo effect.

Balázs Szigeti, lead author of one of these studies, concluded, “Anecdotal reports about the benefits of microdosing are almost certainly biased by the placebo effect. Our findings confirmed some of the beneficial psychological effects of microdosing from anecdotal reports and observational studies, such as improved sense of wellbeing and life satisfaction. But we see the same improvements among participants taking placebos. This suggests that the improvements may not be due to the pharmacological action of the drug but can instead be explained by the placebo effect.”

The pitfalls of current evidence

Before we conclude that any effects associated with microdosing are strictly placebo, it’s essential to evaluate the evidence. The truth as it ever were, is far more complicated and nuanced. There are several important pitfalls of current research that need to be addressed to adequately assess the effects of microdosing.

Firstly, there is no consensus around the practice of microdosing. The quantity of a microdose is difficult to define, and there is little agreement amongst researchers. Complicating matters, a threshold dose (a dose with measurable acute effects on conscious state) varies widely across individuals.

Secondly, the practice of blinding (preventing participants from knowing certain information such as whether they have consumed a placebo or psychedelic substance) is largely ineffective. Evidence suggests participants are often able to accurately identify a placebo versus a microdose. If participants can perceive the acute effects of a microdose, is it really a microdose?

Thirdly, evidence from microdosing has often reported contradictory or bidirectional effects. Individuals can experience remarkably different effects from microdosing, even at the same dose amount. Some variables such as mood and cognitive function have been reported to increase in some individuals but decrease in others.

The need for more research

There is currently little clinical evidence to support the benefits of microdosing. However, given the overwhelming number of anecdotal reports citing various and widespread benefits of microdosing, there is reason to be cautiously optimistic. While we don’t currently have enough evidence to support claims on the therapeutic value of microdosing, we can expect to see many controlled studies emerging to assess these claims. For the time being, there are no hard and fast answers, and psychonauts seeking to explore the world of microdosing do so at their own risk.
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Microdosing in practice

Psychedelics are federally illegal in the U.S. and research progress has been hampered by its prohibition. The therapeutic potential of full-dose psychedelics is well recognized, but given the limited empirical evidence for the benefits of microdosing, Unlimited Sciences does not advocate for or recommend microdosing. For anyone considering microdosing, ensure that you understand the legal and health-related risks of this decision, seek out a medical professional to discuss any potential interactions of psychedelic substances with current medications or medical conditions, and follow local and state guidelines regarding use. Based on available evidence, the following section can be used to educate yourself on practices of low-dose psychedelic use.​

Set and setting

It’s well documented that set and setting significantly influence the response to psychedelic drugs (“set” is an individual’s mindset and “setting” refers to their physical and social environment). Depending on our mindset and environment, the same drug at the same dose can produce anxiety or relaxation, fear or joy, or suspiciousness or intimacy. Popular anecdotal reports state the goal of microdosing is to continue to do what you normally do on any given day, but the quantity of a microdose is difficult to define and this approach should not be used for those with little to no experience with microdosing. It’s essential to start slowly and to maintain caution while you find an appropriate dose that works best for you.

For your physical environment, ensure a safe and familiar environment without clutter or overstimulation. Psychedelics can affect cognition, perception, and coordination, and you should take care to be in a physically safe and controlled environment. Don’t engage in activities where you could encounter harm, such as driving or operating heavy machinery.

For your mindset, the goal is to maintain a simple environment free of distractions while you determine the right dose, including distractions from typical day-to-day responsibilities or obligations. Ensure that you are properly hydrated and nourished and engage in mindfulness practices to maintain a sense of calm.

Lastly, identify a trusted and experienced guide, especially if this is your first time experiencing psychedelics. This individual will be responsible for ensuring your safety during the psychedelic experience.​

Dosage

The goal of microdosing is not to produce noticeable or profound changes in cognition and perception. Data from recent systematic reviews on low-dose psychedelics by Vince Polito and Paul Liknaitzky, and Joseph Rootman and colleagues summarizes microdose quantities used in past research. As an estimate, a microdose is between approximately one tenth and one twentieth of a typical recreational dose. Since an effective recreational dose can vary substantially from one individual to the next, use a conservative “low and slow” approach and start as low as possible as you identify an appropriate dose, especially if you aren’t sure of how much you’re giving yourself. Track your progress carefully and accurately through written records. Polito and Liknaitzky, and Rootman and colleagues, provide the following plausible dose ranges for microdoses of different substances based on previous research:

Psilocybe cubensis dried mushroom, oral ingestion: 0.1-0.5g/70kg (per 70kg bodyweight); Low dose ≤ 0.1g; Medium dose = 0.1-0.3g; High dose ≥ 0.3g

Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), oral ingestion: 6-20µg(microgram)/70kg (per 70kg bodyweight); Low dose ≤ 10µg; Medium dose = 11-20µg; High dose ≥ 20µg

N, N-dimethyltryptamine (DMT), smoked: 8-9mg

For example, a 63kg individual taking a low dose of dried mushrooms at 0.1g/70kg has ingested 0.09g (63/70*0.1).​

Frequency

As with dosage, be conservative. For higher doses of LSD, for example, an abstinence period of 3 days is considered long enough to reinstate a normal level of tolerance. Although tolerance is unlikely given the small quantities of a microdose, maintaining a conservative and slow approach may help you observe any ongoing or lingering effects of microdosing, and to give yourself time to return to your baseline. A common approach, often referred to as the ‘Fadiman schedule’, follows a three-day cycle, with one day ‘on’ (day of the microdose) and two days ‘off’ (abstaining from any substance) to experience the full effects of the microdose on day one and two and to allow yourself time to return to baseline on day three.

Conclusion

While reports of microdosing generally suggest positive effects, there is limited clinical evidence to support the practice of microdosing. Nevertheless, an overwhelming number of positive anecdotal reports and observational studies of microdosing warrant further exploration of the safety and therapeutic efficacy of microdosing. With the widespread practice of microdosing rapidly growing, we can expect to see a far more rigorous approach to microdosing science in the coming years. Until then, if you’d like to be a part of the psychedelics movement and contribute to research on psychedelics, you can find out more about our studies here.

Unlimited Sciences is a non-profit organization focused on driving psychedelics research forward, and our goal is to capture data from real-world settings and share these results with the public. In collaboration with Johns Hopkins University’s Center for Psychedelic & Consciousness Research, we’re conducting one of the largest observational research studies of full-dose psilocybin to understand how psilocybin is being used in real-world settings. Our studies are open to anyone in the world with internet access.

A Data-Driven Guide to Microdosing Psychedelics | Psychedelic Spotlight

The Director of Research for Unlimited Sciences takes a deep dive into microdosing research to explore its effects, which may be placebo.

psychedelicspotlight.com

 

[mr peabody]

Microdosing magic mushrooms | A growing trend among San Diego moms*

"More people than you could possibly imagine have an in the closet relationship with mushrooms," said one California mom.
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by Shannon Handy | CBS | 3 May 2022

SAN DIEGO — Recent studies have shown psychedelic mushrooms can treat or even cure depression.

Now, more and more moms are coming forward admitting to taking the illegal drug in small doses. It’s called microdosing, and according to one North County mom who does it, it’s growing in popularity in San Diego.

Mikaela, who asked that we not use her last name, knows what she’s doing is illegal. But, she feels so strongly about the benefits of microdosing magic mushrooms, she wanted to share her story.

“It’s so necessary for some of us to be out and forward because we need to move the needle. We need to help give permission to other mothers, to fathers and other families,” said Mikaela.

Microdosing involves taking small doses of the psychedelic drug in various homemade forms, including pills, gummies, even chocolate.

“So a dose that would give you a classic psychedelic effect would be anywhere between a gram to five, six, seven grams and so a microdose is a fraction of a gram,” explained Mikaela.

Mikaela started microdosing about three years ago when she was pregnant with her two and a half your old son, Marten.

She was struggling with alcoholism and says microdosing helped her stop.

“I’ve heard that mushrooms can combat addictive behavioral patterns, so I wanted to approach it head on,” said Mikaela.

Following Marten’s birth, Mikaela struggled even more, saying the anxiety and depression she’s dealt with for years intensified.

She now microdoses on a regular basis.

“What does it feel like,” I asked.

“A glow. An underglow. It makes those emotions to connect with my son and toddler way more readily available and it slows down my desire to react and instead I respond to him,” said Mikaela.

According to Mikaela, her relationship with microdosing isn’t unique, saying there are other local moms from all walks of life doing the same.

“What’s leading people to want to dose is wanting to be more present in their life and I think that redefines what we think about as a drug user,” said Mikaela.

The stigma behind psychedelics dates back to the 1960’s when mushrooms and LSD were labeled as dangerous party drugs that could melt your mind.

Then, came the war on drugs during the Nixon administration when studies on psychedelics were banned.

Decades later, that’s all changing as more and more studies are being conducted showing psilocybin, the active compound in magic mushrooms, can help with depression.

“Decreases in depression and even in cancer patients decreases in depression and anxiety that are seen six months later,” said Michael Johnson, Ph.D, director of the Johns Hopkins Center for Psychedelic and Consciousness Research.

While he stands behind the benefits of psilocybin, he cautions, the majority of research conducted is related to macro-dosing sparingly in controlled environments, not microdosing for long periods of time.

“It’s not like we’re seeing them less depressed when they continue to take psilocybin. It’s like you take psilocybin in two sessions under monitoring and you’re feeling better a week later, a month later, six months later. It’s this ongoing therapeutic effect. Contrast that to microdosing. We know almost nothing about microdosing scientifically,” said Johnson.

Johnson worries if psilocybin is misused, it could be harmful or lead to a so-called “bad trip.”

He says education is crucial.

Meanwhile, some question if psilocybin could open the door to drug abuse.

Still, Mikaela and others are pushing to decriminalize it.

Denver was the first city in the United States to do so in 2019, followed by others including Oakland, Santa Cruz and Seattle.

Now, entire states are jumping on board with Oregon voters already approving a measure to do the same.

"There’s also another bill being pushed across the entire state of California called SB 519,” said Mikaela.

SB 519 would allow people 21 and older to hold and share small amounts of psilocybin as well as other psychedelic drugs without fear of arrest.

The bill passed key hurdles last year, but its author, Senator Scott Wiener of San Francisco, put it on hold, saying he wanted to gain more support to ensure its success. He plans to reintroduce it sometime in 2022.

Mikaela is hopeful, saying "if the state doesn’t take action, she plans to launch an initiative here in San Diego."

For now, she’ll continue speaking out about how microdosing has helped her.

She often posts about it to her combined nearly 200,000 followers on her Instagram and Tik Tok pages, Mama De La Myco, which means mother of the mushroom.

“I’m a vastly different person for the better. I had no idea this level of happiness or contentment in life would be possible before I found the mushroom,” said Mikaela.

https://www.cbs8.com/article/news/local/magic-mushrooms-a-growing-trend-among-local-moms/509-9d9b11a5-4663-47d4-8034-979646fab6e0

 

[mr peabody]

New evidence microdosing reduces anxiety and depression*​

by Emily Jarvie | PSYCHEDELIC SPOTLIGHT | 30 Mar 2022

There is growing evidence that consuming small doses of psychedelics can provide various mental health benefits, with a new study showing that adults with mental health concerns who were microdosing psychedelics reported lower depression, anxiety, and stress levels.

The study, published in Scientific Reports, evaluated the microdosing practices, motivations, and mental health of self-selected microdosers and non-microdosers.

The practice of microdosing — consuming a small fraction of what is considered a recreational dose of a hallucinogen such as psilocybin or LSD — has become increasingly popular over the last decade. The authors of this study note that what constitutes microdosing is yet to be articulated, but it is generally described as: “successive self-administration, within a limited time window, of doses of psychedelics that do not impact normal functioning and are predominantly sub-sensorium.”

Evidence supporting microdosing’s claimed benefits, such as boosted creativity and productivity, and reduced anxiety, has been mainly anecdotal to date. Multiple studies are underway to scientifically validate these claims.

This study is the first to identify associations between microdosing and reduced severity of symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress among adults with reported mental health concerns. “The present results add to prior research that has identified positive associations between microdosing and mental health,” the researchers said.

“Carefully controlled clinical trials are required to more confidently elucidate the potential risks and benefits of psychedelic microdosing, however, the present findings suggest that microdosing psychedelics does not appear to be associated with increased acute negative outcomes, even among potentially vulnerable groups such as those with mental health concerns.”

The researchers also identified that participants’ top motivations for microdosing were health and wellness-related, and this was more prominent for females and among individuals who reported mental health concerns. The most widely endorsed motivations for microdosing were “enhancing mindfulness,” followed by “improving mood,” “enhancing creativity,” and “enhanced learning.”

Psilocybin — a psychoactive compound found in certain species of mushrooms — was the most popular choice for microdosing, with 85% of participants reporting using this substance. This is higher than earlier studies, which the researchers attributed to the destigmatization of psilocybin that has been amplified by policy changes such as the decriminalization of psilocybin possession in several jurisdictions. About 11% of participants reported using LSD.

The researchers also identified a diverse range of microdosing practices regarding dosage, frequency (ranging between one and four times per week), and the practice of stacking: combining microdoses of psychedelics with other substances proposed to increase health benefits. In this study, more than half of the participants reported combining psilocybin with non-psychedelic substances such as Lion’s Mane mushrooms, chocolate, and niacin.

This study also showed microdosers were less likely to use alcohol and were most likely to abstain from consuming alcohol entirely. Similarly, microdosers were also more likely to refrain from using nicotine, with more than 25% of participants saying reducing their use of this substance was a motive for microdosing.

*From the article here :

New Evidence Microdosing Psychedelics Reduces Anxiety and Depression | Psychedelic Spotlight

This study also showed microdosers were less likely to use alcohol and were most likely to abstain from consuming alcohol entirely.

psychedelicspotlight.com

 

[mr peabody]

Guide to Microdosing LSD

by Amelia Walsh and Dr. Lynn Marie Morski, MD, Esq | Psychable | 5 Jun 2022

There has been a surge of interest in psychedelics recently as researchers and those exploring alternatives to traditional pharmaceuticals seek to understand their benefits. One psychedelic used in studies and personal experiments is LSD.

LSD has demonstrated positive effects for psychotherapeutic purposes at full dosage, but many people wonder if smaller, more consistent applications might offer different benefits. This practice is called microdosing, and many people claim that it has significantly improved their lives in various ways.

Curious about microdosing LSD and the potential benefits and risks? Here is a brief rundown of the basics.

LSD is a classical psychedelic substance known for its hallucinogenic effects. It can enhance or distort stimuli such as sight, sound, and texture, unlock inspiration and creativity, induce profound personal and spiritual experiences, and help a person find deeper connection or meaning.

LSD affects the brain in complex ways. One study showed an increase of activity in the visual cortex, while regions of the brain that create the constructs of self were temporarily hindered, allowing for a dissolution of the ego and disruption of thought patterns that can result in (sometimes negative) habitual behaviors.

The LSD experience varies depending on the mindset, setting, and mental or physical health conditions at the time of application. People typically report an elevated mood, increased energy, a distorted sense of time, deep thinking, and increased feelings of connectedness to others, the universe, or a higher power.

LSD is being studied as a potential aid to psychotherapy in treating certain mental health conditions like alcohol use disorder, opiate dependency, and anxiety related to life-threatening illness. Additionally, there have even been studies demonstrating the possible benefits of LSD for pain relief.

LSD is mostly consumed orally in liquid form, either as droplets or applied to a tab of blotting paper.

The term microdosing refers to taking a very small, sub-perceptual amount of a psychedelic substance on a planned schedule in an attempt to benefit from certain effects while avoiding impaired functionality. In fact, the idea is not to alter consciousness but to sharpen it. Advocates of microdosing tout its potential to enhance their ability to perform and enjoy life without the impairments commonly experienced when taking a full dose.

Some people claim microdosing makes them more productive and motivated, improves their mood, alleviates anxiety, helps with cognitive function, bolsters creativity, and elevates the capacity to empathize with others. Others have reported reduced dependency on caffeine or declined inclination to consume alcohol and other illicit drugs like cocaine. Additionally, LSD may have the potential to provide effective pain relief, even at a sub-perceptual dose.

However, research to investigate these claims has been insufficient and somewhat inconclusive. Most of the touted personal benefits of microdosing are self-reported or anecdotal, leaving many questions about other factors that could influence individual results from microdosing.

There is a possibility that some people who experience benefits from microdosing experience a placebo effect. In the largest placebo-controlled study on microdosing, both the placebo group and those who microdosed psychedelics reported a similar rate of positive psychological effects. This also highlights the power of the human mind.

How do you microdose LSD?

Because so little is definitively known about microdosing, it is difficult to say with certainty what the ideal dosage or frequency should be for different individuals. However, there seem to be some guidelines commonly shared by the psychedelic community and substance experts that seem to have yielded positive results for those who have tried them.

James Fadiman, a clinical psychologist and author with expertise in the exploratory use of psychedelic substances, has been one of the leading sources of information about how to experiment with microdosing. He recommends a microdose that is one-tenth of a typical dose; this equates to about 10-20 micrograms of LSD.

It’s recommended to be conservative in the beginning, as taking too much may result in unintentional, inconvenient, or unsafe impairment. A general rule with ingesting any dose or type of psychedelic is to “start low, go slow” to determine how the body will react to the particular medicine. The best way to avoid taking too much is to properly measure each dose and maintain a record of when and how much LSD has been consumed.

Common practice is to have a “dose day” every three days, taking two days to rest between them. Many who microdose LSD report adhering to this schedule for a period of two weeks several times a year as a form of occasional maintenance.

What are the side effects and risks of LSD?

Sometimes, the experience feels immensely meaningful in a positive way, but it is also possible for the effects of LSD to be challenging, frightening, or even disturbing. Though the small dose is not likely to cause overwhelming, negative hallucinations, there is a lack of research to determine the possibility of negative psychological reactions to LSD when microdosing.

It is not recommended for people with a personal or family history of psychosis to use psychedelics like LSD. While rare, there have been reports of “flashbacks,” where a person continues to recall certain unpleasant hallucinations that occurred while taking LSD. Because of the sub-perceptual dosage used to microdose psychedelics, this phenomenon is highly unlikely but still ought to be a consideration (particularly for those at risk of mania and psychotic episodes).

Some physical side effects of LSD may include dilated pupils and elevated blood pressure and/or heart rate. People with heart conditions are advised not to use LSD, as it can cause additional health complications that may become dangerous. Even in small doses, LSD has the potential to cause anxiety or physical discomfort.

For more information about the side effects and risks of LSD, check out Psychable’s Beginner’s Guide to LSD.

Closing thoughts and resources

There have been many reported benefits of microdosing, but because most advocates present personal or anecdotal evidence that has not yet been scientifically confirmed, it is difficult to say whether or not the practice has proven benefits. However, studies and analyses of findings seem to indicate a promising future for discoveries of potential uses for psychedelic medicine, including the practice of microdosing.

It should be noted that LSD is currently a Schedule I drug, making it illegal for personal use in the United States. Seeking to obtain or use LSD outside of an approved clinical trial setting is punishable by law at this time.

For additional information about microdosing, read Psychables Beginner’s Guide to Microdosing as well as our Pros and Cons of Microdosing .

Guide to Microdosing LSD

Medical Editor: Dr. Lynn Marie Morski, MD, Esq There has been a surge of interest in psychedelics recently as researchers and those exploring alternatives

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