Remember the scene in ‘Alice in Wonderland’ when Alice nibbles on a mushroom to keep herself from getting too big or too small? That’s pretty much the thought process behind microdosing. You don’t take enough of the psychedelic drug to experience a real noticeable change, but the small dose can have mental benefits, such as reducing anxiety and depression.
Interest in microdosing and magic mushrooms seems to be at an all time high right now. A recent one report found that 8 million people in the US were using psilocybinthe psychedelic ingredient in magic mushrooms, last year. And approx half of these people they reported microdosing the last time they used it.
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The increase in curiosity about microdosing psilocybin may be due, in part, to its decriminalization in recent years in several US states and cities. The decriminalization of magic mushrooms means that there are no criminal penalties for personal use. However, it is important to note that psilocybin is still federally illegal, even in states where it has been decriminalized. And the lack of regulation can mean any product you buy could be fake or contain harmful ingredients.
we asked Jim Grigsby, Ph.D.his director University of Colorado Denver Center for Psychedelic Researchwhat you need to know about microdosing and magic mushrooms.
What is microdosing?
Microdosing is taking a very small amount of a psychoactive substance to improve your mood without the mind-altering side effects.
“Microdosing puts very little material into your brain to create a psychedelic experience,” Grigsby said. “Some people report that it bothers them a little, and if so, they may have taken a little more than they needed.”
When you micro-dose mushrooms, you are taking a much smaller dose (5% to 10%) than you would if you wanted to hallucinate or “trip”. And people who are microdosing generally take these doses on a semi-regular basis – two or three days a week.
How much is a microdose?
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A microdose usually involves eating about 0.1 grams – 0.3 grams of mushrooms at a time.
How to microdos in mushrooms
There are several ways to microdosing mushrooms. Mushrooms can be chewed dry or added to a hot tea or broth/soup. They can also be crushed or put into a coffee grinder and mixed into chocolate or put into gelatin capsules and taken by mouth.
What happens to the brain when microdosing mushrooms?
A microdose works the same way as a regular dose, just with different effects. Psilocybin is first converted to psilocinthe active ingredient. When it reaches the brain. Psilocyin binds to serotonin receptors—specifically one called 5-HT2A—that play a role in brain functions such as perception and mood. This sets off, on a small scale, a biochemical cascade that is thought to ultimately trigger reactions at dopamine receptor sites. (Dopamine receptors affect emotions, movement, and the reward system in the brain.)
What are the benefits of microdosing mushrooms?
While at least one overview found that people who took microdosed psilocybin reported improved mood, felt more connected to other people, and cognitive improvement, the jury is still out benefits and safety of microdosing mushrooms.
“There is no good research on the subject, only observational studies based on self-report — no clinical trials or experiments,” Grigsby said. Some research shows that people reported improved mood, more energy, productivity, creativity and clear thinking, but no control group to compare. “Statistically, it is possible to take people’s expectations into account and this can then explain the whole result. So it could be a placebo effect.”
Who Shouldn’t Try Microdosing Mushrooms?
There is little research on the effects of microdosing mushrooms and no guidelines on who should not try it. That’s what some people said research suggests repeated microdosing of psilocybin can cause valvular heart disease, so people with heart disease and heart valve problems should be aware of this potential side effect.
Microdosing may also not be good for people with a history of psychosis or a family history of psychosis. “Again, we don’t know for sure, but if someone with schizophrenia asked me about it, I would probably advise against it,” Grigsby said.
What should women and those assigned female at birth keep in mind about microdosing?
Microdosing psilocybin is not recommended for pregnant women. “Although the dose is very small and psilocybin is safe and essentially non-toxic, as with many drugs, pregnant and lactating women should not try microdosing,” Grigsby said.
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