The Benefits of Microdosing Mushrooms for Mental Health and Well-Being

 

Consuming very small doses of a hallucinogen to achieve therapeutic effects without experiencing a trip is known as microdosing. A new placebo-controlled, double-blind study investigated the effects of microdosing Canada magic mushrooms on interoception and emotional wellbeing. The findings imply that microdosing psilocybin is roughly as effective as taking a placebo in treating depression or anxiety.

What benefits?

According to some, microdosing improves mood, lowers anxiety, reduces migraines and chronic fatigue, and stimulates original thought. Particularly among tech employees in Silicon Valley, microdosing rose to popularity as a productivity hack in the 2010s for this final reason alone. They might have thought about microdosing as "an exceptionally healthy alternative to Adderall," as Fadiman put it to Rolling Stone in 2015. (Relating to traditional medication, the 2021 Global Drug Survey found that among respondents who reported microdosing as well as using prescription medication for mental health issues, about half did so because they thought microdosing was adequate.)

But does microdosing really work?

The major goal of a recent placebo-controlled trial was to determine whether microdosing with psilocybin, the primary hallucinogen found in "magic" mushrooms, would reduce anxiety, depression, and general body awareness. The study, which was reported in the Journal of Psychopharmacology, found no proof to back up the idea that administering little amounts of psilocybin has therapeutic advantages.

Microdosing magic mushrooms:

40 people from the Netherlands who attended two microdosing sessions participated in the study. Two identically packaged bags of tablets were provided to the participants; one bag contained psilocybin and the other was filled with placebos. The participants took one bag of tablets throughout the course of the following three weeks. They took the other bag of tablets throughout a subsequent three-week period after a two-week gap. The participants were never informed which bag contained the placebos.

Four sessions were held with the participants, two sessions for each of the three three-week intervals. The participants in these sessions would take medication, wait an hour and a half, and then complete interoception or sadness and anxiety inventories.

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Does microdosing work?

Do the results suggest that psychedelic microdosing has no therapeutic benefits? Yes, but not always. While studies involving bigger doses of psychedelics indicate that the drugs may have long-lasting psychological impacts, the authors noted that many anecdotal reports and observational studies indicated that microdosing can, at least in part, lessen depression and anxiety.

But it's critical to highlight the paucity of experimental investigations on human microdosing. Prior to the current analysis, only four of these studies had been conducted, and three of them showed no evidence that microdosing lowers the indications of anxiety or unhappiness.

However, the latest study's authors leave open the chance that something may have been missed in their experiment. Considering that all of the participants had consented to attend a microdosing session, the study is biased by selection.

In the workshop, individuals also prepared their own psilocybin doses, thus individual amounts probably differed. Additionally, the study's sample size was small, in part as a result of the elimination of participants who did not adhere to the behavioral rules of the experiment. It's also conceivable that the study's conclusions would alter if individuals had taken, say, LSD rather than psilocybin.

More generally, the study emphasizes an inherent issue with attempting to conduct placebo-controlled research on psychedelics: Participants frequently easily detect if they have taken the genuine thing instead of a placebo since even modest doses of hallucinogens can noticeably skew perceptions (as happened with some participants in the recent study).

Future research must take this confound into account in order to more accurately determine the possible benefits and drawbacks of utilizing psychedelic microdosing, the scientists wrote.

The growing body of research on psychedelics indicates that the drugs do have therapeutic benefits, but more studies are needed to clarify what those benefits are, what dosage is required to produce them, and the therapeutic potential of psychedelics that have been stripped of their hallucinogenic properties. 

Conclusion:

Microdosing mushrooms is becoming increasingly popular as a way of improving mental health and well-being. As with any form of treatment, it is important to discuss the potential benefits and risks with a doctor before beginning.

The most notable benefit of microdosing is that it has been found to reduce anxiety and depression. This is because the low doses of psilocybin contained in mushrooms can help to regulate neurotransmitters in the brain which are responsible for mood regulation. Additionally, the presence of psilocybin can lead to an increased sense of connection and wellbeing, as well as feelings of relaxation.

Microdosing has also been found to improve concentration and focus, enabling users to better manage their stress levels. Many people find that they are better able to manage their day-to-day tasks and are able to better understand their own emotions. Additionally, some people report improved sleep patterns, which can be beneficial for overall health.

Finally, some users report that microdosing mushrooms can lead to improved creativity and problem-solving skills. This can be especially beneficial for those who are working on creative projects, allowing them to come up with innovative ideas and solutions.

Overall, microdosing mushrooms has been found to have many potential benefits, and it is important to discuss the risks with your doctor before beginning. It is also important to remember that the effects of microdosing can vary from person to person and should be approached with caution.

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