Microdosing Psilocybin

[Rose White]

will occur in the context of 8 hours of therapy (in one day) per dose

This does not sound like micro dosing but more like what the MAPS people are doing with dosing various drugs (like psilocybin, MDMA, and DMT) at a level where you can feel the effects (hence would need 8 hours with a guide/therapist). The point of microdosing is that the dosage is below the threshold of any noticeable psychedelic effect.

 

[Sideways]

This does not sound like micro dosing but more like what the MAPS people are doing with dosing various drugs (like psilocybin

Right. But it’s not MAPS, I’m not in the US, and I’m confident about the information I’ve been given about what I’ve signed up for.

 

[Rose White]

MAPS is global, getting USDA to approve MDMA was just one of their projects.

Either way, interesting that microdosing would need an 8-hour session. Hope you share your experience, if you feel like it. @Sideways

 

[Hope2]

This is experimental. So far, the evidence that it’s helpful for ptsd, when used with therapy, hasn’t been all that great.

I’ve got my name on a short list for a potential trial. The microdosing will occur in the context of 8 hours of therapy (in one day) per dose. Even in that format? It’s still experimental.

It’s not like drugs that you can take, with support from a doctor, and it will (all by itself) alleviate symptoms. And in the absence of a person who understands your issues, your diagnosis, and what to do with your brain while you’re under the influence, the potential for it to mess with (sorry, ‘rewire’) your brain in horrible ways, that leave you in a far worse position, potentially permanently.

I get the desperation. I do. But if people who know what they’re doing, who are using this substance in carefully controlled clinical settings, are still getting mixed results, is it really something you want to throw at your already struggling brain at home?

It took me more than 25 different trials to find a medication that worked for me. It took a number of therapists to find a therapist that worked for me. And it’s taken a lot of hard work - both psychological work and physical work, to get my brain reasonably healthy again. But there are always safer options to explore, and invest in, before experimenting with your own brain.

Be safe.

Thank you,

I understand from the trials with psilocybin etc that the dose is much higher and therefore higher risk of adverse effects, than microdosing which can be 1/10 if that dose or maybe less. But I’ve respect for this kind of medicine and would personally not take an ordinary higher dose with the risk of psychosis or terrible experience.

I’ve been in the psychiatric loop for almost 20 years. Tried so many medicines. Almost died from the side effects of Lamictal. And severe burnout from tapering out medicines, 4 ECT treatment so yea you could say I’ve experimented a lot with my brain already. The things that really has helped me has been more naturally things as good diet, herbs, Kefir and spending time in nature as well as somatic exercises. If somebody had asked me one year ago I would have said no but today I’m willing to try.

 

[Hope2]

I’ve been microdosing for a few weeks now and thought I would share my experience so far.

I’ve had great help and support from the microdosing sub on Reddit. There can take some time before you find the right dosage. As @Rose White wrote higher up, you want a level below the threshold of a psychedelic effect. This can vary from what strains you’re taking and if it’s fresh or dried. There are also guides on internet if you're more interested in doing research.

Even after this short time I’m seeing some positive effect. It has made a shift in how I experience myself, my surroundings, work, family and people I meet. I feel that it has dampened and often completely stopped my negative thoughtloops that’s been circulating for years and years. It has increased my emotions and have been moved to tears from films, music or just gratitude of experience moments of peace. My overall fear/anxiety has dampened a lot. I feel more generous and open and many times has been a lot easier to be social. I feel more connected to myself especially when I’ve been out in nature, fishing etc. It’s like I’m more “home” and felt better in a way no psych medication has helped me before. Good memories have popped up, and I’ve felt more creative.

Of course there have been my ordinary difficult moments as well and really high stress with burnout but overall I’ve experienced a lot of relief and a version of me I haven’t felt for 20 years. Maybe this is just a honeymoon period I don’t know, time will tell but I gain hope theres ways to improve quality of life.

I watched a good documentary on Netflix called “How to change your mind” about psychedelics effects and treatments for different complexes illnesses. I can highly recommend it.

An interested thread on Reddit about microdosing has been helping for complexed situations including PTSD https://www.reddit.com/r/microdosing/s/BaLwghoFB0

 

[Ecdysis]

That's great progress @Hope2 !

Keep us updated please

I updated the Ketamine thread too yesterday. Good progress for me too, thankfully.

 

[Hope2]

That's great progress @Hope2 !

Keep us updated please

I updated the Ketamine thread too yesterday. Good progress for me too, thankfully.

Thank you @Ecdysis
I’ll do that! I really hope the positive effects can continue and to grow further for both of us. I’m so used to be disappointed but I believe this is something else, I can feel it helping me be able to work with more emotions than before and it’s like a pair of good crutches.

Glad to hear you experience good effects with ketamine as well I’ll go to the thread and read.

 

[Hope2]

A little update on the microdosing.

It’s been a pretty rough week, a lot of work in front of computer and also little sleep and a lot of burnout feelings, but I still can see some positive effects from psilocybin. It’s perhaps not as strong I experienced earlier, but it’s still there. I can feel more emotions than before especially noticeable while listening to music or watching films, also little easier to meet people. But today has been extra rough, a lot of irritation and anger, burnout, hypervigilance and mistrust. I andmit I’m little afraid I’ve build up tolerance to the psilocybin and that the honeymoon period is over.

But I’m especially proud about one thing this week. On Monday I went to play easy percussion with a choir in church. I know the leader from before and he has invited me for years but the fear has stopped me every time. I was pretty nerveous and uptight in the beginning but they’re nice and welcoming and I became little more relaxed after a while. That hasn’t really happened for many many years. I’m proud of myself for taking that step and hoping I have the courage to continue

 

[Ecdysis]

I’m little afraid I’ve build up tolerance to the psilocybin and that the honeymoon period is over.

While this is possible, I wouldn't worry about this too much.

Even if it's helpful and continues to be helpful, you will still experience phases of stress and overwhelm in life... the natural up's and down's... It would be strange and illogical, if you didn't.

Maybe try to view it this way: without the support of the micro-dosing, maybe you would've reacted to this week's stressors even more negatively?

Either way, whether you've built up a tolerance or not... it is what it is and you can only be patient and observe it unfold.

I hope that when your stressors settle down, you'll feel better again.

 

[Rose White]

I’m little afraid I’ve build up tolerance to the psilocybin and that the honeymoon period is over.

I also experienced this when I was microdosing. I guess that’s why you’re supposed to go off of it for a while. There are different types of schedules. Certain days or weeks on and off. I was bummed about the tolerance feeling and then I heard about the macro dosing which is more like the trials where you are watched over for 8 hours. And I was like, “I’ll just get some and do it myself like I did when I was in college.” But I never did and I ended up quitting drugs and alcohol so haven’t wanted to.

 

[Hope2]

While this is possible, I wouldn't worry about this too much.

Even if it's helpful and continues to be helpful, you will still experience phases of stress and overwhelm in life... the natural up's and down's... It would be strange and illogical, if you didn't.

Maybe try to view it this way: without the support of the micro-dosing, maybe you would've reacted to this week's stressors even more negatively?

Either way, whether you've built up a tolerance or not... it is what it is and you can only be patient and observe it unfold.

I hope that when your stressors settle down, you'll feel better again.

Good advice, thank you. I think you’re right, before microdosing I wouldn’t be able to work as I did this week and if I did I would be much worse. Also I wouldn’t go the choir so in that regard it’s progressing for the better.

I also experienced this when I was microdosing. I guess that’s why you’re supposed to go off of it for a while. There are different types of schedules. Certain days or weeks on and off. I was bummed about the tolerance feeling and then I heard about the macro dosing which is more like the trials where you are watched over for 8 hours. And I was like, “I’ll just get some and do it myself like I did when I was in college.” But I never did and I ended up quitting drugs and alcohol so haven’t wanted to.

How long did you microdosing? When did you feel the tolerance building up?

I started taking every third day but last week I’ve been taking it every other day, also lowering the dose a little. I actually recieved a book on microdosing this week, I’ll check it out and see more about dosage, schedules etc.

I would love to try macrodosing at some point but I’m to scared what would happen.
Never done any trips before.

 

[Rose White]

@Hope2 i only did it for about a month. I don’t remember my schedule—something with days rather than weeks. Felt the tolerance after a couple weeks.

A friend swears by it. He does something like several weeks on then off.