Microdosing Psilocybin
Microdosing psilocybin is becoming more common with people who have mental health conditions. People microdose to improve mental health, boost creativity and productivity, or weaning off of SSRIs. As microdosing has been a very successful option, more and more people start to question what goes into microdosing and the benefits that come out of it. Here are different elements that go into making safe and effective decisions, and also prepare you as you start your journey.
Delayed Reaction
If you take SSRIs and are looking to microdose, it can take a couple months before you start seeing benefits from microdosing and it can be very hard to stop your prescription medications. You should always consult your doctor before stopping medications. Some SSRIs can take up to 8 weeks to fully leave your system causing the starting process to take a bit longer than most, but this is also not the case for everyone.
To also break down the way SSRIs and psilocybin work, they both attach themselves to your serotonin receptors and increase the flow of your serotonin. The major difference between the two is that SSRIs only target certain receptors, increase dopamine production, and are slow acting. With psilocybin, they hit more of your receptors along with creating new nerve cells and connections in your brain.
Dosage
Another thing when considering microdosing is dosage and what you need to do to help produce positive changes. A typical dose is .01-.20 of a gram once every few days. With doses being this small, you won’t be under the influence and won’t experience any visuals. It’s important to start small and work your way up to the right dosage. You can put yourself in a “turbulence zone” if you intake too little or too much. In other words, dosing can cause anxiety, headaches, or stomach aches if taken incorrectly. It is in your best interest to dose with your breakfast, paired with Lion’s mane and niacin, and having set routine or intentions.
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Any drug (caffeine, sugar, cannabis, alcohol) needs to have the proper set and setting when dosing. “Set” means having the right mindset, and “setting” means being in the proper environment. Niacin helps minimize headaches while Lion’s mane improves focus, productivity and has its own benefits like heart health, protection against dementia, and repairs nerve damage.
Length
Another question that frequently comes up is how long do you continue to microdose? This is personal preference! If this ends up being something that works for you, why stop something great? If you feel microdosing doesn't work for you, you can stop without having the taper off your doses. However, your body can build a tolerance to psilocybin so taking breaks from dosing is always a good thing. After dosing consistently for 1-2 months, you can take a 2 week break from dosing while keeping up with a healthy routine.
Doing the Work
The last thing to consider is what you put into the experience. Microdosing shouldn’t be looked at as a magical solution and should be treated like any other prescription. With SSRIs, you still have to make an effort for these positive changes and the same thing applies to microdosing psilocybin. For starters, setting small daily goals is a great start and can help you feel accomplished and organized. Secondly, Humans thrive off of routine so make sure to create a balanced routine that incorporates mindful activities such as writing, meditation, exercise, etc. Lastly, It’s also very important to have a healthy diet and drink plenty of water. When you create a healthy routine, with or without microdosing, you will notice positive life changes and feel more confident in yourself.
Having these actions in place, will help you reap all the benefits microdosing can provide.
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