July 26, 2023

Researchers have uncovered fascinating properties in "magic mushrooms," scientifically known as psilocybin mushrooms. These mushrooms contain a natural and potent psychedelic called psilocybin. Despite being categorized as a class I substance, psilocybin possesses unique therapeutic potential when used responsibly.

When ingested, psilocybin rapidly transforms into psilocin, triggering a series of effects by activating serotonin receptors in the brain. This results in several hours of euphoria, openness, and distorted perception for the user.

One of the most remarkable aspects of psilocybin is its ability to alter perception dramatically. Users often report experiencing hallucinations and spiritually-enhanced encounters, known as entheogenic experiences. Surprisingly, in therapeutic environments, psilocybin has shown promise not only as a non-addictive substance but even as a potential antidote to addiction. Similar to other psychedelics, when used responsibly, it may help individuals overcome addictions to other substances.

In conclusion, the fascinating effects of psilocybin mushrooms are garnering attention from the scientific community for their potential in therapeutic applications. Further research is needed to fully understand and harness the benefits of this natural psychedelic.

Unveiling the Mystical Past and Promising Future of Psilocybin Mushrooms

Across continents and centuries, psilocybin has held a significant role in human history. Originally embraced by shamans as a divine tool, these mystical mushrooms were used to establish a connection with the spiritual realm. The traces of 'mushroom cults' can be found in Mesoamerica dating back to 1000 B.C., evident through mushroom stones discovered in Mayan settlements. These societies didn't just revere psilocybin for its entheogenic effects; they also employed it for divination, healing, and fostering communal bonds.

In the realms of divination and healing, shamans would rely on the power of psilocybin to expand their minds, granting them unique insights into ailments and allowing them to communicate with otherworldly spirits. These ancient mushrooms served as invaluable medicinal tools, potentially being humanity's earliest foray into the world of medicine.

Today, we see a resurgence of interest in psilocybin for its potential therapeutic uses, and researchers are exploring its benefits in treating various mental health conditions. As we delve deeper into the past and rediscover the secrets of psilocybin, we might unlock a treasure trove of knowledge that can shape our future understanding of medicine and spirituality.

From the 1950s to Today: Unraveling the Mysteries of Psilocybin Mushrooms

Back in the 1950s, researchers like Gordon Wasson delved deeply into the study of psilocybin. The active compound was later synthesized by Albert Hofmann, marking a significant milestone in understanding these magical mushrooms. However, their powerful effects and potential risks led to psilocybin being classified as a class I drug worldwide.

But now, things are changing. Some countries have taken steps towards decriminalization, allowing researchers to explore the potential psychiatric and therapeutic benefits of psilocybin. The aim is to gather crucial information that can benefit the public and shed light on the advantages of different dosages.

While most studies focused on standard doses ranging from 3 to 7 grams, there's a new frontier of research exploring the effects of microdosing. This specific investigation aims to find the minimum effective dose that can offer health benefits with minimal side effects and risks. Exciting discoveries lie ahead as we uncover the full potential of these mystical mushrooms and their impact on human health.

Psilocybin Mushrooms: A Complex Legal Landscape Across States

1970, Psilocybin mushrooms, have been classified as a Schedule I controlled substance by the US federal government, making them illegal nationwide.

However, the legal situation varies significantly from state to state. While some states have decriminalized small amounts of psilocybin mushrooms, others have legalized them for medical or even recreational use. 

The states where psilocybin mushrooms are decriminalized are:

1. Oregon – fully decriminalized
2. California – decriminalized in certain cities
3. Colorado – decriminalized in certain cities
4. Massachusetts – decriminalized in certain cities
5. Michigan – decriminalized in certain cities
6. Washington – decriminalized in certain cities

Despite the evolving legal landscape, it is essential to note that psilocybin mushrooms remain a highly regulated and controversial substance throughout the US, with advocates pushing for more relaxed regulations based on potential therapeutic benefits and concerns about unnecessary criminalization.

Related Article: Psilocybin: Legal in the USA?

Where Can I Legally Get Psilocybin?

If you’re living in America, psilocybin- and psilocin-containing compounds are illegal as schedule 1 drugs at the federal level. However, local state and city governments have specific laws that govern the use and cultivation of mushrooms. 

While you can’t buy psilocybin products for recreational use, there are three primary ways to interact with and use psilocybin mushrooms.

1. Cultivation: In 2021, the cultivation of psilocybin mushrooms is illegal at the federal level. However, cultivation is legal in areas where psilocybin is fully decriminalized: Ann Arbor, Michigan; Denver, Colorado; Santa Cruz, California; Somerville and Cambridge, Massachusetts; and Washington D.C. The entire state of Oregon has decriminalized psilocybin for all uses except medical.

It’s important to note that full decriminalization allows cultivation for personal use. Cultivation for selling, and the act of selling schedule 1 drugs itself, is illegal everywhere. 

Curiously, in all states except Georgia, California, and Idaho, mushroom spores (which are absent of psilocybin or psilocin) are legal to sell unless that sale is with the intent to produce. To sum up, it’s legal to buy spores anywhere in the US and cultivate them for personal use in Oregon or the five cities listed above. It’s illegal to sell or produce psilocybin to sell anywhere in the US. 

For information on safely and legally growing mushrooms at home, check out these articles:

• Third Wave: The Ultimate Guide to Growing Psilocybin Mushrooms
• Way of Leaf: How to Grow Magic Mushrooms [All You Need to Know]
• Zamnesia: The Ultimate Guide to Growing Magic Mushrooms Indoors

2. Foraging: Another way to access psilocybin mushrooms is to go out and pick them from the forest. As I do not have any experience doing this and there is a high-risk factor involved, it is not recommended. However, for those curious about the option, I will provide three articles for individuals to inform themselves about foraging. 

• Third Wave: How to Find Psychedelic Mushrooms
• Sciencing: How to Identify Wild Psilocybin Mushrooms
• Entheonation: How to Find Magic Mushrooms in the Wild

3. Clinical Trials: While many people are interested in acquiring psilocybin mushrooms for personal and spiritual use, there is another method that many may not have considered, which is participating in clinical trials. Because they are conducted in a controlled setting with experienced professionals, they remain the safest option. The trade-off with these trials is that some individuals may not have the freedom they require while tripping for deep exploration and introversion. Readers can find a current list of studies here. 

Additionally, interested individuals are encouraged to check out How to Join a Psychedelic Clinical Trial at the psychedelic support website. 

How to Dose for the Best Experience you Seek

From Micro to Heroic

"Dose Matters: Unraveling the Impact of Psilocybin on Serotonin Receptors"

In the realm of psilocybin, the dose makes all the difference. Researchers have discovered that the direct effects of this psychedelic substance vary significantly depending on the dosage administered. Higher doses tend to amplify the euphoric and hallucinatory experiences, but they also come with heightened risks.

On the other hand, lower doses show a different picture. While they may not trigger the same intense hallucinatory effects, they also don't have the same impact on serotonin receptors. Consequently, these milder doses are less likely to induce hallucinations and pose reduced dangers to users.

Understanding the role of dosage is crucial in navigating the potential therapeutic benefits and risks of psilocybin. This knowledge paves the way for safer and more controlled exploration of this fascinating compound's effects on the human mind.

James Fadiman conceived the following categorical doses in his book The Psychedelic Explorer's Guide. Exact doses are based on information from erowid.org on psilocybin doses from the psilocybe cubensis species.

1. Micro-dose <0.25g

In the realm of psilocybin microdosing, less is indeed more. Microdoses, typically less than a quarter of a gram, involve only a minute portion of a psilocybin mushroom's stem or cap. Enthusiasts have found innovative ways to prepare these tiny doses, such as grinding up the shrooms, precisely measuring them with microscales, and encapsulating them.

This method allows for specific and controlled dosing without the need for chewing on raw psilocybe cubensis, avoiding its distinctive taste and prolonged experience. Embracing the world of microdosing opens up new possibilities for harnessing the potential benefits of psilocybin in a more manageable and accessible manner.

2. Concert Dose ~0.25 - 1g

This dose known as the "concert" or "museum" dose, clocking in at less than a gram of shrooms. Don't let its small size fool you - this dose packs a punch, offering exhilarating visuals and a euphoric state. The intriguing aspect of this dosage is that while it delivers an exciting ride, hallucinations are notably absent, allowing individuals to navigate public settings, such as museums or concerts, without losing touch with reality. The concert/museum dose offers a unique and controlled way to explore the wonders of psilocybin's effects in more social and communal environments.

3. Creative Dose ~1 - 2.5g

The "creative dose," typically around half-an-eighth of dried shrooms. This unique dosage offers a balanced mix of introspection, intriguing visual effects, and an expanded sense of consciousness. While some tracers and minor hallucinations may arise, the overall experience remains manageable.

The creative dose has the power to influence cognitive load, altering how individuals perceive patterns in reality and enhancing their ability to form abstract thoughts. It becomes a perfect companion for introverted work and meditation, unleashing problem-solving skills and encouraging out-of-the-box thinking.

However, it's essential to proceed with caution. At this stage, it is advisable to avoid public spaces and ensure a close-knit group of trusted individuals is on hand if needed. As the abstract framework of reality begins to shift, the creative dose may lead to controversial and deeply personal experiences, making it important to approach this dosage with care and respect for its potential effects.

4. Therapeutic Dose ~2.5 - 3.5g

As the name suggests, the therapeutic dose of psilocybin is revered for its potential in mental therapy. At this specific dosage, visual hallucinations become more prevalent, and a fascinating phenomenon occurs - the ego, our sense of self, begins to dissolve, along with the framework it creates to perceive reality.

For those venturing into these higher doses, having an experienced psychonaut as a guide is strongly recommended. While the experience may bring increased euphoria and visual stimulation, it also results in a gradual weakening of the ego's grip on reality.

At the therapeutic dose, the ego still lingers, allowing individuals to maintain consciousness and stay aware of their journey. The dissolution of many of the ego's beliefs opens the mind to receive information from the subconscious, leading to potentially healing encounters. However, the process can be equally frightening or painful, contingent on the individual's disposition and the environment they find themselves in during the trip.

The therapeutic dose offers a profound glimpse into the human psyche and holds immense promise in the realm of mental healing, paving the way for a transformative and introspective experience.

5. Transcendental Dose 3.5 - 7g

For seasoned explorers of the mind, doses exceeding 3.5 grams of psychedelic mushrooms are a realm worth delving into. At this point, the landscape of visual hallucinations becomes significantly more pronounced, offering a captivating glimpse into the vast possibilities of perception.

It's essential to understand that these psychedelic hallucinations don't conjure up imaginary entities; instead, they impact the way we perceive reality. The ego, acting as an organizing agent for our comprehension of the world, constructs abstract frameworks that compartmentalize and simplify our experiences, enabling us to function in our day-to-day lives.

However, when doses soar and the ego begins to dissolve, those abstractions crumble along with it, giving rise to the mesmerizing phenomenon of 'tripping.' This journey offers a profound and transformative experience, but it's best suited for those well-acquainted with the psychedelic realms. Caution and preparation are paramount, as the path ahead holds the potential for both astonishing revelations and profound challenges.

6. Heroic Dose >7g

The heroic dose, a terrain for the most seasoned adventurers of the mind, takes us beyond the limits of ordinary perception. Clocking in at a whopping 7 grams or more, this extraordinary experience leads to a complete dissolution of the ego and the onset of intense hallucinations, as if the self melds into the fabric of reality itself.

At these supra-threshold doses, consciousness and awareness may even reach a state of momentary blackout. Due to the intensity of this profound journey, it is paramount to create a safe environment, preferably under the guidance of an experienced therapist or a trip sitter.

The heroic dose is an enigmatic exploration of the mind, one that demands courage, preparation, and an unwavering commitment to self-discovery. For those daring enough to embark on this odyssey, profound insights and transformative encounters with consciousness await, taking them to the farthest reaches of human perception.

5 Ways to Consume Psilocybin

Psilocybe mushrooms stand apart from their counterpart LSD. While LSD can be conveniently ingested through paper or a blotter, psilocybe cubensis mushrooms, revered as an ancient plant, pose a more challenging task when it comes to consumption. Like other plant-based psychedelics, these mushrooms contain alkaloids as their active components, which bestow them with an intensely bitter and unpleasant taste.

For those brave enough to embark on the journey, here are five methods ranked from the most traditional and challenging to the easiest ways of ingesting these mystical mushrooms. As we unravel the secrets of ancient traditions and modern techniques, a world of mind-expanding experiences awaits for those willing to explore the fascinating realms of psilocybin.

1. Raw: The most traditional and hardcore way to consume shrooms. For some, this is a rite of passage; for others, it's a bitter experience. 

2. Tea: The following methods involve grinding the shrooms to a powder. Mushroom tea requires brewing the shrooms for 10-15 minutes in hot water. The tea is much easier to drink and much less likely to induce nausea.

3. Lemon Tek: Lemon tekking is the newest way to consume shrooms. Much like tea, it involves steeping the shrooms in lemon juice for 15 minutes before drinking it like a shot. The idea is that the lemon juice mimics our own digestive acids, pre-metabolizing the shrooms for us. For this reason, lemon tekking, and tea, can create a more intense trip that onsets much more quickly. 

4. Edibles: Turning shrooms into edibles such as chocolate is a great way to cut the bitterness and ease the transition into our digestive tracts. Highly recommended for those who still can't stand drinking psilocybin. 

5. Capsulated: For those who want to cut right to the chase and do things as efficiently as possible, mushroom capsules are the way to go, especially if microdosing. 

Five Benefits of Microdosing Psilocybin

Microdosing shrooms, or consuming less than 0.25 grams of psilocybin, offers a very subtle experience. This experience offers the typical euphoria and openness of psilocybin without mind-altering hallucinations. Overall, microdosing is the safest form of consumption for psilocybin or any psychedelic drug.

Related Article: Top 7 Amazing Health Benefits of Psilocybin Mushrooms

Here are five benefits of microdosing psilocybin:

1. Greater Creativity: The creative benefits of psychedelics were tested and confirmed as far back as the 1960s, and recent research has confirmed the mind-altering effects. However, a more recent question has been: can taking sub-hallucinogenic doses of psilocybin or LSD still boost creativity? 

The answer is yes. While not as potent as larger doses, microdosing has been shown to increase creativity in controlled studies. Using tests that quantify creativity and other subjective metrics, researchers observed that microdosing increased creativity, wisdom, and open-mindedness. 

The direct mechanism by which microdosing boosts creativity comes from its influence on the serotonin system. In low enough doses, psychedelics such as psilocybin increase cognitive flexibility. This flexibility allows a more open mind when problem-solving and creating.

2. Better Productivity: The same cognitive boost to creativity also increases cognitive persistence, or the ability to overcome a difficult task. Greater persistence correlates with more productivity in work and life. 

Microdosing has been shown to increase cognitive persistence while helping promote goal-directed behavior at the same time.

3. Reduces Depression and Anxiety: Microdosing on a chronic, intermittent schedule has been shown to improve mood and sociability, enhance memory and cognition, and decrease anxiety at the same time. This content analysis of the subreddit r/microdosing evaluated self-reports of self-administered sub-hallucinogenic substances. Across the board, users reported reduced depression and anxiety, enhanced mindfulness, and improved mood.

4. Pain Management: Psilocybin, like other psychedelics, is an analgesic. In the broadest sense, it numbs pain by blocking pain receptors. Larger doses have been shown to directly relieve pain from cluster and migraine headaches, for example. 

Research on the physiological benefits associated with microdosing found that along with decreasing anxiety, microdosing also helps with pain management. The pain-reducing effects are not as pronounced as with larger doses but still statistically significant.

5. Curbing Addiction: In addition to helping with anxiety, depression, and physical pain, psychedelics are excellent therapeutic agents to help curb addictions. Curbation of alcohol and tobacco additions had promising success in regular users. While microdosing's effect on addiction has not been well researched, there is still evidence that sub-hallucinogenic dose protocols led to alcohol and tobacco use cessation or reduction. These same protocols had a significant effect on simultaneously reducing depression and anxiety.

Microdosing Protocol

For newcomers to microdosing or recreational users seeking a structured approach, I recommend considering James Fadiman's well-regarded protocol.

With a rich history of psychedelic research dating back to the 1960s, James Fadiman stands as one of the foremost authorities on microdosing and psychedelics overall. His expertise has led to the creation of this site, which serves as a secure and enlightening sanctuary for psychonauts, regardless of their experience level.

Here you can find microdosing protocols, research, FAQs, and data from over 1500 microdosing participants.

Pairing Psilocybin and Cannabis

No article about microdosing psilocybin would be complete without mentioning one of its greatest compliments: cannabis. While research has not evaluated the relationship between the two, anecdotal accounts of ingesting both plants together abound. Further, research speculates that about 60% of psilocybin users regularly consume the two plants together, although this is largely dependent on the demographic.

As far as microdosing psilocybin, the effects are far more subtle than cannabis and last much longer. Many of the same effects of microdosing, namely enhanced creativity and openness, with lower depression and pain, highlight cannabis use.

Microdosing with cannabis will pronounce the effects of both. Chemically, this is the result of both acting on serotonin receptors in the brain. Here we identify three strains to take with psilocybin to pronounce or isolate the effects.

TOP Cannabis Strains to Enhance Microdosing Shrooms

"Enhancing the Microdosing Experience: Strategies for a Smooth Ride"

For those venturing into the world of microdosing, timing is everything. Given that mushrooms take approximately 45 minutes to an hour to metabolize, some individuals opt to complement their microtrip by smoking cannabis before the psilocybin takes full effect. Another viable approach is consuming the mushrooms alongside edibles, effectively aligning the pharmacological timelines of both substances for a more cohesive experience.

To ensure an optimal microdosing journey, selecting the right strains is essential. Strains with high THC and THCV content are considered ideal companions for microdosing. THC, known for its psychoactive properties, complements the effects of psilocybin or LSD, albeit in a subtler manner. Furthermore, sativas are favored over indicas, as they tend to enhance the effects of microdosing, offering a potentially more invigorating and enlightening experience.

1. LSD 

• THC: 16% 
• Strain Type: Hybrid 

If you are looking to boost your microdosing trip, consider LSD, which for many is a microtrip in itself. A true weed, this strain is disease resistant and can grow in a multitude of habitats. Its colorful buds and twinkling trichomes are a welcome invitation to the expansive world of microdosing.

2. Durban Poison

• THC: 17% 
• Strain Type: Sativa 

The luxuriantly green buds of Durban poison hale from the port city in South Africa. Durban poison actually has a lower THC content than many other strains, promoting very high THCV levels instead. This strain offers clear-headed euphoria that is great for an energetic and productive day.

3. Amnesia Haze 

• THC: 18% 
• Strain Type: Sativa 

A very popular Sativa, Amnesia Haze descends from South Asian and Jamaican roots. Noted for its psychedelic effects, it is the perfect way to uplift your day with energy and euphoria while microdosing.

Conclusion

Psychedelics have been in use for thousands of years. Demonized in the last century for their mind-altering effects, decriminalization in many countries has led to quality research being done on the subject.

It's important to understand the dose being taken, the effects of that dose, and the intent of consumption. Higher levels of psilocybin lead to greater euphoria, ego dissolution, and hallucinations. Greater risk also comes with greater doses.

Microdosing psilocybin offers the most subtle effects with the lowest possible risks. It is the minimum effective dose for psychedelics. Greater productivity, energy, and creativity are associated with microdosing, with concurrent lower depression, anxiety, pain, and addictive habits.

Microdosing has the potential to be a life-changing prescription. Just make sure to be safe, and enjoy your trip.

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