There isn’t much historical data on scientific studies pertaining to microdosing as a method of ingestion. Although the origins of microdosing are obscure, it is known that Albert Hofmann, the chemist who created LSD, started microdosing in the 1990s toward the end of his life. Microdosing had not been the subject of any official investigations until the psychedelic research ban in 1966. Beginning the procedure that would enable researchers to conduct official studies on microdosing has made some progress. While some scientists are doing preliminary clinical trials to ascertain the safety of researching microdosing, others are trying to prove their case by compiling user reports.
MICRODOSING PSILOCYBIN
When a user takes a sub-perceptual dose of a psychoactive substance, this is referred to as microdosing. Microdosing proponents contend that taking a very little amount of a psychedelic drug will still leave the person fully functioning and able to go about their daily activities. This will result in some of the drug’s beneficial effects. A typical dosage is approximately one-tenth of a regular dose.
Pure psilocybin has a comparatively low level of toxicity when compared to other commonly used drugs. The amount of toxicity was discovered by studies on rats to be even lower than that of caffeine. Psilocybin overdoses on their own are likewise incredibly uncommon. Only two overdoses that were exclusively brought on by psilocybin mushrooms existed as of 2011.
The Registry of Toxic Effects of Chemical Substances has created a measurement known as the Therapeutic Index (TI). This assesses a substance’s relative safety in relation to the dosage necessary to achieve therapeutic benefits. Higher numbers suggest a higher safety profile for the drug. The therapeutic index of psilocybin is 641. Comparing this value to regularly used chemicals like
HOW ARE PSILOCYBIN DOSES MEASURED?
Psilocybin dosages are often expressed in grams. The most popular variety of psilocybin mushroom is called Psilocybe cubensis, and when dried, it has a psilocybin content of roughly 0.6%. This indicates that 6 mg of pure psilocybin are present in every gram of P. cubensis. To avoid the unpleasant flavor that these mushrooms have, most users crush up the dried mushroom before placing it in size 00 capsules.
PSILOCYBIN DOSAGE CHART
The psychedelic community created a system of five levels to categorize the effects of psilocybin at various doses: A small dose that is just above threshold is referred to as Level 1. It entails a minor “stoning” impact, improved vision, problems with short-term memory, and a different way of hearing music that has a larger range. The second stage features brighter hues, light closed- and open-eye images, a disorganized brain pattern, and improved creativity.
Level 3 involves altered temporal perception, slight hallucinations, three-dimensional closed-eye vision, minor synesthesia, and images with twisted kaleidoscope-like patterns. Heavy hallucinations, ego splitting, a slight loss of reality, total loss of time, synesthesia, and out-of-body experiences are among the consequences that occur on the fourth level.
WHAT IS CONSIDERED A MICRODOSE OF PSILOCYBIN?
A sub-perceptual dose is what a microdose is, and it has no immediate consequences. Microdosing users do not experience the onset of effects or a “high” feeling. Most users of psilocybin use it in small doses to enhance their ability to think convergently and divergently, as well as to aid with their feelings of anxiety and saddness.The statements of convergent and divergent thinking are supported by study findings from 2018, which were preliminary. Tenths of a normal dose are typical microdoses. Dr. Fadiman, a steadfast supporter of microdosing and psychedelic research, suggests taking 0.2g of dry mushroom once every three to four days.
WHAT TO KNOW BEFORE MICRODOSING PSILOCYBIN
Making sure the dosage is consistent is among the most crucial parts of microdosing. Dosage refers to the amount of the substance administered as well as the frequency, timing, and length of the dosages. A microdose is so tiny that it is simple to unintentionally take more than is necessary. This is made considerably more challenging by psilocybin mushrooms because different species and individual mushrooms have differing potencies. The changes in potency between the cap and stem of psilocybin mushrooms serve as one illustration of this. According to a Japanese study that examined psilocybin mushrooms, the P. cubensis exhibited a maximum potency of 1.27% in the stem and 1.35% in the cap. This research revealed that entire mushrooms had a
The Mental Health Clinician performed a meta-analysis of each psilocybin study published between 1999 and 2008. According to this meta study, clinical dosages varied between 25 and 420 micrograms per kilogram. This would be a dose ranging from 1.75 milligrams to 29.4 milligrams for a typical adult weighing 70 kilograms, or roughly 150 pounds. Using our previous estimate of 0.60% psilocybin content in dried P. cubensis mushrooms as a guide, this corresponds to 0.3 grams to 4.9 grams of dry mushrooms.