In A Magic Mood : Micro Dosing for Mental Health

‘Micro dosing’, a term coined in 2011 by Dr James Fadiman, means ingesting small doses of a psychoactive substance to boost mood and improve attitude without the effects of a psychedelic trip. Some of Silicone Valleys brightest minds advocate micro dosing to spark creativity.

New York Times writer Dana Smith wrote about the promising research into micro dosing for improving mental health, interviewing participants and doctors involved in clinical trials to form a rounded opinion of the micro dosing trend. Not everyone is in agreement about it.

Fungi are a fascinating species, estimated to be over 1.5 billion years old. These ancient spores have been cultivated for food, natural dyes and even as fire starters. Mushrooms are a low impact, versatile and nutritious foodstuff, found in native cultures on every continent.

What makes a mushroom magic? Over 180 species contain the chemical psilocin which turns into psilocybin upon ingestion. This psychoactive compound influences serotonin levels in the brain, causing us to feel, hear and see colours and sensations that are exaggerated or not real.

An average mushroom trip lasts around 4-6 hours, based on factors such as dosage, age, and weight. Mushrooms have been associated with spiritual and medicinal use for centuries and just like mescaline, ayahuasca and marijuana, were an integral part of self discovery ceremonies.

Magic shroom trips are characterised by warm, happy emotions. Users report waves of joy and a unique, unexplainable feeling of positivity and connection with the earth. Occasionally a very intense or 'bad trip' may be experienced due to over dosage or an existing negative mood.

Micro dosing hopes to capture the positivity and creativity of the psychoactive without the mind bending sensations. Micro dosers take around 1/10th of a full dose, such a small amount they cant feel the effects physically and can get on with their day in a productive manner.

Shrooms are not just for creativity. They may reduce anxiety or depression in patients with terminal cancer, or relieve chronic cluster headaches and are currently in trial as treatment for addictions like nicotine and alcohol. Psilocin may have endless uses for medical malady.

Ultimately, much of the evidence for micro dosing is anecdotal and self-reported. Robust clinical trials are required to measure side effects. Besides, although 100% natural and readily available, psilocin is technically a prohibited schedule 1 drug, therefore illegal in the USA.

If you’re feeling anxious, depressed or are seeking an alternative to medication, check out what micro dosing psilocybin could do for you. A natural morale booster with seemingly incredible properties, micro dosing shrooms could lift you into a more positive mental state. Magic!