As its ability to permanently improve the mental health of those who are struggling with disorders like treatment-resistant depression becomes more and more clear, psychedelic drugs are attracting the attention of both doctors and patients. With psychedelic drugs like LSD or psilocybin, micro-dosing is taking considerably less amount (a sub-perceptual dose) than one would if one intended to “trip” or experience hallucinations.
Many people agree that using little amounts of psychedelics improves one’s mood, creativity, focus, productivity, and capacity for empathy. Or perhaps the advantages come from an “expectancy effect” In other words, regardless of what’s in a daily tablet that people sincerely hope will make them happier and smarter, most of them will feel that way merely from taking the pill.
What is a microdose?
The inability to define micro-dosing for any psychedelic substance in a single, universally accepted way makes it difficult to conduct consistent research. One definition is roughly between one-fifth and twentieth of a recreational dose. (This is accurate based on anecdotal experience; a medium-strength dose of psilocybin is equivalent to 2 to 3 grammes of dry mushrooms, while a microdose is normally equal to about 0.3 grammes.) This isn’t an exact science; therefore one challenge is that the potency of mushrooms can vary significantly because they are not regulated outside of scientific studies. Similar to marijuana, LSD is a colourless, flavourless, and odourless chemical that typically arrives in the form of a liquid or is embedded in a piece of paper that is slid under the tongue.
There is no practical way to tell what dosage you are taking unless you have an incredibly trustworthy provider because it is currently illegal and unregulated. You shouldn’t consume more LSD than is necessary because it is a potent and long-lasting substance. Additionally, since some psychedelics, like psilocybin and LSD, can cause physiological tolerance, it is possible that, even if micro-dosing is beneficial, there may be decreasing benefits if one continues to take the same dosage.
Microdosing: Is it safe?
The War on Drugs, which began in the late 1960s and severely restricted much of the study into psychedelics, prevented us from learning as much as we would have regarding safety. Over the past five to ten years, this research has been revived, and numerous medical institutions are now studying psychedelics. Indigenous peoples have used psilocybin for generations and it is generally believed to be safe in modest doses. A terrible, even traumatic experience might occur if one consumes a dose that is too high.
Nearly 200 types of fungus (mushrooms) generate the chemical psilocybin, and the mushrooms must come from a reliable supplier. In nature, there are many different varieties of mushrooms that can resemble one another rather closely. However, some of these mushrooms are deadly and can damage your liver, resulting in severe illness or even death.
To microdose or not to microdose?
I would strongly advise that you speak with your doctor to investigate your decision to take psychedelics and see if there are any medical reasons why you should be cautious or avoid these drugs. Of course, any medical or lifestyle decision is a person’s choice (as long as they aren’t hurting others). You must pay close attention to both the legality and the quality of your product because you most likely can’t afford to put yourself in legal trouble or poison yourself.
Finally, it’s crucial to realise that there isn’t yet concrete evidence that micro-dosing is even marginally beneficial or even long-term safe. With these considerations in mind, it is reasonable to state that psychedelic drugs are witnessing a rebirth of research and a more commonly acknowledged use. They are also becoming more understood.
Microdosing with psychedelics may help you to improve your mood, boost creativity and focus, increase productivity and foster empathy. It’s not just the expectation of feeling better that is having an effect; research is beginning to suggest that micro-dosing can have a real impact on improving mental health for those struggling with treatment-resistant depression or other disorders.