Morgan Mandriotta interviewed me for this article which is an excellent introduction to the topic of microdosing psilocybin. As always, I am not offering advice and I am not recommending or encouraging anyone to break any laws. People often contact me wanting to try microdosing or having tried it in the past. Read her article for more specifics and references to journal articles.
What does microdosing psilocybin feel like?
Ideally it doesn’t feel like anything; that’s the point.
What are the potential health benefits of microdosing psilocybin?
Emphasis is on “potential” because we really don’t know much about microdosing at this point. Long-term benefits (at the end of the 30 day procedure) might include reduced depression, stress, mind wandering, and increased absorption. People who microdose say that it helps with
- a) mood, specifically anxiety and depression,
- b) cognitive processes like attention and memory, and
- c) creativity.
Who might be the best candidates for it?
People who live in a country where it is legal, such as The Netherlands or Jamaica. Here in the United States, yes even in Oregon, possessing and using psilocybin mushrooms is illegal.
Which mental health conditions can it help most, compared to other psychedelics?
I don’t think we know enough to even guess at that answer yet. People who microdose aren’t trying to fit their experiences into DSM-5 categories, but they often talk about relief from depression and anxiety.
Are there potential risks? Should certain people not try psilocybin?
Quite a few surveys have asked microdosers about perceived risks or unwanted or unpleasant effects. The main risk is that psilocybin is illegal to have and use, despite having a low potential for abuse and currently accepted medical use. Being arrested, fined, imprisoned, losing work; these things are not conducive to mental health or personal growth.
People also reported difficulty obtaining the medicines, because they’re illegal, and difficulty getting a proper dosage. Plant medicines aren’t like taking a Tylenol, each dose is a little different and you might accidentally take a little too much and then have to go to work or interact with your family.
As for unwanted effects of microdosing itself, some people report increased anxiety and physical discomfort for a few hours after taking the medicine. If you have an anxiety disorder, be careful about that.
Talk with a professional
If you are microdosing or thinking about microdosing in the future, I hope you are able to trust your healthcare partners enough to talk with them about your intentions and use. You can find psychedelic-informed professionals at Psychedelic Support. If you’re in Oregon or Washington, you can talk with me!
If you’re a healthcare professional and you’d like to become more psychedelic-informed, I offer trainings online and in person.
