Microdosing as a practice has various iterations, with the point being to experiment a little bit personally and find what works best for your schedule, work life and benefit. Even though it is a practice that has taken the modern world by storm, it was developed with great care and experimentation by various researchers and pioneers in the field of Psychedelic research.
The Potential Benefits of Psilocybin Mushrooms Explored by James Fadiman, Ph.D.
James Fadiman, Ph.D., did his undergraduate work at Harvard and his graduate work at Stanford, doing research with the Harvard Group, the West Coast Research Group in Menlo Park, and Ken Kesey. He is the author of The Psychedelic Explorer’s Guide.
Why microdose at all might be a question one has, especially when still perceived as the ingestion of substances that can cause a disconnect from reality. While debunking this myth in a 2018 podcast with Tim Ferriss, Fadiman said ‘With psychedelics it is actually a low enough dose so it could be called sub-perceptual, which means you don’t necessarily see any differences in the outside world.
As one person said to me, “The rocks don’t glitter even a little, and the flowers don’t turn and watch you.” The key point is that no psychedelic effects are ever felt in a microdose.
A microdose will not provide any visions, incredible breakthroughs from past experiences or any grand insights. Microdosing belongs to a whole new family of effects which Ayelet Waldman in her book ‘A Really Good Day’, accurately describes as ‘working more effectively, you’re comfortable making cold calls, you’re a bit kinder to people, at the gym you do one more set of reps and in the end, you’ve forgotten that you’ve taken a microdose’.
Generally speaking, there is not much difference between microdosing LSD and Psilocybin, however according to some communities of microdosers, LSD has shown to have a little bit of an analytical sensoria and Psilocybin Mushrooms a more emotional one. These are however not clinically proven and therefore should be taken as community-based observations.
The only difference is LSD is an 8-10 hour event and magic mushrooms is a 4-7 hour event in terms of acute psychoactive activity. But when you look at it as a practice of every three days, as it is in the Fadiman Schedule – This difference bears out.
How to Identify Psilocybin Mushrooms?
These mushrooms can provide unique and profound experiences, it is crucial to identify them accurately to ensure safety and avoid consuming poisonous Mushrooms. We will explore the key factors to help you identify psilocybin mushroom, understand their effects, and make informed decisions when taking magic mushrooms.
Recognizing Physical Characteristics
When identifying psilocybin mushrooms, it is important to pay attention to specific physical characteristics. Magic mushrooms typically have a distinct appearance that sets them apart from other fungi.
Look for mushrooms with a conical or bell-shaped cap, a distinct color range including shades of brown, beige, or yellow, and a slender stem. Additionally, magic mushrooms often feature unique markings or remnants of a veil on the cap.
Gills and Spore Color
Examining the gills of the mushroom is another important step in identification. Psilocybin mushrooms usually have gills that are either purplish-brown or dark brown.
These gills are located beneath the cap and produce spores that can vary in color. The spore color can range from dark purple to black or even brown, depending on the specific species of magic mushroom.
Habitat and Growing Conditions
Understanding the habitat and growing conditions of psilocybin mushrooms can further assist in identification. Magic mushrooms are typically found in moist environments, such as forests, fields, or grassy areas.
They often grow on decaying plant matter, such as fallen leaves or decomposing wood. It is important to note that different species of magic mushrooms have varying preferences for their growing environment, so familiarity with the specific species in your region is essential.
Effects of Magic Mushrooms
Before taking magic mushrooms, it is crucial to understand their effects. Psilocybin, the active compound in these mushrooms, interacts with serotonin receptors in the brain, leading to altered perception, sensory experiences, and changes in mood and cognition.
Effects can vary depending on the dosage, individual tolerance, and set and setting. Common physical effects of taking magic mushrooms include dilated pupils, changes in body temperature, increased heart rate, and mild nausea.
It is important to approach these substances with respect and in a safe and supportive environment.
Cautionary Notes
While psilocybin mushrooms can offer profound experiences, it is essential to exercise caution. Mistaking poisonous mushrooms for magic mushrooms can have severe consequences.
The ingestion of toxic mushrooms can cause severe illness or even be life-threatening. Therefore, it is crucial to rely on accurate identification and consult experts or reliable resources when unsure.
Never consume mushrooms unless you are certain of their identification. Identifying psilocybin mushrooms is an important step to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience.
By familiarizing yourself with the physical characteristics, spore color, and habitat of magic mushrooms, you can increase your confidence in identifying them accurately. Remember to consider the effects of magic mushrooms and approach their consumption responsibly.
Always prioritize safety and seek guidance from experienced individuals or resources to ensure a positive and informed journey with magic mushrooms.
Methodology And Facts
A microdose is also known as sub-perceptual doses, sub-doses or ‘tener’, the practice of microdosing is usually identified as consuming 0.1g – 0.4g of psilocybe cubensis which roughly translates as something between 6-12mg of Psilocybin mushrooms. Doses above this aren’t categorized as a micro dose and tend to veer more towards a mini dose or the ‘museum dose’ (with colors becoming more vivid, closed-eye visuals, distracting thought patterns etc).
The key to microdosing is, to start small and be systematic. This not only allows you to adapt your doses to what you think is best for you but also have enough time to perceive the experienced effects qualitatively and quantitatively.
The standard practice of microdosing colloquially known as ‘1 DAY ON, 2 DAYS OFF’ goes like this:
DAY 1
One microdose (6-14mg os Psilocybin) in the morning, followed by your normal routine.
DAY 2
No dosage, with a focus on any lingering effects, normal routine. Usually mentioned as the best day by a growing number of practitioners.
DAY 3 – REST
No dosage, continuing with your normal routine. This is intended as a return to baseline in order for the entire body to register the changes that occurred over the past 2 days and in order to move into the next.
This is the practice as recommended by James Fadiman who stated that, “We wanted people, on the third day, to experience how they feel without the substance and to reflect on the differences between ‘on and off’.
DAY 4
On the 4th day, microdose again. Per the Fadiman method, this cycle is repeated 10 times (approximately a month), it is recommended to take a break in order to ascertain what works best for you. The important part is to find how this cycle could suit your needs best, not as some rigid structure that one must follow to get some benefit.
It is important to note that if you feel at any point that you are on the cusp of a psychedelic experience, it is not a microdose. The effects of microdosing are far more subtle and are commonly perceived as a slight increase in energy, enhanced creativity, and enhanced concentration.
There are usually no requirements for a trip sitter while you microdose, but it can be immensely enhanced by attending to schedules that ensure the productive insertion of microdosing into a day’s schedule. This can include fixing hours for work, for meditation, for eating and for some recreational activity.
It was also found that people who were involved with consumption through microdosing were far less susceptible to abuse of the substance.
Common Myths
YOU CAN GET ADDICTED
According to Fadiman, “Psychedelics are very peculiar. They are anti-addictive, which means if you take it on Day 1 and you have whatever experience you have, then you take the same amount on Day 2, you may or may not have the same experience, and on Day 3, you may feel nothing.”
People were microdosing to self-medicate rather than following the trend, popularized in Silicon Valley, of consuming small amounts of psychedelics to enhance creativity according to Professor Adam Winstock, the founder and director of the Global Drug Survey. Microdosing Psilocybin has been a useful tool for people who are dealing with addiction issues that are not limited to alcohol or drug dependency, but also dependency on pharmaceuticals.
YOU NEED TO CHANGE YOUR DOSE ACCORDING TO HEIGHT AND WEIGHT
Let’s say you weigh 175 lbs. and, hypothetically, gain 75 lbs. of muscle or fat; the fact is that this has no impact on the size of your brain. According to Fadiman, for a substance that predominantly affects your brain, height and weight play no major part.
One can ascertain from the aforementioned microdosing scale, which amount works best, without worrying about any intense repercussions.
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