Currently, more and more people have started taking small doses of psilocybin-containing mushrooms for several health benefits. According to user’s reports, magic mushrooms microdosing experiences bring them creativity development, increase in concentration, reduction of anxiety and panic, etc. On the other hand, magic mushrooms microdosing much differs from a full psychedelic trip. While taking small doses of shrooms, you won’t experience any «high» effect and deep spiritual state of body and mind. Still, let’s find out what to expect from microdosing shrooms, and whether the potential risk of side effects is high.
The mechanism of microdosing action
Essentially, psychedelics like psilocybin and LSD are willing to influence serotonin – this neurotransmitter is responsible for communication between different cells in the human body. Serotonin is not only associated with happiness, it is also related to cognition, sleeping, mood, memory, thermoregulation, and other physiological processes in a human system.
Serotonin 2A receptors are placed all over the central nervous system as regions of accumulation of serotonin. When psychedelics reach our system, they are likely to connect with those receptors to stimulate or interfere with the work of serotonin. Once the drugs connect with serotonin 2A receptors, the brain cortex responsible for motor, sensory and cognitive senses becomes irritated, leading to hallucinations, flashbacks, and other potent effects. There is a theory that psychedelics can even impact creating more connections between neurons – that is why the psychedelic experience appears. Microdosing of psilocybin works almost in the same manner. However, it has a more slight effect.
Additionally, some recent animal studies suggest that microdosing psilocybin can help deal with inflammation. Since chronic inflammation can be a reason for mental health disorders’ appearance, like depression, microdosing can easily treat this condition. Anyway, we need to have more performed studies to predict the exact action of psilocybin.
Benefits and downsides
Microdosing doesn’t produce potent effects, like intense hallucination, problems with perception in time, flashback experience, increase of fear and panic, etc., in comparison with a full psychedelic trip. Still, we can talk about the slight effects of improving self-acceptance.
Users often talk about regular taking of psychedelics to keep benefits last longer. These advantages often include:
1. Increase in energy;
2. Improved general well-being;
3. Increase in focus;
4. Improved social relationships;
5. Increase in creativity;
6. Reduction of stress and anxiety;
7. Improved mood;
8. Increase in optimism;
9. Improved productivity and motivation.
People with pre-existing mental health disorders or excessive sensitivity may find psychedelics ineffective or even produce side effects. Users with self-tolerance are not likely to report only health benefits – keep in mind that experiences with microdosing magic mushrooms won’t be suitable for everyone due to some individual factors. Typically, noted downsides of microdosing included:
1. Mood swings;
2. Reduction of energy;
3. Increase in anxiety and panic;
4. Reduction of concentration.