We're so pleased to introduce 
as our resident interviewer! She's a big advocate of natural medicines and has been the victim subject of Natural Medicine interviews before, and loved it so much she volunteered to do some interviews of her own. This week she's interviewing 
, who recently joined Natural Medicine with a generous delegation.
If you haven't encountered victim subject!
TOL: So! Microdosing! This is a hot topic nowadays, and the idea of using psilocybin mushrooms as Medicine seems to be catching on. First of all, could you tell us a little about microdosing for those who aren't familiar with the term? Many are likely familiar with recreational or spiritual use of psilocybin, but microdosing seems to be accomplishing more than a temporary expansive state. What are the benefits of microdosing vs macrodosing?
Alchemage: To begin, microdosing with psychedelic medicine means to use tiny portions of the chosen psychedelic in amounts which seem to show no significant changes in the psyche. This amounts to about 100-200mg (0.1-0.2g) for psilocybin mushrooms, and about a quarter of a dose of LSD (~38 μg). I’m not familiar enough with other psychedelics to know their dosages for microdosing. As for what the benefits are, let me explain a bit about the mechanism of action which allows these psychedelics to affect us. Our brains send signals through the mind and body through the use of compounds known as neurotransmitters. These compounds fit into tiny receptor sites on the outside of the cell bodies, in turn causing a change within the cell creating the signal response. Serotonin is one of the main neurotransmitters used by the brain which has a large role in our happiness as individuals. Molecules like LSD, psilocin (the dephosphorylized conjugate to psilocybin), mescaline, and DMT all mimic the eurotransmitter serotonin. By fitting into the serotonin receptor site, a cascade effect is then felt throughout the body. Specifically, the main receptor activated is the 5HT-2A serotonin receptor. Activation of this receptor site dampens the default mode network, among many other things. The default mode network is associated with daydreaming, thinking about the past/future, thinking about the self and others, and other internal thought cycles. An overactive default mode network has been correlated with cases of depression and anxiety. So, by microdosing with psychedelics which activate the 5HT-2A receptor, one is effectively working to simulate serotonin’s affect on the mind and body. While macrodosing will overload the receptor sites and cause them to be withdrawn and degradated in the cell, which leads to a tolerance build up, one could potentially microdose psilocybin every day. LSD, we are just discovering, creates a “lid” on the receptor which in turn causes the LSD to stick to the site, which over time is then withdrawn and degradated in the cell. This means microdosing every day with LSD has potential drawbacks as one must wait for the receptors to replenish themselves.
Does that answer the question? Lol.. I tend to babble some times.
Psilocybin can really help individuals push the Pause button on the "ruminating" part of the brain
TOL: Please, babble on! I have also heard that microdosing psilocybin can really help individuals push the Pause button on the "ruminating" part of the brain, which I think is part of that overactive default mode network you speak of. I can really see the benefits to moving away from being "caught" in the over thinking, over functioning mind. What you mention too about the difference to the receptor sites through macrodosing vs microdosing is really fascinating. It makes me think about the correlation of homeopathic remedies as well, where we take tiny amounts of things to create a healing, medicinal effect to enact change or a desired state in our minds or our lives.
What benefits have you personally received from microdosing? And would you recommend microdosing to someone who suffers from anxiety or depression? I personally could really see the potential benefits of more connectedness to the world and the self while still being very functional, and not feeling the effects that psilocybin are more known for. But I would love to hear your perspective and experience on their use as a tool. Do you use it for healing, personal growth, or as an antidepressant?
Alchemage: Quite so, the "ruminating" pause button you mention is exactly what I was describing with the dampening affect of the default mode network. Though, I'm not so sure I would liken it to homeopathic treatments, as homeopathic treatments involve repeated dilution to the point where no molecules of the original compound exist in solution. Homeopathy works off the idea that water/alcohol retains memory through vibration, but there's no way that it could ever possibly affect the brain the same way as a microdose as the brain requires molecular receptors to send signals which homeopathic remedies just do not possess.
I personally microdose using psilocybin and use it for all of the above - healing, personal growth, and antidepressant. I experience chronic Post Traumatic Stress Disorder from several different traumatic experiences throughout my life which has lead me to experience severe anxiety and depression. Psilocybin mushrooms help me keep my internal musings to a minimum, which in turn allows me to focus on more meaningful things, and to not be too distracted by my inner dialogue when conducting daily tasks. I've been microdosing for only a few short months now, but the effects are certainly noticeable. I would certainly recommend using psychedelic microdosing to anyone who experiences anxiety or depression who has not previously attempted such. I would also like to mention that like any route of healing, using these microdose medicines alone is not going to bring about a whole and complete healthy self. These drugs are not miracles in that one can take it once a day and everything is a-okay. The benefits I receive from these medicines is coupled with weekly therapy sessions, which can often be quite intense, and daily mindfulness practices. Healing is not easy, and the path to health is arduous. One must put in the work in order to receive the just reward.
TOL: I'm glad you mention adjunct therapies and practices to the benefits of microdosing. I completely agree, I don't think any medicine out there is a panacea. It always seems to come back to how deeply a person wants to explore the self and their own awareness. Medicines are amazing tools, but they can only open the doors, each person has to choose to take the walk and make their personal discoveries. With that in mind, are there other conditions you feel microdosing could be beneficial for? Or, do you feel that any particular therapies or practices lend to healing better when combined with psilocybin microdosing? Also, you mentioned that psilocybin could potentially be taken daily as a microdose. Do you experience any decreased tolerance while daily dosing? And is there a dose cap where tolerance would be less likely?
Alchemage: Absolutely, self-exploration is necessary to finding health. There is so much that lies within the sub/unconscious mind that can only be discovered by going into the cellar with a flashlight. And without recognition of these facets of our psyche, we are bound to act out their influences without knowledge of their root cause.
Well, as with any medicine, it depends significantly on the person. I've been told that some people successfully use microdosing to curb their ADD/ADHD, while for me it does nothing for my attention focus. A friend of mine uses it to help reduce the muscle spasms he experiences from Tourette syndrome. There are many things that these medicines can be useful for, but we don't really know a whole lot of them, and the ones we do know we don't know a whole lot about why, all because of the strict era of prohibition we are finally exiting.
As I mentioned previously, I have a counselor that I visit weekly, and I practice mindfulness techniques as often as I can throughout the day. I think that meditation and mindfulness are two really helpful practices that can be easily combined with microdosing.
Before answering the next question, I want to state that I am not a doctor. I do have a background in biochemistry, but I have not gotten a PhD in said studies quite yet. As well, I mentioned the prohibition state we are leaving, this has restricted studies severely, and only recently have we been able to have any significant research done in the field of psychedelics and psychedelic medicine. That said, my mention of dosing daily with psilocybin comes as a theory of my own. Microdosing does not overload the receptors, or should not if using small enough dosages. Thus, a tolerance should not develop. I personally have only just started over the past couple of weeks daily microdosing and have felt no reduced effects. My friend I mentioned with the Tourette syndrome has been daily microdosing for months and was telling me just the other day how much it has improved his life. As for a dose cap, I'm really not too sure. If daily microdosing, I would suggest starting with no more than .1 and seeing how that affects you, then go from there. There's really no way to know for certain until more research is accomplished in this field of study.
TOL: It's fortunate, especially in light of prohibition, that there is enough anecdotal experience with psychedelics that people interested in using them as an alternative to other medications have some good information to use as a starting point. Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge about microdosing, as well as your personal experience. I think a lot of people could benefit from knowledge like this.
You are right that medicines affect different people differently. In my own experience, I have tried microdosing and found that I was very sensitive to psilocybin. At very low doses I could really feel the effects of the medicine. Others I have talked to though say they need higher doses to really feel the benefits. As with any other medicine though, I'm sure much of the effects have to do with other medications, supplements, or foods we are consuming at the time. In your opinion, are there any particular medications or supplements that may make microdosing psychedelics less effective? Or on the flip side, are there any particular substances to avoid while microdosing? I understand there probably isn't a ton of formal research on the combined effects of psychedelics with other medications. However, I could see how many people who would be interested in treating anxiety, depression, or other illnesses may already be taking other medications or supplements. For instance, I know people who take GABAergic compounds to treat anxiety (such as valerian root) who would also be interested in microdosing. Not to pick your brain further, but what are your thoughts on this?
Alchemage: Compounds that will make these medicines less effective are any antipsychotic, benzodiazepines, and sedatives. Ones that will make them more effective are monamine oxidase inhibitors, MAOIs, harmaline is a naturally occurring MAOI. Valerian root having sedative properties would most likely cancel out the effects of the psychedelic, but I don’t know for certain. And ask away! I’m not a people person, so my best conversations are informative conversations.
TOL: Thank you
Alchemage: You are quite welcome, it is my pleasure to share any and all knowledge. Frankly, I feel very privileged to live in a state that has decriminalized personal use of illicit substances, in turn giving myself and others the opportunity to see how these medicines can benefit our lives. My only advice would be to start with .0.1g or less, and start with the whole three day schedule most espouse as the regular microdosing regimen. Pay close attention to how your mind and body react over the time between dosing, perhaps keep a journal. After a few weeks, if you feel the need, you can increase the dose amount and/or frequency as you see fit, but always start low and infrequent to get a baseline. And remember, it’s a microdose, chances are that the changes will be very subtle.
TOL: Also, I realize we have focused more on psilocybin. Haha but do you notice in your experience with psychedelic microdosing that any type (such as LSD or DMT) is more particularly helpful? Is one type easier to dose than another? I know in many places, supply is a real consideration for making this a viable option long term as well. If comparing the options, what are some things you would consider in regards to this?
Alchemage: I only have personal experience with microdosing with psilocybin, so I cannot really speak much on the others outside of theoretical and others’ anecdotes. As for supply being an issue, grow your own mushrooms. It’s extremely easy and inexpensive. DMT extraction is fairly simple as well. Both of these routes have completely legal ways to purchase all the materials required, the legality issue comes when you grow/extract. Mushroom spores can be purchased legally for “microscopy use,” and DMT plant material can be purchased as a natural plant dye. Mescaline can be grown in a cactus sold at many nurseries, even Home Depot often sells a variety with low alkaloid content. LSD is the only one I can say is truly a supply issue, as the chemicals required to produce it are heavily restricted. However, you can literally YouTube how to grow or extract the compounds I mentioned previously.
TOL: I have also heard that using psilocybin mushrooms can actually repair damaged brain cells. If so, is this true of microdosing as well? There is some evidence too that points toward psilocybin also connecting parts of the brain that usually don't talk to one another. I'd love to hear your opinion on it!
Alchemage: I have no knowledge of psilocybin repairing damaged brain cells, but one of its features is that it increases connection density, so it would not surprise me that it may repair damaged cells. I know about as much as you have stated in your question about the connectivity between non communicating parts of the brain, heh. I know it happens, but that’s about it. My neuroscience is very limited heh.
TOL: No worries! Thanks for your Insight :-) I have two more quick questions and then we will have to be done whether I like it or not LOL as I believe this interview is being published tomorrow :-)
You mentioned your friend who uses microdosing to help control his tourettes tremors. It brings up a related question: It is known that psychedelics have a tendency to lower the seizure threshold. What are the effects of microdosing on this threshold, if any? Also, do you recommend sticking to one consistent strain of psilocybin, or is a little bit of healthy experimentation more beneficial?
Alchemage : Sounds great! I look forward to it! I was unaware that psychedelics lower the seizure threshold, but it makes sense to me that it would do so. That said, I would have to assume that there is still some affect on the threshold even with a microdose, but it would be minute in comparison to a macrodose. Again, I am no doctor, and from a quick query it seems there is only anecdotal reference to this, though quite a bit. There are certainly enough anecdotal references to warrant further research into this phenomenon.
Psilocybin is psilocybin is psilocybin - the different strains of cubensis are all extremely similar in their effects. The only real difference I've noticed in strains is in how they grow. Certain strains mature faster than others, while others are more resilient to contamination than others. Different species, however, such as the Psilocybe cyanescens, seem to have a slightly different effect, which I can only assume is attributed to other synergistic compounds grown in the different species. Species outside of the P. cubensis are a bit more difficult to grow yourself without some developed background in myco-cultivation, thus, for an individual looking to get into microdosing with limited access might want to look into P. cubensis, perhaps do a bit of research on which are more contaminant friendly for the first few rounds of cultivation. From my experience, the contaminant resistant strains are more often much slower to reach maturity. And really, unless you are getting your spores from a reputable source and growing them yourself, you have no idea what strain you are genuinely receiving. Just like cannabis in prohibitory states, strains of cubensis are often sold under names that they are not because certain strains have gained notoriety just through gossip, such as the Golden Teacher cultivar.
TOL: You make some excellent points. I don't know about you, but I'm really excited to see the new direction of psychedelic medicine, and also where these kinds of treatments take us as individuals and as a collective. Thanks so much again
Alchemage: Again, you are very welcome. The only thing I can think of off the top of my head is this:
It is the first of a short series of how to grow mushrooms which can be applied directly to the psilocybe cubensis.
