Microdose Mushrooms and Psilocybin
Microdose mushrooms have entered the mainstream in big ways: Investors have staked billions on potential medical treatments, scientific research has skyrocketed, and anecdotal reports suggest widespread popularity. But despite the buzz, rigorous, placebo-controlled studies are scarce.
That’s partly because psilocybin (or “magic mushrooms”) is illegal in most places. But this week, two new reports offer much-needed data points on psilocybin use and microdosing.
How to Safely Microdose Mushrooms for Wellness
While there’s still plenty to learn about the impact of psychedelics, more and more people are trying them out in small doses as an alternative to traditional medicine. It’s called microdosing, and it’s a trend that has exploded in recent years. Typically, people consume a fraction of a full dose—or even less—and experience cognitive benefits without the typical negative side effects.
Many of the substances people microdose are illegal. But in response to growing interest, start-ups are stepping in with kits that make it easier for people to microdose at home. One, Third Wave, which is dedicated to responsible psychedelic use, offers a $47 kit that includes a sterilized amber bottle with distilled water for diluting LSD tabs, a syringe for measuring out doses, and an acid-testing kit to ensure you’re getting real LSD.
Some psilocybin users also dabble in other hallucinogens, like LSD and ayahuasca, and a handful are trying ketamine therapies that have been FDA-approved (including Spravato, a nasal spray form of the drug). But most microdosers stick with psilocybin because it’s easy to find and relatively inexpensive.…