Emily Johnson
Psilocybin, the psychedelic compound found in mushrooms, has been gaining traction as a potential therapeutic agent in Western healthcare. Research has shown that psilocybin has antidepressant effects, and it is being studied for use in treatment-resistant depression. The optimal dose of psilocybin for therapeutic effects is still being explored, with some studies suggesting that a higher dose of 30-35mg/70kg may be optimal. Microdosing, or taking a fraction of a regular dose, has also gained popularity, with people reporting enhanced mood, creativity, concentration, and productivity. However, the evidence from studies on microdosing is mixed, and the variability in psilocybin content between mushroom species and strains adds further complexity to determining the appropriate dose.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of grams of mushrooms for depression | 0.1 to 0.3 grams of dried psilocybin mushrooms (a typical microdose) |
| 2.5 grams of dried Psilocybe cubensis mushroom (for a 25 mg psilocybin fixed dose) | |
| 2 to 3 grams of dried mushrooms (a medium-strength dose of psilocybin) | |
| 5 to 6 grams (supratherapeutic dose) | |
| 30-35 mg/70 kg is the optimal therapeutic dose, according to a study | |
| 25 mg dose has been validated in a recent secondary analysis of prior trial data | |
| 10 mg dose was used in a phase 2 double-blind trial | |
| 1 mg dose (control) was used in a phase 2 double-blind trial | |
| Other characteristics | Psilocybin is generally thought to be safe in low dosages and has been used for centuries by indigenous peoples. |
| The potency of mushrooms can vary greatly, and they are not regulated outside of clinical trials. | |
| Psilocybin is non-addictive and has shown promise in combating anxiety, anorexia, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and various forms of substance abuse |
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What You'll Learn
Microdosing: 0.1-0.3g of dried mushrooms
Microdosing is the practice of taking tiny amounts of a psychedelic substance several times a week to maintain brain health and enhance one's mood, creativity, concentration, productivity, and ability to empathize with others. While the evidence from studies is mixed, some research has shown that microdosing can lead to small to medium-sized improvements in mood and mental health.
Psilocybin, the psychedelic compound found in mushrooms, is being studied for its potential in treating treatment-resistant depression. Small clinical trials have shown that one or two doses of psilocybin, given in a therapeutic setting, can bring about long-lasting changes in people with treatment-resistant major depressive disorder.
The optimal dose of psilocybin for therapeutic effects is still being studied, but it appears to be within the range of 30-35mg/70kg. A typical microdose of dried psilocybin mushrooms is 0.1 to 0.3 grams, which is significantly less than a recreational dose of 2 to 3 grams. It is important to note that the potency of mushrooms can vary greatly, and it is very easy to poison oneself with the wrong type of mushroom. Therefore, it is crucial to obtain mushrooms from a trusted source and start with a lower dose when microdosing.
While microdosing with psilocybin mushrooms may offer potential benefits for depression, it is important to approach it with caution and under the guidance of medical professionals.
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Safety: No physiological harm, but potential psychological risks
Psilocybin, the psychedelic compound found in mushrooms, has been studied for its potential in treating treatment-resistant depression. The optimal dose of psilocybin for therapeutic effects is suggested to be around 30-35mg/70kg. This equates to approximately 2.5 grams of dried Psilocybe cubensis mushrooms, though the variability in psilocybin content between species and strains can range from 0.5% to 2% per gram.
While psilocybin is generally thought to be safe in low dosages, the primary risk associated with its consumption is psychological, rather than physiological harm. The acute psychotomimetic effects of psilocybin can cause psychological distress and, in rare cases, psychosis. However, these risks can be minimized through proper preparation and close patient monitoring.
It is worth noting that the research into the effects of psilocybin is still ongoing, and much of the existing evidence is based on self-reported benefits. The potency of mushrooms can vary greatly, and it is very easy to poison oneself with the wrong type of mushroom, as many types of mushrooms in nature look similar but are poisonous and can cause severe illness or even death. Therefore, it is crucial that mushrooms come from a trusted source.
Microdosing, or taking tiny amounts of psilocybin mushrooms several times a week, has gained popularity as a potential solution for maintaining brain health and enhancing mood, creativity, concentration, and productivity. While some people have reported positive benefits from microdosing, scientific studies have thus far failed to find any significant advantages. The mixed evidence suggests that the benefits of microdosing could be an "expectancy effect," where individuals expect to feel happier and smarter simply from taking a pill, regardless of its contents.
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Treatment-resistant depression: Positive results in small trials
Psilocybin, the psychedelic compound found in certain species of mushrooms, has been studied for its potential in treating major depressive disorder. Treatment-resistant depression is a challenging condition to treat, as remission rates decrease with each subsequent course of antidepressant treatment. Patients suffering from treatment-resistant depression experience greater severity and duration of illness, disability, physical illness, hospitalisations, risk of suicide, and economic costs.
Small clinical trials have shown that one or two doses of psilocybin, when administered in a therapeutic setting, can bring about dramatic and long-lasting improvements in patients with treatment-resistant major depressive disorder. This form of depression typically does not respond to traditional antidepressants. Based on these findings, the US Food and Drug Administration has described psilocybin as a breakthrough medicine.
Psilocybin is generally considered safe in low doses and has been used for centuries by indigenous peoples. However, it is crucial to obtain mushrooms from a trusted source, as it is easy to accidentally consume poisonous mushrooms that can cause severe illness or even death. The potency of mushrooms can vary significantly, and they are not regulated outside of clinical trials. Therefore, determining the correct dosage can be challenging.
One phase 2 double-blind trial randomly assigned adults with treatment-resistant depression to receive a single dose of a proprietary, synthetic formulation of psilocybin at 25 mg, 10 mg, or 1 mg (control), along with psychological support. The primary endpoint was the change in the Montgomery–Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) score from baseline to week 3. Secondary endpoints included response and remission rates at week 3 and sustained response at 12 weeks.
Another study examined the dose effects of psilocybin on primary and secondary depression. It was found that as the psilocybin dose increased within a certain range, the antidepressive effect declined and then increased, with 30-35 mg/70 kg achieving the optimal therapeutic effect. However, it is important to note that only a small number of studies have been conducted, and further clinical trials are needed to confirm these preliminary results.
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History: Used for centuries by indigenous peoples
Psilocybin, a compound found in certain mushroom species, has been used for centuries by indigenous peoples. It is also known as magic mushrooms and acts on a specific subtype of serotonin receptor in the brain, which can result in alterations to mood, cognition, and perception. While it is generally thought to be safe in low dosages, taking too large a dose can result in a terrifying or even traumatic experience. The potency of mushrooms can vary greatly, and it is very easy to poison oneself with the wrong type of mushroom.
The history of using psilocybin for therapeutic purposes began in the 1940s when it was studied as a psychedelic medicine to treat various psychiatric conditions such as depression, substance use disorders, and alcohol use disorders. Ken Kesey and many others have detailed their experiences with psilocybin, which became a Schedule 1 drug under the Controlled Substances Act in 1970, along with LSD. This led to a legal crackdown and a halt to all research and clinical use of psilocybin. Despite this, there remained a long history of efforts to use psychedelic drugs to treat various mental health conditions.
In recent years, there has been a growing interest in classic psychedelics as potential interventions to treat a range of mental health conditions, including depression, anxiety, PTSD, end-of-life distress, and substance use disorders. Research has been renewed over the last five to ten years, and many medical centers are conducting research on psychedelics. Psilocybin is being studied for use in treatment-resistant depression, with some studies showing promising results.
One recent study found small to medium-sized improvements in mood and mental health that were consistent across gender, age, and the presence of mental health concerns. Another study conducted by Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine found that psilocybin treatment produced large decreases in depression, with depression severity remaining low for up to one year after treatment. These results suggest that psilocybin may be a uniquely useful new treatment for depression, offering enduring relief from symptoms with just one or two treatments.
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Research: Mixed evidence, more studies needed
While psilocybin, the psychedelic compound found in mushrooms, has been touted as a potential treatment for depression, the research on its effectiveness is still ongoing and has yielded mixed results.
Some studies have shown promising results, suggesting that psilocybin can have antidepressant effects and improve mood and mental health. For example, a study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that a single dose of psilocybin, along with psychological support, may be effective in treating adults with treatment-resistant depression. The study used a proprietary, synthetic formulation of psilocybin at doses of 25 mg, 10 mg, or 1 mg (control). Another study, a preliminary systematic review and meta-analysis, found that as the dose of psilocybin increased within a certain range, the antidepressant effect declined and then increased, with 30-35 mg/70 kg achieving the optimal therapeutic effect.
However, other studies have found less impressive results. For example, one randomized controlled study found that while there were some intriguing subjective effects, such as improved mood and creativity, and changes in brain waves, low-dose psilocybin mushrooms did not show significant overall effects. Additionally, scientific studies on the practice of microdosing, which involves taking small doses of psilocybin mushrooms several times a week, have so far failed to find any benefits, leaving many researchers skeptical.
The interpretation of the research is further complicated by the lack of a standardized definition for microdosing of psychedelic drugs, as well as the variability in the psilocybin content of mushrooms, which can range from 0.5-2% per gram.
While psilocybin is generally thought to be safe in low doses and has been used for centuries by indigenous peoples, larger doses can result in negative experiences, including psychological distress and, in rare cases, psychosis. Therefore, more research is needed to fully understand the potential benefits and risks of using psilocybin mushrooms for depression.
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Frequently asked questions
There is no standard dose of psilocybin mushrooms for treating depression. However, studies have used doses ranging from 10 mg to 25 mg of synthetic psilocybin, or approximately 1 to 2.5 grams of dried psilocybin mushrooms, for adults with treatment-resistant depression. It is important to note that the potency of mushrooms can vary, and they should be sourced from a trusted provider to avoid poisoning.
Microdosing refers to taking a fraction of the recreational dose of a psychedelic substance. A typical microdose of psilocybin mushrooms is approximately 0.1 to 0.3 grams of dried mushrooms, which is believed to enhance mood, creativity, and concentration without inducing full psychedelic effects.
Psilocybin mushrooms are generally considered safe in low doses and have been used for centuries by indigenous peoples. However, it is important to note that the psychological safety of psilocybin is a primary concern, and taking too large of a dose can lead to a traumatic experience. Proper patient preparation and monitoring are crucial to minimize potential psychological harms.
Psilocybin is believed to rewire the brain, alleviating symptoms of depression, anxiety, and other mental health disorders. Small clinical trials have shown that one or two doses of psilocybin in a therapeutic setting can lead to long-lasting improvements in treatment-resistant major depressive disorder.
Psilocybin mushrooms can be consumed in their natural form, dried or fresh, and ingested orally. Additionally, psilocybin can be extracted and formulated into synthetic pharmaceutical-grade products, such as pills, for therapeutic use. The method of consumption may vary depending on the specific research study or clinical setting.
