The use of psychedelic drugs to enhance health and well-being has long been a tradition in traditional cultures. Organic Microdose Mushrooms have been largely discredited in the mainstream culture by centuries of aggressive colonial suppression and subsequent prohibition1,2,3, interest has recently surged around the consumption of small amounts of these drugs (referred to as microdoses) that do not produce hallucinogenic effects. These microdoses are consumed to promote wellbeing through a variety of mechanisms, including facilitating mindfulness, supporting creative expression and improving the functioning of the brain2.
However, scientific research on this emerging phenomenon is scarce and thus requires an exploratory community sample study. To identify how people experience the benefits and challenges of a microdosing practice, we interviewed 278 people who self-reported to engage in this activity on a daily basis.
Organic Microdose Mushrooms: Natural and Sustainable Options
Participants reported using a wide range of substances to microdose. The most common were LSD and psilocybin. Other reported substances included psilocin, morning glory seeds (i.e. lysergic acid amide, LSA), 4-hydroxy-N-methyl-N-ethyltryptamine (4-HO-MET), 2,5-dimethoxy-4-methylphenethylamine (2C-D), and a synthetic form of mescaline from the San Pedro cactus. Microdosers also commonly used other putatively therapeutic fungi such as lion’s mane mushrooms (Hericium erinaceus, HE) and vitamin B3 (niacin).
The results of the study show that individuals engaged in a microdosing practice do not typically report experiencing the classic hallucinogenic effects associated with psilocybin and LSD. Instead, they experience a variety of subtle and ambiguous mental and physical effects that can be hard to categorize. This lack of a precise definition of the effects may be due to a combination of factors. First, the effort and risk involved in acquiring, preparing and taking these substances could lead to an investment in the expected outcome which would bias people’s perception of their effects.…