A Big Ass List of Benefits, Side Effects, & Risks of Microdosing
Listen up! Before you jump to the benefits like one jumps straight to the recipe I encourage you to read this section first to help you understand some of the essential information that can effect your experience.
Let’s get started with understanding that plant medicine isn't for everyone. This is due to contradictions between health history, medications, and mental state of mind. Never compare your experience to another person's or assume it will be similar as everyone's experience is different in so many ways, making these medicines so mysterious. Also note that a plant medicine ceremony can bring more profound experiences, whereas microdosing can be more subtle yet transformative. Lastly, if you don't prepare and integrate properly, you may not reap the intended benefits.
I also want to tell you that the medicines I work with, psilocybin and LSD, are safer than any over-the-counter medication or prescription. They are non-addictive, you can't overdose, and there are no withdrawals. They are ranked the least dangerous "drug" on the Drugs Harm Scale, as alcohol is the most dangerous. Crazy, right? Yep, that cocktail you indulge in is more harmful than that little tab of LSD.
Potential Benefits
Neuroplasticity
Psychedelics have been shown to enhance neuroplasticity, which is the foundation of growth and change. The brain's ability to adapt, reorganize, and form new neural connections throughout life is the mechanism that drives positive changes. This remarkable flexibility allows us to learn new skills, overcome challenges, and recover from setbacks by reshaping thought patterns and behaviors. Enhanced neuroplasticity supports improved creativity, emotional resilience, and the capacity to break free from unhelpful habits, making it essential for personal growth and transformation. It's through this adaptability that habits and patterns are formed—and can be changed.
Improve Emotional Health & Well-being
Mood Enhancement: Microdosing has been reported to lead to mood enhancement, with individuals experiencing increased feelings of positivity, joy, and well-being.
Stress Reduction: Some users have reported feeling less stressed and more relaxed after microdosing psilocybin. This may be attributed to its effects on the serotonin system, which plays a role in regulating stress and mood.
Emotional Balance: Microdosing may help individuals achieve a sense of emotional balance and stability. It can reduce emotional reactivity and lead to a more centered emotional state.
Heightened Emotional Awareness: Microdosing may enhance emotional awareness, allowing individuals to recognize and process their emotions more effectively.
Empathy and Connection: Microdosing has been associated with increased feelings of empathy and connection with others, fostering more profound social interactions and improved relationships.
Increased Mindfulness: Microdosing can promote mindfulness and present-moment awareness, which can lead to better emotional regulation and resilience.
Enhanced Creativity: Some users report heightened creativity during the microdosing experience. This creative boost can contribute to a sense of fulfillment and well-being.
Insights and Self-Reflection: Microdosing may lead to personal insights and self-reflection, enabling individuals to gain new perspectives on their emotions and behaviors.
Improve Physical Health & Well-being
Stress Reduction: Microdosing may lead to decreased stress and anxiety levels, which can indirectly benefit physical health. Chronic stress can negatively impact the immune system and contribute to various health issues, so reducing stress may support overall well-being.
Enhanced Mind-Body Connection: Some users report feeling more in tune with their bodies while microdosing. This heightened mind-body connection may lead to a greater awareness of physical sensations, making individuals more attentive to their bodies' needs.
Improved Sleep: While not everyone may experience this effect, some users report better sleep quality while microdosing. Restful sleep is essential for physical health and recovery.
Increased Motivation for Physical Activities: Microdosing has been associated with increased motivation and energy levels. This enhanced motivation might encourage individuals to engage in physical activities, leading to improved physical fitness.
Appetite Regulation: Some individuals have reported experiencing changes in appetite while microdosing. For some, this may result in more mindful eating habits and better appetite regulation.
Pain Perception: Microdosing has been reported to influence pain perception in some individuals. It's possible that reduced pain perception may have positive effects on physical comfort and well-being.
Body Awareness and Movement Exploration: Microdosing may lead to an increased sense of body awareness and curiosity about movement. This could potentially encourage individuals to explore new forms of physical activity.
Positive Outlook: Microdosing may contribute to a more positive outlook on life. A positive mindset can indirectly influence physical health by reducing the impact of stress and improving overall well-being.
Improve Focus & Creativity
Enhanced Neuroplasticity: Microdosing psychedelics like psilocybin and LSD may enhance neuroplasticity—the brain's ability to form new connections and reorganize itself. This could potentially lead to improved cognitive flexibility, creativity, and problem-solving abilities.
Increased Brain Connectivity: Some studies suggest that psychedelics can temporarily increase brain connectivity. This enhanced connectivity may lead to a more fluid flow of thoughts, which could benefit focus and creative thinking.
Mindfulness and Flow States: Microdosing can promote mindfulness and a state of flow—where individuals are fully immersed and focused on a particular task. This heightened sense of focus can lead to increased productivity and creativity.
Divergent Thinking: Microdosing has been associated with improvements in divergent thinking—the ability to generate various ideas or solutions to a problem. This creativity-enhancing effect may be beneficial in various creative endeavors.
Reduction in Mental Chatter: Some users report experiencing a reduction in distracting or repetitive thoughts while microdosing. This mental clarity can allow individuals to focus more effectively on the tasks at hand.
Heightened Sensory Perception: Microdosing may enhance sensory perception, leading to a more vivid and immersive experience of the world. This heightened perception can inspire creative insights and ideas.
Positive Mood and Motivation: Improved mood and increased motivation are common reports from microdosers. Feeling positive and motivated can lead to a more focused and productive mindset.
Reduction in Performance Anxiety: Microdosing has been associated with decreased performance anxiety. This reduction in anxiety can support individuals in overcoming creative blocks and fear of failure.
Overcome Addiction & Bad Habits
Reduced Cravings: Psilocybin may influence the brain's reward system, which plays a significant role in addiction. Some studies suggest that psilocybin can decrease cravings for substances like nicotine or alcohol, potentially aiding in breaking addictive patterns.
Increased Mindfulness: Microdosing can enhance mindfulness and introspection, helping individuals become more aware of their thoughts, behaviors, and triggers associated with addiction. This heightened self-awareness can lead to more conscious decision-making and the ability to resist urges.
Improved Mood and Emotional Well-being: Psilocybin has been reported to have mood-enhancing effects. By promoting positive emotions and reducing anxiety and depression, microdosing may assist individuals in managing emotional struggles that could contribute to addictive behaviors.
Neuroplasticity and Brain Reset: Some studies suggest that psilocybin may enhance neuroplasticity—the brain's ability to reorganize itself. This could potentially help "reset" patterns of addiction in the brain and facilitate new, healthier pathways.
Personal Insights and Shifts in Perspective: Microdosing can lead to profound personal insights and shifts in perspective. These experiences may help individuals confront underlying issues contributing to addictive behaviors and motivate them to make positive changes in their lives.
Increased Motivation for Change: Psilocybin has been reported to increase motivation and open-mindedness. This heightened motivation could support individuals in actively seeking help, engaging in therapy, or adopting healthier habits.
Enhance Relationships & Deepen Connection
Empathy and Understanding: Microdosing has been associated with increased feelings of empathy and compassion. This heightened emotional awareness can make individuals more receptive and understanding in their interactions with others, leading to improved communication and connection.
Reduced Social Anxiety: Some users have reported a reduction in social anxiety while microdosing. Feeling more at ease in social situations can enable individuals to be more open and engaged in their relationships.
Enhanced Communication: Microdosing may improve verbal and non-verbal communication skills. This can lead to clearer and more meaningful exchanges, fostering better emotional connections with others.
Openness and Vulnerability: Microdosing may encourage individuals to be more open and vulnerable with others. This willingness to share and connect on a deeper level can strengthen emotional bonds in relationships.
Shared Experiences: If microdosing is undertaken with a partner or a close group of friends, the shared experience can create a sense of unity and shared consciousness, enhancing the feeling of connection between participants.
Creativity and Shared Activities: Microdosing has been associated with increased creativity. Engaging in creative or shared activities with others can strengthen bonds and create meaningful memories together.
Mindfulness in Relationships: Microdosing can promote mindfulness and present-moment awareness, helping individuals to be more present and attentive in their relationships.
Improved Intimacy: Enhanced emotional connection and reduced anxiety may contribute to improved intimacy in romantic relationships.
Embrace Spiritual Connection
Heightened Sense of Connection: Microdosing can lead to a heightened sense of interconnectedness with nature, others, and the universe. This feeling of connectedness can evoke a sense of spirituality and oneness with something greater than oneself.
Transcendent Experiences: Microdosing can sometimes lead to profound and transcendent experiences, where individuals may feel a sense of awe and wonder about the mysteries of existence.
Enhanced Mindfulness and Presence: Microdosing has been associated with increased mindfulness and present-moment awareness. Being more attuned to the present can create a deeper appreciation for life and a sense of the sacred in everyday experiences.
Expanded Consciousness: Some individuals report that microdosing can expand their consciousness and lead to new insights and perspectives on spiritual concepts.
Exploration of Inner Worlds: Microdosing may facilitate introspection and self-exploration, allowing individuals to delve into their beliefs, values, and spirituality.
Reflection on Existential Questions: Microdosing can prompt individuals to contemplate existential questions about the nature of reality, consciousness, and their place in the universe.
Facilitating Ritual and Ceremony: Some people incorporate microdosing into their spiritual rituals or ceremonies, using it as a tool for intention-setting and connection with the divine or the sacred.
Inspiration for Creativity: Spiritual experiences during microdosing may inspire creative expression and artistic pursuits that reflect the individual's spiritual insights.
Potential Side Effect
Physical Side Effects
Sleep Disruptions: Microdosing can interfere with sleep patterns, especially if taken later in the day. Some experience restlessness, difficulty falling asleep, or lighter sleep cycles, which may affect energy levels. On the flip side, some report it helps them fall asleep.
Nausea & Digestive Discomfort: Mild nausea is a common early side effect, typically occurring shortly after dosing and subsiding within a few hours.
Headaches: Some individuals report mild to moderate headaches, possibly related to increased serotonin activity or dehydration.
Cognitive & Emotional Side Effects
Increased Social Directness: Microdosing may enhance assertiveness or decrease social inhibition, which can feel out of character for some. This shift may lead to unintended bluntness or social conflicts, particularly in professional or sensitive situations.
Amplified Anxiety, Mood Swings, & Poor Focus: Instead of providing clarity or emotional stability, microdosing can heighten existing anxiety, trigger mood fluctuations, or impair focus in some individuals, particularly if taken in excess or if prone to anxiety.
Overstimulation & Restlessness: Some users report feeling wired, restless, or hyperactive, making it difficult to relax or remain present in lower-energy environments.
Psychological & Behavioral Risks
Psychological Dependency: While not physically addictive, some individuals become psychologically dependent on microdosing for productivity, creativity, or emotional regulation. Over-reliance on microdosing may weaken confidence in natural coping mechanisms or create a crutch-like dependence rather than fostering sustainable change.
Emotional Sensitivity & Overanalysis: Some users become hyper-aware of their thoughts and emotions, leading to overanalyzing situations, relationships, or past experiences in ways that may feel overwhelming or exhausting.
Potential Health Risks & COntradictions
Note: Long-term effects still need to be discovered.
Physical Risks
Heart Disease & Valvular Concerns: Psilocybin interacts with the 5HT2B serotonin receptor, which has been linked to heart valve issues with prolonged and frequent use. Those with pre-existing heart conditions should exercise caution and consult a healthcare professional before microdosing.
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding: There is limited research on the effects of psilocybin during pregnancy or breastfeeding, and it is generally recommended to avoid microdosing during these periods due to unknown risks to fetal and infant development.
Mushroom Allergies: Individuals with a history of allergic reactions to fungi or mushrooms should avoid psilocybin, as allergic responses can range from mild to severe.
Mental Health Risks
Bipolar Disorder: Microdosing may increase manic episodes in individuals with Bipolar disorder. While it may offer relief during depressive phases, the risk of triggering mania makes it a potentially unstable option for those with bipolar diagnoses.
Schizophrenia & Psychotic Disorders: If you or a first-degree family member (parent, sibling) has been diagnosed with schizophrenia or another psychotic disorder, microdosing is strongly discouraged, as psychedelics can exacerbate psychotic symptoms or trigger latent conditions.
Paranoia & Anxiety: Individuals prone to paranoia or high anxiety may find that even microdoses intensify these feelings rather than alleviate them.
Hallucinogen Persisting Perception Disorder (HPPD): If you have a history of HPPD (a condition where visual distortions persist long after psychedelic use), microdosing may worsen or reactivate visual disturbances, including halos, tracers, and distortions.
Heavy Grief & Emotional Vulnerability: While some find microdosing helpful during grieving, it can also amplify emotions, making the grieving process feel more intense rather than easing it.
Other Considerations
Colorblindness & Visual Effects: Some individuals with colorblindness have reported permanent visual tracers or distortions after microdosing, though research on this effect is very limited.
Medication Interactions: Psilocybin interacts with SSRIs, MAOIs, antipsychotics, and mood stabilizers. If you are taking psychiatric medication, consult a professional before considering microdosing.
Legal Risks: Psilocybin remains illegal in many places, and possessing or using it could result in legal consequences, depending on your location. But I always like to remind people that it’s not illegal to be curious.
Let's connect if you or anyone you know is curious about Microdosing. I’ll teach you all you need to know about microdosing and how to integrate your experience.
MICRODOSING IS NOT RECOMMENDED FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH OR WHO HAVE A HISTORY OF SCHIZOPHRENIA OR PSYCHOTIC DISORDERS, BIPOLAR DISORDER, SEVERE ANXIETY OR PANIC DISORDER, SEVERE DEPRESSION WITH A HISTORY OF SUICIDAL IDEATION OR ATTEMPTS, OR OTHER MENTAL HEALTH CONDITIONS. PLEASE CONSULT WITH A LICENSED HEALTHCARE PROVIDER BEFORE CONSIDERING PSILOCYBIN USE, PARTICULARLY IF YOU HAVE A HISTORY OF MENTAL HEALTH CONCERNS.
