We’re here to give you information on the benefits of psilocybin microdosing for depression.  If you’re looking into this route, remember to talk to your health provider on the possibilities.

Psilocybin and Our Brain’s “Default Mode”   

Those suffering from depression describe feeling “stuck,” and that microdosing psychedelics, (such as psilocybin) get you out of this stagnant feeling. This is due to the brain reacting to certain psychoactive compounds. For example, psilocybin regulates the brain patterns behind your ego, the part that informs our sense of self and memories. Basically, that “voice inside our heads” is called default mode network (DMN). 

A DMN is a network of brain activity that defines the essence of “who we are.” Unfortunately, we cannot control this part of our brain. A healthy DMN is great, but an unhealthy DMN is difficult to handle and will cause problems. People with depression have an overactive DMN, and those with an inactive one describe being in “a flow.”  

Ego Death and DMN

Ingesting psilocybin gives the DMN a break, thus you experience that “flow” or otherwise known as an “ego-death.” An ego death can help decrease amounts of anxiety and fear. And, it can positively increase connection with people and environment. These aspects are important in coping with depression, as it can give people new insights into their lives.  

When our DMNs are taking a break, we are essentially resetting it because it is an overworked network in our brain that causes habitual negative thinking. Psilocybin disrupts this network, giving your brain the break it deserves. This is one of the main brain functions of psilocybin. Yet, there many other ways this compound works in your brain that may make it a better option to big pharma medications.

image credit: Cerebral Liberty


MICRODOSING PSILOCYBIN VS. ANTIDEPRESSANTS

Previously mentioned in our piece, “Microdosing to treat PTSD,” we explored how psilocybin functions in our brain and how this may be the better alternative to antidepressants.  

Here are our reasons:   

1. Psilocybin Increases Emotional Connection

It’s the opposite of what antidepressants do. Increased emotional connection means the person is more insightful and emphatic. These qualities can help a person cope with their depression and stress. Antidepressants only “mask” your emotions, which in the long run doesn’t help.  

2. Psilocybin is an effective method for ‘Treatment Resistant Depression’ 

Modern living is the biggest cause of depression, with antidepressant and other therapies worth billions of euros. With that much money shelled towards depression therapies, one would think that this epidemic could be controlled. Not so. According to research, 55% of participants are immune to prescription antidepressants. This is called “treatment resistant depression (TRD).”  In fact, further research claims that antidepressants are no more effective than placebos AND that those with TRD react more with psilocybin.   

3. Noticeable Improvements in a Short Amount of Time 

Treatments like antidepressants and therapy often take days to weeks for patients to notice the benefits. With psilocybin, these effects are immediately noticed. Often times, within a week. 

4. Compared to Antidepressants, microdosing psilocybin has Harmless Side Effects

Psilocybin has little to no side effects. Magic mushrooms and magic truffles psilocybin substances, are the least toxic drug in the world. Antidepressants have a long list of side effects which include – weight gain, lower sex drive, insomnia, fatigue, and nausea.

5. Long-Term Results   

Many treatments for patients with depression are taken weekly or even daily. These treatments can last a lifetime, because you have to constantly take it, in order to get the most out of your treatment. Whereas feeling the benefits of psilocybin is up to 5 weeks. Meaning, the routine of consuming psilocybin isn’t daily.


Microdosing: a Sustainable Approach  

A psychedelic experience lasts a few hours, but depression can haunt a person for years. 

Mens Journal

Speaking of long-term results, microdosing psilocybin for depression can be a sustainable practice that benefits your daily life. It’s also the alternative to heavier dosages of magic mushrooms or magic truffles. Many seek intense shroom trips to alleviate their depression, because users want to seek that “ego death.” Also, larger doses produce a lasting “halo effect” for up to 6 months. The “halo effect” is the remaining positive feelings that linger after your trip. This is because psilocybin acts as a reset button to your brain nerves.  

It’s tricky to gamble on your mental health, because psychedelic trips are unpredictable. Therefore, microdosing is the safest and perhaps, the most sustainable approach. You can microdose during most days when you’re at work or going to school. The main goal of microdosing is that you’re not supposed to feel it. It’s supposed to be very subtle, and yet felt. 


How to Microdose for Depression 

At the moment, there is no official medical standard or routine that a therapist tells you to microdose for depression. But, there are tips and advice that have been developed by researchers, notably Dr. James Fadiman. His microdosing method is called The Fadiman Method.  

We recommend you start your routine with our microdose strips like this: 

  • The Fadiman Method: You take your 1 gram microdose of fresh magic truffles every 3 days.    

Taking 1 gram of magic truffles microdose every 3 days gives your brain the break it needs, and it’s a good tryout to see how your body is reacting to the microdose. Some people microdose every other day. While that is an option,  it’s best to first space out the days for a few cycles.      

Proceed with caution: everyone’s body is different! But it is definitely a good starting point to understand the experiences! 

Make sure you microdose at the start of your day, preferably. This is to get the best results on your dosage day.   


The Takeaways of Microdosing 

Remember that microdosing psilocybin is not a “cure for all,” nor a magic bullet. Mental health problems and coping with these problems takes a lot of inner work. Which means, we advise you to add a routine for microdosing. Alongside other forms of treatment and self care like:  psychotherapy, journaling, meditation, good diet, exercise, vitamins, etc. 


Therefore, once you start microdosing, you journal how you feel. This gives you an overview of how microdosing helps you cope with symptoms of depression. Overtime, it helps you see and work through some issues that are at the root of your depression. Which is what antidepressants cannot do.