Fungi have always been highly regarded for both their healing and mind-expanding properties. Fungal cave drawings found in modern-day Algeria dating about 7,000 years ago suggests early man did interact with neurotropic fungi. From the geometric pattern designs left on the walls, to the vivid depiction of mushroom shapes, it is difficult not to suspect the encounter between the two inspired such creativity.

It is said that after the melting of the last ice age, and the beginning of the Paleolithic era, the environmental conditions were perfect for mushroom proliferation, and made them exposed and available for humans to consume. Furthermore, while on hunting tracking treks, it is known that sapiens would use the animal dung they encountered to camouflage their smell, by spreading it on themselves. When we see all the varieties of magic mushrooms that grow on poo, we can easily picture the scene where the primitive men goes for a bite and a taste. Growing worldwide, in all types of habitats, did the mind-expanding magic mushroom charm the primitive men?

It is just as much about which habitats magic mushrooms favour to grow in as it about how they propagate.
To understand how magic mushrooms spread, let’s take a brief detour to discuss the life cycle of the mushroom. Mushrooms are the fruiting body of an underground network of cells called mycelium. In other views, the mycelium is like the apple-tree, and the mushroom the apple. The morphology of each mushroom is designed to optimize the dissemination of spores. Spores are like the seeds of the apple, but they are a dust of billions of them. In some areas of the world, spore charged clouds have been known to change the weather or cause “thunderstorm asthma”!

Let’s recapitulate, under the mature cap of gilled fungi resides this powerful reproductive dust of spores, ready to fly, swim, grip on to anything it can! Incredible right? And that is while leaving out the thousands of mating possibilities they have!
This is why the relationship between Psilocybe and humans is deeper than we think: we have helped spread them.

Even if the Spanish conquistadores during the Inquisition did all they could to erase the existence of the psychedelic fungi and their rituals, the torture of the Aztecs and Mesoamerican tribes resulted in nothing, the spores made a conquest of their own. They made it to Europe through the very same people who were desperately trying to extinct them, by boat, on their clothes, in their hair, in their animals, under their shoes, on their very skin!

Psilocybe cubensis, the most widespread magic mushroom out there.
Psilocybe cubensis, one of the most widespread magic mushroom strains naturally growing, is said to have been brought by boat by the Spaniards while navigating from Africa. So even if it was named cubensis in honour of Cuba where it was first documented, it is most probably indigenous to Africa, where we know exist other dung-loving neurotropic species.
Worldwide, magic mushrooms inherit the name of the land they are found; as mycologists say, mushrooms always appear where they are looked for. From the continent of Africa (African Transkei, Pan. tropicalis), to Southeast Asia (Burmese cubensis, Nepal Chitwan, Vietnamese cubensis, Allen Strain), to Europe ( Psilocybe germanica, Inocybe coelestium, Psilocybe bohemica, Wavy Caps) to the Americas (Psilocybe semilanceata, P. allenii, P. stuntzii, P. mammillata, P.azurescens), magic mushrooms thrive.

Through animals, water, air, wood, plants, soil, clothes or hair, spores have the incredible ability to travel anonymously until the conditions are optimal for them to fruit!
In this manner, wherever mushrooms exist, mushrooms spread, and whenever a mature mushroom is picked, billions of spores continue to fall from it, seeding the soil with mycelia, brewing the path for a new generation of mushrooms.

Unlike past relationships between plants and humans, mushroom have been known to adapt to our environment, not have us adapting the environment to them.
This adaptability has made them develop over the years an incredible biological fitness, an ultimate hybridization. After all, mycelium is the largest living organism on Earth, with the most humongous one reported from Oregon’s Blue Mountains occupying about 2,384 acres of soil, the equivalent of nothing less than 1,665 football fields!

Magic mushroom have over the years built an incredible biological fitness.
As we offer new ecosystems for mushrooms to better themselves, and help better the health of our environment, mushrooms also offer us powerful mind-expanding substances that allow us to better ourselves. This is yet another example of the typical trait of magic mushrooms: a mutualistic relationship.
In the meantime, we should make sure to protect them because they are vital to our survival and probably more than we suspect. If mushroom spore-charged clouds can create rainfall for the forest to protect itself from wildfires and other dangers, with a burning 2021 summer like we just had, we can only realize that clear-cuts of our forests and the overall worldwide description of nature is not the way the go. There is so much mushrooms can do to save us. When Albert Hofmann wrote: ” Mystical experiences in childhood, in which Nature was altered in magical ways, had provoked questions concerning the essence of the external, material world, and chemistry was the scientific field which might afford insights into this”, we can only hope the access to mystical experiences can help enlighten the world.
Clearly, the never-seen-before rapid destruction of cloud forests is destroying a precious collection of undiscovered fauna, flora and fungi species and precipitating the collapse of a variety of ecosystems. Because, where fungi disappear, ecosystems collapses, it is vital we protect kingdom Fungi!

Flora, Fauna and Funga, an eco-systemic view of the world.
Fungi and their mycelium are the link between plants and animals. Animals couldn’t digest and process nutrients if it wasn’t for the fungi present in their gut, while plants couldn’t survive in a soil they can’t synthetize. Fungi couldn’t thrive if it wasn’t for the nutrients provided by the photosynthesis of plants and soil wouldn’t exist if it wasn’t for fungi breaking down the matter into new soil! Mushrooms are vital to the world, they are what the egg is to a cake recipe, they link the ingredients and make the cake consistent. Mushrooms are the bridge between life and death, they are the energy of life cycles.

If fungi don’t degenerate matter, matter can’t regenerate.
Funny enough, we are closer to mushrooms than we are to plants, even if we both are said to descent from a common plantae ancestor. In that sense, mushrooms are between an animal and a plant. Furthermore, isn’t it breathtaking that penicillin, the incredible antibiotic discovered in 1929 that changed humanity, is originally obtained from mushrooms! Penicillin is fungi’s natural medication against bacterial infections, and it works on us, humans! It is surely a proof that yes, fungi are closer to animals as they are to plants.

From helping treat treatment-resistant depression, to cluster headache, PTSD, addiction or anorexia, we are glad psilocybin research is back on track and hope the era of demonization of psychedelics is coming an end.  So long live penicillin that allowed us to survive paper cuts! Long live the humbling mushrooms that keeps our forest healthy, and long live mushrooms as medicine!

The post Magic mushrooms and mankind, a mind-expanding relationship. appeared first on Micro Zoomers.

Mushies have a history of religious and spiritual importance and are currently one of the most preferred recreational drugs in the United States. Recent research has found that shrooms can be used to treat a variety of disorders and illnesses including anxiety, depression, cluster headaches and addiction. Psychedelic mushrooms are illegal for use in most parts of the United States though a few states have decriminalized their use and allowed controlled studies to learn more about their potential health benefits.

What are Psychedelic Mushrooms?

A specific kind of cultivated or wild mushrooms, Psilocybin Mushrooms are those that contain a naturally-occurring psychoactive compound, psilocybin. This compound is known to be a well-known psychedelic drug and classified as Schedule I and not permitted for recreational use in the country. Psychedelic mushrooms look like normal mushrooms with long white-gray stems and brown caps. Shrooms are prepared by drying and consumed by mixing into various foods and drinks though some people use them fresh. This type of mushrooms is famous in history for its magical effects. They have always been used to enjoy the mind-altering effects and often associated with spirituality, religion and divinity.

Guide to Psychedelic Mushrooms: What Do They Do?

Psilocybin-containing mushrooms can cause the user to hear, see and feel sensations that seem real to them but are not. However, the effects of shrooms are quite varied and known to depend on a number of factors. Magic mushrooms have a history of being associated with spiritual upliftment and divinity. A lot of people believe that they are sacred herbs that help users attain higher levels of spirituality and divine connection. Some others use shrooms to experience an altered sense of time and euphoria. The compound psilocybin present in these mushrooms gets converted into psilocin in the body and is able to affect the serotonin levels in the brain. This causes unusual, unreal and altered perceptions. The effects of psychedelic mushrooms can be felt within 20-30 minutes and last for up to 6-8 hours. However, the effects can vary depending on various factors including age, weight, dose, environment, emotional state and illnesses.

Different Uses of Psychedelic Mushrooms

Psychedelic Mushrooms can be consumed in raw form. They are generally dried before ingesting. Another popular method is to make tea or treats using these mushrooms. They are used for therapeutic effects ranging from addiction to mood disorders.

Cluster Headaches

Anecdotal reports suggest that psilocybin is an effective treatment for cluster headaches. A number of patients have reported improvement in their condition with the recreational use of psilocybin. A survey indicated that psilocybin can be an effective treatment for cluster headaches as compared to existing medications with about 50 percent of patients reporting it as a highly effective remedy.

Mood and Anxiety Disorders

Real-life studies have suggested psilocybin to be a potential treatment for mood-related disorders like anxiety and depression. A study performed on advanced-stage cancer patients showed the impact of the compound on anxiety and depression levels. A research also suggests that psilocybin can treat major depression and treat the symptoms of obsessive compulsive disorder in patients who don’t respond to other treatments.

Addiction

Promising results were seen in the 50s and 60s when psychedelics were used to treat addiction symptoms. Again in 2015, a study showed significant reductions in alcoholism after the treatment with psilocybin. It is also a potential tool to help people quit nicotine-addiction. Recent trials have seen a success rate of 80 percent in smoking cessation among participants.

Personal Growth

Past and current studies on microdosing involving the use of psychedelics suggest that people report long-lasting changes in their personality, attitude, values and behavior. Research has found that personality measures in participants remained high even after a year of experience with psychedelic mushrooms. The experience is that of a feeling of unity and connectivity with people and things, feeling of joy and peace, feeling of spirituality and a feeling of transcending space and time.

Recent research has also shown that psychedelic mushrooms can enhance spiritual practice. A study conducted on 75 participants over a course of six months involved awareness, meditation and self-reflection. They were given varying doses of psilocybin over this period. At the end of the period, it was noted that those who received higher doses showed greater improvements in spiritual aspects.

Effects of Mushrooms

When taken in a moderate dose of 1-2.5 g, psychedelic mushrooms offer a typical trip that includes enhanced introspection, emotional experiences and altered psychological functions. Other effects include perception changes like emotional shifts, illusions, altered sense of time and others. Such experiences start in about an hour after ingesting the serving. The user starts noticing changes in visual perception as well and sees geometric patterns upon closing the eyes.

The thoughts and emotions begin changing. It is common to start feeling openness to feelings that you avoid otherwise. Another common feeling is a sense of delight with the people and things around you along with a feeling of peace and oneness with the world. Users can experience intense emotions, both good and bad. Those who report negative emotions also experience a sense of peaceful acceptance.

Common side effects of psychedelic mushies can vary from one person to another and range from changes in blood pressure and heart rate, nausea and tremors to dilated pupils, restlessness and trouble with movement.

The post A Comprehensive Guide to Psychedelic Mushrooms – What are They & Why They are Used appeared first on Micro Zoomers.

Magic mushrooms or “shrooms” are thought to cause altered perceptions of the reality and induce sensations of seeing, hearing and feeling what is not real but seems to. Where the magic in “magic mushrooms” lies is these evolved spores have always been associated with the concepts of spirituality and divinity. Mushrooms containing psilocybin are used for their ability to widen the thought process.

Recent research has found that this psychoactive compound can treat a number of health issues.

Psilocybin is known to relieve the symptoms of various chronic conditions like cluster headaches, help cancer patients deal with anxiety and depression, treat ALL sorts of addiction and provide a natural remedy for those who don’t like using conventional treatments for depression and other mind-related conditions.

When psilocybin enters the body, it gets converted into psilocin. This compound binds with serotonin receptors existing in the brain to regulate chemicals responsible for the feelings of anxiety, mood, imagination, appetite, memory, cognition and perception.

Just like LSD, heroin and ecstasy, psilocybin is considered to be a Schedule 1 drug on a federal level in the United States. But not for long! This means it is not accepted for medical use and has a high potential for misuse. In 2018, researchers at the Johns Hopkins University had suggested the reclassification of psychedelic mushrooms to Schedule IV drug to be useful for medicinal purposes. Shrooms are presently legal in countries of Jamaica, Brazil, Netherlands, Samoa and Bulgaria. A number of other countries have decriminalized the cultivation and possession of psychedelic mushrooms and some other countries consider only the dried form of shrooms to be illegal.

In the United States, the use of psychedelic mushrooms is still illegal in all 50 states although microdosing has become VERY popular. Areas of Oakland, Denver, Colorado and California have decriminalized the use of these products. This means these states don’t impose penalties on people over the age of 21 years who possess or use psychedelic mushrooms though the sale of the substance still remains illegal. This decriminalization of psilocybin opened the doors for researchers to discover the medical benefits of the compound. The Oakland City Council Member stated that these mushrooms have always been used for healing, creativity, connection, knowledge and spirituality. The present use of this drug is very low in the United States.

Though psychedelic mushrooms remain illegal throughout the United States for recreational purposes, activists in many states are pushing their efforts towards decriminalization. Spores that don’t contain psychoactive compounds are legal for sale in most states of the country. Selling spores with the purpose of producing psychedelic mushrooms is also illegal. The Oregon ballot initiative could take the United States close to making psychedelic mushrooms legal under licensed and regulated conditions.

The legalization of psychedelic mushrooms is expected to gain momentum in 2020 and the measure can gain signatures to change the legalization of the drug in the United States. The initiative would not necessarily mean that shrooms will be legal at all times in every state. The measure would, instead, allow the production, delivery and sale of psilocybin at licensed, supervised facilities. The initiative has time until July 2020 to get more than 110,000 signatures to get the measure on the ballot. With continuing research on the therapeutic benefits of psilocybin, psychedelic mushrooms can see a change in their legality in the United States.

The post Here’s What You Should Know About the Legalization of Psychedelic Mushrooms in the United States appeared first on Micro Zoomers.

The brain is one complex muscle with many, many parts to it. Professional researchers are only just starting to scratch the surface of this complex organism and the mighty power that it contains.

But most recently researchers and humans all over the world are asking: “what happens to a brain on psychedelics?” In this post we’ll explore the history and effects of mind-altering substances… specifically focused on the art of microdosing.

We’ll start with the talking about the work of Albert Hoffman, a very prominent Swiss researched in this field.

Albert Hoffman suggested that low doses of LSD might be an appropriate alternative to Ritalin. Following this possibility, a massive and organized exploration of the effects of “microdosing,” comprising hundreds of lengthy descriptive reports, was undertaken.

Based on these reports, using a psychedelic in the microdose range (10 micrograms – no more and no less) every 3 days was determined to be safe across a wide variety of individuals and conditions. Over 18 months, more than a thousand unique participants from 59 countries did a daily evaluation of negative and positive emotional state using the PANAS checklist plus written reports.

FYI, the PANAS checklist stands for “The Positive and Negative Affect Schedule” and it is a self-report questionnaire that consists of two 10 item scales to measure both positive and negative emotions/affects.

Positive affects: attentive, active, alert, excited, enthusiastic, determined, inspired, proud, interested, strong

Negative affects: hostile, irritable, ashamed, guilty, distressed, upset, scared, afraid, jittery, nervous

People’s reports suggested that spaced but repeated microdoses were followed by improvements in negative moods, especially depression, and increases in positive moods. Massive discovery and one of the main proponents to accurately being able to answer “why use psychedelics online Canada?” – the short answer is “YES”. But, it is 100% up to you to feel the need to experiment with this natural wonder.

To continue with the PANAS results… the positive reports included observations of increased energy, improved work effectiveness, and improved health habits were observed. Smaller samples described alleviation of symptoms in migraine headaches, pre-menstrual syndromes, traumatic brain injury, shingles, and other conditions not previously associated with psychedelic use.

How to Get Started with Psychedelics

The answer is simple: explore and experiment with products from a trusted website, keep a journal on the above PANAS checklist, write down other observations you notice, and then make decisions on those results. It is safe and as you can see based on Albert Hoffman’s work and documentaries like Netflix’s “The Mind Explained”, psychedelics work.

The post Why Use Psychedelics Online Canada? appeared first on Micro Zoomers.

A Brief History Lesson

Among the innumerable opioid drugs, pain killers, “ordeal” drugs (that is, drugs used for soul searching), and other psychoactive substances discovered and used in ritualistic contexts by the majority cultures around the world, one class in particular stands out not only for its radical psychological effects but also for the highly charged political and legal atmosphere that has surrounded it since its widespread adoption since the 1950s: the so-called psychedelic substances including magic mushrooms.

In the 1950s and 1960s psychedelic “drugs” that had been used for thousands and thousands of years by indigenous communities from the Latin American and Amazonian regions were rediscovered by adventure-seeking foreigners. This led to these substances being introduced into Western societies that had previously been very against them – or rather, very ignorant towards them for thousands of years. Now, if you look at today’s Western societies these substances have been adopted and accepted by large majorities.

Interest in these substances was not limited to the counterculture movement: scientists, psychiatrists, and others saw potential for psychological research, enhancement of creative thinking and artistic appreciation, and clinical value in psychotherapy and the treatment of addiction.

Why did this happen?

All such substances were criminalized on an international scale in the wake of the United Nations’ Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs (1961) and Convention on Psychotropic Substances (1971). Why? Well, it might have had something to do with the pharmaceutical industry and their hold on the political landscape due to MONEY.

With criminalization and its social stigma, research on psychedelics in humans efectively ceased for several decades.  What a shame! Given that many promising avenues of research were revealed by the early investigations of the 1950s and 1960s. Thankfully, there have been some believers still pushing the agenda and thanks to them we can start to understand the powers of some substances like the psilocybin within the Golden Teacher shroom.

Golden Teacher Effect #1: Artistic, Scientific, and Philosophical Creation

Artists and other creative individuals have often reported using psychedelic substances in an effort to enhance creative output or novelty.

Plato’s theory of creative inspiration directly credited the possession of the artist by the Muse or other gods; the artist lost their own mind or self and entered a poetic “fury” or “frenzy” during which a higher force created through them (McMahon, 2013; Murray, 1996; Pieper, 1964). Plato even went so far as to directly compare the frenzy of artistic creation with the cultic rites of Dionysus, where participants were similarly filled with (prob- ably substance-induced) ecstasy and enthusiasm.

William Blake provides an excellent (if more modern) example: Blake’s poetry and painting are all but unimaginable absent the visionary altered states that inspired them (Bloom, 1963). The loss of the sense of self in visionary states is in many ways reminiscent of core and peak psychedelic experiences, dis- cussed in more detail below.

First hand of this occurring after person has ingested Golden Teacher Shrooms:

1. “Stepping into the house was like stepping into another dimension, everything felt amazing.” – a firsthand experience from Reddit.

Effect #2: Daydreaming and Dreaming

Dreaming is a more familiar example of a bizarre visionary experience that each of us participates in every night and thus is easier to relate to when speaking about psychedelic experiences.  There are many parallels between dreaming and daydreaming with psychedelic experience. Including immersive visual imagery, highly novel and unusual patterns of thinking, intense emotional experience, and a disrupted sense of self/ridding of the Ego.

Examples of this occurring after person has ingested Golden Teacher Shrooms:

1. “The trip seemed to function in waves and cycles. It would start out with this feeling that everything was alive- I could see the walls and carpet breathing, and my friends clothes and hair would move, like algae dancing in the ocean, or a curtain brushed by the breeze.” – a firsthand experience from Reddit.

Moral of the Story

Golden Teacher shrooms are one heck of an experience and highly recommended by ALL who have tried them. From Plato to William Blake and half of Silicon Valley executives, the trip is a doorway to reality. From the physical to the metaphysical that you will experience in you head, all things connect as one: all emotions, thoughts, ideas, actions, feelings, human connections, natural connections. Absolutely beautiful.

Sources: https://www.cambridge.org/ https://doi.org/10.1017/9781316556238.007

The post Golden Teacher Shrooms: Research on Creativity, Daydreaming, and Dreaming appeared first on Micro Zoomers.

1. Azurescens Mushroom

Some consider the Azurescens to be the strongest magic mushroom strain in the world. It is twice as strong as the common magic mushroom – the one you’ve probably tried at a musical festival or friend’s house party – Psilocybe cubensis.

In truth it should never be taken by beginners or by those who have a low tolerance to psilocybin. Unless you’re super adventurous and are looking to reach the type of trip we classify as a “total loss” where you lose contact with reality and enter a mystical realm. Even experienced tend to be cautious when enjoying this strain because it has a one, two punch that is out of this world and into the next galaxy.

Psilocybe azurescens can be found in the West Coast and even in Germany at times. It usually grows in the grassy parts near the coastal areas. Making it a very rare strain in most parts of Canada and the rest of the world. British Columbians like to hoard this one.

2. Golden Teacher Mushroom

“Psychonauts” love Golden Teachers because the psychedelic journey of these mushroom are known to have a profound internal impact. Most of the population that love magic mushrooms love them because of an experience they had with this strain.

The Golden Teacher will be your ally if you’re looking for deep conversation, profound thoughts and spiritual depth in your psychedelic trip.

As Richard Boothby, the famous philosophy professor would once say when speaking to volunteers about to go on a mushroom trip: “think of yourself as an astronaut being blasted into outer space. You’re going out there to take it all in and engage with whatever you find out there.”

If you talk to anyone who took a healthy dose of Teachers they would explain their trip as such. Don’t believe us? Just try them out yourself.

3. Amazonian Mushroom

Let’s first talk about the size on these bad boys because they are the largest out there. You can expect big and fleshy mush with a height over six inches, with some even hitting 12 inches. WILD. One of those bad boys could last you a lifetime of macrodosing as a 12 inch mushroom could weigh up to 30g. That’s 120 microbuses.

Some people who trip would like to take it easy. Just a little appetizer, no crazy visuals, just a bit of fun. But there are also people who are ready for the main course. In that case we strongly recommend the PES Amazonian strain, ideal if you are looking for that authentic psychedelic experience.

The PES Amazonian is the perfect strain for an intense visual trip with close friends or for a party (in a smaller dose).

4. Psilocybe liniformans Mushroom

What makes Psilocybe liniformans one of the favourite shroom strains out there? It is regarded as a strain for beginners because of how low the psilocybin content is. It is not as potent as the other magic mushrooms on this list and is perfect for those who are just starting out and looking for a “Beginner’s Paradise trip.

Psilocybe liniformans can be found in most places in the Pacific Northwest – including Vancouver, Kelowna, Vancouver Island, and they even make it out to Alberta. Anywhere where it is quite cold, these babies can grow.

It commonly grows there during the summer to winter seasons and is easily found in grasslands. Summer to winter as in end of August until December. You can distinguish this one from other strains because of its strong starchy aroma.

5. Mazatapec Mushroom

The Mazatapec magic mushrooms still have the nature of Latin America in their genes so you can expect large flushes with brown caps. With the Mazatapec it’s important to be patient as the effects take a little longer to ease in. But once it hits, get ready to receive boatloads of wisdom! With this one you use magic mushrooms with a deep, deep history!

Psilocybe cubensis is one of the most popular strains of magic mushrooms on the planet due to how they are regarded as some of the easiest shrooms. As such, you can easily find them in the wild and mushroom producers can easily grow and cultivate them as well.

They are also arguably the most widely distributed magic mushrooms on the planet. In fact, the Mazatapec mushroom is regarded as the best Psilocybe cubensis (we mentioned this one above) strain and is also one of the widely-known strains there is on the market.

What distinguishes this strain from a physical standpoint are their gold caps. Making them really beautiful medicine. They also have moderately high psilocybin content so they’re great for both beginners and experienced users. With these bad boys you can go on a classic psychedelic trip if you’re feeling frisky or go even higher and fly with the stars! Depends on the dose.

Conclusion:

Within the magic mushroom world there is so much to experience. Brace yourself, use magic mushrooms, and jump in!

The post Magic Mushrooms: Most Popular Strains appeared first on Micro Zoomers.

Here at MicroZoomers we want to make sure you have a good and effective time with your first, second, or one hundredth mushroom session. Keep on reading below for an in-depth Beginners Guide on how to pick the best shrooms for your needs.

Whether you want to tackle something like depression or anxiety, giggle uncontrollably for a few hours, have a mystical journey, or microdose for the purpose of increasing productivity – there is a mushroom strain for that. And just remember one very important fact: humans have been using psilocybin mushrooms sacramentally for at least seven thousand years.*

Why Setting a Personal Foundation Matters

Before starting on this journey we please ask that you dedicate a few hours to really map out what your goals are. We’ve compiled a quick list of points you should note down.

It is really important to start your journey with clear intentions. Of course, you might discover some pleasant surprises along the way but having clear intentions from Day 1 will provide for a shorter exploratory route to your desired regimen and outcome.

An example of a clear intention: if you’re interested in getting psychedelic high and tripping out for 4 hours then what is the point in testing out a microdose or mini dose? On the flip side, if you want to use psilocybin to optimize your day-to-day productivity then you want to avoid a recreational mega dose and start with a microdose in the 0.05g range.

An example of a pleasant surprise: you might come in to this with the idea of only wanting to microdose but end up taking a bit too much and finding out that a mini dose is better for your needs.Or that a recreational dose is something you want to dabble in to get to that spiritual awakening experience.

Criteria List

1. What are the effects you desire?
2. Are you trying to overcome an ailment with the use of shrooms?
3. Do you have experience taking psychedelics?
4. Are you overall healthy?

Our tips for you

• First establish what your goal is! (use the Criteria List above)
• Set your environment before ingesting
  • Be in a positive state of mind when taking mushrooms
  • Be in a relaxed and trusting environment until you get comfortable with the process and how psilocybin reacts to your body – once you get comfortable you can experiment with your environments too.
  • Prepare your body: take the dose in the morning since the effects can last 4-6 hours
• Take them on their own. Do not mix substances! No alcohol or drugs

Depending on how much time you have on your hands, it might be a good idea to read the book “Psilocybin Mushrooms of the World” by the legendary burly man, Paul Stamets.

Now we will dive into some information so that you can choose the best shrooms, best product type, and best dosage that suit your specific individual needs. The topics we will touch on are:

1. Different mushroom strains
2. Types of trips
3. Recommended dose for the specific desired effect you are looking for

First, let’s explore 4 different types of shrooms

1. Psilocybe cubensis (can also be known as “Golden Caps” or “Golden Teachers”) are the most common
2. Azurescens – STRONGEST 
3. Psilocybe cyanescens – as common as the cubensis but more psychoactive
4. Psilocybe semilanceata – stronger than the cubensis but not as strong as the Azzie

Shrooms (and specifically psilocybin) have a profound and well documented background among the many cultures that have historically used them. Cultures that span the entire globe. Today, the benefits of these powerful little fungi and their active ingredient are being recognized in a big way.

Now let’s dive into how to identify the above mentioned different types of mushrooms

Psilocybe cubensis: The most well-known and widely cultivated of psilocybin mushrooms. Within this category fall a lot of the common street names like Mazatapec, Golden Teachers and the infamous Penis Envy.

Avg psilocybin: 0.63%

Avg psilocin: 0.60%

Avg baeocsytin: 0.025%

*%s reported by Gartz 1994; Stijve and de Meijer 1993

Psilocybe cyanescens: Less well-known compared to psilocybe cubensis, but no less cultivated, smaller, and slightly more psychoactive.

Avg psilocybin: 0.85%

Avg psilocin: 0.36%

Avg baeocsytin: 0.03%

*%s reported by Stijve and Kuyper 1985; Repke et al. 1977

Psilocybe azurescens: Discovered by world renowned mycologist Paul Stamets in the mid-90s, it is likely the most potent psilocybin mushroom in the world. Fun fact: it was named after his son.

Avg psilocybin: 1.78%

Avg psilocin: 0.38%

Avg baeocsytin: 0.35%

*%s reported by Stamets and Gartz 1995

Psilocybe semilanceata: Commonly known as the “Liberty Cap” and it is most commonly found in Europe

Avg psilocybin: 0.98%

Avg psilocin: 0.02%

Avg baeocsytin: 0.36%

*%s reported by Gartz 1994

Possible outcomes and effects when using the best shrooms for you

Alleviate depression

Quality pre and post treatment fMRI data were collected from 16 of 19 patients. Decreased depressive symptoms were observed in all 19 patients at 1-week post-treatment and 47% met criteria for response at 5 weeks.

There’s the clinical studies but there’s also real life first-hand accounts. Redditors are very passionate mushroom users and they have reported that they decrease anxiety and depression among many other things.

Treating addiction

In a 2015 study, psilocybin, as part of an assisted treatment plan, showed promise in treating alcoholism.Significant reductions in drinking and abstinence from drinking were reported after psilocybin administration as part of a treatment program.

Scholarly Resource: Bogenschutz, M. P., Forcehimes, A. A., Pommy, J. A., Wilcox, C. E., Barbosa, P. C. R., & Strassman, R. J. (2015). Psilocybin-assisted treatment for alcohol dependence: A proof-of-concept study. Journal of Psychopharmacology, 29(3), 289–299.

Treating anxiety

Patients in this study had advanced-stage cancer and a clinical diagnosis of stress or anxiety related to their disease. The researchers observed significant improvements after psilocybin treatment on measures of depression and anxiety up to six months after the trial. This study was eventually granted Phase II status by the FDA.

Treating cluster headaches

The authors interviewed 53 cluster headache patients who had used psilocybin or lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) to treat their condition. Twenty-two of 26 psilocybin users reported that psilocybin aborted attacks; 25 of 48 psilocybin users and 7 of 8 LSD users reported cluster period termination.

Treating cancer

It was found that chief medicinal uses of mushrooms discovered so far are as anti-oxidant, anti-diabetic, hypocholesterolemic, anti-tumor, anti-cancer, immunomodulatory, anti-allergic, nephroprotective, and anti-microbial agents.

Personal Growth, Focus, Productivity

In this present study, they developed a codebook of microdosing benefits and challenges (MDBC) based on the qualitative reports of a real-world sample of 278 microdosers. And found beneficial outcomes, such as improved mood (26.6%) and focus (14.8%).

In addition, tech entrepreneurs all over the world are finding psilocybin to be surprisingly effective tools for improving their work.

Effects by Dose and different types of Dose

A) Microdose (0.05-0.25g)

The kind of dose you can do on a daily basis to enhance your life!

• Recommended product: pills or a vape pen because they provide an exact dose. No guessing involved as the products are expertly crafted.
• Recommended type of mushroom: Psilocybe cubensis

Effects:

• Mood enhancement
• Decreased stress
• Stable emotions
• Mindfulness
• Internal peace, presence
• Alleviation of depression, anxiety, ADD/ADHD, PTSD
• Motivation, productivity, and focus optimized
• Increased creativity
• Overall energy boost
• NO body high

B) Mini Dose (0.25-0.75g)

The kind of dose you do when looking to increase creativity at home and get your sh*t done!

• Recommended product: pills or a vape pen because they provide an exact dose. No guessing involved as the products are expertly crafted.
• Recommended type of mushroom: Psilocybe cubensis

Effects:

• Mood enhancement
• Mindfulness
• Internal peace, presence
• Alleviation of depression, anxiety, ADD/ADHD, PTSD
• Connected thinking
• Creative spike
• Easier to relax due to increased awareness of body
• Able to access energy waves
• Mild body high

C) Museum Dose (0.5-1.5g)

The kind of dose you do when heading to a party, social gathering, or heading out on an adventure (without driving!)

• Recommended product: pill, extract, chocolate, dried shroom. You can play around with edibles and dried mushrooms for this.
• Recommended type of mushroom: Golden Teacher or Amazonian… Penis Envy is a good option too.

Effects:

• Enhanced mood producing euphoria and excitement
• Mild visual experience
• Introspection
• Optimized senses
• Optimized appreciation for creativity, music, art, conversation
• Moderate body high
• Clearly high – come up, peak, come down
• Altered perception of sound
• Difficulty socializing

D) Moderate Dose (2-3.5g)

The kind of dose you do when you’re looking for a mystical experience

• Recommended product: extract, chocolate, dried mushroom
• Recommended type of mushroom: Azurescens, Semilanceata

Effects:

• Enhanced mood producing euphoria and excitement
• Mild visual experience
• Introspection
• Optimized senses
• Optimized appreciation for creativity, music, art, conversation
• STRONG body high
• Clearly high – come up, peak, come down
• Altered perception of sound
• Altered vision when eyes open and closed
• Difficulty socializing
• Sedation
• Time dilation or contraction

E) Super Fun Dose (5g or more)

The kind of dose where you only do it while exploring nature on foot or hanging out at home

• Recommended product: extract, chocolate, dried mushroom
• Recommended type of mushroom: Azurescens, Semilanceata

Effects:

• Enhanced mood producing euphoria and excitement
• Mild visual experience
• Introspection
• Optimized senses
• Optimized appreciation for creativity, music, art, conversation
• VERY STRONG body high
• Clearly high – come up, peak, come down
• Altered perception of sound
• Altered vision when eyes open and closed
• Difficulty socializing
• Sedation
• Time dilation or contraction
• Compromised motor functions

Just look at the organization funding and conducting research:

MAPS

MAPS is making evidence-based treatments for mental health conditions. Using psychedelics.

Founded in 1986, the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit research and educational organization that develops medical, legal, and cultural contexts for people to benefit from the careful uses of psychedelics and marijuana.

The Beckley Foundation

Since its creation by Amanda Feilding in 1998, the Beckley Foundation has been at the forefront of global drug policy reform and scientific research into psychoactive substances. They collaborate with leading scientific and political institutions worldwide to design and develop ground-breaking research and global policy initiatives.

Johns Hopkins Center

In 2000 the research group at Johns Hopkins was the first to obtain regulatory approval in the United States to reinitiate research with psychedelics in healthy volunteers.

“Johns Hopkins is deeply committed to exploring innovative treatments for our patients. Our scientists have shown that psychedelics have real potential as medicine, and this new center will help us explore that potential.”  – Paul B. Rothman, M.D., Dean of the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and CEO of Johns Hopkins Medicine. 

Concluding thoughts on Picking the Best Shrooms:

A wise man by the name of William Blake once said “the true method of knowledge is experiment”.

Mazatec Indians from the Southern region of Mexico have been using this beautiful mushrooms as mediums for healing and divination since before the Spanish conquest. They’re known as “the flesh of Gods” in those regions of the world and that is the main reason why there was such hate towards them. What happens when you challenge the Catholic church? You get ousted.

How is it that little brown mushrooms with the power to change the consciousness of the animal that eats it are seen as “drugs”? These remarkable mushrooms produce. in addition to spores for the purpose of reproduction, meanings in human minds. That is absolutely outstanding.

Lastly: let the experts pick the mushrooms from the wild. As there are many mushrooms that look like magic shrooms that could in fact lead to negative effects. If you do want to get into identifying psilocybin mushrooms in the wild Paul Stamets has 1 rule: “If a gilled mushrooms has purplish brown to black spores, and the flesh bruises bluish, the mushroom in question is very likely a psilocybin-producing species”**

Now onto the fun part. After reading our Best Shrooms guide you now have the tools necessary to embark on this incredible journey.

Resources:

*Michael Pollan, How to Change your Mind (pp.93)

**Michael Pollan, How to Change your Mind (pp.95)

The post Beginners Guide: How to Pick the Best Shrooms appeared first on Micro Zoomers.

Microdose mushrooms / microdosing psilocybin is typically a 30-day system of ingesting small, sub-perceptual, amounts of psychoactive mushroom species for the intent of improving positive long-term psychological and neurological improvements. These fractional doses, compared to *creative* or *therapeutic* dose amounts, are designed to produce positive benefits without drastically altering your everyday consciousness — if you are hallucinating, or feeling “high”, you’ve ingested too much.

The Proposed Benefits of Microdosing

Through the incorporation of a microdosing system, proposed and anecdotal benefits include improved mood, empathy, cognitive flexibility, convergent and divergent thinking, single-solution problem solving, focus, and creativity.

Subjects report that after completing a cycle of microdosing, they feel fundamental and lasting benefits, especially in regards to mood, empathy, flexibility, equanimity, and an enhanced interconnectedness of the physical world.

Has This Been Scientifically Proven?

While there has been an re-surgence in scientific research and published papers over the last decade, most notably led by the Center for Psychedelic and Consciousness Research at Johns Hopkins University, there is still limited clinical data on psilocybin due to its designation as a Schedule-1 Substance.

The overwhelming majority of these recent studies have focused on high-dosage therapy and its therapeutic effects on depression, anxiety, substance abuse, and existential distress caused by life-threatening disease, with very promising preliminary results.

A recent study, organized by the Dutch Psychedelic Society and led by a researcher from Leiden University in The Netherlands, set out to, “explore the cognitive-enhancing potential of microdosing psychedelics in healthy adults” (Prochazkova, Lippelt, Colzato, Kuchar, Sjoerds, Hommel. 2018). The study was designed to give subjects, “two creativity-related problem-solving tasks,” before and after microdosing. Their results concluded that, “both convergent and divergent thinking performance was improved after a non-blinded microdose, whereas fluid intelligence was unaffected.”

Why All the Hype?

Due to these institutional studies on psilocybin and its methodical and academic re-introduction of psychedelics into the popular culture, many influential books, articles, press, and films have been closely evaluating the results. This, along with the infectious zeal of anecdotal evidence spread throughout the internet, has affirmed that psychedelics are no longer just for the fringe, the hippies, or the drop-outs.

Longtime psychedelics researcher, Dr. James Fadiman’s 2011 book, ‘The Psychedelic Explorers Guide’, introduced a new generation to the potential efficacy of psychedelic therapeutics; igniting a far-reaching discourse around the benefits of microdosing. This was, now quite famously, picked up on early by coders in Silicone Valley who experimented with microdosing as a way to focus and heighten their creativity while they wrote code and solved creative problems. This provided a respected and contemporary face to a new trend which the mainstream media has amplified. Chatter across the internet turned into a din as those self-testing with Microdosing regimens relayed their individual strategies, recipes, and experiences.

The release of Ayelet Waldman’s book in 2017, ‘A Really Good Day: How Microdosing Made a Mega Difference in My Mood, My Marriage, and My Life’, relays Waldman’s struggles and resolutions as a middle-aged wife and mother of four. This propelled the microdosing seed further into the mainstream psyche — essentially green-lighting moms across America that microdosing could be the secret weapon they yearned for — just as long as they could figure out a way to get their hands on the proper ingredients.

Waldman’s experience didn’t just offer another band-aid in the fight against psychological disorders, instead it offered the potential for longterm management and benefits without longterm medication. The Guardian reporting on Waldman’s book in 2017, “(Waldman) believes that during her experiment her neuroplasticity was enhanced, and that this didn’t only enable her to work for hours at a time, to achieve a real sense of “flow” at her desk, but that it also made her happier and less impulsive.”

Michael Pollan, the best-selling author known for his books about the socio-cultural impacts of food, dove headfirst into the science of psychedelics in his 2018 book, “How to Change Your Mind: What the New Science of Psychedelics Teaches Us About Consciousness, Dying, Addiction, Depression, and Transcendence”, which offers a rigorous look into the annals of psychedelic research along with firsthand accounts of his own psychedelic experimentation. Making what now seems like a natural progression from analyzing food and its affects on our culture, environment and bodies, into the realm of our psyche — Pollan highights what psychedelics researcher Bob Jesse calls, “the betterment of well people.”

In the wake of these influential and highly respected books, institutional rigor continues to right the wrongs that devastated initial psychedelics research in the 1950’s and 1960’s, prior to the government’s classifying psilocybin as a Schedule 1 Drug. Psychedelics are re-emerging as one of the most exciting aids in the study of psychiatric and neurological conditions.

The Microdose Mushrooms Regimen: The Fadiman System vs. The Stamets Stack

There are currently two similar, yet differing, popular systems being experimented with as microdosing regimens. The first which we refer to as The Fadiman System and the other as The Stamets Stack.

The Fadiman System to Microdose Mushrooms

Since the release of Fadiman’s book he has been collecting data from thousands of non-clinical *Self-Study Psychedelic Researchers* and has published a Phase I, informal report, “Microdose Research,” in The Psychedelic Press, V. 15, pp.53-59

Arising from this research, Fadiman has developed an early protocol for a 30-day microdose self-study:

KEY: Microdose once every 3 days.

Day 1: Administer Dose
Be alert and if desired, keep a journal as to how you are feeling throughout the day.

Day 2: No Dose
While psychoactive compounds are only active for a few hours, their effects tends to linger into the next day.

Day 3: No Dose
An *off* day, which is important in order to not build up a tolerance to the psilocybin.

And then repeat.

Stamets Stack

Paul Stamets is a highly recognized and respected cult favorite mycologist, having written numerous books on the subject and appearing in influential symposiums, TED talks, and a recent feature documentary, ‘Fantastic Fungi’. His methodology for enhancing returns of microdosing involves a regimen of 5 days of microdosing followed by 2 days of rest. Stamets has also created a “stack”, or combination of ingredients, for his Microdosing protocol which enhance each other for added benefits.

His defined nootropic stack (from the Greek *noos* ‘mind’ + *trope* ‘ turning’), includes Psilocybe Mushroom, Lion’s Mane Mushroom Extract, and Niacin — and is proposed to increase neurogenesis within the brain over time to improve and repair cognitive function.

Stamets hypothesizes that adding Lion’s Mane mushroom — which has been demonstrated to improve mild cognitive impairment and nerve growth factor synthesis in a 2009 clinical study (Mori,K., Inatomi, S., Ouchi, K., Azumi, Y., and Tuchida, T., 2009) — will amplify the benefits of the psilocybin while the Niacin acts to enhance the deliverability of the combo due to its inherent action of carrying GABA across the blood-brain barrier which distributes the mushroom molecules to the serotonin receptors.

Stamet’s Stack protocol

(Specified toward a 155 pound person. Start with less and adjust accordingly)

Microdose 5 days in a row before resting for 2 days.

1 – 10 mg  Psilcybin (psilocybe mushroom @ 1% = .1 – 1 g)
500 – 200 mg Lion’s Mane Mushroom Extract (@ 1% = 5 – 20 g)
100 – 200 mg Niacin

What Else?

After you have finished your month long cycle, people usually take a break and reflect on their results. Some find that the benefits are long lasting and will discontinue microdosing, while others will begin new cycles every now and then — or when they deem that it would be of benefit to them.

If you have never ingested psilocybin before, its suggested that  you take a day when you are free of obligations and try a dose that would be considered a creative dose, of around 0.5 – 1g (depending on body weight). This will allow you to gently feel and understand the primary affects of psilocybin, which will then allow you to start a Microdosing regimen without anxiety and with the ability to find just the right dosage where you don’t overtly feel the effects of being *high*.

Before You Begin

If you have never ingested psilocybin before, it has been suggested that you take a day when you are free of obligations and try a dose that would be considered a creative dose, of around 0.5 – 1g (depending on body weight). This will allow you to gently feel and understand the primary affects of psilocybin which will then allow you to start a microdosing regimen without anxiety and with the ability to find just the right dosage where you don’t overtly feel the effects of being “high”.

General Psilocybe Dosage Chart

Microdose: 0.1 – 0.3g
Creative Dose: 0.5 – 1g
Heroic Dose: 2.5 – 5g

Post-Cycle

After you have finished your month long cycle, people usually take a break and reflect on their results. Some find that the benefits are long lasting and will discontinue microdosing, while others will begin new cycles every now and then when they deem that it would benefit them.

The Reflective Mind

In Yuval Noah Harari’s 2018 book, “21 Lessons for the 21st Century”, he characterizes Homo sapiens as a, “storytelling animal that thinks in stories rather than in numbers or graphs, and believes that the universe itself works like a story, replete with heroes and villains, conflicts and resolutions, climaxes and happy endings.” These stories are the linking together of words, the accumulation of past experience, and the illusory anticipation of what might occur in the future — these are the patterns in our brains — the footprints in the neuron sand of our psyche. The survival of a human depends upon the conditioned reflexes made up of the knowledge of past experience, but it precisely this conditioned thought response that keeps us contained within feedback loops and doesn’t allow us to experience the world purely through our sensory potential.

Early evidence in psilocybin study suggests that it aids in neurogenesis of the brain, along with opening up new and dynamic communication pathways throughout the brain. It has the potential to break the feedback loop, to glimpse sensory data in a pure form instead of through the lens of conditioning, and to nurture novel and fluid forms of thought.

When embarking upon a cycle of microdosing, the individual has the opportunity to reassess the world around them and to see past the social and psychological constructs that govern modern life. Whether you call it ‘the way of tao’, a ‘zen mind’, or the ‘examined life’, a reassessment of ones thought pattern, and the understanding of the illusions of the world, will allow us to not just cope with modern life, but to evolve in positive ways.

Huineng, the Sixth Patriarch of Chan Buddhism in China proclaimed, “there was nothing from the very beginning”, denoting the nothingness prior to relativity. This illustrates the clarity of a mind that is as clear and bright as a mirror, which reflects upon it the world of phenomena, but is never marred nor altered by it. For millennia man has utilized and harnessed the powers of psilocybin to glimpse past our conditioned responses, to create new patterns of conscious thought, and to guide the regeneration of understanding the universe as an indivisible whole — supreme ultimate oneness without the illusion of duality.

Safety and Dangers of Microdose Mushrooms

Fadiman’s website notes from their experience, “We specifically do not recommend that people with colorblindness, who live with diagnoses of psychotic disorders or along the autism spectrum try microdosing. People with colorblindness report lasting visual distortions from microdosing. Literature suggests people with psychotic disorders may be harmed by psychedelics. In our experience, people with diagnoses along the autism spectrum seem to require dosages that far exceed what is traditionally considered microdosing.”

The post Beginners Guide to Microdose Mushrooms appeared first on Micro Zoomers.

Mushroom Benefits 1: Neuroplasticity

Is the ability for neurons to form and reorganize synaptic connections in the brain. These action potentials (nerve impulses) are transmitted messages across a synapse to neighbouring cells. The creation of more synaptic connections throughout the brain implicates the ability for the brain to ‘unlearn’ old habits while creating new connections with greater creative potential. People suffering from depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, and other mood disorders often exhibit fewer synaptic connections, or have fewer overall neurons functioning within specific parts of the brain.

Psilocybin has been shown to allow for neurons to communicate through connections not previously used, which increases cross-communication with different parts of the brain resulting in more flexible and creative thought potentials.

The vast majority of neurogenesis happens before we are born, and thus changes within the adult brain becomes fairly static in regards to its ability to generate new neuron growth and novel communication channels. This static structure of the neurons in the brain creates patterns, learned behaviours, and bad habits, while neuroplasticity enables the brain to form new connections, patterns, and behaviors, while breaking the old habits.

Hypotheses are being studied in which psilocybin “acutely destabilizes local brain network hubs and global network connectivity via amplification of neuronal avalanches, providing the occasion for brain network ‘resetting’ after the acute effects have resolved.”(Nichols, Johnson, Nichols,.2017) This “resetting”, post neuronal avalanches, allows for new neural pathways (neuroplasticity) to form in the brain, generating novel potential for brain improvements and evolutions.

Benefits of Neuroplasticity

1. Enhanced Learning

The creation of new pathways throughout the brain — more neuron connections, new neurons, stronger neuron connections, and better neuron response — are all ways in which psilocybin aids in the neuroplasticity of the brain. New pathways for excelling learned behaviors and forming strong memories.

2. Divergent Thinking

Divergent thinking is the process of generating creative ideas by exploring numerous and often disparate possible solutions in an emergent cognitive fashion. New neuron connections stimulated by psilocybin through different parts of the brain allow for more novel and creative solutions.

3. Flow-State (DMN Suppression)

The Default Mode Network (DMN) is a network of interacting brain regions. The DMN is shown to be activated when recalling information, thinking about the future, daydreaming, thinking of the self (ego), and thinking of others. Recent research has shown that an overactive DMN is often present in depressed people.

When performing certain goal-orientated tasks, the DMN has shown to be deactivated. Post psilocybin doses, subjects report heightened ability to get into ‘flow-states’ where the DMN is deactivated, and creative, focus driven tasks are heightened and prolonged.

4. Cessation Habits (nicotine, alcohol, etc.)

Early studies with psychoactive compounds in the 1960’s were centered around their purposed effects in treating alcohol and nicotine addictions with very high degrees of success (Sherwood et al., 1962). With the resurgence of new energy and institutional support, scientists are again finding very strong evidence that compounds like psilocybin and LSD are very effective at combatting substance abuse.

In a study done over a 6 year period and published in 2015, psilocybin was shown to have strong efficacy in a 15 participant trial in smoking cessation.

“Participants reported gaining vivid insights into self-identity and reasons for smoking from their psilocybin sessions. Experiences of interconnectedness, awe, and curiosity persisted beyond the duration of acute drug effects. Participants emphasised that the content of psilocybin experiences overshadowed any short-term withdrawal symptoms.”

Results of the study showed that “12 of the 15 participants (80%) were biologically confirmed as smoke-free at a 6 month follow-up” (Johnson et al., 2014). (Michael P. Bogenschutz, Matthew W. Johnson, 2015)

5. Depression Relief

For those suffering mood and anxiety disorders studies have shown that psilocybin has the ability to increase “emotional and brain plasticity”, increases in functional connectivity throughout the brain, in addition to profoundly reducing, “processing of negative affective stimuli”, which in turn increases overall positive long-lasting mood in humans.

A study a Johns Hopkins, led by Frederick S. Barrett, tested 12 healthy subjects in an open-label assessment 1-day before, 1-week after, and 1-month after a receiving a 25 mg/70 kg dose of psilocybin, “to test the hypothesis that psilocybin administration leads to enduring changes in affect and neural correlates of affect.”

Results from fMRI imaging showed that psilocybin, when acting within the brain as an agonist to 2A serotonin receptors, “acutely reduces amygdala activity and connectivity when viewing negative emotional facial expressions.”

The amygdala, a pair of almond-shaped clusters of nuclei located within the temporal lobe with the primary purpose of processing memory, decision making, and emotional responses, has been shown to track the salience of stimuli within an environment and is thus, “highly responsive to negative emotional stimuli”. A highly active amygdala – reacting to negative affective stimuli – is, “implicated in the pathophysiology of depression,” therefor, psilocybin’s acute effect of reducing the amygdala activity has incredible implications in treating mood disorders.

[REF] Barrett, FS, Doss, MK, Sepeda ND, Pekar JJ, & Griffiths RR. Emotions and brain function are altered up to one month after a single high dose of psilocybin. Scientific Reports, 10, 1-14.

[Ref 1]

[Ref 2]

[REF 3] (Mansvelder et al, 2019)

[REF 4] (Keller and Just, 2016)

Mushroom Benefits 2: Neurogenesis

Neurogenesis is the growth of neurons (brain cells), and while it was once thought that after birth it was only a matter of destroying brain cells and never making them, it is now thought that a few very specific areas with strict limitations, can actually grow neurons in an adult brain. One such area the Dentate Gyrus which plays a critical role in learning and memory. Found within the hippocampus, the Dentate Gyrus acts as a gateway for for the induction and propagation of sensory data to form “memories that bind stimuli together”.

The ramifications that this area allows for new neurons to form steers scientists to believe that we may be able to use neurogenesis in an attempt to form new behaviors and to form stronger memories.

Additionally, studies have shown that patients suffering sever depression had statistically significant 19% smaller hippocampus volume compared to healthy subjects. Common antidepressants which have been shown to be effective have also demonstrated increased neurogenesis. While these early studies seem very compelling, much more investigation needs to be considered.

6. Stronger Memory Creation

The potential for new neurons to be formed in the dentate gyrus of the adult brain where sensory data is turned into memories, demonstrates the possibility of forming stronger and more organized memories with increased communication across more synapses between nerve cells.

7. PTSD

Using rabbits and mice, studies on both LSD (at higher doses) and psilocybin (at lower doses) have demonstrated an enhanced rate of learning a new conditioned behavior. How is this relevant to PTSD and neurogenesis? Because neurogenesis in the hippocampus could play a part of the acquisition of new behaviors, psychedelic compounds may ‘erase’ pattern recognition through newly formed neurons and neural pathways. Hence the ability for a mouse to ‘erase’ a traumatic event and learn a new conditioned behavior in its place. While very few studies have been done in this area, the implications are very encouraging that in conjunction with cognitive behavioral therapy, psilocybin, or other psychedelic compounds may provide very strong therapeutics for PTSD.

[REF 5]

Mushroom Benefits 3: Experience Related Benefits

8. Empathy

Psychedelic experiences have often anecdotally demonstrated that having a “mystical” or “God-like” experience leaves the subject feeling long-term increased empathy in conjunction with more holistic view of the Universe and its complex web of interconnectivity. When a person has a greater respect and understanding for nature and their awe-inspiring place within it, they overwhelmingly reassess their place within the Universe and society as a whole. Psilocybin inflicts a feeling of “one-ness” not only between all people, but also politically with the Universe.

9. Connection to Nature

Post-Psilocybin, many subjects feel an immense renewed connection to nature, due in part to their often times “mystical” experiences. Humans across the globe have utilized the power of psilocybin, often in ceremonial circumstances, to commune with nature and restructure their place within it. R. Gordon Wasson, the first westerner to experience psilocybin in the modern world, reported a connection to nature through visions, “I saw river estuaries, pellucid water flowing through an endless expanse of reeds down to a measureless sea, all by the pastel light of a horizontal sun.” These transformative ‘visions’ of nature provide long lasting changes in the way we see, experience, and appreciate nature.

10. Equanimity

Numerous studies are being conducted on the therapeutic value of psilocybin producing substantial and sustained decreases in depression and anxiety in patients with life-threatening cancers and terminal diseases. After as little as 1 high dose of psilocybin, many patients “lose their fear of dying,” and gain a greater and more holistic understanding of life. This newfound equanimity is a profound tool for all those who seek calm and solace within the chaos and suffering life.

*BONUS* 11. Enhanced Creativity

With increased communication throughout the brain, and resolve of “brain loops”, psilocybin provides the potential for the brain to form new and focused ways of creative thinking and problem solving. In addition to other benefits such as “flow-state” and “Cognitive Connectivity”, creativity becomes a powerful default byproduct. This enhanced creativity is a major reason people in varied creative fields picked up early on the experimentation of psilocybin, from the original titans of silicone valley through to the microdosing bedroom coders, inventors, musicians, and artists of today.

The post Mushroom Benefits: Top 10 “Psilocybin” Effects appeared first on Micro Zoomers.

Psilocybin allows for the potency of the dried mushroom to remain stable for long periods of time. Fun fact: the word *psilocybin* comes from the Greek words *psilo*, meaning *bald* and *cybe* meaning *head*. This could stem from the appearance of shrooms looking like bald heads. For example, the Golden Teacher.

Once ingested, psilocybin is converted into psilocin in a process of dephosphorylation both in the stomach utilizing the available acids and within the intestines, kidneys, and blood using enzymes and other non-specific esterases. Dephosphorylation is the removal of a phosphate from an organic compound. The psilocin is distributed throughout the body via the blood steam where, being lipid(fat) soluble, it crosses the blood-brain barrier before binding to serotonin receptors.

To date, the most widely studied interaction is thought to be specifically with the 5-HT2A receptor. Once the Psilocin has bound to the 2A receptor, it stimulates the excessive release of the neurotransmitter in neuronal avalanches. These avalanches are synchronized, organized activity which produce neurobiological and physiological similarities to what the body experiences during REM sleep. A leading researcher in psychedelics Dr. Robin Carhart-Harris from he Imperial College, London, references the similarities between REM dreaming and the psychedelic experience within the brain, “I was fascinated to see similarities between the pattern of brain activity in a psychedelic state and the pattern of brain activity during dream sleep, especially as both involve the primitive areas of the brain linked to emotions and memory.

People often describe taking psilocybin as producing a dreamlike state and our findings have, for the first time, provided a physical representation for the experience in the brain.”

Psilocybin vs Psilocin: 3 Key Facts

In a study of the pharmacodynamics of classic hallucinagens, Baumeister et.al perceived 3 predominate effects of psychedelics in the brain:

1. Normal serotonergic tone in the brain is maintained by the Raphe nuclei that have numerous projections to the prefrontal cortex and subcortical structures. Classical hallucinogens may disrupt this through several mechanisms, including binding with Raphe nuclei presynaptic 5HT1A receptors, altering serotonergic output to the rest of the brain.

2. Hallucinogen binding with postsynaptic 5HT2A receptors in cortical neurons, particularly at cortical layer V, may alter prefrontal glutamatergic signalling, and change cellular functioning through alteration of protein expression, with complex manifestations in consciousness.

3. The prefrontal cortex ordinarily limits sensory input through activation of intermediary GABAergic neurons in the reticular nucleus. Hallucinogen binding disrupts this process through binding with reticular postsynaptic 5HT2A receptors, altering sensory information to the cortex and the intrinsic activity of the sensory cortices.

These 3 principal events seem to be what occurs during psychedelic experiences.

Suppression of parts of the brain which usually act to filter out, or block, certain stimuli from being processed in the brain allow for more sensory data into a persons consciousness causing novel thought patterns, unique cross-connections, hallucinogenic effects, and altered perception. Psilocin interacts with both excitatory and inhibitory receptors to augment or inhibit neurotransmission. In the more primitive areas of the brain, the hippocampus and anterior cingulate cortex, linked to emotional thinking and memory, psilocybin increases function and syncretic activity; conversely, in the prefrontal cortex which is linked to high-level thinking, complex behaviours, and self-consciousness, these areas become uncoordinated and disjointed.

In short:

– Psilocin is linked to emotional thinking and memory

– Psilocybin increases function and syncretic activity

These effects have a dramatic impact on an individual’s immediate physiological state (the trip), but also seems to have lasting neurological and physiological benefits.

The post Psilocybin vs Psilocin appeared first on Micro Zoomers.