Frequently Asked Questions
Is there anyone who should avoid microdosing?
If you have a personal history of schizophrenia it is best to avoid microdosing with psilocybin mushrooms. This medicine could make the symptoms of schizophrenia more severe, creating more harm than healing.
If you are currently on lithium, microdosing may be best for you to avoid. Lithium has been shown to create significant adverse reactions when mixed with mushrooms. Tramadol is also a medication to avoid while microdosing, because the side effects of tramadol can be enhanced by psilocybin mushrooms (seizures, and serotonin syndrome).
If you are colorblind microdosing may cause you to have tracers and other visual distortions - this has only been found with males.
Are there medications that could be harmful to take while microdosing psilocybin mushrooms?
Yes. If you are on lithium please do not microdose. Lithium mixed with psilocybin mushrooms can cause seizures. If you are on tramadol, it is not safe to microdose with mushrooms. If you are currently on an SSRI, SNRI or MAOI there is a slight possibility of serotonin syndrome.
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Will I feel the psychoactive effects of the mushrooms while microdosing?
Microdosing is sub hallucinatory, so you should not be feeling anything. If you do, your dose can be lowered.
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How much is in a microdose, and how do you know the right amount for me?
Typically a microdose is anywhere between .05g (50mg) and .3g (300mg). I have found that most people work well with .11g (110mg).
Part of working with me, is that together we will find your perfect dose. If .11g doesn't feel like the right fit, I will adjust the dosage until we find what feels right for you.
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Will I be microdosing everyday?
This is a common misconception. If you microdose daily you will have a very high tolerance, and the medicine will no longer be able to benefit you. There are several different protocols that can be used, and together we will find the one that feels best for you.
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Are there foods that should be avoided on microdosing days?
There are foods that can enhance the effects of mushrooms. Cacao can increase the effects, because it is a MAO-inhibitor, and it helps to uptake the active components of psilocybin, which is psilocin. Lemon can also enhance the effects of mushrooms, by quickly converting psilocybin into psilocin.
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Can I drive while microdosing?
I cannot recommend that you drive while microdosing.
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How does microdosing heal the brain?
Once in your body, psilocybin is converted into psilocin. This medicine activates your serotonin receptors (5-HT2A receptor), which has been shown to restore balance in your brain. This area of the brain is responsible for cognitive function, perception, and regulating mood. This medicine has been shown to increase strong connections between neurons. Chronic stress and depression decrease neural connections, so the medicine’s ability to increase connections is likely why people report a reduction in both anxiety and depression.
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Why can’t people under 21 join the microdosing program?
The resolution that decriminalizes entheogens in Arcata doesn’t apply to anyone under 21.
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With decriminalization am I protected outside of Arcata?
No. The resolution that decriminalizes entheogens is only recognized within Arcata city limits. Also, you will not be protected on any school property.
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I live out of the area; can you send the medicine to me?
No. It is federally illegal to send the medicine through the mail. I cannot take the medicine anywhere outside of Arcata city limits to meet you.
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