Cabin fever would be the understatement of 2021. Getting in laughs during lockdown has been essential to keeping sane and un-divorced. I’d never have thought that a bar of chocolate would be my trip to fun town with my honey. Sincerely, this is how mushrooms improved my relationship…
GETTING THERE…
First, was the task of getting my man to consider taking his first dose of zoomies. Not much arm twisting required. He agreed and just like that, we busted out a Mighty Micro Smores bar. Splitting it (only recommended for OG’s…) we sat back for the ride.
Within an hour- swimming from toes to temples the trip was upon us. Instantly, we both let loose. Giggling, living happy and absolutely care free. The peeks of pitch my husbands laughed reached, I still have not heard again. Like 2 kids totally tripping out, we were joined by tear jerking joy.
I was able to see him, the way I had years ago… My fun, hilarious, hot dude. I appreciated him again. In those moments, the only world that existed was our little planet of two. We both needed each other, in a new way we hadn’t for years.
Inevitably we came out of this experience happier, closer and excited for the next psylocibin bar. We experienced pure joy and together we laughed for 6 straight hours. Our stomach muscles hurt for days after. You can’t put a price on that kind of real, raw hilarity.
NOT ALL SEXY…
No, we weren’t climbing on each other wanting to spoon or makeout. Scratch all ideas of cheesy roses and Kenny G music. Shrooming was not an amorous moment (for us), but a burst of bonding. Having been together almost a decade. It’s hard to find new things we both love. Throw in a child, a dog, jobs- rarely can we get out or cut loose. Tripping out (in our own home) has become out new fun secret.
CONCLUSION – How Mushrooms Improved my Relationship
As adults, we all are forced to be serious. Work hard and forget excitement. But we all have that inner kid just waiting to bust out. Who knew a chocolate bar was the answer to not only fun. But the twist my relationship needed too.
Thanks for reading! @WhippedGreenGirl
Charlie uses it to ease anxiety, Alex to manage depression, and Taylor swears it is what finally shone a light at the end of a tunnel of addiction. Many have said microdosing makes them more receptive to inspiration, uninhibited in thought, energetic, focused, strategically refined, empathetic, patient, and some people say it just makes them happier.
The practice of microdosing involves taking a sub-perceptual amount of psychedelics such as psilocybin or LSD according to a set schedule in effort to experience many of the positive benefits of mind-altering substances without altering one’s mind to a state where a daily routine could not be carried out. When considering dosing schedules, James Fadiman recommends taking a microdose once every three days, but Paul Stamets recommends dosing every day for four days and taking three days off. Based on all of the information I have covered, and personal experience, I think that these are good guidelines but it really depends on the individual and their intention for use. The only crucial detail is to take at least two rest days in between the cycle of dose days – to avoid increased tolerance and/or dependence, and return to what is described as one’s ‘base state’ by Torsten Passie, MD, and author of The Science of Microdosing Psychedelics. Take a look at The Third Wave for further information on this as they explain this part a bit more thoroughly. According to Dr. Passie combining both the acute and chronic effects can provide many of the benefits, without actually tripping out.
Now as amazing as this all sounds (imagine a world where everyone was microdosing psychedelics instead of popping anti-depressants) there is the potential for overuse and dependency, so cycles should be closely adhered to at first, and go for three months maximum. Psilocybin is not addictive, but taking it everyday will lead to increased tolerance and a diminished experience.
A fairly standard description of a sub-perceptual dose is one tenth, or less than, of an active or recreational dose. These doses are so small (technically anything with noticeable side effects falls into the category of minidosing) that the person taking it should feel no hallucinogenic effects, however, in my experience it can heighten other senses.
I have also learned that in some opinions the term ‘sub-perceptual’ is in fact now defunct as although one is not supposed to feel the classic states of exaggeration on a regular basis during a microdosing schedule, but the idea is to attain the cumulative cognitive effects or change the individuals initial state, and is therefore totally perceptual. I mean we can argue semantics, but only if you insist.
That was also intended to be a soft intro into the idea of an alteration of an overall state of being, as the ‘magic vs. science’ debate (particularly in regards to psilocybin) is a relatively hot topic. Instead I will say that my ‘base state’, as described by Torsten Passie, has definitely been altered due to this process so far. But although I do believe that there has been a gradual affect that has taken place on a physiological level, it does not fully explain things like why my memories are clearer and are triggered more easily and vividly through other senses, particularly smell. That is definitely something I will have to investigate further.
With what I do already know I believe that we may have found what anti-depressants want to be, and I doubt anyone will argue that there is some real magic in that.
I was waiting to order at a coffee shop in Seattle. I had grabbed one of the local rags on my way in, and upon scanning the cover I saw a headline about microdosing in Silicon Valley. The story was about how microdosing LSD and psilocybin was becoming very popular as many people in the highly competitive startup industry felt it gave them an edge, made them more focused, creative and productive. Considering I was having a hard time thinking and sitting still at the same time on an average day, I didn’t see it hurting.
As I did not feel confident in the idea of dividing up my own microdoses I looked for someone who was already doing it. Given the current marketplace, one wouldn’t think that that would be a challenge. When I learned of someone that was prepackaging mushroom microdoses I put in my order right away, and this is what I got.
Although I applaud the forward thinking, and it was a quality product, the information available on microdosing was a bit more limited at the time, and I was not in tune enough with my body in regards to how they were affecting me. I took them five days on and two days off. I would find myself having burst of energy and mild euphoria, then after a few days I would get edgy and easily agitated and then there were days I would be lethargic with a dull headache. Based on further research I think I was just doing too much and then trying to act normal, which was actually giving me increased anxiety. It was like being accidently high in front of seemingly unknowing parents.
I still microdose mushrooms but have since refined my routine a little. Looking back at the DMT trip, I had gone into the experience asking a question about what to do to fix what was going on inside my head. Although I had no idea what the answer was going to be, what I got did not feel like they key – but more like a riddle. But it did then lead to further research about macrodosing and microdosing. Despite what seemed a perilous journey at times I feel very different. I don’t feel quite so out of control, and it has helped me let go at the same time. The equally fantastic thing is I have a renewed sense of confidence, one that makes me feel very capable in creating my reality how I want it to look.
The psychedelic journey does not end here though; I have a lot yet to learn. Information that I find I will post on this forum, along with my trips down the rabbit hole.
Hello and goodbye,
These are strange and dangerous times. I am not just talking about the fact that we are currently living during what is being called a worldwide pandemic, but equally about the fact that in the past fifty years the human race has experienced so much ‘progress’ that, despite technology continuing to speed, I don’t think we will ever experience that dramatic of a shift again.
Which brings me to where we currently are. It took a long time for the study and treatment of mental illness to become somewhat civilized, but it was also heavily influenced by pharmaceuticals, which created a crisis all it’s own. On top of all of that social diseases accelerated when we entered the age of technology.
As a whole we have some problems, and that thought alone can be incredibly overwhelming at times. I mean, even before the pandemic there was a battle going on with the transparent illusion of celebrity, and the fact that the term ‘influencer’ was quite recently coined is proof we were not necessarily winning. It was diluting our society, individualism, hearts and souls.
Then the world went into physical isolation and the demand for communication and psychedelics reached new heights. I really don’t think that these were simply paralleled events, I mean I can only imagine how many psychedelics were consumed during lockdown-gatherings on Houseparty, and I have a hard time believing that a person who named an app ‘Zoom’ wasn’t high.
Now anyone that’s into or has done any research on psychedelics in the past is quietly shaking their head as the conversation about the benefits of psychedelics has been going on for a exceptionally long time, but the endless attempts to silence it has put up a well-funded fight. But now people are more informed, connected, and brave – combine all that with a mild sense of desperation, and one can learn a lot about, well, almost anything. But I digress, as I know I must answer the question that is keeping everyone on the edge of their seat… Who the f#@k is Alice?
Well it all began at the croquet game, you may be familiar, the one against the Queen of Hearts. I ended up there for a brief second one quiet Sunday afternoon after a friend asked me if I wanted to try DMT.
Now at this point I had used some mushrooms and MDMA recreationally, but never anything like this. Not that I was not open to it or curious, but I had an almost two decade relationship with some serious medication used to treat a nocturnal seizure disorder – so I felt like even the dabbling I had done was already playing with fire.
At this time I was off the seizure meds for about a year and suffering from anxiety and depression. These afflictions were not something new, but not something I could blame on the medication or the erratic electrical impulses in my brain for. Now I had to take full responsibility for my mental health and the only thing I knew for sure is that I did not want to go back to taking pills everyday.
I had limited knowledge of DMT or most psychedelics at that point, but from what I had heard DMT was a journey to complete abandon that lasted only a few minutes. At the time I was still a little timid at the idea of a nine-hour LSD trip, so in a way it made sense.
I really had no idea what to expect. At first I thought it wasn’t working, and then I remember turning my face to the sunshine, saw a bit of pixilation and I was there, looking right at her. The queen. In retrospect this does make sense, as a child I loved Alice In Wonderland but was terrified of the Queen of Hearts, and she was looking at me, which probably made me Alice. I had really hoped anyway. All I remember happening after that is thinking to myself, “This is unbelievable! And I am so high right now.” Then just like that it was over. I often questioned what happened that day, but it was a few years before I considered psychedelics again.
The motivation to not take pills did keep me away from SSRIs but things got worse before they got better and I began to rely too heavily on alcohol and cannabis. It did temporarily subside the anxiety, but the next day it would only be worse. Then one day I stumbled on microdosing.
Continued…
Size does matter. Standing only about three inches tall I would generally take offence and argue that statement, but it is true when it comes to determining what dosage of mushrooms to take. First of all let me go over the reasons for the rules of engagement. Voted least likely (even less than cannabis) to land a person in the hospital by the Global Drug Survey, only 0.6% of individuals, that their data was based on, who consumed mushrooms felt the need to call an EMT. However, until you have determined that you can trip and walk at the same time you should not do it solo for obvious reasons. There is also the possibility of taking too much and becoming overwhelmed and/or terrified – ruining any future with psychedelics, and of course avoidable embarrassment.
Generally mushrooms take 20-40 minutes until initial onset – so do not get impatient, remember what I said earlier about avoidable embarrassment. I would not recommend tripping on an empty stomach either. Often the first two hours you will spend on your way up, peaking at hour three or four and then the remaining two on a gentle descent. The experience does come on in waves, and can be affected by a change in location, or other substances such as coffee or cannabis.
Below I have compiled some information for a basic guide to dosing. The dose amounts and list of potential effects I have taken from The Third Wave. Based on my research they are whom many others searching for info turn to, and based on personal experience their numbers seem accurate. I have listed both the good and bad effects as I feel that the negative usually mean the dose is too high for the intention – or there was no intention in the first place, just expectation, which generally doesn’t turn out well.
It’s important to note these doses are for dried Psilocybe Cubensis. If you’re consuming fresh mushrooms, you’ll want to multiple by 10 to account for the water weight. At times the unsuspecting are the most powerful, so when trying a new or different species it is important to start at a low dose until you know how they are going to affect you.
Keep calm and trip on.
With this very low dosage you’ll be microdosing. No visuals, no visible changes, no loss of control. This is ideal if you’re interested in a subtle energy and creativity boost, given by an organic product.
*Taking it in the morning with food and water is going to turn out differently than on an empty stomach with coffee.
Want to feel a little more than a subtle boost? With a mid low dosage you’ll gently float on the clouds. Great for a party, friday night hang-out with friends and creative processes.
You’re ready to open yourself up to a psychedelic experience. But! You want to be careful. Beginner’s paradise might the right place for you. Expect a body high, deep conversations, laughing mood and good vibes. Make sure you’re in the right environment, with the right people and you’ll have a friendly introduction to psychedelics.
This is it! The classic psychedelic trip you’ve been hearing about. Sometimes it feels like a whirlwind. Other times, you will have a lot more control during your trip.During a psychedelic trip you will feel, think, and perceive new things. Whatever insights you might have encountered on your psilocybin mushroom trip, keep them in mind and take them with you.
Some people are experienced in the magical world of psychedelics. They’ve reached a level where the classic trip is familiar. They might want to experiment with an higher dosage. There are stories about ego-death, connecting with the universe and experiencing a very intense high. Whatever you do, don’t use a high dosage to escape. Use it as an addition to your life. Talk with experienced psychonauts and make sure you’re in a good mental space when you decide to fly with the stars.
