Magic mushrooms, also known as psilocybin mushrooms, are a type of fungus that contains the psychoactive compound psilocybin. Psilocybin is a naturally occurring substance found in certain species of mushrooms and it has hallucinogenic properties that can cause vivid sensory experiences and altered perceptions of reality.
According to many historians, indigenous cultures have been using Psilocybe mushrooms for literally thousands of years. Thanks to the psychedelic renaissance, however, new research into the power of psilocybin therapy has begun to proliferate.
Today, various studies point to the potential of psilocybin to assist with treatment-resistant depression, end-of-life distress, obsessive-compulsive disorder, eating disorders, and substance-use disorders, including alcohol and tobacco addiction. This has led to growing interest in the use of psilocybin mushrooms—not only for high-dose experiences, but also as a tool for microdosing. In summary, we’re seeing both mental and physical benefits from the intentional use of psilocybin mushrooms, microdose and macrodose.
Microdosing uses sub-perceptual doses of a compound such as psilocybin or LSD to elicit an ongoing benefit, such as enhanced levels of creativity, energy, and focus. Both psilocybin and LSD are popular choices for microdosing regimens as they are structurally similar to serotonin or dopamine (i.e., tryptamines or phenethylamines, respectively). Both these neurotransmitters activate the body’s 5-HT2A receptor, which has been found to enhance neuroplasticity and improve brain functions like cognition, learning, and memory.
These and other outcomes may have you wondering about the benefits of trying psilocybin for yourself. Yet, unless you plan to forage for mushrooms on your own, you may not know where to start.