Reported Results From More Than A Microdose

[Summary: Some results reported in the book go beyond microdosing as we define it and extend into mini-dosing. Specifically, findings from the Mothers of the Mushroom survey in chapter 4 include reports from those who used up to 1 gram of dried psilocybin-containing mushrooms, which is beyond the generally recommended microdosing range of 0.1 to 0.3 grams.]

Chapter 4, titled “Current Findings of Special Interest,” highlights six areas where microdosing may make a significant difference. One of these is Women’s Health related to pregnancy, nursing, and early parenting, as studied by the Mothers of the Mushroom Survey led by Mikaela de la Myco (Mama de la Mayco) and Naomi Tolson. Nearly 400 women participated in the survey, providing a unique window on the experiences of those who chose this path.

While not all participants reported positive experiences (there was some transient nausea, sleep problems, and anxiety, for example), the majority of responses were overwhelmingly positive. Reports frequently mentioned faster and more thorough recovery from postpartum depression and fatigue, stronger connections with their babies, mechanically superior breastfeeding, emotionally smoother parenting, and so on.

Jim and I were fortunate to collaborate with Mikaela and include about ten pages of these firsthand accounts in Microdosing for Health, Healing, and Enhanced Performance. These accounts vividly convey the profound impact of the use of psilocybin-containing mushrooms, and underscore the value of first-person reports from participatory citizen scientists.

However, we just discovered that some of the survey’s responses that we included in the book were generated from using doses higher than a standard microdose. Specifically, at our request, Mikaela had separated out reports from 100 or so individuals who had kept their dosage level to “microdosing.” But as it turns out, the survey defined microdosing as including amounts up to 1.0 grams!

As a general guideline for beginners, we define a microdose of dried psilocybin-containing mushrooms (depending on the variety) as 0.1 and 0.3 grams. Therefore, some of the reports in this section on Women’s Health reflect not just microdosing but what we might instead call “mini-dosing.” Throughout the book, there are a few other instances where we report on individuals who have gone above the microdosing threshold. It’s simply the case that for some of the physical and mental health conditions we report on, more than a standard microdose is sometimes needed.

For example, in the book’s section on Asperger’s/High-Functioning Autism, you’ll learn that these individuals may need a larger dose for there to be any impact. As we go forward and learn about more various mental and health conditions, we may find additional instances where for certain conditions, enhancement goals, and populations, a larger dose is just what’s needed. Put differently, throughout the book a common refrain is “less is more,” but sometimes “more is more” as well.

Thanks for reading this post; we hope everything is going well for you today.

—Jordan Gruber