MACRO
Macrodosing Psilocybin and LSD
The (guided) administration of Psychedelics at a macro-dosage has been repeatedly shown to not only effectively treat a host of mental health conditions, but also elicit quantifiable neurological and cognitive benefit -- chief among these benefits is the stimulation of neurogenesis (the creation of new brain cells) and increased production of BDNF (Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factor).
Rigorous studies during which patients were administered 2 to 5 grams of dried psilocybin mushrooms (or an equivalent amount of synthetic psilocybin) consistently produced spiritual, mystical, or transcendent experiences that often yielded enduring positive effects for the individual, often following just a single substantial dose.
Harvard, Stanford, Berkely, Columbia, Yale, the University of Toronto, Johns Hopkins University, and many others are just some of the accredited institutions that have taken a serious interest in the study of Psilocybin, LSD, and other psychedelics. While Academia has only recently recognized the significant potential of these substances, there are long-held cultural beliefs across the globe that psilocybin and other psychedelics possess the capacity to improve the life of almost any individual.
This image shows only SOME of the institutions currently studying Psychedelics.
Psychedelic experiences are often referred to as "Trips" due to the substance's capacity to induce profound and immersive states of consciousness at elevated dosages. These experiences often yield significant insights into one’s inner self and can lead to substantial alterations in cognitive processes and perceptual frameworks.
Extensive research from as early as the 1960's clearly shows that psychedelics are both safe and effective in treating various psychological disorders. However, what does a Psychedelic experience actually entail?
How does a full psychedelic experience feel?
The subjective effects of psilocybin can differ widely, influenced by a range of factors including an individual's body weight, mental state, and expectations regarding the experience.
Common effects include: feelings of euphoria, confusion, episodes of laughter, synesthesia, changes in thought processes, altered perceptions of time, enhanced sensory experiences, visual hallucinations, and profound spiritual or mystical sensations of unity and interconnectedness, as well as out-of-body experiences.
For those new to Psychedelics, it is advisable to begin with a lower dosage and work up. We recommend between 1.0 and 1.25 grams of dried mushroom per 100lbs of body weight as a starting point.
The Science Behind Psychedelics.
It has been known by humans for millennia that consuming psychedelics like magic mushrooms and ergot derivatives (LSD) produces drastic changes in consciousness. Our modern scientific understanding can help us quantify the pharmacokinetic process behind these compounds, however cannot yet fully explain how OR why they are present in the natural environment, and why they are so effective at treating a host of psychological conditions.
Most Psychedelics are classified as "serotonergic antagonists" which means that they bind with serotonin receptors in the brain. Different psychedelics have different affinities for variations of serotonin receptors, which can possibly explain the different but overarchingly similar experience that each psychedelic offers. Serotonin or 5-hydroxytryptamine (5HT) is a monoamine neurotransmitter. Its biological function is complex, touching on diverse functions including mood, cognition, reward, learning, memory, and numerous physiological processes such as vomiting and vasoconstriction.
While sertonergic imitation is thought to be responsible for the acute effects of psychedelics, there are numerous other changes in brain activity both during and after a psychedelic experience. Most notable among these changes is a dampening of the Default Mode network during the experience, and increased neuroplasticity in this region for weeks after the experience. Another significant change is the increased production of Brain Derived Neurotrophic factor (BDNF), an endogenous protein that encourages the growth and differentiation of new neurons and synapses.
Communication in brain networks in people given psilocybin (right) or a non-psychedelic compound (left)
Despite being rated the most pharmacologically safe substance, the potential does exist to have a negative experience, however this risk can be mitigated by taking time to prepare for the experience. We highly encourage anyone new to psychedelics to check out our 'preparation page' for more information on how you can maximize both the acute effects, and long term benefits of psilocybin.
While a "bad trip" can be challenging in the moment, Studies performed at John Hopkins University have shown that 84% of study participants, when interviewed 6 months after the experience, said that they had benefited from the "bad trip". 34% of study participants said the bad trip was among the top five most personally meaningful experiences of their life, and 76% said that the bad trip had resulted in an improved sense of personal well-being or life satisfaction. Almost half said they would go through the experience again.