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It’s time to break the stigma surrounding magic mushrooms! Psilocybin mushrooms, also known as magic mushrooms, are well known for their powerful psychedelic effects. However, few people realize that these magical mushrooms offer significant health benefits.
Scientific studies increasingly highlight the potential mental and physical health benefits of microdosing psilocybin mushrooms. From managing mental health conditions like depression and anxiety, aiding in addiction maintenance, supporting various health issues, enhancing creativity and productivity, to improving overall mood, state of mind, and well-being, researchers are finally acknowledging and emphasizing the life-enhancing benefits of psilocybin mushrooms.
As a result, more people are exploring microdosing psilocybin mushrooms as an alternative way to manage their physical and mental health. Magic mushrooms are gaining popularity and show no signs of slowing down.
Despite the known benefits, one important question remains – how much magic mushrooms are needed to create a meaningful, insightful, and enlightening experience while minimizing adverse effects?
The truth is, there is no straightforward answer to this question. Magic mushrooms are not a ‘one-size-fits-all’ psychedelic. They affect everyone differently, influenced by various factors. The optimal dose of magic mushrooms depends greatly on numerous personal and external factors.
This article will explore the relationship between magic mushroom dosage, the type of magic mushrooms consumed, body weight, and other considerations.
Special Note: Readers are welcome to use the shroom tolerance calculator below. However, this article is for informational purposes only and does not substitute for medical advice. Individuals should seek personalized professional advice regarding the dosage and usage of magic mushrooms. Additionally, psilocybin mushrooms are illegal in certain states. We suggest researching the relevant laws in your state before proceeding on your magic mushroom journey.
Factors that Affect Magic Mushroom Dosage
1. Body Weight
Body weight plays a crucial role in determining an appropriate psilocybin dosage. Most trials involve doses of 20–30mg per 70kg of weight, with doses over 25mg considered relatively high.
Substantial research surrounds this topic:
- A 2012 study found that doses as low as 5mg/70kg produced subjective effects in some participants. Higher doses correlated more strongly with lasting positive outcomes but also increased the risk of adverse reactions, including anxiety and fear.
- Other research suggests that doses of 45–315mcg/kg may be effective, with the risk of adverse reactions increasing at doses over 420mcg/kg. However, while bodyweight appears to play a role in dosing, it may not be as crucial as initially thought.
- A 2021 publication analyzed data from ten previous studies, comparing participants who took a weight-adjusted dose of 20 or 30mg of psilocybin per 70kg with those who took a fixed amount of approximately 25mg. The results showed no significant difference in subjective effects between the weight-adjusted and fixed doses. There were no additional effects in heavier or lighter participants who took similar amounts of psilocybin.
2. Type of Mushroom
Research into psilocybin dosage is extensive, but magic mushrooms present more complexity. Different mushrooms produce varying amounts of psilocybin, making consistency challenging. Additionally, some magic mushrooms contain other psychoactive compounds, such as psilocin and baeocystin.
According to a 2021 review, dried mushrooms usually contain approximately 0.1–0.2% psilocybin, although this figure can vary greatly. Without specialized equipment, determining the exact figure is impossible.
The review suggests that 10–50g of fresh mushrooms or 1–5g of dried mushrooms roughly equals 10–50mg of psilocybin. This aligns with information from the Oregon Psilocybin Advisory Board Rapid Evidence Review and Recommendations, suggesting that 1–4g of dried mushrooms constitutes a dose.
These figures depend on the type of magic mushroom involved. The most popular magic mushroom, Psilocybe cubensis, is just one of over 180 different species identified to date. While the overall effect of each species is similar, your psychedelic experience can vary depending on the type, dosage, and potency of the magic mushroom you take. Some magic mushrooms are profoundly more potent than others.
For example, certain Psilocybe species, including P. azurescens and P. cyanescens, are considered more potent than P. cubensis or P. semilanceata. Anecdotal reports suggest that, in general, magic mushrooms are more potent than magic truffles.
As a natural product, the amount of psilocybin in each mushroom can vary significantly, even between different specimens from the same flush. This variability makes calculating dosage challenging.
3. Set and Setting
Another 2021 publication analyzed data from 17 studies with psilocybin doses ranging from 45–600mcg/kg, highlighting the importance of set and setting in altering the nature of psychedelic experiences.
The concept of “set and setting,” introduced by Timothy Leary and colleagues at Harvard in 1964, refers to the interplay between substances, your internal state, and external environment.
‘Set’ reflects your inner climate or internal state, including personality, expectations, beliefs, intentions, perceptions, mood, emotional state, previous use, and degree of preparation.
‘Setting’ refers to your external environment and the physical, social, and cultural environment where psilocybin was ingested. It can include the people around you, their behaviors, the smell in the air, the weather and temperature, particular sounds or music, and cultural forces. The realization that psychedelics are illegal and stigmatized in many places can also shape or influence your psychedelic experience.
Researchers found that current mood, intention, and pre-existing psychological distress significantly impact the individual’s overall psychedelic experience. Personality traits such as extraversion often associate with positive effects, while neuroticism increases the occurrence of challenging experiences.
4. Age
Age influences magic mushroom dosage and its effects. Studies show that younger participants are more likely to have challenging psychedelic experiences.
Magic Mushroom Dosing and Bad Psychedelic Trips
As with all psychedelics, there is always a chance of a challenging experience, colloquially known as a bad trip. While a ‘bad trip’ is not directly harmful, it can be extremely distressing, scary, confusing, and stressful. In extreme cases, it may lead to dangerous behavior and physical injury.
Here are a few reasons why people may experience a bad trip:
- Tripping in the wrong setting
- Lack of preparation for the psychedelic journey
- Tripping with the wrong people
- Setting expectations too high
- Not returning to grounding tools
- Lacking self-awareness to recognize the onset of a bad trip
- Lacking the proper tools and skills to manage and navigate the experience
Here are steps and tips for surviving a bad psychedelic trip. Implementing these tips will help you get through your bad trip unharmed and leave you feeling stronger:
- Identify what’s happening & tell someone
- Avoid taking more drugs or psychedelics
- Listen to soothing music to relax
- Find a safe & comfortable space: Ensure you are in a place where you feel safe and comfortable. Being in a familiar and relaxed environment is paramount to making a bad trip as painless as possible.
- Find a mantra: Find a mantra that resonates with you, soothes, and calms you, keeping you grounded and centered.
- Think positive thoughts
- Reframe the images in your mind: Creatively alter daunting images to make them benign. If possible, make them helpful and soothing, and try to make them humorous.
- Realize this is a collective experience: Understanding that your bad trip is a collective experience can provide comfort, knowing you are not alone.
- Call on your future self: Imagine your future self, who has already experienced and healed from this bad trip, staying with you until it ends.
- Identify different parts of yourself: Recognize that the dark feelings and thoughts you experience are not your entire reality. Identify the healthiest parts of yourself to soothe your anxious parts.
- Stay in ‘the sacred middle’: Experience your emotions without trying to suppress or fuel them with more thoughts. Fully immerse yourself in your emotions and breathe through them.
- Eat something delicious: Eating something sweet and delicious can restore you and distract your brain.
- Try to fall asleep: Sleeping is the easiest way to make it through a bad trip. If you feel comfortable enough, rest your eyes.
When experiencing a bad trip, your mind might convince you that the worst-case scenario is real. This is not true. Implementing these steps will help you navigate and understand your emotions.
If you can, take the opportunity to rest your eyes or fall asleep. This will make your psychedelic trip as painless and non-triggering as possible.
Safety of Magic Mushrooms
Magic mushrooms are widely accepted as having a low harm potential compared to other psychoactive drugs and are considered physiologically safe for healthy individuals. In recent years, magic mushrooms have ranked as the Global Drug Survey’s safest illicit substance, even safer than cannabis.
Research indicates that psilocybin mushrooms have a low risk of toxicity, overdose, or addiction. On the contrary, substantial evidence suggests that magic mushrooms could benefit people with various forms of addiction.
Psilocybin mushrooms and most psychedelics are not considered addictive because their experiences are generally too profound for compulsive use. Instead of providing an escape like alcohol or opioids, magic mushrooms offer a deeper introspective look at oneself, leading to self-discovery.
Another advantage of magic mushrooms is that their side effects tend to be mild and transient, with very little risk of overdose.
Important Note: While the shroom tolerance calculator provides approximate dosage guidelines, it is not a substitute for proper medical screening. Consult a knowledgeable healthcare professional for further advice.
FAQs
- What is the best way to calculate magic mushroom dosage?Use an online shroom tolerance calculator for the most accurate results based on your weight, mushroom type, and desired intensity.
- Can I overdose on magic mushrooms?While magic mushrooms are generally safe, taking too much can lead to an overwhelming and unpleasant experience.
- What factors affect magic mushroom dosage?Factors include your weight, the type of mushroom, your experience level, and the desired effects.
- How should I prepare for my first magic mushroom experience?Research thoroughly, start with a low dose, have a trusted friend present, and stay in a safe environment.
- Are there any risks associated with taking magic mushrooms?The primary risks include having a bad trip or experiencing anxiety. Proper preparation and responsible use can minimize these risks.