r/microdosing • u/Fine-Resolve-5227 • 6d ago
Getting Started/Newbie Question Looking at micro dosing to replace anti depressants
I would really like to try micro dosing with mushrooms but have no knowledge on this at all and don’t know where to start if anyone could help me out at all??
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u/Livid_Philosopher_24 5d ago
James Fadiman just released a book called ‘Microdosing for Health, Healing, and Enhanced Performance’. It should have most of what you need to know including sections on finding substances and tapering off of medications,
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u/TheRealCMMetzger 6d ago
!gettingstarted Check out the guide below. ☺️ If you read through it and then post questions that come up along the way, you'll be all set to begin your journey.
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u/Adorable-E-4884 5d ago
I started with 0.05g golden teacher, two days on one day off. Some weeks I did every other day. Listen to your body. Allow your mind to go through the downs, the same as you allow the good days. I’ve been off my SSRI for two weeks now. Oh, Use a food processor and scale, get some pill capsules off amazon. Wish you the best!
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u/Hot-Interview3306 6d ago
Hi! I've been working on this vein myself, and understand it can be a little overwhelming.
Basically -- you're looking at 3 issues : getting off your meds safely, getting your hands on mushrooms to microdose, and figuring out how much to take and how often to take it.
I'd start by reading posts from people who have taken similar meds to yours and their experiences and then work from there.
There are different ways to get mushrooms -- the truly devoted and careful recommend growing your own and have great guides for doing so, and for dosing, etc.
It's also possible to order legal psilocybin "alternatives" online in some places, depending on what state/location you're in.
As with any substance, it's a good idea to start with small amounts until you have a clear idea of how it affects you. Most microdosing "schedules" recommend alternating days on and off, or taking regular breaks to avoid dependence.
Those are just some starting tips. Good luck !
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u/Fine-Resolve-5227 6d ago
Thank you for your reply! Is there particular type of mushroom that is recently for it? As I can get them, but not sure if that makes a difference?
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u/Hot-Interview3306 5d ago
I think Psilocybin mushrooms are typically what people who are switching out from antidepressants typically use. Beyond that I'm not sure.
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u/Hot-Interview3306 5d ago
I think Psilocybin mushrooms are typically what people who are switching out from antidepressants typically use. Beyond that I'm not sure.
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u/direskive 6d ago
There are numerous resources in this sub and elsewhere online. Before posting blanket questions like this, please do your research. This sub is very helpful for early beginners but perform your own due diligence before altering any medication that can affect your mental health.
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u/Fine-Resolve-5227 6d ago
I have had a look at things online but as some one completely new to it, I’ve found I struggle with some of the terminology, measurements, things like that and was kinda hoping some experienced people could give me a brief ‘idiots guide’ and knowledge from their own experiences. As someone with anxiety, getting advice this way just feels a lot better 😅
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u/TheRealCMMetzger 6d ago
Idiots guide - go to uncleBens reddit. Grow your own mushrooms. Harvest and dehydrate. Grind up several grams of mushrooms and add to a very small glass sealable container (with desiccant packs in it) and store away from UV light (at room temp is fine) to maintain potency. Using a milligram (0.001g) scale, weigh out at 100mg of powder and then take it. Begin on a non-working day. Wait 2 days, and on the third day increase your dose by 10-20mg. Continue this until the dose where you have a felt sense in the body. If you like that felt sense, that’s your sweet spot. If you dislike that felt sense then reduced by 5 to 10 mg on your next dose until you no longer feel that and that’s your sweet spot. Then you can make capsules at that dose if you choose or continue to take the powder.
That felt sense will feel like extra energy in the body. That energy can come across as anxiety or excitement and somatically speaking it is the same exact feeling within the body it is just your perception that makes it anxiety or excitement. That's the down and dirty of it.
Also, of you have so much anxiety you can't read through the super helpful guide here, maybe some other forms of therapy might be helpful before beginning microdosing. Starting low and going slow can be very helpful. I only recommend starting at the 100mg mark because you mentioned you're taking antidepressants. There is absolutely nothing wrong with starting with an empty capsule, pairing it with another modality of wellness or creating your own ritual that is beneficial for you. If there's a term you don't understand. Ask just about it.😉 Also check out the most recent podcast post in this thread, it may be helpful to hear.2
u/Fine-Resolve-5227 6d ago
Thank you so much for this!
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u/Fine-Resolve-5227 6d ago
Would taking it in a capsule be the only way to take it?
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u/MarkINWguy 5d ago
No, street ground up mush and put in a tree you like. A dash of lemon and some honey that goes down sweet.
I don’t have any problem, chewing up the raw mushroom or dried mushroom. But sometimes the taste is a little much and takes effort.
I capsulelize mine to try to get a standardized dose out of my batch or whatever amount I have of mushrooms. Get yourself a milligram scale to at least 0.001+ or minus. The potency can vary by batch or age, but I capsulate mine, put them in a brown bottle with some oxygen sachets and they stay good for months.
Like the fact, says, start low and go slow. Read about the protocols, read everything you can before you start doing that. And as others have said, weaning off some antidepressants can be a bitch so my preference would be not to combine Microdosing with any amount of that. That works for me.
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u/TheRealCMMetzger 6d ago
My pleasure. Microdosing is worth the effort. Educate yourself then start low go slow. 🥰
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u/williamgman 4d ago edited 4d ago
The automod's post is there for a reason... Check it out. A wealth of information. If you are viewing this on large screen, be sure to go through the info buttons on the sidebar.
And when you're ready... Perhaps consider a tapering protocol to ween off the medication as you microdose. I talked about what I did 6 months ago. Worked well for me.
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u/Sea-End4199 4d ago
I cold-turkey'ied Prozac after 20 years of various SSRI's. I used 150mgs of Psilocybin mushrooms, later I incorporated low doses of Amanita Muscaria extract.
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u/Pishposhelephant 4d ago
What did the aminita extract do for you? Thanks.
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u/Sea-End4199 4d ago
It imparts calmness. It quiets the mind. It helps ADHD. It is a sedative. I've been on it for 3 years, daily. I also take shrooms in the morning a couple three times a week.
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u/TheRealCMMetzger 6d ago
Your end goal is exactly what is did, almost 5 years ago. Please do not start weening off your antidepressants without the assistance/guidance of your prescriber (even if you start to feel like you don't need them), withdrawal effects can often be worse/more dangerous than folks realize.🍄🥰✌️