Macrodosing vs Microdosing: Use in Psychedelic-Assisted Therapies
Psychedelic-assisted therapy is currently in the spotlight due to its potentially groundbreaking capacity to effect healing changes in people who are managing severe mental health conditions. In the not-so distant past, psychedelics were only known for their reputation as a mind-expanding substance fueled in countercultural exploration. Current clinical trials, however, have revealed that psychedelic substances, such as psilocybin and ketamine, are effective in treating a range of conditions, from major depression to PTSD.
These studies combined with the recent surge in people needing alternative treatments for mental health conditions resistant to conventional methods has prompted a movement known as the Psychedelic Renaissance. Some states, including California, Colorado, and Oregon, have supported this movement moving from decriminalization towards legalization of psychedelics in therapeutic settings. Other leading medical innovators, such as Johns Hopkins, have opened up centers in psychedelics and consciousness research to support those needing definitive and effective mind health care.
Spotlight: Microdosing and Macrodosing
Are you considering exploring psychedelic-assisted therapies to help navigate your mind health? If so, you may have come across the terms microdosing and macrodosing and are curious about the distinction between the two. Both are therapeutic approaches that use the same psychedelic medicine but differ in their intended purpose based on how much you take during each session.
In this article, we will explore the medical potential of psychedelic-assisted therapies through the lens of micro and macrodosing. We will discuss the benefits and potential drawbacks of each approach as supported in a clinical environment. When discussing psychedelics, Grannus clearly does not recommend breaking any local, state, or federal laws. We are simply providing information about the current developments in mind health therapies, especially for those managing serious mental illnesses resistant to conventional treatment methods.
Microdosing and macrodosing are two distinct approaches used by qualified therapists that depend on the quantity of psychedelic medicine used during therapeutic sessions. They each have their own benefits and drawbacks. Psychedelic microdosing involves the ingestion of a very small amount of the substance on a regular schedule over a small period of time. This could mean taking a nearly imperceptible dose every few days over the course of a couple of weeks. An extensive review study recently published in Nature revealed that microdosing psychedelic substances significantly improved psychological well-being over time.
Alternatively, macrodosing involves taking a full dose of a psychedelic substance (LSD and psilocybin) with the primary goal of inducing a profound alteration in perception, cognition, and overall consciousness. A person who is undergoing a full-dose will most likely find themselves on an intensely introspective journey that can be challenging and overwhelming without the guidance of a trained professional. Let’s look closer.
A Short History of Psychedelics: From Stigma to Renaissance
Psychedelic drugs like LSD and psilocybin mushrooms have long been stigmatized and criminalized in the United States. Beginning in the 1960s and through the 1980s, the anti-drug movement painted these mind-altering drugs as scary and dangerous. However, the world has grown skeptical and tired of the “war on drugs” as many seek alternative approaches to drug reform, including decriminalization and legalization. This perspective of acceptance has grown exponentially as decades of research support the benefits of psychedelic therapies, especially in those managing mental illnesses.
Despite the federal government classifying psychedelics as Schedule I drugs with no accepted medical use, these mind-bending substances have been intently studied since the 1970s due to their profound and transformative effects in mental health therapy. Psychedelic-assisted therapies utilize psychotherapy or talk therapy and psychedelic medicine to support those managing persistent mind health disorders, such as PTSD and clinical depression. This unique form of therapy has been shown in research to create long-lasting and nearly immediate psychological and behavioral changes.
The presence of a psychedelic agent gives vivid new information to those undergoing therapy, enabling them to process feelings and memories they were unable to approach before. Researchers explain that therapists who are specially trained in psychedelic-assisted therapies act as guides who help their clients interpret their experiences and integrate the insight into their lives.
Disclaimer: While many choose to use psychedelics recreationally, for therapeutic purposes, psychedelics are considered to be safe and effective when administered in a setting based on trust and guided by trained therapists who can help support people during the times when the drug is active.
Microdosing Psychedelics
The regular consumption of small amounts of psychedelic substances is known as microdosing. This means that a person will be taking a fraction of a standard dose and not experience the intense effects that typically follow, such as hallucinations or dissociation. Microdosing is known to help boost focus and creativity while improving emotional well-being without the intense effects of a macrodosed psychedelic experience. Further, research has shown that macrodosing may impair cognitive performance and creativity, while microdosing tends to move people toward intellectual enhancement.
Adverse effects associated with microdosing include the following:
- Insomnia
- Increased anxiety and depression
- Poor mood
- Low energy
- Physical discomfort, such as gastrointestinal symptoms, headache, disrupted senses
- Poor focus and cognitive functioning
- Impaired social skills
Macrodosing Psychedelics
In therapy, the use of psychedelics in macrodoses has been shown in several studies to bring about substantial and immediate outcomes that last. Psilocybin mushrooms are one type of psychedelic that has been used in clinical settings to help provide relief from anxiety and depression. The effectiveness of psilocybin has prompted several states, including Oregon and Colorado, to legalize the supervised use of the drug in a therapeutic setting.
A drawback of full dosing is that it is accompanied by perception-distorting or hallucinogenic properties that can be extremely uncomfortable for some people. People who use a full dose of psychedelics often experience heightened perception or sensations combined with intensely introspective emotional and cognitive effects.
According to the NIH, palliative care clinicians strongly advise that people who are considering taking a psychedelic such as psilocybin do so only under the care of a trained therapist or facilitator. Research scientists have reported that the “set”, or mental state through which the participant enters their psychedelic experience, combined with the “setting” (where the session takes place) deeply influences the therapeutic experience and increases the risk of side effects from a psychological reaction. These adverse effects are compounded depending on how much someone takes, mood, expectations, and surroundings. They may include the following:
- Unpleasant experiences: “Bad trips”, including confusion, panic, or extreme fear.
- Increased blood pressure and heart rate
- Headache, nausea, dizziness,
- Fatigue, poor sleep
- Anxiety, paranoia, and persistent psychosis
- Hallucinations
Closing Thoughts
Psychedelic-based treatment options offer a place of hope, healing, and recovery for the many who are managing moderate to severe mental health conditions that interfere with their quality of life. For example, the Canadian pharmaceutical company Cybin recently released news about a clinical trial that tested a psilocybin derivative used by people managing major depressive disorder. 75% of participants achieved remission with no further signs of depression. This is a remarkable discovery, especially considering the millions who struggle with the symptoms of treatment-resistant depression among other mind health disorders.
If you are considering looking into microdosing or macrodosing and psychedelic-assisted therapy to help you manage symptoms of anxiety or depression, proceed with caution and seek the guidance of a trained facilitator in a controlled and legal setting.
