Finding Flow: Navigating Your Creative Block with Microdosing
For many who walk the path of creativity, the dreaded ‘creative block’ is a periodical occurrence that all artists know too well. Amidst deadlines,
DISCLAIMER
* We do not condone the use of any illegal substances whatsoever. This piece of writing was created strictly for educational purposes only. Please read with caution and use this information responsibly. *
Microdosing is the act of consuming a micro-amount of a psychedelic substance. The dose should be nothing more than a small fraction of a dose needed to ‘trip’. If done correctly, the dose required to microdose is so small that it does not result in any psychoactive effects. This is a practice that has been around for a hot minute but has only really taken off in recent years.
The term ‘microdosing’ is becoming more mainstream as individuals all over the Globe have found assistance in these tiny doses. The typical substances used for this practice are magic mushrooms (Psilocybin) or LSD (Lysergic acid diethylamide). However, we will be specifically dipping our toes into the basics of microdosing Psilocybin.
What are magic mushrooms?
Psilocybin mushrooms, more commonly referred to as magic mushrooms, are a polyphyletic informal group of fungi. What makes this group of fungi so spectacular? The reason why we call mushrooms that fall into this category magic mushrooms is due to one magical compound they all host; Psilocybin. When ingested, the Psilocybin naturally converts into Psilocin. Although Psilocybin typically gets all of the glory, Psilocin is actually the compound responsible for the ancient and beloved magic mushroom high. Biological genera containing Psilocybin mushrooms include Pluteus, Panaeolus, Copelandia, Inocybe, Pholiotina, Gymnopilus and Psilocybe.
Typically, Psilocybin mushrooms thrive best in subtropical humid forests. However, they can be found growing in subtropics, tropics, woods and meadows. They prefer soil rich in humus and plant debris. Psilocybin-containing species are dark-spored, gilled mushrooms with a famously foul taste.
Microdosing with magic mushrooms can be very difficult for many reasons. A few challenges are unpredictable potency and legality. If you have tripped on mushrooms more than once then you probably know that 2 grams of 1 batch can feel 10x stronger than 4 grams of another batch. Growing magic mushrooms is very tricky when it comes to mastering potency consistency. This can make finding the right dose difficult. In regards to legality, well… There is no way to get around the law! However, I do have a solution for both of these issues for those wishing to legally microdosing Psilocybin without taking a chance every time you receive a new batch… Let me introduce you to magic truffles!
What are magic truffles?
If you live in the European Union, you are in luck! There is a group of naturally occurring truffles that contain Psilocybin and they are legal in the E.U! These truffles are produced in the Netherlands by expert growers who have been in the game since 2007. There is a variety of species grown under controlled settings with a surprisingly consistent outcome in regards to strength.
Many tourists who have visited Amsterdam are aware of truffles as you can buy them in shops. However, many do not realise they are legal across the whole of Europe! Due to their well-balanced growing conditions, they are produced with an impressively consistent amount of Psilocybin in each batch. That being said, you can safely microdose with truffles and not have to worry about having too much or too little Psilocybin in your doses.
Magic truffles is how Journey is able to provide legal options for microdosing Psilocybin and Lysergamides! You don’t have to pick and can get the best of both worlds if you live in a location where these products are legal. We hope that one day, microdosing both Psilocybin and Lysergamides (LSD and other substances) is legal everywhere so that anyone can have safe and legal access to microdosing! Until then, we need to take the steps necessary in order to normalise this practice.
How to microdose Psilocybin
When microdosing magic mushrooms/truffles there are a few things you need to figure out in the beginning; dosage and schedule.
Finding the right dosage
Dosage is everything! If you are unable to optimize your dosage, you will not get as much out of your doses as you should. This can be a tricky part of microdosing. When you microdose Lysergamides, such as LSD, it is much easier to dose yourself accurately. LSD is synthesized in a laboratory, making accurate dosing more effortless. Psilocybin mushrooms/truffles, on the other hand, are naturally occurring. Therefore, finding the perfect dose is more challenging. Luckily, this part isn’t very difficult if you are using truffles as opposed to mushrooms!
The best thing to do when trying your first few doses is to experiment over the weekend. Even if you do accidentally dose yourself too high, it shouldn’t result in any debilitating effects unless you’ve made a big mistake somewhere along the line. That being said, you should be fine either way but it is always best to try it for the first time on a weekend or on a day when you are not working… Better safe than sorry! Although this could be a potential risk, if you are using products from a legitimate microdosing company, you should be totally fine.
Start small and work your way up. Due to the fact that this practice is meant to be non-psychoactive and you should only feel a subtle effect, it is easy to go a bit over the line. Ultimately, you need to draw the line yourself. This practice is about you and what you need to get out of it. Just keep this in mind when considereding microdosing!
Everyone requires different amounts to microdose. Your friend may need .5 grams of magic truffles to microdose while you only need .25 grams. How your dose hits you is dependent on a variety of things from body weight, sensitivity, diet, activity levels and so much more. Additionally, your dose may feel different from time to time. This could be due to your emotional state prior to taking the dose or it could be over the food you ate that day or the lack of food you ate. Microdosing is most effective alongside nourishing food, hydration and an active lifestyle.
Finding the right schedule
After you come up with an optimized dose that suits you and your needs, you can start working out a schedule for yourself. Not everyone requires a set schedule for their doses, however, it has proven to be helpful for many individuals when a structure is implemented.
For example, you may not need a schedule if you are microdosing for studying. If you are a student and use this practice as a tool during study time, then you will not need a set schedule! You may only dose on days when you are studying or during the study period before exam week. Besides that, you may choose not to microdose and that is okay! Some microdosers that dose for improving their work ethic and productivity may only dose during busy periods or when they are dealing with a pile of approaching deadlines. You do not have to be following a schedule in order to get what you need from your doses.
You may benefit from a set schedule if you are microdosing for mental health, for example. If you are microdosing for an overall effect rather than to boost one particular area in your life, then a schedule will likely serve you well! If you are looking to experiment with a schedule, here is the microdosing protocol we hand over to our clients:
Day 1: Dose Day.
Day 2: Day Off
Day 3: Day Off (Back to Baseline)
Repeat!
Although the schedule above has helped many individuals get the most out of their doses, it is not always necessary. The number one thing to remember is to not dose 2 days in a row! Even though the dose is tiny, we still built a physical tolerance to substances like LSD and Psilocybin. That being said, make sure you have at least one day between dose days. For best results, leave 2 days between each dose day, especially if you are on a schedule!
It is easiest to find your personalized schedule by first assessing why you are microdosing in the first place, followed by a few things you are hoping to get from the practice along the way. This can give you insight into what may be best and you can go from there. Don’t be afraid to adjust or even completely change your schedule at any time! This is all about you and what you need. This is your microdosing journey! Get personal, reflect and act upon said reflections.x
Benefits of microdosing Psilocybin
Here is a short list of benefits that one may reap from this practice. Everyone’s experience and set of benefits look different, however, there is a handful of commonly reported benefits that can give you insight into what others are getting from their doses. Here is what we have heard from our clients over the years:
- Increase creativity
- Improved mental health (decreased symptoms of depression, anxiety and stress)
- Enhanced focus, energy and productivity
- Boost in brain function (specifically cognitive function)
- More motivation and inspiration
- Building deeper connections in relationships and with yourself
- Increased efficiency in daily personal/work tasks
- Better social skills
- Mood stabilizing and improved well-being (sense of feeling more balanced)
As stated above, everyone’s journey is completely unique. Please keep in mind you may or may not experience the points above. In the future, we can only hope that we have more science backing evidence on the topic and can concrete some of the benefits of microdosing.
Final Thoughts
Microdosing is a deeply personal practice. It can open your mind, allowing you to view yourself and the world around you in a more positive light. We are unique creatures having individual experiences. We all need different things to thrive and are infinitely complex beings. The microdosing journey truly displays the intricacy that we all host. Psychedelics have so much to offer us, in both large and small doses. Are you ready to dive into the world of microdosing?
Reflect and go deeper with microdosing Psilocybin.
Curious to start microdosing Psilocybin?
Due to lawful limitations, microdosing Psilocybin is not typically possible. However, we may have a legal option for you, depending on your location!
Questions? Contact us now
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