Psilocybin is a psychoactive compound found in magic mushrooms, often used recreationally to produce feelings of euphoria and hallucinations.
Apart from its ability to alter the mind, the compound’s potential benefits for chronic pain relief have undergone research.
This article presents a case study exploring how microdosing mushrooms may aid in relieving chronic pain.
Major Points:
- Microdosing mushrooms can potentially offer both immediate and long-term relief from pain.
- Compared to conventional pain medications, psilocybin microdosing tends to lack side effects when administered in small amounts.
- Psilocybin interacts with the serotonin 2A (5-HT2A) receptors to help ease pain, among other conditions.
The Research
The study titled “Microdosing Psilocybin for Chronic Pain: A Case Series” was conducted by Dr. Matthew Lyes and his team from the Division of Pain Medicine in the Department of Anesthesiology at the University of California, San Diego. They focused their research on three patients who self-administered small doses of psilocybin to manage their chronic pain symptoms.
Three Patients, One Outcome – Alleviation of Chronic Pain
Patient # 1
| AGE/ GENDER: | 37 Male |
| TYPE OF PAIN: | Neuropathic pain manifesting below the location of a spinal cord injury. |
| PAIN LEVEL: | Initially 4 to 5/ 10, escalating to 8/ 10 later in the day |
| PSILOCYBIN DOSE: | 250 mg of ground mushroom for less than 6 months |
| RESULT: | Cessation of prescribed pain medication, reduction in muscle spasms, and enhanced bowel movement efficiency. No evidence of rebound pain or withdrawal symptoms. |
| The patient reported that while his regular medications only managed to dull the pain, psilocybin effectively silenced it, reducing his average pain level from 5 to 0. | |
Case Study: Patient #2
| AGE/ GENDER: | Female, 69 |
| TYPE OF PAIN: | Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) |
| INTENSITY OF PAIN: | Generally ranges between 5 to 7 out of 10, but intensifies with activity and during pain flare-ups |
| PSILOCYBIN DOSAGE: | Daily intake of 500 mg for 7 to 10 days with rest periods (2 to 3 days) over a year. Dosage increases to 750 mg to 1 gram during pain flare-ups |
| IMPACT: | 80% reduction in pain for 3-4 hours, gradually returning to initial levels after 12 hours. Full pain relief (90%-100%) lasts 6-8 hours, returning to initial levels after 18 hours. |
| The patient experiences a decrease in appetite without nausea. Disorientation or instability in walking is noted when the dosage is increased (750 to 1000mg). | |
Case Study: Patient # 3
| AGE/ GENDER: | Female, 40 |
| TYPE OF PAIN: | Lumbar radiculopathy and neuropathic pain |
| INTENSITY OF PAIN: | 8 out of 10, escalating to 10 out of 10 during physical exertion |
| PSILOCYBIN DOSAGE: | 1000 mg from a mushroom chocolate bar every two months. |
| IMPACT: | Substantial relief from pain without any psychoactive effects. Noted increase in flexibility and functionality. Pain gradually returns to initial levels over 2-4 weeks. Repeated dosing improves control over pain. |
| The patient does not report any noticeable physical, cognitive, or behavioural side effects. Her mood remains largely stable. She continues her regular dosage of her SSRI for depression management throughout the psilocybin treatment period. | |
Understanding Pain Management with Psilocybin
Continuous somatic and visceral pain signals reinforce certain neural pathways due to peripheral and central sensitization, leading to the chronic experience of pain both physically and emotionally. Psychedelics like psilocybin activate 5-HT2A receptors, potentially resetting the brain areas associated with neuropathic conditions.
A patient reported long-lasting pain relief for weeks. This indicates that after directly stimulating the 5-HT2A receptors, there can be a central regulation of pain perception and synaptic adaptability.
Potential Side Effects of Psilocybin (Based on the Psilocybin Vs. Conventional Pain Relievers
| PSILOCYBIN (Based on Research) | CONVENTIONAL PAIN RELIEVERS |
| Muscle spasms | Nausea |
| Reduced appetite | Abdominal discomfort |
| Confusion | Migraines |
| Unstable walk | Dependency |
| No mood alteration | Sleepiness |
Potential Future Research on Psilocybin
The research team, after examining the experiences of three individuals, has pointed out certain areas of study that warrant further exploration due to their possible advantages.
- Small doses of psilocybin may offer immediate and potentially long-term relief from neuropathic pain, without leading to physical tolerance or addiction.
- Investigate the effects of various treatment methods when used in combination with psilocybin. For instance, patient # 3 experienced an enhanced analgesic effect when psilocybin was used alongside physical therapy.
- Even without psychotherapy, small doses of psilocybin might provide pain relief, as shown in this case study. The researchers suggest that integrating therapeutic guidance could potentially amplify or lengthen the therapeutic results.
Limitations of the Study
Despite the promising results observed in the patients, it’s vital to consider the limitations recognized in the study.
- The small sample size may not adequately represent all individuals suffering from neuropathic pain.
- The study did not include any subjects who were unresponsive to psilocybin.
- No evaluations were made pre and post-treatment to assess the effect of psilocybin on psychiatric conditions such as depression and anxiety.
- Most of the information was self-reported by the subjects.
- The presence of the interviewer and potential bias associated with psilocybin could have affected the responses of the participants.
- The study did not explore the impact of the placebo effect.
- The study did not determine the amount of psilocybin in each mushroom.
Microdosing with Mushrooms
In this study, patients Patients #1 and #2 ingested a microdose of psilocybin in powdered form derived from dried mushrooms, while patient #3 mixed it with chocolate. Numerous products are designed for psilocybin microdosing, and we’ve compiled a list of a few below.
Dried Mushrooms
Though the study didn’t specify the strain used, the following strain is a good starting point for beginners.
- Golden Teacher: One of the most common and widely seen strains of magic mushrooms.
- Amazonian Cubensis: Known for being user-friendly. It can provide cognitive benefits.
- Cambodian: Using Cambodian cubensis mushrooms for microdosing can enhance concentration, social consciousness, and mood.
Microdose Capsules
- Euphoria Psychedelics – Micro Calm Capsules: This blend includes Ashwagandha, Reishi, CBD, Valerian root, and Psilocybin Mushrooms, all of which are scientifically proven to reduce anxiety and stress.
- Ground Sounds – Microdose Capsules – Champion Lover: This enticing mix offers three dosage options: 50mg, 100mg, or 250mg of pure psilocybin combined with reishi, cacao, cordyceps, and maca.
- Kind Stranger – Brighten Capsules 250mg: These capsules contain the Golden Teacher strain, known for inducing clarity, amplified creativity, and heightened focus.
Alleviating Pain with Psilocybin
While research on the pain-relieving properties of mushrooms is still in its early stages, anecdotal evidence and small-scale case studies are providing hope.
Such cases highlight the need for further research into the potential benefits of psilocybin, particularly in the area of chronic pain management.
Prior to the broad acceptance of psilocybin for alleviating pain, the encouraging accounts from the case study instill hope in individuals suffering from chronic pain.
Commonly Raised Queries
What impacts does microdosing psilocybin have?
Psilocybin primarily triggers a serotonin receptor labeled as “5-HT2A” in the prefrontal cortex, resulting in two major effects:
- Production of “Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor” (BDNF)
- Increased “Glutamate” transmission
Additionally, psychedelics encourage connections between less commonly interacting brain regions. This unique connectivity is a byproduct of psychedelics’ capacity to reduce the activity of the “Default Mode Network” (DMN), which is related to various cognitive functions, including daydreaming, introspection, and ruminating on the past and future.
What is the most well-known advantage of microdosing mushrooms?
Microdosing can potentially boost mood, productivity, creativity, and focus. Its most widely studied advantage is its impact on mental health.
In November 2022, COMPASS Pathways, a mental health enterprise, revealed the results of their comprehensive phase 2b trial, a randomized and double-blind study. Their research suggested that a single dose of psilocybin led to significant decreases in depressive symptoms compared to a placebo. Participants who received a higher dose of 25 milligrams demonstrated a sustained antidepressant response at the twelve-week check-up.
A study published in the Psychiatry Research Journal reported that psilocybin is more effective than conventional antidepressant therapies.
How can you establish your dosage?
Begin with a 0.1-gram dose of psilocybin mushrooms on day one. If the desired effects aren’t achieved, you can gradually increase your dose by 0.05 grams on ensuing microdosing days until you achieve your optimal level.
Individuals with a past of using psychotropic drugs may need to raise the dosage to 0.5 grams to achieve the desired effects.
What should be done prior to consuming mushrooms?
- Dedicate some time to comprehend why you’re microdosing on a certain day.
- Reserve a moment to introspect and connect with your present emotional or mental state. Recognize the feelings or mindset that you think will be beneficial for you that day.
- Once your objectives are well-defined, jot them down. Framing your goals as affirmations can be a powerful tool to bolster your ongoing development.
- Channel your intention towards the experience you desire to have, instead of focusing on what you wish to avoid.
- Consume it on an empty stomach, ideally an hour before your day’s first meal.
What is the recommended frequency for consuming microdoses of mushrooms?
There are a number of well-established protocols which recommend structured microdosing schedules for psychedelics. These protocols differ mainly in the number of “off” days they include, which are the days you refrain from microdosing.
The most recommended protocols suggest incorporating 1-3 days of rest between microdoses. This corresponds with the body’s natural tolerance mechanisms. The three protocols being examined in this context are the Fadiman Protocol, the Stamets Stack, and intuitive microdosing.
