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Macrodosing is Medicine
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Macrodosing is Medicine

Tripping on LSD, Psilocybin, and DMT for Mind, Body, Spirit

Streaming Consciousness
Sep 4, 2021
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What is Macrodosing?

While Microdosing (read: Intro to Microdosing) and medicinal applications of psychedelics are increasingly discussed in the media… larger “macro” doses are necessary for psychotherapy.

I am optimistic about a coming “Psychedelic Renaissance” where a dramatic improvement in mental health and personality transformations will be derived from “normalization” of therapeutic psychedelic use. Macrodosing reveals the dynamics of the human mind unlike any other chemical or physical therapy. A buddhist training for many years in meditation and breathwork, for example, may achieve an awareness on par with a psychedelic experience. 

  • Consuming a dose of Psychedelics large enough to “hallucinate”

  • Macrodose →  Temporary expansion of Awareness and Consciousness.

  • “Tripping” in Layman’s Terms.

  • LSD, Psilocybin, DMT, Peyote, Ketamine, MDMA, etc.


What are the Benefits of “Tripping”?

  • Psychological Therapy → Resolve Childhood Trauma

  • Address: Depression, Anxiety, PTSD, Addiction

  • Expanded Intelligence, Awareness, and Empathy


What are the common “Symptoms” of Psychedelics?

LSD

Physical symptoms are similar Effects to Stimulants such as caffeine, adderall, and cocaine.

Psilocybin

Similar effects as LSD. Nausea is common in 30-45 minutes following ingestion of mushrooms.


How to Macrodose? Substance, Dosage, Schedule 

Reminder: All psychedelic “trips” are temporary. You will return to your normal, yet slightly healthier self.

LSD

Duration: 6-12 hours at most doses

*General Experiences, your individual “mileage” may vary

25-75 ug → Mild Visual Hallucinations, Expanded Energy, Elevated Mood, 

100ug → “Tripping” threshold, Anxiety reduced, Visual Distortions, Sense of Self intact

200ug → Strong Visual Hallucinations, Spiritual Experiences, possible anxiety during “come up”

300 ug → Intense “Peak”, irrational thoughts/patterns, thought loops, Strong closed-eye visuals

400 ug → Difficulty walking, normal conversation, loss of sense of self, Ego Dissolution begins

500 ug → Time distortion, Physical disorientation, Intense hallucinations, No Sense of Self

700 ug → Religious/Spiritual imagery, Elaborate hallucinations, loss of reality, ego dissolution

1000 ug → Out-of-Body Experiences, inability to walk, Synthesia, spiritual experiences

1500 ug → Reality stops, full hallucinations, Strong Fractals, Sense of Death (Ego/Self)

Mushrooms (Psilocybin)

Duration: 2-6 hours for most doses

*Terrance McKenna suggests 5g as a “Hero Dose” for expansion of Consciousness/ Spirit

0.5 - 1.5g → mild euphoria, introspection, flow states, mindfulness/ presence, energy

2g → Spiritual insight, synesthesia, disorientation, closed and open-eyed Visuals, nausea

5g → Ego Dissolution begins, time distortion, mystical experiences, bad motor skills

*Consuming an MAOI (facilitates Serotonin uptake) 30 minutes prior → Increase Potency

*Mixing Psilocybin into lemon juice or a tea → Increase Potency


What is the science behind “Tripping”?

  • LSD and Psilocybin mimic Serotonin and affect the 5-HT2A receptor leading to

    • Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor → growth, connection, activity

    • Production of Glutamate → cognition, learning, memory

    • Serotonin affects many aspects of the body/brain: feelings, processing, energy

  • Relaxes Default Mode Network (DMN)

    • DMN responsible for analysis, day-dreaming, self-reflection, abstraction

    • Active DMN → over-analyze, ponder future and past, “not be present” 


Normal Brain v “LSD” Brain


Risks of Macrodosing

  • Macrodosing (Tripping)→ Consuming too much of the substance

  • “Waking Nightmares”

  • Nausea → Psilocybin

  • Negative synergy with pharmaceuticals (ex: SSRIs)

  • Legality: LSD/Psilocybin/DMT → Controlled Substances in USA/EU/UK/CA/AUS


How to stay safe during a “Trip”

Remember the 6 “S”

  • Set → Mindset: Preparation, Expectations, and Intention

  • Setting → Comfortable Room or Familiar Outdoor setting with familiar people

  • Substance → Properly dose for productivity, psychotherapy, or spiritual work 

  • Sitter → Use a trusted friend to supervise if you are not comfortable alone

  • Session → Timeline: Ingestion, Onset, Opening, Plateau, Glide, Ending

  • Situation → Patience: Reflect on your insights, avoid drastic changes immediately


Phases of a “Trip”

LSD

  • Ingestion→ Deep Breaths necessary, nervous energy, 

  • Onset → Scattering thoughts, rush of images and feelings

  • Opening → Weakening Ego, warped experiences, feelings, strong visuals, confusion

  • Plateau → Relaxation, Comfort with the “trip”, 2-3 hours

  • Gentle Glide → Rational thoughts reappear, Awareness, Connection to Nature, Euphoria

  • Ending →  Sense of gratitude and love, reflection/integration of thoughts

Psilocybin

  • Ingestion→ Chewy, Earthy taste in raw form; clammy hands; Queasiness after 20 mins

  • Onset → Nausea subsidies, Energy, Vibrant Colors, “Giggles”, Subtle effects

  • Trip → Control varies, time and perception warped, potential distress, introspection

  • Comedown → Dissolve social constructs, return to “normal” thought, gentle comfort

  • Afterward → Reflect, feel, think, experience with a new perspective


Drug Testing

Detection Times in Common Drug Tests→LSD

  • Urine: Must specifically test for LSD metabolites (3-4 day window)

  • Blood: 6-12 hour window

  • Hair: Notoriously complex and unreliable

  • Spinal Tap → Most effective method

Psilocybin → Appears as “food poisoning”


Sourcing 

Psilocybin: Legally purchase sports and grow kits widely available online.

LSD: Dark Web or local source (use test kits to verify purity)

Legality →

  • Oregon, USA → decriminalized

  • Portugal → decriminalized

  • Denver, CO / Oakland, CA → decriminalized

  • Psilocybin Spores are LEGAL (purchase online)

  • USA, Canada, U.K., Australia, EU → Controlled Substance (No Medical Use)

  • Netherlands → “Magic Truffles” legal at coffee shops

Medical Research → 

Johns Hopkins University: Cleared to administer Psilocybin for Medical Research by US Govt.


Further Reading

LSD: My Problem Child by Albert Hoffman

Food of the Gods by Terrance McKenna

DMT: The Spirit Molecule by Rick Straussman

How Mushrooms Can Save You And Perhaps the World by Paul Stamets (Tim Ferriss, #340)

How to Master Your Mind by Sam Harris

How to Change Your Mind by Michael Pollan


Anecdotes

  1. LSD is the most convenient and predictable method of Macrodosing a psychedelic. Strength of doses continues up until 1500ug yet there are few reports of dosing more than 1500ug. 

  2. Psilocybin → jumping on a rocket without controlling the rocket. Deep fasts and ingestion of an MAOI are helpful yet have negative synergy with pharmaceuticals. 

  3. DMT / Ayahuasca → powerful spiritual experiences will force you to question mortality, “God”, and humanity itself. Religious beliefs are little match for DMT. MAOI ingestion required prior to consumption of DMT.


Sources

https://www.trippingly.net/lsd/the-lsd-dosage-guide

https://thethirdwave.co/psychedelics/shrooms/

https://psychedelictimes.com/macrodosing-javier-charme/

Memento Mori,

@BowTiedBarbary

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