Medicinal mushrooms(reishii, cordyceps and lionsmane)

Thanks for the great advice

Good morning just like Fungi Master said there and this is my personal opinion you need to clean the hardware (Your Brain) 1st then maintain it ( Micro Dosing),
This is from a article by ,  Edel Hyland , Senior Lecturer in Biochemistry & Fungal Biology,  Queen's University Belfast -     
  "Think of our brain like a map. When we’re young, we explore all corners of this map, sending out connections in every direction to make sense of our environment. Before long, we figure out basic truths – such as how to secure food, or where we live – and the neurological paths that make up these connections strengthen.Over time, a network emerges that reflects our unique experiences. Regions we re-visit often will develop established paths, whereas under-used connections will fade away.Conditions such as addiction, chronic depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are characterised by processes such as repetitive negative thinking or rumination, where patients focus on negative thoughts in a counterproductive way. Unfortunately, these strengthen brain connections that perpetuate the unfavourable mental state.Psilocybin stimulates a receptor in the brain called 5-HT2a. This receptor usually binds to serotonin, a chemical in our body which controls communication between specific nerve cells. But when psilocybin binds to the 5-HT2a receptor, it makes it easier for our brain to change and generate new connections (including causing hallucinations at high doses). We call this an increase in neuroplasticity. Although the effects of a single large dose of psychedelics are transitory, evidence shows administering two smaller doses of psilocybin three weeks apart leads to a sustained increase in connectivity between different functional regions of the brain. Such changes in neuroplasticity have the potential to disrupt the rigid thought patterns that underlie certain mental health conditions.
While there’s still much we don’t know about fungal metabolites – including whether other molecules exist that have a similar effect on neurological function – it’s clear they have great potential in mental health treatment. Perhaps it’s time for us to relinquish certain negative connotations we have of illicit fungal drugs, and become comfortable thinking of brain-altering psychedelics as medicine"

Excitingly, many countries  recognise the benefits  of psychedlics for mental health treatment. The Australian government even  legalised prescription psilocybin  for medicinal use in 2022. Although the UK doesn’t yet permit the prescription of psychedelics,  multiple research centres  are undertaking trials to establish the  mental health benefits  of fungal metabolites.

Guys I just wanna say again , its really something special but its not a wonder drug that it changes you overnight it is a bit of a process yes after a "Trip" the next day, week you going to feel good and energetic etc and you might not notice the change , But its like losing weight , you don't see it but the people around you does .Same with the mushrooms ,you might not feel the changes but the people around will notice it.

I personally don't do Micro Dosing , I do a Moderate session once a month and the every 3 months or so a High Dose , which works great for me , AGAIN its just my personal opinion .

Howdy guys,

Interesting topic. I've closely followed the increase in use of psychedelics in treating various forms of mental conditions from depression to PTSD.

I firmly believe these compounds are massively beneficial and only short term usage be needed hence the ban as "big pharma" can't make money from something you need only use a few times instead of on a chronic basis. 

That said, to simply start sourcing and using psychedelics is a VERY bad idea. It should be done under experienced supervision and in most cases it would be a Shamen type as they guide you through the process. I'm not religious, but those guys have experience in making sure you benefit as it could just as easily go badly wrong (as many users of LSD have found). You are literally having an out of body/transcendental experience. You definitely don't want to fuck around and find out with this stuff.

Also, specific conditions respond to specific agents. Some conditions are contra-indicated and use if psychedelics would result in greater harm. Like with any medicine, quality and potency is critical and "some guy" selling stuff might not 3ven know what he has or if it's legit.

There are levels of complexity in selection of which psychedelic is appropriate which again, needs expert guidance.

You are 100% on point , big pharma is not interested in Psilocybin as they can not make money off it. Its not a long term medicine like SSRI's. The sad truth is that most people that really need it will never have access to it or access to professionals who can administrate and guide you with it. There are couple of Mental Health retreads in SA, but they charge astronomical prices . They are highly over priced and in most cases NO aftercare available to assist you down the road. We are part of a group of friends that help each other with trip sitting. Some of us have been on the mushrooms 10jr+ and have done 50+ trip sitting. They have experienced and seen most .This is like you say not something to consider lightly people must do research and please ask questions.
Its exactly like with the anabolics on here , you ask questions and get guidance from the experts and experienced people on here like yourself and Oupa and many others who are not professional ,if I may say it ,but very much experienced to give advice , same with us.
The out of body experience yes it might happen but you need to take VERY HIGH dosages for that to maybe happen. Most packaging comes in 2g sizes and high dosage should not be done without someone with experience or a professional .It is VERY unlikely to have a bad experience or side effects with moderate dosages

Shroom Wizard wrote:

Yes that's what I mean , so just a heads up you might feel some anxiety and maybe a little noxious ,just relax lie comfortable on the couch or bed and let it , play some nice chilling music and let the shrooms guide you , please give feedback
 

So, Saturday

Ended up just doing a few home made burgers as the weather didnt allow for a braai, Didnt eat too much, but ate enough to be polite.
No booze consumed.

About 4 hours after eating, we dropped the kids off at the grandparents and went home, I measured out 1.8g of the Golden Teacher Psilocybe cubensis mushroom and downed it with some warm water and honey. 

After about 20-30minutes it started to affect me, But not quite what i was expecting. Not sure what i was hoping/wanting... But it felt more like the tail end of a good drinking session. Id say about 2 bottles of wine/12 beers session. Nothing major, but I sure as hell would have called up an ex I went further. Also there was a little nausea , But nothing that made me even consider hugging the old white elephant in the bathroom

Wife went to bath, while i listened to some music, Mainly slower alternative stuff, Felt very tired, very relaxed. I wanna say like 2% paralysed, I had to conciously keep my jaw closed, arm didnt feel comfy on my stomach etc (I was reclined on my lazyboy)

We then watched John wick, and i slept.. slept well enough (Once again no different than a booze session) and sunday morning was a bit of a fight to get out of bed. I could easily have done another 2hours but the gym was calling


Overall, I know i went low dose, But Its not really a magical fix all, as mentioned in the post. But it has been experienced. 
I dont wanna do a trip like Homer Simpson had when he at the really hot chilli, But Something other than a booze buzz would have been nice 

Reading from your posts previously I take it youre like me quit a big man ,Correct me if Im wrong,and maybe 1,8 too low for you should maybe consider higher dosage next time if you want to do a next one , I would also suggest trying micro dosing in a week time just for a month and see how mood changes etc

Yeah at the moment im floating between 145 and 148kgs

The reference site said 1.8 for a low dose.

will micro the rest, i got 8 capsules. 300mg each,

When you trying the next one in maybe 2 -3 months do a 4g on you size that would still be a moderate dosage, micro dosing yes 1 every 3-4 days in the morning .Micro dosing is like dieting or gyming , you dnt always notice the changes but everyone around you does

so 4g @140kg and 1.9m good ?

How would you microdose 300mg capsules at my stats EO4D 300mg?

Good morning Oupa,

Yes 4g at you stats as in my opinion perfect specially if its the Golden Teachers strain you're using.

Companies like Dischem and Heath Shops genarally sell a blend of Reishi & Lions mane mixed with other cordyceps in the capsules where other suppliers do a a blend of Psilocybin in there capsules, it's essential to understand the potency of the specific mushrooms used to create the capsules. If you are working with 300 mg capsules for micro-dosing, you could follow a schedule like the Every Other Day (EO4D) protocol. This means taking a 300 mg capsule every other day for several weeks, then taking a break to assess the effects and potential benefits. It's important to note that individual responses to micro-dosing can vary, so you may need to adjust the dosage or frequency based on your personal experience. Different mushroom strains and batches can vary in potency. Starting with a lower dose and assessing your response is generally recommended. You may want to consider starting with a lower dose, such as 300mg, to gauge your sensitivity and response before adjusting the dosage. It's important to approach micro dosing responsibly and attentively. Keep track of your experiences, observe any changes in mood, cognition, or overall well-being, and make adjustments as needed

I forgot to mention, I'm a Pharmacist by profession. I hate that meds are prescribed (and demanded as well) way too much.

My fear is that there are several people with issues who look to Psychedelics as a "magic bullet".

It does not work that way and I reiterate, expert guidance is needed. I mentioned the "Shamans' because although they attach a religious/spiritual meaning to the journey, they are fully aware of what you will experience and how to best guide you through it so as to improve the facets of your life that are affecting you. You will introspect in ways and deeper than ever before. It doesn't end there, you also have to make changes to your life and unprepared, you may come out worse. A lot worse.

I know there are places like you said that charge a fortune. They are purely snake oil salesman making a quick buck in a market desperate for alternates. The legit guys will be attached to a reputable research unit of a top university and have medical as well as esoteric staff on hand.

Guys like Joe Rogan extoll psychedelic therapy but remember, he's done it under expert guidance and also advocates such.

Also important to note for first timers, if you're buying a bag of shrooms and not the microdosing capsules, the cap of the mushroom generally is much more potent than the stalks, so if you are weighing out smaller portions be sure to mix it up well for consistent dosing. 

Cyclo wrote:

expert guidance is needed.

Please define what you consider an "expert".

Cyclo wrote:

You will introspect in ways and deeper than ever before. It doesn't end there, you also have to make changes to your life and unprepared, you may come out worse. A lot worse.

I know there are places like you said that charge a fortune. They are purely snake oil salesman making a quick buck in a market desperate for alternates. The legit guys will be attached to a reputable research unit of a top university and have medical as well as esoteric staff on hand.


 

 Cyclo I agree about stressing the importance of doing mushrooms responsibly and value your input. But I would be careful not to use blanket statements bunching all psychedelics in the same bag with the same risk profile. Saying that you might come of the experience a lot worse seems like over-exaggerated, fear mongering.  Let's put things into perspective. Realistically the chance of long term adverse psychological effects from shrooms is ridiculously miniscule, even if one goes about taking it like a real idiot. Certainly not from any of the doses anyone here has recommended. 

Legit guys attached to reputable research unit from a university with medical staff on hand? What are you on about mate? This is South Africa, where it's illegal to possess and use, and only Stellenbosch University was recently given approval for limited psilocybin related studies. What makes a researcher from a university a better guide for a psychedelic experience than a mature friend with a lot of experience with psychedelics?

We're talking about microdosing or using normal measured dose of shrooms. The risk:benefit profile presented here should be based on facts, particularly when advice is coming from guys in related Science fields. We're not talking about DMT, ayahuasca or heroic LSD doses which would be a different story.

 
An interesting study on negative experiences after taking shrooms resulting in seeking of medical treatment. The data analysed is from the 2017 Global Drug Survey where 12,500 responded that they had used mushrooms in the last year. 

www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9353971/

The TLDR:
- Out of 9233 past year magic mushroom users, 19 reported having sought emergency medical treatment, with a per event risk estimate of 0.06%, or ±1 in 1800 

- 26.9% of respondents said they previously been diagnosed with a mental health condition prior to taking mushrooms in the last year (depression, anxiety, ADHD, bipolar, psychosis, or other. There was no indication for a higher risk of EMT seeking in people with lifetime mental health diagnoses, however, it is possible the risk is less pronounced in common mental health conditions. 

- Of the 19 users who sought medical treatment 8 were admitted to hospital. All but one respondent reported returning to normality within 24 h, and all respondents recovered within 7 days.

- An estimated 34,347 number of total mushrooms taking events resulted in 8 admissions to hospital. All reportedly returned to normality and recovered within 7 days. 58% of admissions had also been mixing mushrooms with other substances.

-Self-reported reasons for the incident leading to seeking medical attention: 
Mood/mind-set: 47%
Mixed substances: 37%
Place/setting: 37%
Took too much: 26%
Don’t know: 21%
Not magic mushrooms: 5%
 

Guys, you misconstrue what I'm saying.

All I'm saying is that to use small doses for recreation is one thing. Definitely safer than alcohol or tobacco.

But, and let's not bandy about the bush, there is documented evidence of the benefit of psychedelics treating various conditions from PTSD to anxiety, to depression. And more, certain compounds for specific conditions like MDMA for PTSD. Even nicotine is used as a Psychedelic...

Admin - by expert guidance I mentioned eg Shamans. Not because of any religious aspects, but because they are experienced in guiding you through the journey and assist when complications arise.

What I meant by legit research association is exactly that. That will be a team of scientists/medical professionals AND esoteric practitioners There aren't any in SA I know of. And even then, I'd be careful.

We are constantly warning people here on the dangers and correct use of AAS's and associated compounds.

Especially after the collosal scam and cockup of COVID and lockdowns many people are VERY compromised, barely holding it together. Add the fact our country is now inevitably sliding uncontrollably down a steep embankment with a precipice literally in front .

All I'm saying is "Festina lente". Advising guys on safe use is good but we need to take cognisance of desperate people who may end up doing a lot of damage to themselves.

Cyclo wrote:

Admin - by expert guidance I mentioned eg Shamans. Not because of any religious aspects, but because they are experienced in guiding you through the journey and assist when complications arise.

I wanted you to give me the specific criteria you use to qualify a shaman as an expert, because I want to see if the two moderators I assigned also meet your criteria.

Based on what you said we've established that religion is not one of the requirements, but experience and the ability to assist with complications are. Both mods here have experience guiding others and they already offered advice on what to do to increase the likelihood that a session goes smoothly. They are not physically present, but they recommended that a close friend is there to assist which would be far more comforting than some stranger in their opinion.

Cyclo wrote:

What I meant by legit research association is exactly that. That will be a team of scientists/medical professionals AND esoteric practitioners There aren't any in SA I know of. And even then, I'd be careful.

If there aren't any scientists, medical professionals or research associations that you know of in SA, why did you recommend them as an option? Then you state that if there were any, you would be careful of them. In other words you are saying: "Go to a reputable research unit, but be wary of them". That makes no sense, because why recommend them if you don't trust them yourself?

Cyclo wrote:

We are constantly warning people here on the dangers and correct use of AAS's and associated compounds.

Yes and we're doing the same with psychedelics now. But we also experiment with self-administered underground AAS here. The purpose of this website is to educate others and getting educated on AAS and now I'm expanding that to include psychedelics as well.

Cyclo wrote:

Especially after the collosal scam and cockup of COVID and lockdowns many people are VERY compromised, barely holding it together. Add the fact our country is now inevitably sliding uncontrollably down a steep embankment with a precipice literally in front .
 

True, one more reason not to trust "the experts" from the research associations and to take matters regarding your health into your own hands. I saw the benefits psychedelics had on someone which led me to investigate them further and I'm convinced that they will be very helpful to many as we face the difficult times ahead. There aren't many alternatives that does not involve dependancy forming drugs from big pharma and they often do more harm than good in the long run as you know.

Cyclo wrote:

All I'm saying is "Festina lente". Advising guys on safe use is good but we need to take cognisance of desperate people who may end up doing a lot of damage to themselves.

Do you have experience with psychedelic mushrooms? Doesn't seem that way, because you are dramatic and overreacting which is why you are getting pushback in the first place. We have discussed other bodybuilding related drugs here that are far more dangerous.

Cyclo wrote:

All I'm saying is "Festina lente".

 

That's an ironic thing to say, because psychedelic mushrooms have been used for thousands of years. Perhaps it's the new modern medicines that should be used with less haste as we found out in the last couple years.

Just to confirm, for experts Dr's and moderators?  Does this stuff actually work for mental health in long term or basically just the same as a few beers on weekends? Will this actually work for someone who tried to commit suicide more than once?  I can't go into details but honest advice without sales talk will be appreciated 

 The effects of psilocybin differ significantly from those of a few beers on weekends. Psychedelic experiences are characterized by profound alterations in perception, thoughts, and emotions, often accompanied by a sense of interconnectedness and a heightened state of consciousness. These experiences can lead to deep introspection, emotional breakthroughs, and a new perspective on life.In terms of long-term benefits, research suggests that a single or a few experiences with psilocybin can have lasting positive effects on mental health. For example, studies have found that psilocybin-assisted therapy can lead to sustained reductions in depression and anxiety for up to six months or more after treatment. It's important to note that these studies have typically involved a structured therapeutic setting with trained professionals guiding the experience.Regarding individuals who have attempted suicide multiple times, psilocybin-assisted therapy may offer a potentially valuable treatment option. However, it's crucial to emphasize that the therapeutic use of psychedelics should be conducted under the guidance of trained professionals in a controlled and supportive setting. These professionals can help ensure the safety of the individual and provide appropriate integration support after the experience.It's important to recognize that while psychedelic therapy shows promise, it should not be considered a standalone solution for mental health issues. It is most effective when integrated into a comprehensive treatment plan that may include therapy, counseling, and other evidence-based approaches.If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health issues or has a history of suicide attempts, it is strongly recommended to seek professional help from a qualified healthcare provider. They can provide personalized guidance and support based on the individual's specific circumstances.

That being said I would suggest a moderate dose (2g) of psychedelics followed by a month of micro dosing and observe if there is any change

Pompies wrote:

Just to confirm, for experts Dr's and moderators?  Does this stuff actually work for mental health in long term or basically just the same as a few beers on weekends? Will this actually work for someone who tried to commit suicide more than once?  I can't go into details but honest advice without sales talk will be appreciated 

Drinking alcohol dumbs you down and people often abuse it to temporarily block whatever problems they have instead of facing them. It does not solve anything whatsoever and always makes matters worse. It is the cowardly coping mechanism in my opinion. Psychedelics, when used properly have the opposite effect as alcohol... they allow one to view situations from a different perspective, enhances consciousness and boosts creativity.

You can't go into detail, so we don't know what the underlying problems are exactly so I'm just going to speak in general and not give specific advice. For psychedelics to be most effective the person also has to be willing to face their problems and put in the effort to overcome them. Usually when someone decides to commit suicide it is due to some from of nihilism which can be from an infinite number of causes and identifying those causes is good place to start. You cannot overcome your problems if you don't know what they are and to people in a nihilistic state it is not always apparent what their problems are. The heightened state of consciousness and alterations in perception from psychedelics may help the person identify their problems. Using the boost in creativity from the psychedelics to create something that is meaningful is a very effective way to escape nihilism. Reducing consumption of destructive addictions such as social media, unconstructive entertainment (TV, YouTube, Netflix), porn, alcohol, some habit forming pharmaceuticals and drugs will help prevent the person from getting dragged back down into the nihilistic state as well.

There are a number of philosophic studies the person can pursue such as Stoicism to cope with the struggles of life and change their negativity into positivity. The difference between "happiness" and nihilism is only how one perceives reality and psychedelics can be very a helpful tool to change one's perception into a positive one.

Thank you, I really appreciate it 

For me I spent 7 years on every psychiatric medication. Fast forward, lots of stuff done, up until recently I used micro dosing of golden teachers daily, I found this worked best for me for ADHD / lifting mood / working on my ego (the biggest benefit) but none of this works on its own, it just lifts the ego to the point that you can go back and look at those belief systems you have and ask yourself can you maybe see things another way. Overall with mushrooms, surfing and mindfulness I am a 180 degree different person than who I was. It works, and I did all my work through my psychiatrist as we worked out doses and what medication we can remove to get me to where I am.