Microdosing has become increasingly popular over the last decade. A microdosing regimen typically entails the ingestion of a psychedelic substance at a sub-hallucinogenic dose, usually 5–10% of a standard dose. Psilocybin and lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) are the most common psychedelics used for microdosing and users commonly follow the Fadiman protocol, which suggests that one should dose every third day to achieve optimal effects (Fadiman, 2011; Hutten et al., 2019). Anecdotal reports and observational studies suggest that microdosing can have antidepressant and anxiolytic effects (Anderson et al., 2019; Cameron et al., 2020; Fadiman and Korb, 2019; Johnstad, 2018; Kaertner et al., 2021; Lea et al., 2020; Petranker et al., 2020; Polito and Stevenson, 2019; Webb et al., 2019). Users with mental health conditions, such as anxiety and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), report microdosing as a form of self-medication (Hutten et al., 2019; Johnstad, 2018).
However, the available evidence regarding the efficacy of Microdosing Psilocybin for mental health remains inconsistent. Three of the four existing experimental studies on humans found no evidence for the alleged antidepressant and anxiolytic effects (Bershad et al., 2019; Family et al., 2020; Szigeti et al., 2021). The fourth, Hutten et al. (2020), found that 20 μg LSD increased positive mood but also anxiety. These inconsistencies may well be related to differences in study designs. The observational studies investigated the effects of microdosing longitudinally, either by gathering cross-sectional data from a subpopulation of individuals who regularly practice microdosing, or via prospective observational design that gathered data from before, during, and after a predetermined microdosing period (Bornemann, 2020). These studies did not control for psychedelic substances or dosages. In contrast, three of the four experimental studies focused only on the effects of LSD microdosing compared with placebo and investigated the acute effect of varying doses (Bershad et al.: 6.5, 13 and 26 μg; Family et al.: 5, 10 and 20 μg; Hutten et al.: 5, 10 and 20 μg). Participants of the fourth self-blinded experimental study self-administered psychedelic microdoses of their choice (i.e. primarily LSD and psilocybin), over 4 weeks. The authors assessed both acute and post-acute effects and controlled for varying dose quantities (Szigeti et al., 2021). The two experimental studies investigating the effect of microdosing on rats also reveal mixed results. Horsley et al. (2018) found a modest anxiogenic effect in the elevated-plus maze when the rats were tested 48 h after the third microdose of both psilocin and ketamine. In contrast, Cameron et al. (2019) found no effects of a 2-month dimethyltryptamine (DMT) microdosing protocol on anxiety but did find reduced immobility in the forced swim paradigm, which is considered an antidepressant-like effect, and less freezing behaviour following fear extinction training, which may reflect enhanced fear extinction.
What is PTSD?
PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) is a mental health condition that some people develop after they experience or witness a traumatic event. The traumatic event may be life-threatening or pose a significant threat to your physical, emotional or spiritual well-being. PTSD affects people of all ages.
People with PTSD have intense and intrusive thoughts and feelings related to the experience that last long after the event. PTSD involves stress responses like:
Anxiety, depressed mood, or feelings of guilt or shame.
Having flashbacks or nightmares.
Avoiding situations, places and activities related to the traumatic event.
These symptoms cause distress and interfere with your daily functioning.
What is a traumatic event?
Trauma or a traumatic event is anything that severely threatens your existence or sense of safety. It doesn’t have to be a single event (like a car accident) — it can be long-term trauma like living through war or frequent abuse. Trauma also doesn’t have to happen directly to you — you could witness a traumatic event. In addition, you could develop PTSD after learning that a traumatic event happened to a loved one.
Examples of traumatic events include (but aren’t limited to):
Serious accidents, like a car accident.
Severe injury or sudden illness.
War and military combat.
Natural disasters, such as a tornado, earthquake, fire or flood.
Physical abuse.
Verbal abuse.
Sexual assault or abuse.
Bullying.
The sudden death of a loved one.
ptsd treatment
Psychotherapy (talk therapy) is the main treatment for PTSD, especially forms of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT).
This therapy takes place with a trained, licensed mental health professional, such as a psychologist or psychiatrist. They can provide support, education and guidance to you and/or your loved ones to help you function better and increase your well-being.
Psychedelic Mushroom and psilocin
"Magic mushrooms" are mushrooms that contain hallucinogens - usually psilocybin and psilocin. Taking magic mushrooms may cause you to see, hear or feel things that are not there, or to experience anxiety, fear, nausea and muscle twitches accompanied by increased heart rate and blood pressure. In some cases, the consumption of magic mushrooms can lead to "bad trips" or "flashbacks".
About magic mushrooms
Magic mushrooms have been used for thousands of years. There are over 200 species of magic mushrooms. Since many species look alike, it can be hard to tell the different species of mushrooms apart. It is possible for people to consume poisonous mushrooms, mistaking them for magic mushrooms.
What Are the Types of Lung Cancer?
There are two main types of lung cancer: small cell lung cancer (SCLC) and non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). A third less common type of lung cancer is called carcinoid.
Small Cell Lung Cancer (SCLC)
There are two different types of small cell lung cancer: small cell carcinoma and mixed small cell/large cell cancer or combined small cell lung cancer. The types of small cell lung cancer are named for the kinds of cells found in the cancer and how the cells look when viewed under a microscope. Small cell lung cancer is almost always associated with cigarette smoking. Small cell lung cancer is usually treated with chemotherapy.
Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC)
Non-small cell lung cancer is more common. It makes up about 80 percent of lung cancer cases. This type of cancer usually grows and spreads to other parts of the body more slowly than small cell lung cancer does. There are three different types of non-small cell lung cancer:
1. Adenocarcinoma: A form of non-small cell lung cancer often found in an outer area of the lung. It develops in the cells of epithelial tissues, which line the cavities and surfaces of the body and form glands.
2. Squamous cell carcinoma: A form of non-small cell lung cancer usually found in the center of the lung next to an air tube (bronchus).
3. Large cell carcinoma: A form of non-small cell lung cancer that can occur in any part of the lung and tends to grow and spread faster than adenocarcinoma or squamous cell carcinoma.
The above subtypes are the most common, but when your lung cancer tumor is looked at under a microscope, it might reveal even more specific information about the subtype. Work with your doctor to understand exactly which type of lung cancer you have and what it means for your treatment options.