Psilocybin, a psychoactive compound present in magic mushrooms, is commonly used for recreational purposes to induce feelings of euphoria and hallucinations.
Beyond its mind-altering properties, psilocybin’s potential benefits for alleviating chronic pain have been the subject of scientific investigation.
This article features a case study that delves into the potential use of microdosing mushrooms for chronic pain management.
Key Takeaways:
- Pain relief, both immediate and long-term, could be potentially achieved through microdosing mushrooms.
- In comparison to traditional pain medications, microdosing psilocybin generally exhibits fewer side effects when administered in controlled, small dosages.
- Psilocybin interacts with serotonin 2A (5-HT2A) receptors, contributing to pain alleviation, among other effects.
The Study
Dr. Matthew Lyes and his team from the Division of Pain Medicine in the Department of Anesthesiology at the University of California, San Diego, carried out a study named “Microdosing Psilocybin for Chronic Pain: A Case Series“. The research centered on three patients who self-administered minimal psilocybin doses to cope with their chronic pain symptoms.
Three Patients, One Shared Experience – Relief from Chronic Pain
Patient # 1
| AGE/ GENDER: | 37 Male |
| PAIN TYPE: | Neuropathic pain occurring beneath the site of a spinal cord injury. |
| PAIN INTENSITY: | Initially fluctuating between 4 and 5/ 10, increasing to 8/ 10 later in the day |
| PSILOCYBIN DOSAGE: | 250 mg of pulverized mushroom administered for less than 6 months |
| OUTCOME: | Discontinuation of prescribed pain medication, decrease in muscle spasms, and improvement in bowel function. There were no signs of rebound pain or withdrawal symptoms. |
| The patient reported that psilocybin effectively eliminated the pain, rather than merely dulling it like his regular medications did, thereby reducing his average pain level from 5 to | |
Case Study: Second Patient
| AGE/ GENDER: | 69-year-old Female |
| TYPE OF PAIN: | Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) |
| PAIN INTENSITY: | Usually between 5 to 7 out of 10, but increases with physical activity and during pain flare-ups |
| PSILOCYBIN DOSAGE: | Daily consumption of 500 mg for 7 to 10 days with intermittent rest periods (2 to 3 days) for a year. Dosage increases to 750 mg to 1 gram during pain flare-ups |
| RESULT: | Pain reduces by 80% for 3-4 hours, slowly returning to initial levels after 12 hours. Complete pain relief (90%-100%) lasts for 6-8 hours, returning to initial levels after 18 hours. |
| The patient notes a decrease in appetite without accompanying nausea. Disorientation or instability in walking is observed when the dosage is augmented (750 to 1000mg). | |
Case Study: Third Patient
| AGE/ GENDER: | 40-year-old Female |
| TYPE OF PAIN: | Lumbar radiculopathy and neuropathic pain |
| PAIN INTENSITY: | 8 out of 10, increases to 10 out of 10 during physical activity |
| PSILOCYBIN DOSAGE: | 1000 mg from a mushroom chocolate bar, taken every two months. |
| RESULT: | Significant relief from pain without any psychoactive effects. Increased enhancement in flexibility and functionality. Pain slowly returns to initial levels over a period of 2-4 weeks. Successive dosing improves control over pain. |
| The patient does not experience any noticeable adverse physical, cognitive, or behavioural effects. Her mood remains mostly stable. She continues her regular dosage of her SSRI for managing depression throughout the psilocybin treatment period. | |
The Role of Psilocybin in Pain Management
Continuous somatic and visceral pain signals strengthen certain neural pathways due to peripheral and central sensitization, resulting in the prolonged experience of pain, both physically and emotionally. Psychedelics such as psilocybin stimulate 5-HT2A receptors, potentially resetting the brain regions associated with neuropathic conditions.
A patient reported experiencing pain relief for several weeks. This suggests that the direct stimulation of the 5-HT2A receptors can potentially lead to a central regulation of pain perception and adaptability of synapses.
Possible Side Effects of Psilocybin vs. Traditional Pain Relievers
| PSILOCYBIN (Based on Studies) | TRADITIONAL PAIN RELIEVERS |
| Muscle spasms | Nausea |
| Decreased appetite | Stomach discomfort |
| Confusion | Headaches |
| Unsteady gait | Dependency |
| No mood changes | Drowsiness |
Potential Areas for Future Psilocybin Research
After analyzing the experiences of three individuals, the research team identified certain areas that merit further investigation due to their potential benefits.
- Small doses of psilocybin could provide immediate and potentially lasting relief from neuropathic pain, without causing physical tolerance or addiction.
- Explore the impacts of using various treatment methods in conjunction with psilocybin. For example, patient #3 noticed improved pain relief when psilocybin was combined with physical therapy.
- Even without psychotherapy, small doses of psilocybin may alleviate pain, as demonstrated in this case study. The researchers propose that incorporating therapeutic guidance might enhance or prolong the therapeutic effects.
Study Limitations
Despite the encouraging findings in the patients, it’s important to acknowledge the limitations identified in the study.
- The small sample size may not accurately portray the broader population of individuals with neuropathic pain.
- The study did not involve any participants who did not respond to psilocybin.
- No assessments were conducted before and after treatment to determine the impact of psilocybin on psychiatric conditions such as depression and anxiety.
- Most of the data was self-reported by the participants.
- The presence of the interviewer and potential biases related to psilocybin could have influenced the participants’ responses.
- The study did not examine the effect of the placebo.
- The study did not measure the concentration of psilocybin in each mushroom.
Utilizing Mushrooms for Microdosing
During the study, Patients #1 and #2 consumed a small dose of psilocybin, obtained from dried mushrooms in powder form, whereas patient #3 combined it with chocolate. There are many products specifically designed for psilocybin microdosing and we have gathered a few for your reference below.
Dehydrated Mushrooms
While the study did not mention the exact strain used, the strain listed below serves as a good introduction for newcomers.
- Golden Teacher: This strain is one of the most prevalent and widely recognized types of magic mushrooms.
- Amazonian Cubensis: This strain is known for its user-friendly nature and potential cognitive advantages.
- Cambodian: Microdosing with Cambodian cubensis mushrooms may improve focus, social awareness, and mood.
Microdose Capsule Options
- Euphoria Psychedelics – Micro Calm Capsules: The combination of Ashwagandha, Reishi, CBD, Valerian root, and Psilocybin Mushrooms in this blend is scientifically shown to lessen anxiety and stress.
- Ground Sounds – Microdose Capsules – Champion Lover: This intriguing blend provides three dosage choices: 50mg, 100mg, or 250mg of pure psilocybin along with reishi, cacao, cordyceps, and maca.
- Kind Stranger – Brighten Capsules 250mg: These capsules include the Golden Teacher strain, which is known to enhance clarity, boost creativity, and increase focus.
Psilocybin for Pain Relief
Although research into the analgesic effects of mushrooms is still in its infancy, anecdotal reports and small-scale case studies are offering promising results.
Such instances underscore the importance of continued research into the potential health benefits of psilocybin, class=”wp-block-list”>
What can be expected during the microdosing process?
Microdosing typically doesn’t lead to hallucinations. Instead, users often report subtle changes in perception, mood, and thought patterns.
What is the suggested frequency for microdosing?
Generally, it’s recommended to microdose every three days to prevent tolerance buildup and maintain effectiveness.
Remember to take breaks after every few weeks to assess how the process is impacting you, and to avoid potential long-term side effects.
How often should microdoses of mushrooms be consumed?
There are several recognized protocols that propose structured microdosing schedules for psychedelics. The main difference between these protocols is the number of “off” days they incorporate, which are the days you abstain from microdosing.
The most frequently recommended protocols advise including 1-3 rest days between microdoses. This aligns with the body’s natural tolerance mechanisms. In this context, the three protocols being discussed are the Fadiman Protocol, the Stamets Stack, and intuitive microdosing.
