Psilocybin, a psychoactive compound found in magic mushrooms, is often utilized recreationally to induce euphoria and hallucinations. 

Beyond its mind-altering properties, research has also probed into psilocybin’s potential as an effective remedy for chronic pain. 

This article delves into a case study that investigates the potential of microdosing mushrooms as a method to alleviate chronic pain.

Key Takeaways:

• Microdosing mushrooms may provide both immediate and sustained pain relief.
• Compared to traditional pain medications, microdosing psilocybin generally exhibits fewer side effects when used in minimal quantities.
• By interacting with the serotonin 2A (5-HT2A) receptors, psilocybin can potentially alleviate pain, among other conditions.

The Study

The research, “Microdosing Psilocybin for Chronic Pain: A Case Series“, was led 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. The study focused on three patients who self-administered small doses of psilocybin to cope with their chronic pain symptoms.

Three Patients, One Result – Chronic Pain Relief

Patient # 1

AGE/ GENDER:	37 Male
TYPE OF PAIN:	Neuropathic pain occurring below a spinal cord injury site.
PAIN LEVEL:	Initially ranged from 4 to 5/ 10, increasing to 8/ 10 as the day progressed
PSILOCYBIN DOSE:	250 mg of ground mushroom for less than 6 months
RESULT:	Discontinued prescribed pain medication, reduced muscle spasms, and improved bowel movement efficiency. No signs of rebound pain or withdrawal symptoms were observed.
The patient reported that while his regular medications only managed to dull the pain, psilocybin effectively eliminated it, reducing his average pain level from 5 to 0.

Case Study: Subject #2

AGE/ GENDER:	69-year-old Female
PAIN TYPE:	Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS)
PAIN INTENSITY:	Typically varies from 5 to 7 out of 10, but increases with activity and during pain flare-ups
PSILOCYBIN DOSAGE:	Regular daily dosage 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
EFFECT:	80% reduction in pain lasting for 3-4 hours, slowly 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 notes a decrease in appetite without nausea. Disorientation or instability in walking is observed when the dosage is increased (750 to 1000mg).

Case Study: Subject # 3

AGE/ GENDER:	40-year-old Female
PAIN TYPE:	Lumbar radiculopathy and neuropathic pain
PAIN INTENSITY:	8 out of 10, rising to 10 out of 10 during physical exertion
PSILOCYBIN DOSAGE:	1000 mg from a mushroom chocolate bar every two months.
EFFECT:	Significant pain relief without any psychoactive effects. Observed increase in flexibility and functionality. Pain slowly returns to initial levels over 2-4 weeks. Repeated dosing improves control over pain.
The patient reports no noticeable physical, cognitive, or behavioural side effects. Her mood is largely stable. She maintains her regular dosage of her SSRI for depression management throughout the psilocybin treatment period.

Understanding Pain Management through Psilocybin

Continuous signals of somatic and visceral pain strengthen specific neural pathways due to peripheral and central sensitization, leading to chronic physical and emotional pain. Psychedelics like psilocybin activate 5-HT2A receptors, potentially resetting the brain areas related to neuropathic conditions.

A patient reported long-lasting pain relief for several weeks. This suggests that after direct stimulation of the 5-HT2A receptors, there can be central regulation of pain perception and synaptic adaptability.

Potential Side Effects: Psilocybin Compared to Conventional Pain Relievers

PSILOCYBIN (Research-Based)	TRADITIONAL PAIN RELIEVERS
Muscle spasms	Nausea
Decreased appetite	Gastrointestinal discomfort
Confusion	Migraines
Unsteady gait	Dependency
No mood changes	Drowsiness

Potential Areas for Future Psilocybin Research

Upon examining the experiences of three individuals, the research team highlighted potential areas for further investigation due to their prospective benefits.

1. Small psilocybin doses could provide immediate and possibly enduring relief from neuropathic pain, without leading to physical tolerance or dependence.
2. Explore the outcomes of combining different treatment modalities with psilocybin. For example, patient #3 experienced an amplified pain-relief effect when psilocybin was combined with physical therapy.
3. Even without psychotherapy, small psilocybin doses might provide pain relief, as indicated by this case study. The researchers propose that incorporating therapeutic guidance could potentially enhance or extend the therapeutic effects.

Study Limitations

In spite of the encouraging observations from the patients, it’s important to acknowledge the study’s identified limitations.

• The small sample size might not fully represent the entire population with neuropathic pain.
• The study did not include any participants who failed to respond to psilocybin.
• There were no assessments conducted before and after treatment to measure the impact of psilocybin on psychiatric disorders such as depression and anxiety.
• Most of the data was self-reported by the participants.
• The interviewer’s presence and potential bias towards psilocybin could have influenced the participants’ responses.
• The study did not assess the potential influence of the placebo effect.
• The study did not ascertain the psilocybin quantity in each mushroom.

Experimenting with Microdosing Mushrooms

In this research, patients #1 and #2 consumed a microdose of psilocybin in powdered form obtained from dried mushrooms, whereas patient #3 combined it with chocolate. There are various products available for psilocybin microdosing, and we have collated a selection of them below.

Dehydrated Mushrooms

Even though the study didn’t reveal the strain utilized, the one listed below is an excellent choice for novices.

• Golden Teacher: This is one of the most prevalent and widely distributed strains of psychedelic mushrooms.
• Amazonian Cubensis: This strain is known for its user-friendly nature and potential cognitive enhancements.
• Cambodian: Microdosing with Cambodian cubensis mushrooms could boost focus, social awareness, and mood.

Microdosing Capsules

• Euphoria Psychedelics – Micro Calm Capsules: This concoction includes Ashwagandha, Reishi, CBD, Valerian root, and Psilocybin Mushrooms, all scientifically validated to alleviate anxiety and stress.
• Ground Sounds – Microdose Capsules – Champion Lover: This intriguing blend provides three dosage levels: 50mg, 100mg, or 250mg of pure psilocybin combined with reishi, cacao, cordyceps, and maca.
• Kind Stranger – Brighten Capsules 250mg: These capsules feature the Golden Teacher strain, recognized for promoting mental clarity, enhanced creativity, and increased focus.

Reduction of Pain using Psilocybin

Although scientific investigation into the pain-relief capabilities of mushrooms is still nascent, anecdotal reports and preliminary case studies are offering promising results.

Such instances underscore the necessity for additional exploration of the potential advantages of psilocybin, class=”wp-block-list”>

Ensure you’re in a relaxed, safe environment.

Be well-rested and have light meals throughout the day.

Particularly in the realm of chronic pain management.

Before the widespread acceptance of psilocybin as a pain relief, promising tales from case studies provide a beacon of hope for those enduring chronic pain.

Frequently Asked Questions

What effects does psilocybin microdosing produce?

Psilocybin primarily activates a serotonin receptor known as “5-HT2A” in the prefrontal cortex, leading to two main effects:

1. Generation of “Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor” (BDNF)
2. Enhanced “Glutamate” transmission

Besides, psychedelics stimulate connections between brain regions that don’t often interact. This distinctive connectivity is a result of psychedelics’ ability to dampen the “Default Mode Network” (DMN), which is involved in several cognitive functions, including daydreaming, self-reflection, and pondering about the past and future.

What is the most recognized benefit of microdosing mushrooms?

Microdosing may enhance mood, productivity, creativity, and concentration. Its most documented benefit is its influence on mental health.

In November 2022, COMPASS Pathways, a mental health company, disclosed the outcomes of their extensive phase 2b trial, a randomized and double-blind study. Their findings indicated that a single dose of psilocybin significantly reduced depressive symptoms compared to a placebo. Participants who received a higher dose of 25 milligrams showed a sustained antidepressant response at the twelve-week follow-up.

A study published in the Psychiatry Research Journal found that psilocybin is more effective than traditional antidepressant treatments.

How to determine your dosage?

Start with a 0.1-gram dose of psilocybin mushrooms on the first day. If the desired effects are not reached, you can incrementally raise your dose by 0.05 grams on subsequent microdosing days until you find your perfect dose.

Individuals with a history of psychotropic drug use may need to increase the dosage to 0.5 grams to attain the desired effects.

What steps should be taken before ingesting mushrooms?

1. Set aside time to understand why you’ve chosen to microdose on a particular day. 
2. Take a moment to reflect and connect with your current emotional and mental state. Identify the emotions or mindset that you believe will be beneficial for you throughout the day.
3. Once you have clearly defined your goals, write them down. Phrasing your objectives as affirmations can be a potent method to support your continuous growth.
4. Direct your focus towards the experience you want to have, rather than what you want to avoid. 
5. Consume it on an empty stomach, preferably an hour before your first meal of the day.

What is the suggested frequency for taking microdoses of mushrooms?

Several well-known protocols recommend structured schedules for microdosing psychedelics. The main difference between these protocols is the number of “off” days they include, which are the days you should not microdose. 

The most commonly suggested protocols recommend 1-3 rest days between microdoses. This aligns with the body’s natural tolerance mechanisms. The three protocols being discussed here are the Fadiman Protocol, the Stamets Stack, and intuitive microdosing.