Welcome back to our two-part series on The Science Behind Psilocybin! If you missed Part 1, we explored the mechanisms of psilocybin, its interaction with serotonin receptors, and its incredible role in promoting neuroplasticity.
You can catch up on all the foundational science by reading Part 1 here.
Now, in Part 2, we’ll take a closer look at the different approaches to psilocybin therapy – specifically, microdosing versus macrodosing – and how these methods can be integrated with herbal medicine for holistic healing. Let’s dive into how psilocybin can support emotional, mental, and spiritual wellness alongside traditional herbs.
Microdosing vs. Macrodosing: Understanding the Differences in Actions and Treatment
When it comes to psilocybin therapy, there are two primary approaches: microdosing and macrodosing. Each serves different purposes and can be integrated with herbal medicine in distinct ways. Understanding the differences between these two dosing strategies is crucial for herbalists looking to guide clients through safe and effective use of psilocybin.
Microdosing: Subtle Shifts and Everyday Integration
Microdosing refers to the practice of taking sub-perceptual doses of psilocybin—usually around 1/10th to 1/20th of a typical macrodose. At this level, users do not experience the intense visual or emotional effects typically associated with a full psilocybin journey. Instead, they may notice subtle improvements in mood, focus, creativity, and emotional resilience over time.
Actions of Microdosing:
- Neuroplasticity and Cognitive Flexibility: Microdosing psilocybin has been shown to stimulate neuroplasticity without the profound disconnection from reality seen in larger doses. This makes microdosing particularly useful for those looking to subtly shift entrenched thought patterns and behaviours while maintaining daily functionality.
- Mood Enhancement and Emotional Resilience: Many microdosers report increased emotional stability, reduced anxiety, and heightened feelings of well-being. This can make microdosing an appealing adjunct to herbs such as Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis) or Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera), which are also used to reduce anxiety and promote emotional balance.
- Focus and Creativity: Microdosing is often used by individuals looking to enhance their creative processes and maintain focus. This is an area where herbs like Bacopa (Bacopa monnieri) and Ginkgo biloba, traditionally used to improve cognitive function, could be synergistic, supporting cognitive clarity alongside low-dose psilocybin.
Treatment Considerations for Microdosing:
- Long-term Use: Microdosing protocols often involve taking psilocybin every few days over an extended period. Herbalists should monitor the client for signs of tolerance or overstimulation, and consider rotating complementary herbs that support cognitive health, such as Lion’s Mane (Hericium erinaceus) and Gotu Kola (Centella asiatica).
- Integration with Herbs: Because microdosing doesn’t cause the intense effects of a full trip, clients may benefit from combining it with daily herbal remedies for mood, focus, or stress relief. For example, adaptogens like Rhodiola (Rhodiola rosea) or Eleuthero (Eleutherococcus senticosus) could enhance resilience during microdosing regimens.
Macrodosing: Profound Healing Through Immersive Experience
On the other hand, macrodosing refers to taking a full, perceptual dose of psilocybin – typically ranging from 2-5 grams of dried mushrooms. Macrodosing is characterized by intense experiences, often including visual distortions, altered perceptions, emotional catharsis, and deep introspective journeys.
Actions of Macrodosing:
- Ego Dissolution and Emotional Release: Macrodosing can lead to profound shifts in consciousness, including ego dissolution, a temporary experience where the boundaries between self and the outside world blur. This state can facilitate deep emotional release, making macrodosing potentially transformative for those dealing with trauma, depression, or other deeply rooted emotional issues.
- Resetting the Default Mode Network (DMN): As mentioned earlier, macrodosing can temporarily deactivate the brain’s Default Mode Network, helping to break the cycle of overthinking and depressive patterns. After a macrodose, clients often describe a feeling of mental clarity and emotional lightness, as though they’ve “reset” their brain.
- Spiritual and Mystical Experiences: Larger doses of psilocybin are known for inducing mystical experiences—feelings of interconnectedness, unity, and a sense of oneness with the universe. These experiences can have long-lasting positive effects on mental health, similar to what traditional plant ceremonies with entheogens aim to achieve.
Treatment Considerations for Macrodosing:
- Preparation and Integration: Macrodosing requires careful preparation and integration. The set and setting (the mindset of the individual and the physical environment in which the experience takes place) are critical. Herbalists can assist clients in preparing emotionally and mentally by using calming or grounding herbs like Skullcap (Scutellaria lateriflora) and Passionflower (Passiflora incarnata).
- Post-Journey Support: The intense nature of macrodosing often requires a period of integration afterward, where the client processes the experience and incorporates insights into daily life. Herbalists can recommend nervines like Chamomile (Matricaria recutita) or Tulsi (Ocimum sanctum) to calm the nervous system, or adaptogens like Reishi (Ganoderma .spp) to help with stress and emotional balance post-journey.
- Therapeutic Intensity: Because of the intensity of macrodosing, it’s often used for addressing serious mental health issues like treatment-resistant depression, PTSD, or end-of-life anxiety. Herbalists may work in tandem with a licensed therapist or guide to ensure that clients have the necessary support during and after their journey.
Microdosing vs. Macrodosing: When to Use Each Approach
Microdosing is ideal for individuals looking for subtle, long-term improvements in mood, cognition, and emotional resilience without interrupting their daily activities. It’s best for those who are already stable but want to enhance their well-being or address mild anxiety or depression.
Macrodosing, on the other hand, is better suited for individuals who are seeking deep emotional or psychological healing and are prepared for an immersive, potentially life-altering experience. It’s more appropriate for addressing severe mental health concerns or when profound insights and transformation are needed.
Integrating Herbal Medicine with Micro- and Macrodosing
For both microdosing and macrodosing, herbalists can offer tremendous support in the preparation, experience and integration stages of psilocybin therapy. Here are some herbal allies to consider:
Microdosing: Pair psilocybin with adaptogens like Rhodiola or Ashwagandha to enhance resilience and focus or with nervines like Lemon Balm or Skullcap for emotional balance.
Macrodosing: Use grounding herbs like Valerian (Valeriana officinalis) or Passionflower during preparation. Post-journey, support integration with Reishi, Tulsi, and Chamomile to restore balance and soothe the nervous system.
By understanding the differences between microdosing and macrodosing, herbalists can guide clients toward the approach that best suits their therapeutic goals, while also offering holistic support through the use of herbal medicine.
Safety Considerations for Herbalists
As herbalists, safety is always a priority. While psilocybin is considered physiologically safe and non-addictive, there are important considerations for those looking to integrate it into therapeutic practice. The set and setting of psilocybin use are crucial; ensuring the user is in a safe, supportive environment is essential to prevent negative or overwhelming experiences.
Additionally, psilocybin may not be suitable for everyone. People with a history of schizophrenia or other severe psychiatric disorders may be at risk of adverse effects. Herbalists should also be mindful of potential interactions between psilocybin and other serotonin-modulating herbs or medications. For instance, combining psilocybin with SSRIs or strong serotonin-boosting herbs could theoretically lead to serotonin syndrome, a rare but serious condition.
Integrating Psilocybin with Herbal Medicine: A Holistic Approach
The beauty of herbalism lies in its ability to treat the whole person—body, mind, and spirit. Psilocybin, with its capacity to facilitate deep emotional and psychological healing, fits naturally within this paradigm. As research into psilocybin’s therapeutic potential continues to grow, herbalists are uniquely positioned to bridge ancient wisdom with modern science.
Whether supporting integration after a psilocybin journey with adaptogens like Reishi or using nervines like Lemon Balm to soothe the nervous system post-session, the possibilities are vast. Psilocybin offers a new frontier in plant-based medicine, and with careful consideration and respect for both tradition and science, it can become a valuable ally in the herbalist’s toolkit.
Psilocybin holds immense promise as a therapeutic agent, offering profound effects on mental health and emotional well-being. For herbalists and students of herbal medicine, understanding the science behind psilocybin is crucial as we explore how this ancient fungus can complement the healing properties of other herbs. By deepening our knowledge of its mechanisms of action, neuroplastic effects, and potential for emotional healing, we can harness psilocybin’s full potential in a safe and integrated manner.
As we look to the future, the integration of psilocybin and herbal medicine offers exciting new opportunities for holistic health and wellness, creating a synergy that honours both tradition and innovation.
If you haven’t yet read Part 1, where we covered the foundational science behind psilocybin and its effects on the brain, you can check it out here.