The Shroom Thread

Paul Stamets (mushroom expert) said on the Joe Rogan podcast the other day that there's evidence from animal studies to show that the neurogenerative benefits of psilocybin are significantly increased when microdosing compared to when taking higher doses.

That's purely neurogenerative that I'm talking about, not the profound life changing or 'spiritual' healing effects where macrodosing obviously is in it's own league.
 
iamarzan said:
Not sure how I could prove this, but no. I realise using a brand new account to reach out here could be suspicious but my existing one is my name and I felt like using that would be not smart.
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My question was more of a joke. I dont know where to find a sitter as Im actually also looking for someone in Cape Town.

Regarding the shrooms, you can buy online from different people. I only know of king kushi who I find reliable but perhaps other members can also suggest a place to buy.

Just don't do shrooms when on SSRI's etc
 
iamarzan said:
I started doing therapy a few months ago to deal with some mild but very long standing depression. I don't feel like the talking is really getting anywhere and I am hesitant to use any medication other than SSRI's.

I've done a lot of reading up on the benefits of psilocybin and I think that this might be the right way to kickstart the healing process. What interests me most is doing deep trips in a guided group setting but I am struggling to to find any info or references to where I could do this (and probably for good reason).

Does anything like this exist, preferably not too far from Durbanville area.

Alternatively perhaps someone could hook me up with a few grams for me to try out some smaller doses on my own.
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People are floating around who do this - The issue is, of course, finding them, but also, that they will typically be a little bit esoteric for my tastes, personally. I've seen an invitation to bring 'crystals and shamanic regalia' to a session before. Anyway, each to their own, but I'm not keen on people putting the magic in magic mushrooms, psilocybin is quite capable of doing that on its own.

As for dealing with depression (and I am talking from vast personal experience here, although this is obviously both personal and anecdotal), mushrooms could certainly help, but it's a very different path compared to therapy and conventional medication. As you say, seeking a deep (dissolution of ego) trip in a guided setting, seems to be the way to treat depression, but I'd hazard a guess that this is no small undertaking, for both practical and psychological reasons.

+Threshold experiences (but under flying to the moon doses) are interesting, but typically more recreational than healing, in the context of something like depression, and also, if you have a propensity for anxiety, have the potential to be quite unpleasant (although it is said that even a bad experience will likely teach you something).

If I were you, I'd try micro-dosing, if you can find some mushrooms, as a start.

Also, a good book to read: How to Change Your Mind: What the New Science of Psychedelics Teaches Us About Consciousness, Dying, Addiction, Depression, and Transcendence.
 
iamarzan said:
...
I've done a lot of reading up on the benefits of psilocybin and I think that this might be the right way to kickstart the healing process. What interests me most is doing deep trips in a guided group setting but I am struggling to to find any info or references to where I could do this (and probably for good reason).

Does anything like this exist, preferably not too far from Durbanville area.
...
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They do exist, in fact I'm part of such a group. No I cant 'hook you up' and don't PM me asking for details though :p

But search around on Facebook, I think there's a 'plant medicine' group or some such.
 
Sensorei said:
Paul Stamets (mushroom expert) said on the Joe Rogan podcast the other day that there's evidence from animal studies to show that the neurogenerative benefits of psilocybin are significantly increased when microdosing compared to when taking higher doses.
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I haven't gone very deep down the rabbit hole, and I plan to do a lot more reading still, but what I've gathered is that a few larger quantities in the right setting can "reset" your brain for a short period (weeks to months) which then can then put you in the right frame of mind to address your issues or start making other changes. I've been listening to the Psychonauts podcast by Leonie Joubert and she done some fascinating stories and interviews that seem to support this.

I of course have no personal experience yet but worry that just microdosing on a daily basis is more of a crutch or patch to cover over deeper issues. I'm sure it is an invaluable tool for many people I just don't think it's right approach for me at this stage.

Always happy to be proved wrong though.
 
iamarzan said:
I've mostly just read that SSRI's can dampen the effect, but they do work on very similar pathways and its good to be careful, will definitely take a break from them if I try anything.
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People tend to mix up mushrooms and oral dmt when they give warnings about combining SSRIs with psychedelics. Oral doses of DMT require MAOIs to work. MAOIs combined with SSRIs can cause serotonin toxicity.

I took mushrooms many times while on SSRIs without negative affect - the only issue being that I need a higher dose to trip properly.

I don't think it's a great idea to just take random cold-turkey breaks from SSRIs if they're something you need. You can get pretty bad withdrawal if you don't taper the dose over a period of time.
 
iamarzan said:
what I've gathered is that a few larger quantities in the right setting can "reset" your brain for a short period (weeks to months) which then can then put you in the right frame of mind to address your issues or start making other changes.
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That was my experience when I did a 5 gram ceremony. During the journey I managed to deal with a lot of highly charged emotional issues from a new perspective, and I came out the other end with a brighter, lighter, happier view of life that lasted for months and months.
 
We had a guest speaker in our group last night. Guy was a mlungu sangoma.
He was telling us that when they do shrooms its 30-40g a time!!!!
 
iamarzan said:
I started doing therapy a few months ago to deal with some mild but very long standing depression. I don't feel like the talking is really getting anywhere and I am hesitant to use any medication other than SSRI's.

I've done a lot of reading up on the benefits of psilocybin and I think that this might be the right way to kickstart the healing process. What interests me most is doing deep trips in a guided group setting but I am struggling to to find any info or references to where I could do this (and probably for good reason).

Does anything like this exist, preferably not too far from Durbanville area.

Alternatively perhaps someone could hook me up with a few grams for me to try out some smaller doses on my own.
Click to expand...

A friend told me about some place in Joburg that does ceremonies like that. You take a dose of mushrooms and they watch you.

With that being said.... bear in mind that some of the benefits of mushrooms could be likened to accelerated therapy.

Let me explain. Mushrooms don't magically fix YOU. Mushrooms give you the tools to make changes to your life faster. Mushrooms give you that deep introspective state where issues you have long buried come to the surface, and you can deal with them. Or at least, realise that you have to deal with them.

Yes, they are to an extent happy pills. Because of the effects they have on your brain, they can make you feel better. But their best and longest lasting effects come from making you see yourself differently.

So, don't think that mushrooms are a magic bullet that will make your problems go away. They might just change your perspective on your problems. They also aren't the ONLY way to make a breakthrough - you can get there by therapy and meditation.

I think mushrooms have the potential for great benefit in dealing with personal issues, or encouraging personal growth, but you have to see them for what they are - a complement to what you are doing, not a replacement.

If your therapist just talks, then find a new one. Some are better than others. A lot depends upon the bond between you and your therapist.

You also have to "take the power back". Start being in charge of your own recovery. Start reading up about things you can do. Meditation is a big help, as is understanding of mental health and your own particular situation. Doing that work will make it possible for you to integrate what you learn by doing mushrooms.
 
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