Tag: Psilocybin

In 2019, an estimated 5.5 million or more people in the U.S. reported using hallucinogens [1.3.1]. A drug that alters perception, also known as a hallucinogen, is a substance that changes a person's thoughts, feelings, and perception of reality [1.2.2, 1.2.3].

Based on anecdotal evidence and preliminary research, a microdose is typically defined as a sub-perceptual quantity, falling below the threshold for noticeable changes. This practice, particularly with psychedelics, raises a fundamental pharmacological question: What is the size of a microdose and how does this sub-perceptual quantity affect the body and mind?

Surveys show that as of 2021, approximately 9% of people who have used recreational drugs have tried DMT [1.7.1]. But for those unfamiliar, **what does DMT compare to?** This powerful psychedelic is often mentioned alongside substances like psilocybin and LSD, but it possesses a unique profile.

Tryptamine derivatives are a class of compounds chemically related to the monoamine alkaloid tryptamine, and they often act as agonists at serotonin receptors. Among the most well-known is DMT, but this raises the question: what is the closest drug to DMT in terms of chemical structure and effect?

According to a June 2024 RAND Corporation report, psilocybin mushrooms are the psychedelic substance most often used in the United States, with approximately 8 million American adults using the substance in 2023. This shift in usage patterns raises important questions about what is the most common psychedelic drug and how modern research and changing policies are affecting drug trends.

With approximately 30% of patients with Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) suffering from treatment-resistant depression, the search for better options is constant [1.8.1, 1.8.5]. While there's no single answer to 'What is the new miracle antidepressant?', recent breakthroughs offer rapid relief and novel mechanisms.

A 1995 study by Rick Strassman involving volunteers injected with DMT highlighted the potential for encounters with perceived alien entities, contributing to its reputation for inducing powerful, otherworldly experiences. This reputation often leads to the question, **Is DMT one of the strongest psychedelics?**.

According to a recent study published in *Nature*, psychedelic microdosing has become increasingly popular, with many reporting significant improvements to their mental well-being despite limited clinical data. The practice of regularly taking tiny, sub-perceptual doses of psychedelic substances is a growing trend that has captured the public's attention.

According to a 2023 report, half of the 8 million people in the United States who had used psilocybin reported that their last use was a microdose. This practice, which involves consuming a sub-perceptual amount of a substance, raises the important question of how many grams is good for microdosing to achieve desired effects while avoiding a full psychedelic experience.

In a 2021 study, two-thirds of participants rated a psilocybin experience as among the top five most spiritually significant of their lives [1.10.4]. The term for substances used in this context is entheogenic drug, a class of psychoactive compounds used for spiritual or religious purposes [1.2.1, 1.2.4].