Canada, some U.S. states and Australia – in these countries the therapeutic use of psilocybin is already permitted under strict medical supervision. Clinical protocols are being tested mainly for conditions such as anxiety disorders, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). At the same time, more and more people are also interested in microdosing, i.e. taking very small, non-hallucinogenic amounts of psilocybin to support everyday functioning.
photo by Freepik
Microdosing – what is it?
Microdosing (micro-dosing) is a form of taking a psychedelic substance at about 1/10 of the standard recreational dose. In practice, it allows the body and mind to function without hallucinogenic sensations and without distortions that could disrupt daily life. Properly conducted microdosing may support many positive psychosomatic changes in our organism.
The most frequently reported benefits of microdosing include: overall well-being, improved mood, better memory, increased productivity and greater emotional resilience. These effects are associated with the impact of psychedelic substances (mainly psilocybin mushrooms and LSD) on neuroplasticity and the formation of new connections between neurons. If you want to learn more about methods, schedules and forms of microdosing, see this link.
What are anxiety disorders?
Anxiety is a natural emotional state that appears in stressful or threatening situations. In anxiety disorders, this response becomes chronic, disproportionate and very difficult to control. For about 4% of the general population, anxiety takes a much more intense form and lasts much longer than it should, significantly reducing quality of life.
People suffering from anxiety disorders experience constant tension, worrying thoughts and a sense of danger that often has no real basis in the present moment. These symptoms can paralyse everyday functioning, lead to withdrawal from social life and become a gateway to depression and loneliness. Anxiety disorders – often colloquially called “neuroses” – are among the most common mental health conditions in the world and can affect adults and children regardless of gender.
Types of anxiety disorders
Anxiety disorders come in many forms and often appear in groups. What they have in common is a long-lasting state of emotional tension and a feeling of constant anxiety that is very difficult to control with “common sense” arguments.
Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD)
Generalized anxiety disorder refers to persistent, recurring thoughts about potential misfortunes that may happen. It is a daily worrying about things that often do not even have a real chance of occurring. Typical symptoms include restlessness, excessive concern about loved ones, sleep disturbances, muscle tension and psychosomatic ailments such as accelerated heartbeat, stomach problems or what is commonly known as “gastric neurosis”.
Panic anxiety disorder
Panic anxiety disorder manifests primarily as sudden panic attacks. They can arise in response to stress, but also “out of the blue”. Symptoms are palpitations, shortness of breath, chest tightness and dizziness – patients often feel as if they are having a heart attack. The fear of another attack can itself become a strong source of anxiety.
Phobias
Phobias are anxiety disorders built around irrational fear of specific situations, people, animals or phenomena. Social phobia is the fear of contact with other people and situations that may lead to embarrassment or humiliation. Triggers include public speaking, conversations, eating in public and many everyday interactions.
People with social phobia experience paralysing fear, blushing, sweating, stomach upset, heart palpitations and muscle tension. The intensity of these symptoms goes far beyond “ordinary shyness”. Over time, discomfort leads to avoiding social situations, limiting relationships and deep psychological suffering.
A specific phobia, on the other hand, does not concern other people, but a particular situation or object – for example fear of storms, the smell of flowers, fear of blood or pain, fear of heights, claustrophobia, fear of the number 13 and many more.
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
Obsessive-compulsive disorder combines anxiety with attempts to neutralise it through rituals. The person fears a certain situation or stimulus and tries to minimise the risk of “dangerous consequences” by compulsive actions – for example, fear of viruses and bacteria leads to compulsive cleaning and hygiene rituals.
Obsessive thoughts and compulsions consume a lot of time and are meant to give a sense of control and safety, but in practice they rarely bring lasting relief. Perfectionism and a constant sense of “not having done enough” keep the patient in chronic tension. People with OCD often repeat specific actions or words: frequent hand-washing, checking, arranging objects, praying, counting or saying particular phrases.
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
Post-traumatic stress disorder occurs as a consequence of traumatic experiences such as disasters, wars, accidents, assaults or long-term physical or psychological violence. Symptoms include nightmares, sleep problems, intrusive memories, flashbacks, a constant sense of danger, irritability and avoidance of people, places or situations that resemble the trauma.
Treatment of anxiety disorders
Treatment of anxiety disorders is always tailored to the individual patient. Mild forms can be supported by lifestyle changes – regular exercise, contact with nature, limiting stimulants, as well as relaxation practices such as meditation, breathwork or yoga. These methods do not replace therapy, but can significantly support the nervous system.
If the disorder lasts too long and causes strong discomfort, the next step is psychological or psychiatric help. Evidence-based methods such as cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) or trauma-focused therapies are most often recommended. When symptoms are severe, pharmacotherapy is introduced: antidepressants (because anxiety is often linked to depression) or benzodiazepines, which are used only short-term due to the risk of addiction. More about treatment of anxiety disorders can be found here: link.
Natural support for anxiety disorders – is microdosing a form of “medicine”?
With the significant rise in popularity of psychedelics over the past decade, especially psilocybin mushrooms, it has been observed that these substances may beneficially affect mental and emotional states in people affected by various disorders. Important: this does not mean that psychedelics are a magical cure, but rather a potential tool that still requires careful research and a therapeutic context.
Users report improved quality of life, fewer anxiety attacks, more emotional openness and a greater sense of inner calm – which has attracted the attention of researchers. Studies from the 1960s were revisited, and experimentation with psychoactive substances in a therapeutic framework resumed. One example is the work of Stanislav Grof, who treated severe psychiatric cases with LSD with very interesting results.
At the same time, the growing number of patients requiring psychological help and the classification of depression as a disease of civilisation have contributed to the search for new, more effective forms of treatment.
Microdosing as a form of support in anxiety disorders? The “dark ages” were interrupted and research on psilocybin contained in magic mushrooms resumed. Several recent studies, such as a paper from 2023, suggest that microdosing psilocybin can have promising effects in people with anxiety. Participants reported improved quality of life, reduced anxiety, increased self-confidence and a more stable mood.
So, can microdosing be a form of treatment for anxiety disorders?
At the moment, there are still too few high-quality studies to say with certainty that psilocybin is completely safe and effective for everyone. However, interest in this substance is so high that more and more research centres around the world are starting to test psychedelics (including psilocybin and LSD) in controlled conditions.
Conducting this type of research is not easy due to current legal regulations, which still classify psilocybin as a drug on par with heroin – even though physical dependence on psilocybin is practically not observed. This disconnect between law and scientific data is slowly being questioned in many countries.
It is worth remembering that healing with psilocybin mushrooms has been known for thousands of years and has long been part of spiritual and healing rituals in many cultures. Modern Indigenous communities also continue these traditions. Today, the social movement and people’s desire to treat themselves with natural, evidence-based methods are beginning to push institutions towards change. Some countries are cautiously opening up to alternative therapies – which for many patients may become a real hope when standard treatments fail.
The content on the psychodelicroom.pl website is educational, research-based, and expresses many opinions that should be treated with caution. We advise against using any substances that affect consciousness, as all of these substances can both heal and be very harmful. In particular, we advise against cultivating mushrooms from growkits in countries where it is illegal – including Poland – because it involves criminal liability. We recommend that you dispose of the growkits purchased from us within 72 hours of receiving them.
Footnotes:
https://www.centrumdobrejterapii.pl/materialy/oswoic-lek-zaburzenia-lekowe-i-ich-leczenie/
https://psychomedic.pl/nerwica-czyli-co-zaburzenia-lekowe-i-ich-rodzaje/
https://psychedelic.support/resources/can-microdosing-relieve-anxiety-symptoms/
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