Sense and Sensitivity

Sense and Sensitivity

By Shannon Pereira

Every body is different. And no one knows how it feels to be at optimum wellness in your body better than you! Assuring your microdose is working its best for you means getting to know the range of factors that contribute to individual sensitivity, tolerance, and your body’s interpretation of the medicine.

In one of his half a dozen books, “Psychedelics and the Human Rebirth of Spirit: Clinical Applications and Psychological Effects,” Clinical Associate Professor of Psychiatry at the University of New Mexico School of Medicine, Dr. Rick Strassman, writes of the various factors that can affect an individual’s psychedelic experience.

Throughout the relatively short amount of time spent researching our age old entheogenic teachers, both in macro and microdosing, it’s abundantly clear that there are multiple factors influencing our psilocybin experiences and outcomes.  

While having the same serving size can have very adverse effects on two similarly seeming people, it’s not just the obvious size, muscle mass or gender. Likewise, just because you have a high tolerance to a substance like alcohol or marijuana, does not mean that you will have a high tolerance for psilocybin and other psychedelics.

Here’s a list describing some of the varying factors that contribute to our adverse sensitivities and interpretations:

• Genetic Factors: Genetic variations, especially in the 5-HT2A receptor gene, can influence how individuals metabolize psilocybin, affecting their sensitivity to microdosing.
• Set and Setting: An individual’s mindset and environment play crucial roles in their sensitivity to psilocybin, significantly impacting the microdosing experience.
• Metabolic Rate: Differences in liver enzyme activity, particularly CYP2D6, can alter the rate at which psilocybin is metabolized into its active form, psilocin, leading to varying sensitivities.
• Previous Psychedelic Use: Individuals with prior experience with psychedelics may have different sensitivities due to potential tolerance or familiarity with the effects. This can mean you can be MORE or LESS sensitive to psilocybin.
• Neuroplasticity: Psilocybin’s effects on neuroplasticity can vary, with some individuals experiencing enhanced cognitive flexibility and creativity more than others.
• Mental Health Conditions: People with certain mental health conditions, like depression or anxiety, might be more sensitive to the effects of microdosing, sometimes experiencing more significant therapeutic benefits.
• Body Weight and Composition: Heavier individuals or those with more body fat may require slightly higher doses to achieve similar effects compared to lighter individuals.
• Age: Sensitivity to psilocybin can change with age, with younger individuals often experiencing stronger effects due to more active brain chemistry.

Diet: Dietary factors, such as the consumption of fatty foods, can influence psilocybin absorption and metabolism, affecting its efficacy and sensitivity. (Dosing in a fasted state means a much higher absorption rate and stronger experience in the same individual than dosing on a full stomach).

Hormonal Fluctuations: Hormonal changes, particularly in women, can influence sensitivity to psilocybin, potentially affecting the microdosing experience at various times of the menstrual cycle.

Sleep Patterns: Quality and quantity of sleep can impact an individual’s sensitivity to psilocybin, as rested brains may respond differently compared to sleep-deprived ones.

Baseline Mood: A person’s baseline mood and emotional state can significantly affect their sensitivity and overall response to psilocybin microdosing.

Tolerance Development: Regular microdosing can lead to the development of tolerance, requiring higher doses over time to achieve the same effects. That’s why known protocols advise days off to allow for a baseline regulation.

Psychological Expectations / Cognitive Bias: Psychological expectations can influence perceived sensitivity, with individuals often experiencing effects based on their beliefs about microdosing. Pre-existing cognitive biases can influence how individuals perceive the effects of microdosing, which can affect their sensitivity and reported outcomes.

Cultural Background: Cultural attitudes towards psychedelics can shape an individual’s sensitivity and response to microdosing through the lens of societal acceptance or stigma.

Mindfulness Practices: Individuals who engage in mindfulness or meditation practices may experience heightened sensitivity to the subtle effects of microdosing due to increased self-awareness.

For more immediate information and a comprehensive guide, you can also check out our MindfulMeds Microdosing Guide if you haven’t already or are looking for a refresher!

Until Next Time,

Mush Love

Shannon