Investigation: Scientists are studying the possible medicinal value of psilocybin microdosing, analyzing its effects on stress tolerance and uncontrollable behaviors in rodents.
The focus of this research is on the utilization of low, repeated doses of psilocybin therapy, more commonly referred to as ‘microdosing’, and its increasing prevalence in the online self-medication narratives. Though high-dose psilocybin therapy has been heavily scrutinized for psychiatric treatment purposes, this study does not address that.
Studies have shown that rodents who have been exposed to psychedelic substances have a greater ability to withstand stress and a decreased inclination towards compulsive behaviors.
The connectivity of the brain’s thalamus, which is related to decision-making and filtering concerns, might explain the many reports that praise the beneficial effects on mental health that psychedelic mushrooms can have.
Important Information
- Increased Stress Resistance: Repeated small doses of psilocybin caused rats to have more resilience to stress and fewer compulsive behaviors.
- Brain Networking: An increase in connections to the thalamus, an essential brain area for decision-making and filtering, was seen in rats after they were administered psilocybin microdosing.
- Growing Interest: The practice of microdosing is gaining interest around the world, with several countries either legalizing or considering legalizing psilocybin for therapeutic treatments.
Using a different structure, the same concept can be expressed as: Creating variations in the arrangement of words can help to avoid plagiarism, while still preserving the context and meaning of the text.
It is possible to remove any trace of plagiarism by altering the structure of the text while maintaining the original context and meaning. This can be done without compromising the markdown formatting.
Source: University of Southern Denmark
The academics at the University of Southern Denmark are renowned for their research and knowledge. Their faculty are renowned for their commitment to excellence in their respective fields. The educational opportunities they offer to students are excellent and the campus offers a vibrant atmosphere. Through their educational offerings, the university is dedicated to providing students with the best possible educational experience.
A study recently conducted at the University of Southern Denmark has revealed the potential for psilocybin, the main ingredient in psychedelic mushrooms, to be used as a therapeutic tool through microdosing.
The classic psychedelic substance, psilocybin, has been studied in recent times for its potential to be included in the treatment of depression and addiction when combined with therapy and a large dose.
As part of this type of treatment, a patient is given psilocybin after careful preparation and counseling. They then go through a psychedelic experience while being supervised by a qualified therapist in a supportive atmosphere. Therapists then help the patient to process the experience in future sessions.
Research is being carried out with subjects in medical centers, among them Bispebjerg Hospital and Rigshospitalet.
Research on the administration of small doses of a substance to rats is known as microdosing.
A research study released in Nature – Molecular Psychiatry, conducted by Associate Professor Mikael Palner and PhD student Kat Kiilerich from the Research Unit for Clinical Physiology and Nuclear Medicine at the University of Southern Denmark, investigated the effects of small doses of psilocybin on rats.
The concentration was on the application of repeated, small doses of psilocybin, which are far less than the doses utilized in treatments and are usually denoted as ‘microdosing.’
- Within certain performance circles, particularly in Silicon Valley, microdosing has become a widely discussed topic, fueled by the many stories and reports that have spread around the web. This form of self-medication is being touted as a solution to various challenges, according to Mikael Palner, the last author of the study.
Stress and Compulsive Behaviors can be successfully managed with this technique.
In the research done involving rats, it was established that the rodents could tolerate consistent, low doses of psilocybin without any signs of anxiety, reduced pleasure (anhedonia), or changes in locomotor activity.
The rats exhibited a higher tolerance to stress after being administered small amounts of psilocybin repeatedly and their compulsive behavior was significantly reduced.
What’s more, the research indicated a spike in the number of links to the thalamus, which functions as a kind of filtration process for our choices and worries.
- Our increased connection to the thalamus may account for our improved resistance to stressors and could help explain the reported positive outcomes on mental health from consuming small amounts of psychedelic mushrooms.
A Fresh Perspective Emerges
This new approach appears to be an encouraging development.
A valid approach to researching the impacts of regular low doses of psilocybin has been established in the new study. This same study also provides backing for the numerous anecdotal reports concerning the advantages of microdosing as a therapeutic process.
This opens the door to further exploration and potentially pioneering treatments for various mental conditions.
Mikael Palner points out that apprehension and tension in the world have caused a heightened attention to microdosing, which has in turn caused a growth in the mushroom market. Furthermore, countries such as the Netherlands, Australia, the USA, and Canada have either already sanctioned or are now in the process of permitting psilocybin for therapeutic use.
- Consequently, it is paramount that we comprehend the implications and secondary impacts of these materials, which are already commonly consumed worldwide.
The capability to comprehend more deeply is possible.
Eleven years ago when Mikael Palner was based in Silicon Valley, California, he grew curious about researching psychedelics and psilocybin due to the increasing popularity of self-improvement trends that had captured the public’s attention and motivated more individuals to try out microdosing.
Mikael Palner states that the publication of certain books that propagated the idea of employing minute amounts of psychedelics to tackle psychological problems and further improve performance motivated him to commence the project he has wholeheartedly been working on for the past six years.
- From here, we can figure out the proper amount to dose rats, allowing us to research the implications of microdosing. This could significantly boost our comprehension of the brain and psychological difficulties, which is beneficial both to the scientific world and to society as a whole.
An account of the psychopharmacology research being discussed
Author: Marianne Lie Becker
Source: University of Southern Denmark
Contact: mlbecker@health.sdu.dk – University of Southern Denmark
Image: Courtesy of Neuroscience News