Substances work by assaulting the brain and body with a variety of chemicals. The psilocybin attaches to the brain and anxiety settles, depression fades, addiction stops nagging, and motivation rises. A limitless feeling takes over the individual and they enter a form of relaxed concentration.
As of late, micro-dosing has been perceived as a solution for combating anxiety, depression, ADHD, PTSD, mood disorders, and addiction. After taking the dose, people enter a flow state like a surfer riding a wave without effort.
People who combat anxiety, addiction, etc. have depleted serotonin levels in their brain and many take an anti-depressant, which acts as a serotonin reuptake inhibitor to make that chemical more accessible to the brain.
Psychedelics mimic serotonin to work more directly. Meaning, it stimulates a serotonin receptor in the prefrontal cortex part of the brain called 5-HT2A leading to two very important results:
- The production of Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF). BDNF acts like miracle grow for the brain promoting growth, connections, and activity.
- Increased production of Glutamate. The neurotransmitter for cognition, learning, and memory.
The two work together to create the benefits that help with combating addiction, anxiety, depression and other mental illnesses.
Additionally, micro-dosing allows parts of the brain that do not usually communicate with each other to communicate. Those with a mental illness or addiction disorder will typically find themselves in a default mode, where one is constantly daydreaming thinking about the past and the future.
When the communication increases within the brain, it takes one out of being in default mode keeping people in the present moment.
This sounds like a cure-all, but it does not come without its curse. People with a mental illness or addiction can “Go further down the rabbit hole.” If they consistently take a higher dosage than recommended. Psychedelics can promote depression, anxiety, and addiction.
Micro-dosing with psychedelics sounds promising, but these are just tools to help with the current situation. Those who indulge in micro-dosing for addiction, take with caution.
Nothing is a “cure-all” progress can only be made through one’s own hard work.
