As microdosing psychedelics enters the mainstream, one of the most common questions is "can it be dangerous?".
Psychedelics are a large group of substances with varying effects and medical precautions.
These are the most critical medical risk factors with psychedelic use:
Individuals with cardiovascular conditions are discouraged from taking psychedelics since psychedelics tend to increase heart rate and blood pressure.
Most psychedelics can not be combined with SSRIs and MAOIs due to the potential for a fatal condition called serotonin syndrome where the body produces too much serotonin.
Individuals with a personal or family history of psychotic disorder and personality disorders are strongly discouraged from taking psychedelics due to the potential for serious psychosis.
While these risks are significant and must be taken very seriously, they are often associated with standard and large doses of substances. Proper microdosing dosage by definition involves 1/10th to 1/20th of a standard dose and is often not enough to cause serious harm.
To date, none of the scientific trials of microdosing have reported any serious risk factors or incidents of harm. With that said, there are currently no clinical trials conducted with the explicit objective of assessing safety, individuals are encouraged to practice due diligence and consult their physician before engaging in microdosing practice.
Individuals with a history or current or use of antidepressants (especially MAOIs) are discouraged from microdosing since they tend to not experience any effects until the natural neurochemical balance of the brain has been restored. In this post, I address this common challenge in detail. Antidepressant detox takes months and years in some cases, if you are seeking support in this area, please contact me. Microdose Guru is a Certified Mental Health Integrative Medicine provider and can support you with a personalized detox approach so you can prepare your body to engage in microdosing.
