(Trigger Warning – Psychedelic Use, Please do research and consult with professionals before you experiment with mushrooms/psilocybin. SAFETY FIRST)

“One trip can change your whole life”

For years, I was terrified of mushrooms. I loved getting fucked up, but the idea of tripping seemed like a nightmare to me. I had heard countless horror stories about psychedelics, and I envisioned imaginary insects crawling over my body while fearing that I might accidentally scratch my skin off. I worried about going on a trip and never returning. I remembered the vivid commercials presented during the D.A.R.E. program in middle school. In my community, while alcohol consumption was high, all drugs were considered dangerous.

As I grew more comfortable with my sobriety from weed and alcohol and stabilized on my one antipsychotic medication (Seroquel 400 mg), I decided I was ready to explore something I had been researching for years. I watched documentaries, listened to podcasts, and read articles all about the benefits of psilocybin or magic mushrooms. I learned that these mushrooms could be transformative for trauma, mental health, and addiction. My interest deepened, and I gradually began experimenting with microdosing.

In Oregon, where I live, magic mushrooms have been decriminalized and legalized for medicinal use, allowing me to use them at my discretion. As a beginner, I advise thorough research and caution, as what works for me might not work for you. **Important Safety Notes** Do not drive while under the influence. Do not mix mushrooms with other substances. If you take medication that affects serotonin levels, you may need a higher dose to feel the effects, which has been my experience. It’s also advisable to have a trip sitter present for safety in case something goes wrong.

Getting into mushrooms was challenging for me due to my heavy history of addiction and previous psychosis related to bipolar disorder. I knew I had to handle any substance carefully, so I established strict boundaries. I understood I wasn’t ready to start this journey years ago, so I waited until now and began very slowly.

So, how did I start my mushroom journey eight months ago? I began by taking just 1 gram a couple of times a week in the morning. I prefer to eat mushrooms on an empty stomach to avoid nausea. Since mushrooms taste terrible, I grind mine and mix them into bone broth, drinking them while holding my nose. Some people prefer making tea, combining them with peanut butter, or eating them with chocolate.

Microdosing has a positive impact on me. It improves my mood, enhances my focus, boosts my creativity, and increases my self-awareness. Additionally, it fosters greater respect for myself and enhances my empathy for others. While microdosing is beneficial, I have noticed even greater effects during actual trips.

I experimented with microdosing ten times before taking what is known as a “heroic dose” for my first real trip. For a full trip, I take between 5 and 7 grams. What was my first mushroom trip like? Incredible. I cried hysterically and laughed uncontrollably. I uncovered hidden trauma that had been trapped in my body. I realized that my past substance abuse stemmed from overthinking and emotional pain. I carried so much pain within me that I didn’t know how to manage it, and it dictated every area of my life, making me worried, scared, and anxious. During my deep trips, I began to release this pain. I have cried almost every time I trip and I feel so much better about myself and my life afterwards.

What other benefits do I experience from psilocybin? It helps me reframe my thoughts more positively, allows me to be kinder to myself, and improves my overall mood. It reduces my instability, depression, and anxiety, enabling me to retrain my brain to be more optimistic. Additionally, it helps me recognize my addictive tendencies more clearly, leading to greater self-respect and less substance abuse. It also enables me to feel highly connected to the world and to others. Each time I try it, I gain something beneficial. I have even heard of a guy that was a horrible alcoholic, tripped once, and never drank again. Powerful stuff.

There are two ways to take mushrooms: you can go outside yourself with your eyes open or you can go inside yourself with your eyes closed. I use mushrooms therapeutically. I take my heroic dose, turn on relaxing music, wear an eye mask, lie down, and go within. Sometimes, I choose silence for deeper introspection. During my trips, I explore different aspects of my life and analyze things more positively. This process allows me to rewrite old negative narratives with new, happier ones. Each trip is unique and always a learning experience. Initially, I tripped twice a month, and now I do so every couple of months or whenever I need a reset. I strive to be clean and sober as much as I can, though I still struggle with weed and occasionally experiment with mushrooms.

My partner has also found great benefits from using mushrooms. After suffering a severe and unexpected stroke in February 2024, which left his whole left side paralyzed, we began with intense exercise and a healthy diet. We then incorporated ice baths and acupuncture, which helped restore much of his function. Finally, we added mushrooms to his regimen, and the results were incredible. The first time he tried it he felt intense tingling in his left arm and leg. He couldn’t believe it. His strength came back more and more every trip. He is now back to 90% functionality, working full-time, and exercising daily—a miracle.

It’s essential to understand the stages of a trip, which can last anywhere from 2 to 6 hours, depending on the dosage. I take a heroic dose of 5 to 7 grams and typically wait about 30 to 40 minutes for them to kick in. First anxiety floods my body and mind. This uncomfortable phase, marked by intensity, lasts about 20 minutes. Afterward, I find myself incredibly calm, and I like to curl up in heaps of blankets and pillows. After around 45 minutes of calm, I gain profound insights about myself and my life. As I come down from the mushrooms, I occasionally feel a bit irritable, so I usually go for a walk and drink plenty of electrolytes or have a cbd drink.

The experience often brings out the best version of myself and motivates me to improve. Sometimes, I even stand up and declare my intentions. During my latest trip, I felt empowered and transformed into a warrior. What is a warrior? A warrior is a fearless, strong individual with the willpower to overcome any struggle. How does a warrior live? They follow MEDS, which stands for meditation, exercise, diet, and sleep. It’s a simple concept but requires discipline. Dig deep and find the warrior within you!

How do magic mushrooms work? They influence serotonin levels in our system, enabling better communication within the brain and even allowing it to rewire itself. Microdosing mushrooms takes effect in about 40 minutes and is more effective than any antidepressant I’ve ever taken. Over the years, I’ve tried fifteen different antidepressants, but they were mostly ineffective due to extreme side effects and the long time it took for them to work. As I researched depression further, I realized that the chemical imbalance theory is misleading; it’s just an easy way to sell more pills to desperate people.

New evidence suggests that depression is primarily caused by inflammation and poor gut health. This resonates with me because during my worst depressive episodes, my diet was a complete mess, and I was significantly inflamed. At my lowest point, I was 80 pounds overweight, heavily addicted to sugar, and taking multiple medications that weren’t effective. Those pills led me in and out of psychiatric hospitals and made it impossible for me to hold a steady job. My life felt like a nightmare.

Now, I believe that depression serves as an alarm bell, signaling us to make lifestyle changes. It’s a sign that we’re tired of playing a character and need to rest, regroup, and honestly evaluate the changes we desperately need to make.

As more and more Americans turn to antidepressants, I wonder whether these pills are truly helping or hurting us. They aren’t fixing us; otherwise, we wouldn’t need to take them long-term. If these medications worked, this country would be thriving with happiness. Instead, we rely on more pills and find ourselves increasingly miserable, facing the worst mental health crisis in modern history.

While I support finding effective medication, I believe that antidepressants have become outdated and largely ineffective. The significance of healthy gut microbes and the harmful effects of inflammation remain largely unknown to the general public, but I am determined to spread awareness. It has even been suggested that most of our brain is inside our gut. This realization has underscored the importance of my diet.

I needed a healthier, low-sugar diet high in fiber and protein to improve my mental health. I’ve come to understand that healing my brain requires healing my gut and developing a better relationship with stress. Every day, I question what I put into my body and make constant adjustments. It’s simple, if you eat and drink like shit, you will feel like shit. If you don’t buy it, you won’t eat it.

Like many who have moved on from a party lifestyle, I carry a colorful, wild, and sometimes terrifying past. As I sobered up I noticed that my new addiction became being harsh on myself—overthinking and spiraling through worst-case scenarios. I constantly replayed bad memories of one-night stands, missed opportunities, vacation benders, strained relationships, blacked-out funerals, and lost memories. This all changed when I started tripping. Medication numbed me and helped me sit on top of my trauma, while mushrooms helped me sit with my trauma so I could confront it and explore it. I feel like a new human. A super human.

It has taken me a decade and seven different types of therapy to process my painful history, and mushrooms have assisted me immensely. If you feel stuck, trapped, depressed, or hopeless, mushrooms can be a significant game-changer. They have transformed my brain and thoughts in remarkable ways. If you can access mushrooms and use them safely, I highly recommend giving them a try. I believe everyone should experience a trip at least once in their lives; they don’t call them “magic mushrooms” for nothing!

Interested in psilocybin?
I highly recommend listening to this podcast and reading the comment section.

https://youtu.be/eIxVfln02Ss?si=Ib5CR-mJ52Sx7r1u

I also recommend the documentary called “Dosed” which is wonderful for those struggling with addiction and their loved ones.