Psilocybin Microdosing Self-Check. Are You a Candidate?

What is this self-check for?

The interest in psilocybin, a psychedelic compound found in “magic mushrooms”, for therapeutic use is growing rapidly. However, this progressive approach might not be the right fit for everyone. This self-check is designed as a screening tool for personal indications and contraindications for psychedelic microdosing based on your medical history, current treatment plan, and life circumstances.

Factors evaluated

The online screening can only evaluate your basic background:

• Medical context — history of schizophrenia, psychosis, bipolar disorder, borderline personality disorder, or other severe mental health conditions.

• Current medication list, including SSRIs and SNRIs, to avoid medication interactions. While recent research shows combining these standard antidepressants with psilocybin is generally safe and does not carry a high risk of dangerous interactions, chronic use of these medications can blunt or reduce the effectiveness of the microdose.

• Previous exposure to psychedelics and psilocybin in particular.

• Work-related or lifestyle constraints, e.g., temporary driving limitations.

• Risk for psychological distress.

• Psilocybin legal status — depending on your country of residence.

To rule out physiological contraindications, such as serious or uncontrolled cardiovascular diseases, an initial assessment in a clinical setting is necessary. In addition to acute blood pressure changes, the chronic, repeated use of psilocybin associated with microdosing carries a theoretical, long-term risk of heart valve issues that requires medical consideration.

Next steps

Your results are not medical advice or recommendations for microdosing. They indicate whether this might be a suitable option for your specific state of mind. It’s important to note that the strongest clinical evidence for psilocybin — such as its success in treating treatment-resistant depression, alcohol use disorder, and end-of-life anxiety — comes from trials utilizing high, single doses. Scientific research on microdosing is still in its early stages, and its specific medical benefits are currently being studied to better distinguish them from the placebo effect.

If you’re eligible for psilocybin microdosing, the next step might be to learn more about dosing, safety protocols, medical screenings, possible outcomes, and authorized providers.

Despite the growing popularity of microdosing, research in this field remains quite limited — scientific evidence is mixed and discrepant, often rooted in case studies and self-reported experiences. However, there are several preliminary reviews and reports on the benefits and risks of microdosing, which form the foundation of this self-check: 1. “Between enhancement and risk: A critical review of psychedelic microdosing”, Iva Totomanova, Eline C.H.M. Haijen, Petra P.M. Hurks, Johannes G. Ramaekers, Kim P.C. Kuypers. 2. “Therapeutic use of psilocybin: Practical considerations for dosing and administration”, Caroline A MacCallum, Lindsay A Lo, Carly A Pistawka, Jagpaul Kaur Deol. 3. Psilocybin for Mental Health and Addiction, NCCIH recommendations