Remembering the gifts and power of Earth's plant kingdom...
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In recent years, many people in their search for healing have found their way to the multitude of podcasts, documentaries and research into the field of psychedelic-assisted therapy, plant medicine ceremonies and microdosing. In particular, the efficacy of psilocybin cubensis (a strain of mushroom also known as the Golden Teachers) for healing from trauma, depression, anxiety and general struggles with managing and enjoying everyday life.
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Since 2020, I have witnessed an explosion in the number of people coming through my practice who were living with the daily struggle of mental health issues and had turned to microdosing psilocybin or working with other plant medicines in their desperation for healing, well-being and a renewed hope for life (jump to mental health benefits). In July 2023, a rescheduling of psilocybin for mental health care commenced rolling out in the Australian healthcare system, as we joined other governments around the world in bringing these plant medicines back to the people. (Please note: psilocybin remains illegal to carry or supply in most states except for ACT.)
In the interests of harm minimisation and risk reduction – and also due to the profound transformations I have witnessed across the board – my practice has since expanded into the field of integration therapy. Integration therapy helps us to unpack deep psychedelic journeys in order to apply the teachings to one's life path. It can also be used alongside a microdosing protocol. Whatever the case, mining the gems of the overall experience and integrating the insights and shifts into how we operate in our ordinary everyday life, is essential to get the most out of it and step into a new way of being.
The focus on ‘integration’ is a key difference between recreational substance use and intentional use for the purposes of healing and growth. Although I cannot assist others in acquiring mushroom or participate in anything illegal, what I can do is to serve others as a therapist who is open to these conversations and has developed an in-depth understanding of this realm both from a Western therapeutic standpoint and from the deeply ceremonial world of journeying with the plant spirit - as well as the interplay of these medicines and experiences with our own energetic system. My intention is to support others for safety, grounded-ness and optimal results and to share the benefits of the knowledge base and wisdom that has arisen through experience. I am also listed with American-based 'Psychedelic Support' as a provider of therapeutic support in Australia.
In general, a microdose refers to a very tiny amount of the mushroom (i.e. 1/20th-1/50th of a dose) such that it is sub-perceptual (does not cause visual hallucination or altered states) and creates gradual but profound shifts over time, much like taking a vitamin supplement. A macrodose is a full dose and takes us on a deep inner journey lasting over a number of hours, in which we may access keys to healing and explore consciousness from an expanded state of awareness.
Note there are many ways to induce an altered state of consciousness for this more shamanic journeying, plant medicines are but one – including drumming, didgeridoo and sound, ecstatic “trance” dancing, breathwork, hypnosis and guided meditation. My personal observation at the time of writing, is that a 3-month microdosing protocol with therapeutic support shows greater lasting overall change than one-off macrodose experiences. However, following up a macrodose with a microdosing protocol and integration therapy can be profoundly transformative.
Whilst it may seem forward to openly discuss what has been until only this year “very taboo”, therapists actually talk with people about their substance use/misuse/abuse every day. Most common are the legally sanctioned ones such as alcohol, tobacco or pharmaceuticals; there are also those which were once criminalised and are now medicalised such as cannabis; some are illicit street drugs and come with a very dark consciousness behind them; and some are raw plant material with a rich history of indigenous ceremonial use.
It serves no-one for these conversations to be kept taboo, for all humans will be required to define their own personal relationship to addictive and/or mind-altering substances in the course of their lifetime (and likely rewrite it many times!). It is a universal thread to the human experience.
My personal relationship to the psilocybin cubensis mushroom has evolved to be one of deep respect, reverence and gratitude. I have come to see that this is a plant consciousness we are working with – very gentle, friendly and playful like children, really it’s just love. It is consciousness talking to consciousness, opening us to an awareness of our own spiritual connection to All Life.
Earth's medicines help us remember who we are.
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As the indigenous peoples of our world have recognised, plant medicines are Earth's medicines. As such, they carry Her vast consciousness and share her exquisite teachings and wisdom.
We are beings of Earth herself, inseparable from her. Her medicines help us remember this truth, help us remember who we are. That we are love.
Deeply connecting us to the consciousness of our planet, to ourselves as Earth’s beings, to the beauty of our humanity and the essence of love, is the very medicine the plants offer. Their global revival at this point in the greater story of humanity’s evolution can be no coincidence - for we are required to navigate a time of great change and make a quantum leap in consciousness in one lifetime, individually and collectively.
We are required to navigate the new age of AI, transhumanism and many other themes which dominate what it is to be human. We can successfully - gracefully even! - walk through this transition, if we do so from a place of being deeply anchored to the consciousness of our planet and mother, and deeply anchored to our hearts and the beauty of our humanity.
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The plants have much to teach us.
That said, microdosing psilocybin and taking large doses (a macrodose) of any plant medicine comes with cautions, as is the case with any pharmaceutical medication and anything in life. These medicines work on our energetic body by opening our field and energy centres, raising our vibration and expanding our perception - but there is such a thing as too much of a good thing.
Traumatic psychedelic experiences on large doses, or in settings where we do not feel safe or prepared, do happen! On an energetic level these experiences can rip holes in our energy centres, can make us too open and vulnerable to negative energies, or can cause a build-up of “etheric mucous” in our field over time. Frequent and prolonged use of macrodoses and even misusing microdosing can cause all kinds of undesirable changes to our energetic body, manifesting in issues physically, cognitively, emotionally and spiritually. An unfavourable effect on our energetic system can also occur with many pharmaceuticals, including psychiatric medications.
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Additionally, although non-addictive, individuals can occasionally fall into over-using psilocybin and other plant medicines – meaning, frequent use with little or no focus on integration or inner work. There is a very clear line between purposeful or ceremonial use and overuse/misuse/substance abuse and it is important to be honest with oneself where “plant medicine work" is no longer that. Very infrequent use alongside a pure devotion to integration and the inner work is key to powerful change, without which the gifts of the plants are not only sadly devalued but literally unable to be absorbed by one’s consciousness and translated to everyday life.
However, microdosing with psilocybin in a super-conscious, grounded and intentional manner is nothing short of pure magick. The core themes I’ve observed across the board, with the microdosing of psilocybin include but is not limited to:
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~ It seems to bring people back to themselves, the general term for this would be self-confidence but it’s bigger than this, it is more like a loving connection to self and one’s truth.
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~ It can put a stopper on our resistances, fears and anxieties such that we easily flow into those things where we would usually hold ourselves back.
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~ It seems to awaken a sense of spirituality and connection to the deeper nature of all life, including connection and devotion to self and one’s path, connection and appreciation of nature and mother earth, and greater understanding of and connection to other people.
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~ People report not being easily triggered by the things that would usually trigger them.
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~ They often carry a sense of inner calm, a quieter mind, light-heartedness and a lifting of depression and heavier energies that weigh us down.
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~ Most report a feeling of going with the flow, greater self awareness and deeper insight.
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~ There are often dietary changes to more wholesome foods and a more intuitive relationship to eating.
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~ People with diagnoses such as post-natal depression, body dysmorphia, anxiety, depression, ADHD have experienced great improvement in mental state and symptomology.
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~ Physical health conditions exacerbated or caused by stress can become greatly diminished.
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~ What you get out of it relates to what you put in, those who include talk therapy, daily meditation or journalling see greater change.
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~ It is not a be all and end all, life goes on, the journey continues.
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It would be natural to think we are just taking some drug, or some herb, to “get better” as that is how we’ve been trained to think in the culture and consciousness we were born into. However, we are at a place in our collective evolution where it is time to let go of old ways - being passive recipients of medication - and take back being an active participant in our healing. The mushroom is an interesting expression of consciousness, that actually can be classed as neither plant nor animal - and we are actively working with the consciousness of mushroom, of the Golden Teachers, for our own growth and healing.
You are your healer. The inner work is inherent to healing and requires an attitude of enthusiasm, care and self-devotion. The bigger picture of microdosing is far more beautiful than merely consuming a pill, for we are multi-dimensional beings. Those who consciously work with and challenge themselves, and incorporate talk therapy, journalling, gratitude practices and/or meditation on this path transform rapidly and are an honour to witness.
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Self-love is the master key.
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The framework of a 3-month microdose protocol is a golden opportunity to build some solid self-loving practices into daily life, such as creating a morning practice unique to you and allowing it to evolve over time. A morning practice on rising allows us to gather our energy before we start the day. This can be as simple as a walk, yoga, a gratitude rant or short meditation, watching the sun rise, a written intention, or a cup of tea and moment of peace in the sunshine.
So long as your practices include the ingredients of Stillness (inner), Silence and Solitude – a time for contemplation, expansion and oneness with nature/Life/Self. This is what it’s all about! This is what brings you the healing and growth you deserve. There is no better time to build a loving relationship with You into your everyday life.
Nothing outside of ourselves can take us all the way. Anything outside of ourselves can only ever take us so far. The rest of it is a sole (and soul) journey. Think of microdosing as a leg up, some truly golden teachers here to serve you for a time and support you in healing, growing and shifting your ‘set-point’ consciousness. Approach them as one ideally should with anti-depressants and anti-anxiety medication – for a limited period, alongside therapy, meditation, exercise and many other tools in the toolkit. We honour Earth’s medicines through our wisdom, appreciation and willingness to heal and expand into greater versions of ourselves.
Deepest gratitude, to ALL Earth's medicines.
Endless thanks...