Bipolar disorder, also known as manic depression, is a mental illness characterized by severe mood swings that alternate between manic episodes of heightened energy and euphoria and depressive episodes of low energy and sadness. It affects approximately 2.8% of the US population and can significantly impact a person’s daily life, relationships, and overall well-being.
Mainstream treatement for Bipolar Disorder
Treatments for bipolar disorder have varied widely throughout history, with a fairly dark (and not very succesful) past. Some of the earliest treatments involved physical methods such as bloodletting and purging, which were believed to balance the humors and alleviate symptoms.
Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), a procedure in which electrical currents are passed through the brain to induce seizures, was also developed around this time and was used to treat severe cases of bipolar disorder.
Thankfully we’ve moved on from simply shocking people and basically torturing them in the name of trying to help them.
In the mid-20th century with the discovery of lithium, a naturally occurring mineral that was found to have mood-stabilizing properties. Lithium quickly became the first-line treatment for bipolar disorder and is still widely used today, although other medications such as antipsychotics, antidepressants, and anticonvulsants have also been developed and are often used in combination with lithium or alone.
But as we all know, many pharmaceutical interventions are a double edged sword, being hard on the body in various ways, and also affecting mood, energy levels and more.
Will Shrooms Help Treat Bipolar?
Many scientists have been excited about the results of using shrooms to treat depression and anxiety, and are looking into wether psilocybin can be used to treat bi polar disorder.
Recent studies have shown that psilocybin, a naturally occurring psychedelic compound found in certain mushrooms, may offer a promising alternative treatment option for individuals with bipolar disorder. Especially when treating the depressive side of manic depression. However in a small number of people shroom use can cause the ONSET of symptoms, or have a negative effect.
Psilocybin has been used for centuries in traditional spiritual and healing practices, and recent research has shown that it has potential therapeutic benefits for a range of mental health conditions, including depression, anxiety, addiction, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Psilocybin on it’s own isn’t the cure
In a video interview with psychologist Dr. David Gard he says it’s the intersection of shrooms with psycotherapy that could hold the key from some sufferers of bipolar. The mix of the two can really help to cement the effects of the psycotherapy for those that struggle.
It’s also important to note that not all forms of bipolar disorder may be appropriate for psilocybin treatment. For example, people with bipolar I disorder, who experience full-blown manic episodes, may not be good candidates for psilocybin treatment due to the potential for inducing mania. However, those with bipolar II disorder, who experience less severe hypomanic episodes, may be better candidates.
What is the optimal dose for treatment of bipolar?
Dr Gard points out that it’s hard to measure exactly what the dose might be as different strains of shrooms vary widely in terms of dosage. In most trails, people are being given a pill for of psilocin with an exact and measurable dose.
He says that in trials they use the dosage that has worked for depression, but then they use less initally because eveyr person has a different tolerance. And the psilocin can effect some people negatively.
Magic Mushroom Mix & Match Sale
99$ / oz
Choose any 4 of our mushroom varieties (7g each).
What are the risks of using shrooms with bipolar?
For most people, Dr Gard says the risk is that shrooms spark a mania phase, but he says they also watch that they don’t go the other way into depression. Dr Gard says it’s very important that someone with bi polar does not attempt to use psycadelics on their own, and that a treatment provider, as well as a friend etc…is there to make sure they are ok while experimenting.
What about microdosing with bipolar?
Dr Gard sees microdosing as the next step in bipolar or bi polar 2 disorder as it carries less risk of activating more sever reactions. He does stress that you should still have the other safty measures in play, ie: not dosing alone, and having a doctor or care person involved.
Not sure how to use Psilocybin?
We created a “how to microdose” guide here.
Microdosing is a great way to try out different strains of shrooms (some are more potent than others) and find a working dose for you!
Our Unicorn Poops chocolate almond microdose, and Cloud 9 chocolate marshmallow nuggets are the perfect micro-dose already dolled out for you.
Here’s why it’s great to take mushrooms with chocolate.
We also offer natural grown strains of mushrooms in our Mix and Match so you can test and try at your own pace.
Mix & Match Blow Out
Choose any 4 of our Blow Out AAAA flowers
AAAA Strains – 2 free gifts with 2 oz
