Watch our talkBD episode on psychedelics & bipolar disorder, featuring Dr. Josh Woolley.
Enthusiasm and emerging evidence for the potential therapeutic uses of psychedelic compounds has led researchers from University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) to begin plans to study psilocybin (the primary psychoactive compound in “magic mushrooms”) for the treatment of depression in adults with bipolar disorder. The UCSF lab is teaming up with CREST.BD on an exciting new project as the initial step towards a clinical trial being planned at UCSF. The goal of the study? To assess the safety, impact, and cultural practices of “magic mushroom” use among adults with bipolar disorder.
The goal of the study? To assess the safety, impact, and cultural practices of “magic mushroom” use among adults with bipolar disorder.
The UCSF team consists of Dr. Josh Woolley, Associate Professor of Psychiatry and Dr. Mollie Pleet, a clinical psychologist and research fellow (full bios below). The researchers work within Dr. Woolley’s Bonding and Attunement in Neuropsychiatric Disorders (BAND) Lab, a research center exploring pharmacological interventions to enhance social connections among adults with mental illness. In recent years, BAND Lab has expanded its focus from treating people with schizophrenia and related disorders to studying an emerging topic area within the field of psychiatry: psychedelic therapy. The lab is conducting the first clinical trials of psilocybin for difficult-to-treat psychiatric conditions, including mood symptoms in adults with Parkinson’s disease and emotional distress in adults with chronic pain. We will soon be conducting the world’s first clinical trial of psilocybin to treat depressive symptoms in people with bipolar disorder type II. In preparation for this clinical trial, set to commence in 2021, the BAND Lab sparked collaboration with CREST.BD team members based at UBC to conduct an initial mixed-methods study to explore the risks, intentions, and general outcomes for adults with bipolar disorder who have used “magic mushrooms.”
Motivation for this mixed-methods study stems from concern that the use of psilocybin among people with bipolar disorder could be associated with adverse clinical or mood symptoms. Indeed, people with bipolar disorder have been excluded from all previous clinical trials of psilocybin therapy due to fears of inducing mania or increasing suicidality. To tap the wisdom and experiences of community psychedelics users, we are conducting an online survey to learn more about how and why people with bipolar disorder use “magic mushrooms.” We want to know about the effects of full psychedelic mushroom “trips” on respondents’ health, safety, mood symptoms and wellbeing. A subset of survey respondents will be invited to engage in a qualitative interview to help us take a deeper dive into their experiences.
Together, these findings suggest that psilocybin therapy could have benefits for depressive symptoms in people with bipolar disorder as well.
Therapy using psilocybin typically includes a brief course of psychotherapy paired with one or two administrations of psilocybin. This novel treatment paradigm is receiving a lot of attention in the scientific and medical literature. Research into the effects of psilocybin in people experiencing treatment-resistant depression suggest that the compound’s short-acting psychedelic effects may promote long-lasting benefits in mood and anxiety symptoms with relatively benign physiological consequences1. After one or two administrations, psilocybin therapy has been observed to reduce anxiety (in a study conducted with cancer patients)2 and depression symptoms1 as well as substance use problems3, often for several months post-treatment2. Psilocybin appears to have antidepressant effects in animals4 and has been shown to induce long-lasting improvements in optimism and wellbeing5 in general population users. Together, these findings suggest that psilocybin therapy could have benefits for depressive symptoms in people with bipolar disorder as well. If this project piques your interest, sign up for the CREST Currents newsletter for updates, or bookmark the lab website. we’re hoping to launch the survey phase of our new BAND Lab-CREST.BD collaborative project in the coming weeks!
Highlights
From Dr. Josh Woolley’s TalkBD podcast episode on Psychedelics & Bipolar Disorder:
Do Psychedelics Trigger Mania or Bipolar Disorder? 🍄
Is It Safe to Use Psychedelics With Medications? – Lithium, SSRIs, Lamotrigine 💊
Does Microdosing Psychedelics Help Bipolar Disorder?
About the Authors
Mollie M. Pleet, PsyD
I am a clinical psychologist and research fellow in UCSF’s BAND Lab. After earning my psychology doctorate in 2018, I completed a clinical fellowship at the San Francisco VA Medical Center where I specialized in treating Veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and substance use disorders. With a deepened appreciation for the challenges of recovery and a newfound curiosity about the role of consciousness in health, I next accepted a research position where I focus exclusively on exploring the therapeutic effects of psilocybin. I am working to contribute empirical evidence for the effects of consciousness-expanding drugs on the health and wellbeing of psychiatric populations.
Josh Woolley, MD, PhD
I am a psychiatrist and neuroscientist and the Director of the BAND lab. We in the BAND lab believe that strong interpersonal relationships are the bedrock of mental health. Therefore, our mission is to develop novel pharmacological and cognitive interventions that help patients with mental illness connect meaningfully to other people and the world. Toward this goal, I have led my team in researching pharmacological treatments that affect social processes. We have conducted studies pairing administration of oxytocin, 3,4-methylenedioxy-methamphetamine (MDMA), and psilocybin with various psychotherapy interventions. Given the difficult-to-treat depressive symptoms commonly found in bipolar disorder and the promising data suggesting psilocybin assisted psychotherapy may be an effective treatment for unipolar depression, I am developing the first clinical trial to determine if psilocybin therapy can safely and effectively treat Bipolar depression. The mixed-methods study described above is the first step towards this goal.
Watch our talkBD episode on psilocybin & bipolar disorder, featuring Dr. David Gard.
Related Posts
In our latest talkBD podcast episode, psychologist Dr. David Gard speaks on the use of psilocybin to treat bipolar disorder and depression, breaks down the…
Watch our latest talkBD episode on Psilocybin & bipolar disorder, featuring Dr. David Gard. Watch on YouTube One of the most difficult aspects of…
After the record-breaking turnout at our talkBD: Psychedelics & Bipolar Disorder episode, expert Dr. Josh Woolley is back to answer the top 10 most popular…
Back to Blog
Wow. This seems like such a good idea. The most debilitating part of my bipolar is the social aspect of my life it has lowly sucked away. I am socially uncomfortable most of the time and long for the days way back when before I was diagnosed and I was self medicating. I was getting along really well on purple micro dot (lsd), black beauties, yellow jackets, and weed. Nobody knew there was anything wrong with me until I gave up all that nonsense, got married and settled down with a high powered, high stress job. In walk the 80s, booze, and cocaine. I got divorced, spent 5 years sober in AA and then landed in suicide watch. It’s been pretty much down hill since then. BUT I’M STABLE yea.
Thanks for sharing your experience, Nancy. I think your experiences would really be of interest to the study investigators. If you’re interested, maybe you could check back in the fall to learn about how you can participate in the survey?
I’ve been suffering from bipolar disorder for quite a long time. I also take sleeping medication because I’ve severe insomnia. Because of a bad weed experience where I became manic because I had my weed laced. I’ve been super afraid to try anything else I keep seeing the health benefits and mental benefits of magic mushrooms, but I’m afraid to try them because I don’t want to experience the fear that I have and the anxiety attacks and panic attacks even though I’ve learned how to fight a panic or anxiety attack by facing it head on. I just really want to try a microdose or small dose to see what it actually does because one of my friends actually a couple of them a girl that I really care about she does them and she has so much benefits from them and I really want to try, but I’m afraid of the consequences and I don’t want her to see the fear that I had back in the day. I don’t know what to do I don’t know what to feel and I am especially afraid of the consequences of trying them even though we were making a plan for me to try them , I really need expert input and I would really love as much research done into this to see if it really can help BP1 go downhill. I really want to be come the better me.
I’m no expert by far but I want to share my experience with you. I’ve had severe depression for 2 years and I have anxiety and have had panic attacks off and on throughout the 2 years. I’ve tried so many depressants and nothing was working. I looked into mushrooms and decided to try them after hearing so many positive things. My friend has also been struggling with severe depression so he did the research and somehow found a private group through messenger where you talk to all these other people just like us that use mushrooms for mental health. We quickly found out there was a guy that sold them on there as well, so that’s what we did. So we received them and he took 1.5grams and I took 2grams. We were both concerned about having a bad trip. We felt the effects in about 30 minutes. Kind of “high” feeling, a little tired. We were both okay. Then about 45 minutes in we both got pretty giggly. I remember we were watching a commercial on TV about serious side effects of medication, even death, and we were giggling and had no clue why. We giggled at the stupidest things for about 15 minutes and thought we were in the clear and it was gonna go good. Then everything went bad around the hour mark. Got really tired, weak legs, and negative thoughts started popping in. We both experienced the same exact things. By the time the 1.5 hour mark, I was balling and it was AWFUL! I hated myself more than I’ve ever in my life. I thought I needed to be admitted. I just wanted to die. I know I cried atleast 2-3 hours non-stop before I could go to bed. My friend became more suicidal as well. The next day, the thoughts were gone, but we both said we’d never do that to ourselves again. I didn’t want to give up on them so the next day I went home and decided to only take 1g, and I ate with it, feeling confident it wouldn’t affect me much. BIG MISTAKE! Do not take these alone first off. It’s not safe. Just doing The 1g and eating didn’t help at all. I was actually 10 times worse then what happened the night before taking 2g and not eating. Being alone made things horrific in my experience. Well I finally was able to go to bed this is where things turn. I woke up and was reading a book at 7am. First off, I don’t read books, and 2ndly, for most everyday of the last 2 years, I’m in bed until atleast 10a.m before I feel like I can get out of bed. I wake up at 6am, but I have to lay there for hours awake until I can get up. So that was a pretty big thing. A few hours later I felt a little worse. But I noticed my depression wasn’t as heavy as it was. I was still sad, but the heaviness was gone in my chest. Then the next day I noticed I felt really emotionless. I wasn’t happy, but I wasn’t sad about being sad if that makes since. I was able to wake up for 5 days, after the last dose, and get right up out of bed. I didn’t have to lay there. That was the biggest part of the benefit I got. And the heaviness being gone. Being emotionless sounds like a bad thing, but its a blessing when your used to feeling so much pain. So fast forward I’m on day 9 and feel a lot like I did before. I felt the heaviness return on day 6 and I just feel bad again. Now Im researching and finding that people actually benefit most of the time with bad trips and that a bad trip is actually a good thing. And I know from my experience that that’s true for me. 1st mistake was not having knowledge about what a bad trip is and how to handle it. You NEED to know a bad trip will end. 2nd mistake is you should make sure someone who is not tripping and has knowledge about what could happen is with you in case they’re needed to bring you to realization. I’m going to take them again but I’m going to try micro-dosing instead. I wish you luck. Hope this helps.
Don’t do it!! My ex is an ex addict and he abuses it and he is bipolar and he becomes violent and takes too much it’s been horrible. He’s been arrested twice for hurting me and almost got violent with his mom.. if your doing good stay away from these things.
Hey Melissa – I sent this to the BAND Lab team and this is what they had to say:
Hi Melissa, thank you so much for this thoughtful response. What happened to your ex sounds terrifying, and I don’t blame you for cautioning others against a similar experience. Our research team is aware of the variability in people’s responses to psychedelics, and we appreciate that not everyone responds positively. Because of this awareness, we are committed to learning as much as we can about the safety considerations of psilocybin use among people with bipolar disorder. When BAND Lab does eventually conduct a clinical psilocybin trials, researchers will structure them so that participants are carefully screened beforehand, and only candidates deemed appropriate are invited to participate. Participants are also monitored before, during, and for a number of weeks after the drug sessions in case of any unexpected issues. We appreciate your motivation to protect the community and aim to conduct our studies in the safest, most responsible ways possible.
My son has biology and high functioning autism. He has been hospitalized a few times and has been on several medications. The only thing that helps him is smoking pot. He has a medical marijuana card. He is very interested in trying medical mushrooms to control his moods. He is 22 and suggested I write to you to see if you could offer some advice? Thanks
Hi Laurie. I’m just a research assistant to CREST.BD and am not qualified to give medical advice. We will be releasing some preliminary results of the survey study soon on the blog. You can also follow the BAND Lab on Twitter to stay up to date on the current research: https://www.facebook.com/bandlabucsf
Sorry that I can’t be of more help. Best of luck to you and your son.
-Laura
My son is 24 with high functioning autism , he hasn’t been officially diagnosed for bipolar but as someone who did nursing for 15 + years and knowing his symptoms they fit the exact description of bipolar disorder with psychotic episodes, with that said ive been researching alot and I honestly believe that microdosing psilocyben could really do tremendous things for those with mood disorders , sadly the stigma associated with mental illness has made him not want to acknowledge anything is wrong and he / we are not fond of ” popping pills” as they have so many negative side effects, im really eager to know how this study is holding up and if its trial includes a regimen of microdosing versus a full dose trip that those who don’t have bipolar seem to benefit from. Bipolar is a terrible thief of happiness so im really hoping you find promising results. I reside in Colorado so im really looking to try it with my son. Ps he also has a arachnoid cyst in his frontal left lobe of his brain and uses cannabis as a mood stabilizer
It’s likely he wasn’t just doing the mushrooms love. My ex has bpd and was a dumpster druggie. He’d openly do marijuana (no biggie to me) but then came the drugs he had hidden, and the murder attempts, finding his meth pipes, etc etc. if you haven’t already, I recommend therapy after an abusive situation. I don’t know about you, but I lost myself when I was with the bad guy. Therapy helped me get myself back, at least as much of myself as I could. I’ve changed from the experience, but for the better. Though I’m bipolar with ptsd and high anxiety now. Micro dosing is not the same as being an addict. Micro dosing is controlled though likely not for people who have issues with addiction or addictive personalities.
I actually am bipolar and ADHD add and I mirco dose and it extremely clams me down I don’t really feel a change besides my mind sticks and stays to one mood which helps me crazy I never ate shrooms before untily girlfriend gave me some
Do u take other medications??
All people ARE different, part of being human i guess. Thankful for the difference. What works for one body and mind may not work for all bodies and mind. Good luck to everyone trying to get healthy, body,mind and soul.
I have bipolar and it was getting out of hand when I stopped smoking. I was having rapid mood shifts. A friend of mine turned me on to DMT, mushrooms and LSD. DMT was amazing but not really all that therapeutic for me. LSD helped when I was on it. Mushrooms is what made me stable. I took a total of 9 trips before I ran through the mushrooms I had. My symptoms stopped for over 9 months. During that time I had aquired more. I use them pretty regularly. I take large doses around 6 to 8 gram ranges. I don’t recommend high doses for everyone. I have become quite a seasoned mushroom user. The most I have taken at one time was 12 grams. They can get a little more crazy at that dose. Mushrooms give me the periodic reset I need to keep me from feeling dread and self loathing. I was suicidal for a time before mushrooms. I still get a bit of anxiety and I have a prescription for xanax to help with that. I also take sleeping pills. Because insomnia is one of those symptoms that don’t seem to go away. I had used these psychedelics in my youth but not for over 20 years and not as religiously. I can not use marijuana like I did when I was younger because of drug tests. So I need my sleeping pills. I think if legalization of marijuana was a reality, I could get rid of the sleeping pills and xanax. I understand that everyone is different but psilocybin is an amazing substance that takes practice. It’s very forgiving substance but even as seasoned as I am sometimes I have amazing trips while others can be a bit difficult. I learn more from the difficult trips than I do from my easy trips. I hope everyone who needs it, gets access to this substance. I don’t need to be in any study but if if there are any questions I might be able to help. I recommend a really dark room or eye shades. Mushrooms are much more magical that way.
Hi Mark,
I am considering taking psilocybin to work through past trauma, and emotional wounds, and ultimately help me in my journey to connect better with myself and others (ie. depression). The only thing stopping me is that back when I was on a high dose of an antidepressant and abusing street dab oil for sleep, I had a severe episode of psychosis. After that I was put on a bunch of meds and told I had bipolar, but over time was able to get off all the medication and completely rid myself of any bipolar symptoms through varying healing modalities, mainly the lion diet popularized by mikhaila peterson. All that being said, my concern with using psilocybin is that it would awaken some dormant bipolar/psychotic feature that are lying under the surface. I don’t feel like it’s likely, but I fear it nonetheless. Do you have any thoughts based on your experience?
Bipolar is a life long condition. It can. Go dormant but it comes back. I was able to put my cycles to rest for 9 months before they started to return. By then I had learned to cultivate my own so I would have an endless supply. I been using for over 2 years off a two bulk grows. Personal use only. My wife encourages my mushrooms use because from repeated use it can actually change your personality. Even people at work notice the difference. Only a few know I use them. They have seen the before and after effects on who I was and who I am now. Still the same person just nicer and more open.
Oh my goodness. Good for you. I am trying for the 1st time, i am seventy. Changed my eating habits, its changed my bipolar emencely. Gonna try micro dosing starting today. I am excited. Thanks for sharing.
Hi, is there any concern with mood stabilizers and mushrooms? It’s been immensely helpful for chronic pain and bipolar, but I haven’t taken since starting mood stabilizers.
I hear you. I’ve had lifelong depression and recently diagnosed with bipolar 2 depression.
I used to smoke pot on a regular basis which I think made life manageable and provided a way for me to socialize. It didn’t really improve depression though.
Magic mushrooms have always had a positive effect. Like a mental cleaning. The day after a trip I always felt clearer and everything I looked at seemed more vivid.
I would regard these experiences as therapeutic.
My depression go much worse after a few major life events. This was long after my pot and mushroom days. Since being diagnosed with depression I’ve been on many different drugs until years later (recently) I was diagnosed with bipolar 2 depression. I’m now on another drug.
I have wished for a more natural path and remembering my experiences Psilocybin I get a sense that it could help when combined with therapy.
I have not found magic mushrooms to be addictive.
I do wonder how the therapist would train to understand what the alternate states are like though.
Good luck with the study and I’d love to get involved.
You have literally hit the high (low) points of my 48 years on this earth. It’s funny how listening to someone else with the same diagnosis I always find the perfect description that before, I was lost trying to describe how my life feels. Thank you Nancy for sharing, I am glad I come across this study. A study I plan to follow, I am searching now on how I can try these magic mushrooms. Clinically depressed since i was 7 years old when my little sister was shot and killed. Molested by my grandfather from then until he died. I was a freshman in high school. Beaten, mentally beat down by the men I allowed in my life. Stalked and literally tortured by my first boyfriend, that started when I was 15 years old. Kidnapped by him and his cousin when I was almost 17 years old. They strangled me to this point of hemorrhaging, bleeding from any and all vessels in my body. His fingers punctured the half inch holes into my neck. They stuffed me in the back floor board because they thought the killed me. Raped later at 18 years old. So much more. I now know I am a text book. My life could of been written out by a doctor many years ago, predicting how it would unfold, Anyways, thank you for this testimony.
Well I have bipolar stage 2 and have no Bad effects in fact it makes me really happy and not to mention the enlightenment it gives you and just how amazing it can truly be is just unexplainable but I believe taking it daily would depend on the person really not to mention the setting and also it makes you face your fears you past and heals that part of you so maybe if they have that effect they need to seclude themselves until they have felt with that part of their life.
Can I be part of the study? I have a sever case of Bi-polar 1 but i do good with psychedelics. Cerebral highs from cannabis have been life changing for me. I have only “tripped” on cannabis, but everytime I come out of that type of high i feel more healed. Good memories coming back and verbalizing my experience has been setting me free too.
I guess if you can contact me at lgcmr27@gmail.com about being in the study. I couldn’t find contact information for those running the study so I figured leaving a message here would be the next best option.
Hi Mark! Thanks for the interest. You can contact Dr. Woolley’s lab using this email address: bandlab@ucsf.edu
Is there somewhere that I can follow this research? I am curious because I believe trying psylocibin mushrooms can have a positive effect, even on those with Bipolar. Do you need people who have Bipolar but don’t use mushrooms? If so, I would definitely be interested.
Hi Shawn. We’ll be making a recruitment announcement somewhere around September or October, depending on when the survey opens up. So I’d recommend following us on Facebook or Twitter, or checking back here in the fall. The recruitment announcement should have the info you need on involvement when it comes out. Hope that answers your question – take care!
My boyfriend has gotten addicted to taking them and he’s homeless now! He’s an addict and started taking them to have a religious experience he’s making horrible choices becoming violent and refuses to work. Those mushrooms are dangerous!
Hey Melissa – I sent this to the BAND Lab team and this is what they had to say:
Wow, what happened to your boyfriend sounds really, really scary. Thank you so much for speaking up about the potential dangers of unmonitored psychedelic use. Our team is aware of the potential risks of taking psychedelics without proper psychological evaluation, professional supervision, and thorough discussion about the person’s goals for use. We are committed to researching these treatments responsibly and do not want what happened to your boyfriend to occur for other people!! Thank you for your advocacy and support for our community members with bipolar disorder.
wooow sry for ur experience. But NO just NO, mushrooms do the opposite, they make u more empathic. These substance have so much potential for all of humanity.
I disagree, I had an ex and a friend and they had bipolar whenever they took mushrooms they would become manic, psychotic, and abusive to everyone around them for months. It always took a hospital invention after almost dying and getting arrested or psychotic behavior in public in order for them to come back. They of course felt closer to god and preached with demeaning spiritual contradictions until they became delusional and enraged. Psychedelics are dangerous for those who experience mania or psychotic symptoms. Please don’t. These people have never been able to stop and come back to them year after year.
Do you need a doctor’s permission to participate? Will you be accepting test subjects in Texas? Bipolar 2. Thanks.
Hi Kris! The study is still in its final preparation stages, and more details will be ready later–probably not until September or October. We’ll write a blog post then with more information about who can participate. If you’d like to get in contact with the researchers in advance, you can email them here: bandlab@ucsf.edu
Hi, I am a writer of young adult fantasy novels – early chapter books for 9-11 year-olds . . . which contain all types of fantastical creatures, animals & settings . . . which I pride myself on inventing! I have bipolar disorder and stable now, and have been for some years, as I am on various prescribed medications (3) under the supervision of a very well-known psychiatrist. Although I have told by many that I am “the most creative person they know” – I yearn to see if magic mushrooms or other such psychedelic substances could allow me to increase my creative imagination – to create even more numerous, humorous, and fascinating human and animal characters for kids! Could you please help me try this in a controlled way?I would be extremely grateful, and I hope I could add something unique to your research. I have a BA in history from Columbia University, and an MBA from Babson, but have not become an author – in large part due to the fact that my bipolar disorder has led me to various business failures, and made it difficult for me to deal with people and companies in large, organized, bureaucratic settings. I need to do my own thing 🙂 Thank you for your help, Peterremyalexanderii@gmail.com
Hi Peter. That’s impressive, what a cool project! This study is still in its preparation phases, but please check back on the blog later to learn more. I should also mention that it’s our partners at the Dr. Woolley’s BAND Lab conducting the study, not us. You can also check on their website, which I imagine they will update with more information as it’s available! https://woolleylab.ucsf.edu/
*My comment above should please read: “but I have NOW become an author”. Thanks
Because of the magical effects like relaxation, calmness, recreational and medical effects of this magic mushroom brings, no doubt that this magic mushroom or psychedelic mushrooms can treat mental illness like bipolar disorder.
I have borderline bipolar disorder I did shrooms because weed wasn’t enough for me anymore after smoking everyday from 2019-2022 I had enough for my 19th birthday on 4/20/22 I did shrooms for the first time it was amazing it was beyond anything I imagined I took about 2 grams of it and it was great it didn’t make me feel good after it made me want to chase that high again and once I finally do get it I’ll probably try to do it again and again, shrooms worked for me because I have such an amazing and crazy imagination it made music like go reversed, and made it feel like I was talking to demons, music was talking to me in tongues, sure it was demonic but I loved it these dark mindsets is what I’m into I’m gonna miss that experience
I have bipolar 1. I dont take medicine. Never have for any length of time. I had a period in my 30s I was manic once a year. Always worked and supported my family. Quick trips to the hospital and back to work. Since amicably divorced. Cant smoke pot because of work. Tired of drinking 5 beers every night to relax. Working 60 hr weeks, and no mania for 3 years. I always wanted to try mushrooms but friends at the time told me not too because of my illness. Anyway, they dont test for mushrooms at work, will I “go round the bend” if i try them? I would love to get a different perspective.
Hello! Right now, it’s hard to provide information on this. Questions like yours are what this study hopes to address! As our network member Emma said during our Bipolar Reddit AMA:
“The question of whether psychedelics can be used therapeutically is one that the research is starting to look at, but unfortunately there has not been enough work done in this area to be able to weigh in on the benefits and risks for bipolar disorder. I expect we will be seeing a lot more large scale studies on this topic in the future.”
Will you only be testing bipolar II? My partner is BPI, never episodes of depression, always hypomanic (which is a state he is addicted to in my opinion) with two documented manic episodes, but more likely it’s been at least 4 since I have known him over 9 years..two episodes induced by drugs and being sleep deprived. (I was able to talk him out of one episode induced by 5 grams of mushrooms, which is not a drug he normally takes) over 5 hours during covid we didn’t want to go to hospital. But symptoms existed before any substance use..he has childhood trauma and addiction issues. He won’t medicate. I am at a loss. He needs a reset.
Hi J. I’m sorry to hear that you and your husband are struggling. We did a webinar a few months ago on family life and bipolar disorder. It’s specifically about family life during coronavirus, but perhaps it would be of interest to you.
This blog post by our network member Victoria Maxwell, who lives with bipolar disorder I, may also be of help: 4 Steps to Help Someone When They Don’t Want It
Yes, from what I understand, the study will only test bipolar II. If you’d like to reach out to the study investigator, Dr. Woolley, you can reach his lab at this email address: bandlab@ucsf.edu
Hello I have used mdma along with shrooms it was pleasant and relaxing but it was in small doses. I’m curious to know what you find in your study’s..
Hi Wendy! Thanks for messaging. If you live with bipolar disorder, it sounds like you’d be eligible to participate in the survey when it’s ready. We’ll be making the recruitment announcement sometime in the fall if you’re interested. Take care!
My wife and I have been bringing my son to doctors and a few mental health facilities for the last four years, before only seeming to make a little progress in the last six to eight months. He been diagnosed schizophrenic, schizoaffective, and the most recent biopolar with a touch of schizoaffective if that makes any sense. We are sooooo drained, tired and left in awe/disgust/disappointment with this psychological rollercoaster he mainly/we’ve been on the last few years. He was a kid taking dual credit college class and graduating with honors and on his way to college before his first mental break the summer right before he would have started his first semester of college. Yet, he had his first mental health facility placement that caused him to miss his first semester of college. However, this psylocibin use for mental illness topic I just saw on 60 minutes has only highten my interest in there being hope for my son leading a normal life again without more psychotic meds or possible hospital stays. We’re in the Fort Worth, TX area near Dallas and would love to know more about your upcoming studies in this area of mental health treatment this Sept or October 2020. May God bless your work and effort in this field of study!
Hi Shawn. I’m so sorry to hear of your son’s difficulties with his mental health. Yes, please check back in the fall to learn more. Maybe some of these resources could help:
As for the psilocybin study, it will be a survey of people who have already taken psilocybin in the past. I hope some of these resources can help. Take care!
Hello. I was curious if you are accepting new candidates for this. My better half suffers from bipolar type 2 and some early onset childhood trauma. Depression from losing her husband of 12 Years. I’m hoping maybe this could be a light in the dark the magic answer if you will. She currently takes medications prescribed from a psychiatrist. We would be interested if she could get some real benefits from studying.
Hi Sean. We’ll be making a recruitment announcement for the survey in the fall, depending on when the study is ready. As for the trials, I’m not sure what the requirements will be. You can check back at this blog, or contact Dr. Woolley’s lab to find out more: bandlab@ucsf.edu
We also shared some resources in the comments above that might be of interest to you and your partner.
Take care!
I am interested in participating in your study. I have bipolar ll. I suffer from treatment resistant depression. I have episodes of mania and depression approximately every two years. My depressive episodes last upwards of 18 months with no relief from antidepressants. My illness has cost me my marriage of 25 years and ended my relationship with my family and friends. I have never used any illegal drugs other than trying marijuana a few times which I didn’t like. I am now on disability. I have financial burdens I’ll never be able to repay due to manic episodes. I feel.im at the end of my road. I open open to trying anything that can improve the quality of my life. Thanks.
Hi Michelle. I’m so sorry to hear that you’re struggling. The study is a survey of people with bipolar disorder who already have taken psilocybin. If you do want to learn more about it, you could email the lab at psilocybinstudies@ucsf.edu.
We’re currently running a series of webinars for quality of life in bipolar disorder, which might have some helpful tips. https://www.crestbd.ca/talkbd/
I’d also recommend checking out our Quality of Life Tool (https://bdqol.com/) to track your wellbeing, and our Bipolar Wellness Centre (http://bdwellness.com/). These tools are for more than bipolar disorder symptom management–they’re for trying to optimize people’s overall quality of life.
I hope you find something in there that helps. Wishing yout he best.
I was diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder only 2 years ago but it has had such a negative impact on me my entire adult life, I just hadn’t known what it was that caused it. Approximately 4 to 5 years ago I was being treated with Ketamine to counteract the effects of Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy that I had been diagnosed with after a surgery to my right hand. For a month after the treatment (they lasted 8 hours in one sitting) my mood was balanced and everyone around me commented on how well I was being. Again, I hadn’t been diagnosed with BD at this point. Having experimented with Psilocybin in my late teens, I am very excited about this clinical study. It truly opens the mind and allows one to see beyond the typical scope. Since I have had the benefit of experiencing balanced mood from a different, more potent hallucinogenic, I am a believer that Psilocybin can probably be more effective. I wish this study was happening here.
Thank you Nathaniel! The survey is open now, so if you did want to share your experiences with the researchers you could do so if you want. https://www.crestbd.ca/2020/10/10/mushrooms-bipolar-disorder/ 🙂
Hello,
I am diagnosed Bipolar II. I have had many past experiences with phsychedelics, LSD, Shrooms and DMT. I still use Marijuana daily. I lived with this for 40 years before I got help and was diagnosed. My former shrink thinks it is what kept me from going overbored all these years with no meds. I can’t take phsychedelics anymore cause with my meds, Depakote, abilify and remeron they don’t work unless I use an unsafe amount. I want to get off my meds and I am VERY interested in taking part of this trial. I would talk to my doctor about weaning off my meds for the trial ASAP!
Hi Andrew! Currently the researchers are surveying people with bipolar disorder who have already taken psilocybin. Clinical trials won’t be until quite a bit later and will probably be within California. You can email the lab if you want to learn more! psilocybinstudies@ucsf.edu
The main benefits of microdosing psilocybin on a regular basis report higher levels of creativity, more energy, increased focus, and improved relational skills. Combined, these can positively impact job performance and in some cases help those struggling find a clear career direction and purpose. Other psychological issues that microdosing psilocybin can help with is alleviating mood disorders and anxiety. Medically, it is reported to treat cluster headaches, resulting in extended periods of remission. Lastly, it is known to increase spiritual awareness, attitudes of life, and altruism. Ultimately, microdosing psilocybin results in a more positive life experience when taken at the right dosage.
Hi Noah. That’s interesting stuff, thanks for posting. 🙂 The BAND Lab’s study is looking at full doses, but hopefully down the line we’ll see more about different doses too!
Hey, everything you clearly stated that is positive about microdosing is my intuitive feeling but I have held back in the past because of not wanting to risk a manic episode. Now that I’m more willing to try microdosing I’m having difficulty sourcing mushrooms. Thanks for inspiring me to continue my quest.
I have been using weed for my ‘anxiety’ for some months now and I was recently diagnosed with Bipolar Type 2. I got scared off of weed, knowing it can induce psychosis. Now that I’m not self-medicating, and not taking the very scary medication I was prescribed, I’m struggling to keep focused and stable. My energy is scattered, sleep is very difficult (even if I’m exhausted during the day) and I have an incredible amount of anxiety especially socially. Regular panic attacks. I have been finding some temporary relief from essential oils but I need something more stabilizing. I have used psychedelics throughout my adult life and I’m looking to try LSD soon. I have also been researching how to microdose mushrooms, but I’m hesitant to experiment too much since I’m hypomanic.
Hi Elyse. Sorry to hear you are having difficulties with sleep and anxiety. Panic attacks are so hard to deal with.
Some of our resources could possibly help you. We’re currently running a series of webinars on managing bipolar disorder during the covid pandemic. One of the videos is about anxiety. https://www.crestbd.ca/talkbd/
I’d also recommend checking out our Quality of Life Tool (https://bdqol.com/) to track your wellbeing, and our Bipolar Wellness Centre (http://bdwellness.com/). There is some evidence that omega-3 can help with bipolar disorder, although it’s not conclusive yet. You can learn more at the diet section in the Bipolar Wellness Centre. https://bdwellness.com/life-areas/physical/diet-and-nutrition/
Super excited for this study! Much needed thank you.
As someone who is diagnosed with Bipolar & General Anxiety.. Taking different pills daily wasn’t helping me only making me numb .
I weaned off completely and then dove right into , weed (hybrid or indica ), Ayahuasca, Bufo , and micro dosing on Golden Teacher . Where am I today? A work in progress but definitely better then I was before. Not numb , not taking lots of pills and finally able to find joy in life.
I have had Neurofeed back done for Brain mapping before and after taking Earth . medicines .. are there changes ? Yes , only that I am still learning how my mind works and naturally rewiring my brain .
This study I am sure will give a deep insight on how much it helps .
Thank you Gee. Really happy to hear you are finding something that is working for you, and re-wiring your mind. The brain is truly amazing.
Hi, I just came across this study and I do have Bipolar 2. I was just diagnosed this past year although I knew I had it for the longest time. I have tripped twice from magic mushrooms and I found them to be enlightening. I came out with great intentions and fixed some problems I was dealing with mentally. I am very interested to participate in this study. I have done a lot of research with the possible negative aspects of psychedelics with Bipolar disorder but quite frankly I have felt the opposite. I deal with hypomania and severe depression and I feel as if my meds don’t do a great job since I still struggle with everyday thoughts. I would love to participate in this study
I have been using psilocybin to treat my bipolar for the last 2 yrs or so. I am a vet with 16 yrs of service, multiple combat deployments, PTSD, destroyed marriages, and psilocybin is probably the only reason I am still here.
The psilocybin pulled me out of my BPD 2 depressive states into a quasi BPD 1 state. I use CBD/THC to deal with the anxiety that comes from the constant state of “go” that I am in now. Which I gladly take over being depressed all of the time.
I was taking 5g every 2 weeks, but have since tapered back to once a month to see if there is any difference, so far so good. So far my major concern is the dopamine (anxiety) issues and am considering iboga to deal with that mechanism.
I believe psilocybin has a place for BPD treatment, but only if the patient knows their cycles and can read what their body is telling them.
Hi Shaun
Are you saying that taking mushrooms puts you in a manic state?
It’s just that I’d like to use them for my depression but don’t want to trigger a hyper manic or psychosis episode and end up in a psych hospital again..
My name is Mandy and I am bipolar 1 with extreme and addictive behaviors. I also have PTSD and OCD. I have suffered alot of trama from childhood on. I have chronic pain along with all of this. I also can’t seem to have a relationship with anyone anymore. I would love to be in a study. I would trade just about anything for my bipolar. Please help
I would very much like to participate in this study. I was diagnosed Cyclothymic in my early 20’s but my symptoms worsened till my 30’s when I was then diagnosed BPI. A few rounds of medications only increaed the severity and frequency of episodes. I stopped taking pharmaceutical drugs and began experimenting with mushrooms. always in a calm and controlled setting and with intention. For years, every 2-3 months. My life drastically improved. Self love and appreciation without the inflated bravado of mania. It helped me stop drinking alcohol. I became more able to connect with friends and loved ones….the list goes on. I’m 38 now, still off meds. Still doing well. Psilocybin MUST be studied and made reliably usable and available.
Where do I sign up??
I have recently been diagnosed with BPD, but have had it for many years. I would do anything to get my mental state back in good order, currently not on any medications but occasionally have smoked Marijuana and it helps my moods even out, but only if I am in constant use of it. Please let me know if you need anyone added to the study!
Hi Jacquilynn. The study link will be available soon, and we’ll post it on the blog when it’s ready. Please keep in mind that it will be a survey of people with bipolar depression who have already taken psilocybin in the past, so it’s just asking questions of those people. Take care!
Just partook in August and was diagnosed with bipolar with rapid cycling in about 2003 would be happy to participate!!
I am very interested in this study. I have bipolar I and used to deal with mainly mania. But since I stopped drinking and started “doing everything right.” I’ve experienced depression so bad I’ve barely been able to work. As one of the commenters said, I wish I was back to the days of self-medicating. I too had/have a high stress job that i can barely do. Because every antidepressant I’ve taken either does nothing or causes suicidality.
Very interested in when recruitment for this study is happening and how someone gets accepted into the study
My husband has bipolar 2 and is on a few different medications for it. Would he need to stop his meds before being able to participate in this study?
Hi Jessica. The current study is a survey of people who have bipolar disorder II and have already taken psilocybin. If you have any questions, you could send an email to psilocybinstudies@ucsf.edu. 🙂
As someone who lives in the UK with Bipolar 1 disorder, I have tried a number of treatments over the years for managing my mental health. Most treatments I tried achieved only limited success, and often at the expense of significant side-effects. A number of years ago I decided to try psilocybin mushrooms. Whilst my decision was informed by my professional experience, in many ways it was also an act of desperation. Had I not taken this leap of faith I do not believe I would be alive today. Whilst my own psychedelic experiences have been positive, at times they have been challenging. Certainly some of my experiences could have destabilised my mental health had I not put a lot of effort into practicing ways of remaining grounded, and being able to access excellent post journey integration therapy support. Speaking from experience, I think tailored preparation and integration work is essential for those with Bipolar to use psychedelics safely. I support any empirical research looking at ways in which psychedelic-assisted therapy can be safely and legally used by people who have a diagnosis of Bipolar. My hope is that others with this condition will also be able to benefit as I myself have benefited. Since psilocybin I have not experienced a significant episode of mania, depression (mixed states), or psychosis. But we are a long way from being able to recommend what is needed to achieve similar benefits in others with Bipolar. People are different, and so too is the way that Bipolar affects them. Thank you so much for this research.
Hi John, this gives hope. I had some good results with macrodosing, although some of the trips gave me extreme experience, but I somehow got used to that and know how to handle it. But this is also the reason I am considering switching to micro. Did you try microdosing or just macro? How often did you take mushrooms and how much. How long the effect lasted. Many thanks and best wishes, Julia
Are you still looking for participants? I have mixed bipolar disorder. I used LSD often as a young adult and that really seemed to allow me to disconnect from myself proverbially speaking to enjoy the brighter side of life as I knew it. Fast forward 24 years or so and I’m a 41 year old man in a high profile career struggling with a whole list of things that I believe most men would have no problem dealing with. Recently, I took about 5 grams of California Golds and for 5 full hours, I felt unbelievably amazing. The crazy part is: afterward, still to this very day, I’m experiencing somewhat of a Halo effect but and am bugging to wonder if microdosing wouldn’t be a better option on a daily basis. Either way, since taking mushrooms, the desire to self medicate with vodka or marijuana has completely disappeared. I literally only use a nice indica concentrate to help me fall asleep; not that I have problems falling asleep…but staying asleep is different. I long to feel better than I do most days mentally and as of late, there has been no real thoughts about the usual struggles I’m faced with personally in my home or career life, and I can keep them separate.
I would absolutely love to help and learn more about the use of psilocybin to treat my mixed bipolar disorder so that someday perhaps it’ll help others like me.
Hi there I am wondering how I can apply to be a participant. I am manic deppressive. I have taken various trips with mushrooms and LSD and I always use a relatively smaller dose then others around me. I find the effects are very intense so I am always cautious. I have tried microdosing but still in a fairly upbeat setting and the effects, I find, are more relaxed, I am looking into it. Your study sounds like a perfect way to obtain my desired information.
Hi Brenna! Thanks for your interest. You can find the link to the survey here: https://www.crestbd.ca/2020/10/10/mushrooms-bipolar-disorder/
The survey specifically is for people who have taken full doses, not microdoses, though, so I’m not sure you would be eligible. However, the survey is just the info-gathering stage-so it doesn’t provide information, it just asks people about their experiences. It’ll take a while to analyze the data, but as more information is available, be assured we’ll publish blogs sharing it. 🙂
If you’re interested in getting updates about our work (including this), you can subscribe to our newsletter here: https://www.crestbd.ca/currents/
Hi,
My son is bipolar 1, he was recently diagnosed after taking LSD with friends. LSD threw him into a psychotic break, followed by a 5 month manic episode, then a 3-4 wks of normalcy, then into a now going on 3 month severe depression.
This depression happened once before about 2 years ago and at the time, I didn’t realize it wa bipolar disorder so My bf and I took him to the mountains and took 2 grams of mushrooms, it seemed to help the depression and it did not throw him into mania. After the recent LSD experience, i am terrified of him trying another psychedelic. How can you guarantee safety after administration? I am curious, because we are willing to try this with him again if there are certain safety measures in place.
Thank you
Concerned Mom
This book helped me. The Bipolar Experience by Jason Holmes.
What about microdosing and quitting lithium? Do you think it could be a succesful treatment?
Well recently I am a bipolar who has not taken her meds and uses maryjuana and also just consumed a few doses of shroom chocolate I am also diagnosed with bipolar disorder. I am not sure if it’s working but I’ll let time pass too see.
Hello. I have bipolar disorder and around 80 percent of my life is driven by my manic phase and deep depression. My mania phase though I feel like normal people really. Have high energy but have never done anything unusual. I would like to participate in study. I live in Germany and I myself do research in neurofeedback for treatment of affective mood disorder.
Hi Elnaz! The survey is closed now, unfortunately, and we’re moving to further stages of research. We’ll have more details on the blog soon. Take care.
Can anyone comment microdosing while taking lithium. Apparently it can cause heart problems. But since not much has been studied I have a feeling that someone took a large dosage and had a heart attack or something. I can’t find much info on lithium and microdosing. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
I’m not a dr but I personally think as long as your lithium levels are ok I can’t see it being a problem?
I am wondering this myself. I read many accounts of microdosing shrooms which made me hopeful. I have bipolar II with mainly depressive episodes. Then I saw a lot of articles cautioning against using shrooms while on lithium. What about microdosing? Is it safe with lithium? Thank you.
Hi,
My boyfriend is bipolar, has depression, suicidal thoughts occasionally, has manic episodes, is a recovering alcoholic, and has a big problem with addiction. He has used a wide range of drugs in the past for pleasure and believes that LSD will help him because he doesn’t want to take medication for the rest of his life. He takes a mood stabilizer and an antipsychotic. But I’ve seen him get extremely paranoid after smoking marijuana and stay like this for weeks. His last experience with LSD he had a very bad trip which lead to a spike in his depression for an entire year. He said his experience although it was bad he thought it could help. I really don’t want to support it because I don’t want anything bad happening to him but I really don’t know a lot about psychedelics. I’m doing more research but I’ve been told by his mother that these substances contradict his meds. Any advice?
Hi, I have bipolar I and a history of a mixed episode with acute psychotic features. I had my last major episode where I was hospitalized three years ago and have been relatively stable since. I would really love to try mushrooms and acid since it seems like fun and a lot of my friends are doing it. However, my psychiatrist strongly advised me against everything from weed to acid for fear that it would trigger another psychotic episode. I feel that he may be being overly conservative. How could I safely experiment with psychedelics?
I’m wondering if LSD or other hallucinogenics have ever been used to help diagnose mental disorders? I have witnessed a few people have bad trips and each of them was later diagnosed with some kind of mental problem, i.e. Schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, etc..
Just wondering if this might be a diagnostic tool?
I myself struggle with bipolar disorder. I am either severly depressed or in what feels like a good state, and has been labeled hypomanic. I have tried several meds, including a nasal ketamine treatment. All without any good results. Are there more people out there that have tried microdosing and had great results?
Hi, I tryed mushroom twice, first time i started to be more unpatient. I didn’t know that caused me the mushrooms. I let the job, I startdd to became nervous. And i had some flash backs from my childhood experience. Second time when i tryed it took me some weeks to accept that I am.going delusional from mushrooms, I became agresive, hopeless i losed weight a lot, i coudnt sleep until I get meds for antidepressants, before I used weed but not any medication. It need it all my family to took care for me 3 weeks almost till pills started to have effect. I started to have persecutory delusion. It cause me to break lot of relationship with friends. I didn’t know to address the problem. But I reacted like highly bipolar. Now it past a year, my doctor is analysing and he thinks now I am bipolar hypomania. I wouldn’t recomand this to the people with several depression and childhood trauma. If you try try woth people that ypu believe tjat takes care of you. It was a big mistake for me it cost me in my reputation, respect and so one. Because i didnt speak on time. You dont know what can brings to you. Meaby I was bipilar all the time but mushrooms put me this very out of stage and all secrets that I kept for all my life I spoked. I am a teacher and I had thd feeling I should go to the police because I felt shame. My father didn’t let me to go or let the job. So Consequences can be different, you cant know how much can follow the flash backs. It took me some months for delusional thought. It is always important to try woth people ypu trust. I already didnt trust them so, even when i went to the doctor I didnt know that ai have from mushrooms. I would like to know if mushrooms can trigger bipolar disorder. While I am new now on this. Because yesterday I understood. I thought I could be but now I think ita more sure.
Please give me any answer.
Name *
Email *
Hi, I tryed mushroom twice, first time i started to be more unpatient. I didn’t know that caused me the mushrooms. I had two jobs, one I let, I changed country I came back home, I started to became nervous, I coudn’t control my emotions. And i had some flash backs from my childhood experience. Second time when i tryed it took me some weeks to accept that I am going delusional from mushrooms, I became different, hopeless i losed weight a lot, I couldn’t sleep until I get meds for antidepressants, before I used weed but not any medication. It need it all my family to took care for me 3 weeks almost till pills started to have effect. I started to have persecutory delusion. It cause me to break lot of relationship with friends. But I reacted like highly bipolar. Now it past a year, my doctor is analysing and he thinks now I am bipolar hypomania. I wouldn’t recomand this to the people with several depression and childhood trauma. Meaby I was bipolar all the time, but mushrooms put me very out of stage. So consequences can be different, you can’t know how much can follow the flash backs. It is always important to try with people you trust. I would like to know if mushrooms can trigger bipolar disorder. While I am new now on this. Because yesterday I understood. I thought I could be but now I think its more sure.
Please give me any answer.
Name *
Email *
How does someone get involved with something like this?
Hi Melanie! The survey is now closed and is currently in the analysis phase. We’ll continue to post updates here on the Bipolar Blog. You also might want to follow the BAND Lab on Twitter (https://twitter.com/thebandlab).
I hope that helps a bit.
I really don’t think this is a good idea, I’m pretty certain I got sent into a couple months long manic episode from taking loads of mushrooms and psychedelics and it was the most intense experience of my life and lasted monthhsss. And obliterated my normal mental state, I did take it multiple times which I feel like I wouldn’t have happened if I hadn’t had took so much. But it definitely would not help with being bipolar it would only send you deeper into it, I believe. Also I’ve never heard anyone ever refer to it as shrooming? People just say they’re taking mushrooms never heard shrooming lol but hopefully my experiences help somewhat, can it help with depression 100% absolutely no doubt in my mind about that, it can be like an instant cure. With bi polar too I would say just be much more concerned about not taking too much, you can always take more remember you can never take less lol
I took some “White Teachers” shrooms on Saturday. I have bipolar and borderline personality. On the shrooms, obviously, I was completely manic. This continued until yesterday morning, so over 48 hours. Then today, I was triggered, and I’ve been in a depressive episode the last 4 hours. I’m trying to get myself out of it. I’m trying to understand what’s happening. I absolutely love lsd or shrooms because… I don’t feel bad about myself or life at all. I have no depression. I have no anxiety. I have no pain. I have no reminder of my failures… right now, all I can think about is how much of mess I am.. how people in my life deserve better… what’s wrong with me that I can’t be happy all the time or control my emotions or waves. Why can’t I just be the happy bubbly person I truly am. What’s wrong with me!? I feel like I’m in such a dark deep place of sadness that …I just don’t want to hurt anyone with my madness. How can I explain my thoughts and emotions to someone when I don’t even understand it myself. My partner deserves better than this. Better than what I can give.
I’ve taught myself to ride the waves. To not make a permanent decision to a temporary problem. But damn is it hard sometimes.
My daughter is bipolar 1 and has been on abilify for a year. Her symptoms have greatly improved in that time. I am concerned of abilify’s side effects and would prefer a more natural approach, such as psilocybin.
I need to please get in contact with someone from this study.
I have had a novel experience for which I can not find any precedent on the internet.
I have been diagnosed with bipolar 2, I have a psychiatrist, and I am on mood stabilizers (lamotrigine).
I have been in remission for 5 years.
I am very concerned that my psychiatrist takes me off lamotrigine for experimenting with psilocybin, as I just can’t face depression again. I was suicidal.
He strictly does not deal with substance “abuse”, though I feel no pull towards repetitive use.
I have to talk about this. to someone, and I feel it could be helpful to others
Hi Eldad–research assistant here. As this research is still very very new, I don’t think there’s likely to be much data on these sorts of situations, even amongst professionals. You can email psilocybinstudies@ucsf.edu to contact the lab doing this study, though.
Sorry that I can’t be of more help. I wish you the best and hope everything works out okay. We’ve shared some mental health resources here in the comments you might find helpful too. Take care.
I am new to the site, male 47. I have Bi Polar Type 1 the depressive part of my disorder is managed fairly well through standard meds. It’s not prefect but I have not knocked myself off yet, while there have been months at a time I have wanted to. I am under care and medicated. However I live my live in a hypo manic or very manic state most of the time.
I often spend far too much money on cocaine and MDMA chasing mounds of dopamine. Moreover, I spend most of my day on dating apps meeting loose women and engaging in dangerous sexual activity. I can’t maintain standard relationships as I am too much of a freak for most people. Picture a cross between Kurt Cobain and the Wolf of Wall Street. My enhanced creativity allows me to do well and support my dopamine driven lifestyle from home through flipping high risk security and other ventures. However I am profoundly sad inside and lonely.
Enough background here is where we get on topic. I have found that tryptamines help me distract me from my broken brain. I don’t use them for long term effect, more just to put me in a state where I am not vibrating. Specifically 4-Acetoxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine or 4-AcO-DMT at a dose of 13-15 MG. The dose is high enough that I feel high but not enough to make me useless. I would not call it micro dosing but at the same time given my weight (120 KG) I am still functional. While in this state I am distracted from my mania and not horny all the time. I can get on with my day without vibrating. While this state prevents me from driving and doing normal things outside the house, sometimes it just better to just stare at the ceiling at listing to loud trance music and wait for the ultra manic state to pass.
One issue I find with using tryptamines is some make you more horny which is counter productive. 4-Hydroxy-N-methyl-N-isopropyltryptamine or 4-HO-MipT should be avoided if you want to use this method as it is highly erotic. 5-Methoxy-N,N-diisopropyltryptamine 5-MeO-Dipt is another good example.
Tryptamines are a great tool to distract you from being manic in low doses. They can keep you home and safe, not spending money, or engaging in dangerous activities. While I am not an expert on long term effects on the brain and treatment that is my use for them.
Man, I am so so sorry that you have to live with such a condition.
I seldom had manic states, but jeez, when I did, I would do more damage to my life in 2 days than I did in the 6 depressed months preceding it.
And the shame from some of those actions would then endlessly follow me into the next depressive episodes.
I’m amazed that you have access to those molecules.
Good luck, I suppose. You are a rare case where “what’s the worst that can happen” would probably not be that bad compared to your general reality…
I was lucky in that lamotrogine was a magic bullet that just ended my lifelong curse.
You talk about being “profoundly sad and lonely”. Dude, i know that feeling. I had it for the first 34y of my life. It breaks my heart to know that others out there are suffering like you.
If you ever need to chat to someone I can be that person. I’m something of a “results-focused” guy, so I wouldn’t judge you regardless of literally anything that you have done in your life. Talking about things helps. It just does.
Anyway, you can mail me at johndoeplett@hotmail.com if you want.
Cheers
Hello
I have bipolar and struggle with the depression side of it. I used to have highs but I’m on mood stabilisers now so I don’t really get them unfortunately. I’m on sodium valproate and a low dose of orlanzapine. I was wondering would it be a problem taking mushrooms with the meds I’m on at the moment? And also could the mushrooms push me into having a manic or psychotic episode?
I have taken mushrooms a couple of times before and enjoyed it.
Cheers
Dave
Hi Dave! Thanks for your questions. Unfortunately, because this research is so new, there is not a lot of research out there about which medications interact with psilocybin. I highly recommend you follow the BAND Lab on Twitter to keep up to date with bipolar psilocybin research! https://twitter.com/thebandlab
That said, we’ll be posting a blog in a week or so with some preliminary findings about how people with bipolar disorder responded to magic mushrooms. Please check back then! 🙂
-Laura, research assistant
Hi again Dave! Here’s the blog post I’d mentioned: https://www.crestbd.ca/2021/07/05/bipolar-psilocybin-study-poster/
You can see some early study results there that might answer your question about manic/psychotic episodes.
Take care,
Laura
My son has bipolar II and was diagnosed about ten years ago. He has been treated at a well renowned hospital here in NC but despite the lengthy and varied list of medications he has been prescribed in various doses he has been deemed to be treatment resistant. Marijuana helped somewhat when he was in CT but is not available for medical use in NC. The depression is debilitating. Would this be helpful for him? He’s desperate for some relief.
Hi Patricia. I’m really sorry to hear what your son is going through. Unfortunately we can’t give medical recommendations here. What we can say is that this research in is the very early stages, and from what I understand no knowledge no trials have been done testing how patients with bipolar disorder respond to psilocybin. We do have the earliest results from this exploratory study available here: https://www.crestbd.ca/2021/07/05/bipolar-psilocybin-study-poster/
We’re also going to have a webinar on psychedelics & bipolar on November 22nd (https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/4416325020156/WN_0mV3ll88TXKOloyjT-NMoQ). If you can attend, that might be helpful! We also post all of these webinars to YouTube and the website after, so even if you miss it you’ll be able to find it at http://www.talkbd.live and on our YouTube channel. https://www.youtube.com/c/CRESTBD/videos
Sorry that I can’t be of more help. Wishing the best for you and your son.
hello i am diagnosed with bipolar disorder and currently trying to get micro dosing down to a science i’ve also had a few trips in between and honestly for the past month i’ve been in a very good state of mind i don’t know for sure yet if that’s just a placebo effect which i have heard is very strong on psychedelics but for now i do feel better.
Hello Research Heros!!!
I was diagnosed with Bipolar II approximately 4 years ago when I was 31 years old. I have been taking an antidepressant with a mood stabilizer ever since but started experimenting with micro-dosing last summer and have had awesome improvement results with my depressive symptoms (no adverse hypomania) whenever I do dose. In fact, it’s been several months since I’d taken any and I’ve been in a terrible depressive episode the last month and a half, but I finally decided to just take half of a stem and FINALLY FEEL BETTER TODAY!! What I’m trying to say is, THANK YOU. Thank you for doing this research!! I just registered for the Nov 22nd Webinar and hoping I can definitely make it to get an in-depth understanding of your research thus far. Sending love and light!!
Sincerely,
Lacey
Greetings,
My adult daughter has been recently diagnosed with Bipolar II and we have begun the path to learning the best approach to managing.
If there are follow-on studies, please let us know. She is comfortable with and confident in the use of psilocybin to treat mental illness.
Thank you!
58, male. Bipolar. 16 years state prison. 18 years free? In therapy 8years. 12000 mg lithium daily. Micro dosed .3 gram weekly for two months. Felt more connected. Am repeating as of today.
Hi, I wanted to ask if you thought that might be any interaction between psilocybin and Delta-9 THC and what a history of delta 9 THC might have on the effects of psilocybin? I read that you are considering treatments associated with those who suffer from chronic pain. How do you predict that chronic exposure to THC prior to treatment with psilocybin would impact patient outcomes?
I am aware that there a growing number of individuals using Delta 9 THC as a way of managing chronic pain. I assume as some are chronic users that might exhibit cannabis use disorder and that they would either be using Delta 9 THC concurrently with treatment or would continue use after treatment. I also think that this is relevant concerning bipolar disorder considering the correlation between this diagnosis and likely hood of substance use, specifically with a high risk for THC use prior to experience with psilocybin. Do you know if there is any evidence/ literature pertaining to the effects of how the use of psilocybin following chronic THC exposure would impact subsequent interactions or experiences with THC? More specifically, do you think that there might be some change in those diagnosed with bipolar disorder that would not be apparent in the general population due to structural/ chemical balance differences? If so, what differences in the bipolar brain would be considered factors of interest.
I have heard anecdotally that after using magic mushrooms smoking weed is “different” and I would assume they mean it induces psychosis-like effects similar to the ones induced by psilocybin. I am trying to do research on the subject and I am just starting my investigation I would greatly appreciate your feedback on these questions. I am aware the research is sparse regarding these interactions. It is just surprising to me as THC works primarily on dopamine and psilocybin is structurally similar to serotonin (which leads me to believe that its the neurotransmitter it primarily impacts). I have endless questions but I will leave it at this for now. Thank you!
Hi, my name is Debbie. My son went to an outdoor festival over a month ago and did magic mushrooms and some sort of acid for three days in a row. I’m assuming it was a high dose. One thing to note is that my mother has bi-polar so it does run in our family, although my son and nobody else in my family have ever been diagnosed with this disorder. After he got back from the festival for the first week he was very motivated and positive, talking alot but nothing too startling for him. As the week passed, it turned into a hyper mania state where he wasn’t sleeping or eating, very dillusional thinking he could save the world, could not sit still and was very aggitated. He was over-posting on social media something he had never really paid that much attention to prior to festival. We ended up having to baker act him and have him seen by professionals. I can’t begin to explain how difficult this was for his father and me. I could go on and on about the lack of help and direction is almost impossible. He has since been seen by a psyciatrist who diagnosed him as bi-polar prescribing Seroquel and Vraylar. He has calmed down but his thoughts are still all over the place and he is no back to himself at all.
My point in responding to this is i would like as much information as possible to help my son and if there is anything you can provide for this type of experience i would appreciate it. Like is this the effects of the drugs he took and will it wear off eventually? Has he always been bi-polar and this brought it out in him? He has been known to smoke weed, but not a hard core drug user and this is so hard to understand. Thank you.
If you still need participants in the study I’m available!
I was blessed with 400-500 mcg San Francisco “Orange Sunshine” microdot LSD in 1971. The “acid” and “mescaline” going around junior high and high school never approached the Owsley student and partner who continued his pharmaceutical grade product for some time after Owsley split. He wound up getting busted decades later after producing up to millions of doses. Peace, Love, and Happiness. (“Jimi Hendrix”)
Magic mushrooms are a naturally occurring fungus that is found in many parts of the world. It contains psilocybin and psilocin, which are psychoactive substances that can cause hallucinations and other effects.
Your writing style is engaging and easy to read, making it enjoyable to dive into the topic. I appreciate that you made complex concepts understandable for readers.
Do you still have availability for this research study or has it ended?
Mushrooms changed my life. They helped me find peace and they made me realize my place in the world. We could comunicate without words. Everything came alive. The trees. The earth. The water. . I became part of that. They showed me who i am. They can only help you if you are in the right positive environment and have guidance. These things grow everywhere where i live. So we took full advantage of that when i was a kid. I can still feel it inside of me to this day and im 46 now. Its been 20 years since ive had any. I live in southwest louisiana. Its beautiful here. The swamps and the wildlife. But then theres the chemical industry and the humans poisoning everything and cutting down every tree in sight. I detached from that. I denounced and despise it. It was so hard growing up surrounded by all this. The people i love where all destroying themselves and the nature around me. Mushrooms showed me how to deal with all the rage and anger inside me. They brought me comfort and grounded me . Showed me how big the universe is and promised me everything will be ok. Cause we are a micrograin of dust in this universe. We arent responsible for all the pain and suffering. Everything will keep moving long after we have spent our short time here on this majestic planet spinning thru the never ending depths of space. Theres no telling how many other planets are out there with similar situations being that WE DONT KNOW as much as we think we do. Good luck everyone. Remember to give thanks and be kind to others. Maybe it will come back to us. And be kind to animals too. Cause they are you. Dont enter the net. And get seperated from yourself. And remember it takes more than a pill to fix your life. If i had to pick one. This would be it.
I cannot believe the magnitude of people’s story’s on this. I relate quite well to alot of them. What came of this study? What stage us it in? Any public findings to date?
I was afraid for years to try taking mushrooms I have schizoaffective disorder with major mania and this is the only thing I have found to work it keeps me out of the mental hospital and I have been on lithium which almost killed me and I have been on several different antipsychotics which put me into psychosis this is the only thing that helps and my disorder is bipolar with severe manic episodes and schizophrenia I have anxiety ptsd and ocd also
I was also deemed 5250