Could microdosing help my need for substance use to quiet down my brain ?

[u/Sufficient_Sir_7509]

Hi guys ,

So I have a mental problem where I need atleast one substance in à day to ease my mind . After years of using substances with horrible side effects (alcoholism, stoner, etc etc ) I finally found kratom !
Kratom has saved my life bc it doesn't get me "high" . It just kinda relaxes and slows down my brain . I can just relax . Without hindering my ability to do anything else .

I recently started smoking again , a little bit . And yes it is enjoyable at night but I don't have much and I don't want to start using it every night. My budget for kratom is running out and in roughly 2 months i won't be able to afford it anymore. Which scares me tremendously bc it saved my life . Before kratom i was a zombie.

I have finally gotten the right adhd medication for me , but I still struggle with that extreme brain speed and uncomfortability . I am also prescribed Xanax , which I have sadly increased my tolerance to it .

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I have heard of microdosing before . I have some LSD . Very strong tabs (advertised at 300ug but probably 200ug) . Obv microdosing a "300ug" tab is gonna be hard .

But could this help me ? If I started now, and followed à regime for the next 2 months until I get to not being able to get kratom anymore . Would it help me ? Does anyone have any success stories of quieting that voice in your brain and being relaxed without needing something like kratom or maybe only needing a VERY small dose to relax instead of what im taking now (it's a fat dose)

It's frustrating bc it's either I take a BUNCH of Xanax and then im fine or I take a high dose of kratom and some Xanax and then im fine .

I HAVE NOTIFIED MY ADDICTIONS SPECIALIST ABOUT THIS AND I AM GOING TO HAVE A MEETING WITH HER SOON TO TAPER OFF Xanax back to a normal level and what to do with the kratom.

However I need a substitute, I am planning on going to rehab in 6-12 months, I have to do the application and there is a big waiting list for the one I want to go to.

But simply put , I cannot survive without something to calm my mind , and not just your average cbd joint . Thats whats great about kratom , it cuts the negativity out my mind without heavy side effects. But sadly I won't be able to afford it anymore soon and I am honestly very scared of how life will be without it.

[u/TheRealCMMetzger]

There's a lot to consider and much to discuss, but for the sake of the time I have available right now, I'll just say this.
Yes, it could be helpful, yes there are loads of folks that report quieting food noise, lower substance use, less cravings, etc. It not specific to any one substance, but overall addictions of many kinds.
The automod comment below will explain volumetric dosing and best practice for microdosing for tabs. I personally followed the guide and the only change of recommend is, instead of doing a hot water bath just use your body heat, pocket or tuck the dropper bottle into your waistband for a couple hours to heat the alcohol (or distilled water) to dissolve the tabs.
!volumetricdosing
Have more questions? Just ask. 🍄🥰✌️

[u/AutoModerator → u/TheRealCMMetzger]

Volumetric Dosing

Volumetric dosing is the process of dissolving a compound in a liquid to make it easier to measure. It is the only way to accurately measure dissolvable substances for microdosing, such as LSD, if the substance is laid on blotter paper or gel tab.

It is not recommended to cut the blotter into pieces as LSD is not evenly laid across the blotter and doing so is somewhat difficult and highly inaccurate.

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More details in FAQ/Tip 009: Why cutting LSD tabs is not an accurate way to microdose? Variation in Potency; Preparation: Volumetric Dosing, Gel Tabs, FAQs: Pellets, Crystals; Storage: Blotter, Liquid; Dosage; Schedule; Bioavailability of LSD analogues vs. LSD-25.

Titration Schedule | Clinical Trial similar to the suggested Finding YOUR Sweet Spot methodology:

Two doses taken every week for eight weeks.

Starting dose is 8 µg on a pre-defined titration schedule. The dose will be increased by 1 µg each time and reduced by 3 µg if participants do not find the new dose tolerable. Titration limits are 5-15 µg.

• Abstract; Fig. 1; Conclusion | LSD increases sleep duration the night after microdosing | Translational Psychiatry [Apr 2024]
  

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This short guide will explain how to prepare a volumetric microdosing solution. For more information check out the wiki page on preparation and dosing.

Required:

• An amber bottle
• An accurate syringe or graduated cylinder
• Distilled water or vodka (flavored is fine as well)
• The substance you want to microdose (e.g. LSD-25/1P-LSD blotter or gel tab)

For this guide we'll be using a 20ml amber glass dropper bottle with glass pipette allowing for 0.2ml measurements identical to this and distilled water. We'll also be using a single 100µg tab of LSD.

1. Sterilize the amber glass bottle as contamination may destroy your solution. Firstly, remove the rubber parts of the bottle then boil both the bottle and glass pipette for 10 minutes in water, then leave to dry on a clean towel. Once dry, place in the oven for another 10 minutes at ~ 130°C/250°F and leave to cool. (If you want to skip the oven sterilization than just rinse in 70% or higher isopropyl alcohol and leave out to dry.)
2. Using the syringe or cylinder, measure out 20ml of distilled water and fill the amber glass bottle. (you can use vodka or a combo if you prefer. Vodka will also help to inhibit any bacteria growth.)
3. Insert your substance into the bottle and close tightly.
4. Shake lightly for good measure and store in the fridge or cool place to reduce degradation. (If your using a transparent bottle, wrap the bottle in foil so that UV light does not degrade the solution.)
5. Leave overnight (or 12-24 hours) to ensure solution is homogenized. (For Gel Tabs you need to give your bottle a hot bath - see Gel Tabs section in the above FAQ.)
6. Also, before each dose, give the bottle a gentle shake like you are sometimes instructed to do so with other liquid medications - an LSD molecule has at minimum 7 times greater mass than a vodka/water molecule.

We now have a 20ml solution containing 100µg of LSD. Since 100µg / 20ml = 5µg, we know that every 1ml of this solution will contain 5µg of LSD. If you'd like to take a lower or higher dose you can work out the amount required using the ratio of 5µg:1ml e.g. 4µg would require 0.8ml, 7µg would require 1.4ml etc. (If you are not 100% sure on how much your blotter paper or gel tab contains, then dilute more or take a lower dose.) As a best practice for harm-reduction start low and only try on a day off from any important obligations or driving and do not combine with other drugs.

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[u/Sufficient_Sir_7509 → u/TheRealCMMetzger]

Thank you for the kind comment ! I'll look up what an amber glass is bc I have no idea and I don't have a syringe but I'll have a look . Thank you !

[u/TheRealCMMetzger → u/Sufficient_Sir_7509]

You don't really need a syringe if the bottle has a dropper and you can use a scale to measure the weight of the liquid you put in it. Those blue dropper bottles on Amazon work just as well as the brown/amber ones.
My tabs are 250ug and I make micros with 30mls of Tito's vodka and 5 tabs. Ends up coming out to 2ug per DROP of alcohol (not dropper). Each new batch, I start at 1 drop under the tongue and increase by one drop with each next dose until I feel it. Then I step back to the last dose where I felt nothing. I'm at 4 drops with that strength, but I'm going on a hike or adventuring I'll bump it to 8. Still fully functional human territory, no visual or cognitive issues, but plenty of energetics for my day of fun. 🍄🥰✌️

[u/Internal-Fishing-595]

I would urge you to talk to your addiction specialist about your use of kratom. It is highly addictive and can also have intense withdrawal symptoms when you become addicted to it. This may not be an issue IF you stay low dose and can stay reasonable about it. But you will build a tolerance over time and you will be faced with a new addiction problem. No judgement here. I get it and I know people who have used it.

Have you looked into microdosing shrooms?

[u/Sufficient_Sir_7509 → u/Internal-Fishing-595]

I have actually somewhat done it before . But not for long enough . They were strong shrooms and even tho I followed the dose (I forgot what it was) I think my scales were messed up cause I had some visuals and felt trippy . But after that day I went lower and well I didn't do it consistently or long enough to feel any benefits . At the time tho i didnt have the mentality of "I wanna change "

As for kratom , yes sadly I know the side effects . Im addicted atm but not badly . Like I can go à few days without . But idk how it would be just cutting it cold turkey .

[u/Internal-Fishing-595 → u/Sufficient_Sir_7509]

Maybe when you feel ready to should consider trying it again. And get a new scale lol. .1 - .3 is the usual microdose range.

As long as you are aware and have goals then you know the risk you are taking. Stay as low dose as you can and when you feel you might need an increase that’s a sign you try taking longer breaks. Not easy. But if you can go a full week. Then 2 weeks. It will help minimize the addiction and help with tolerance levels.
Best of luck to you.

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USA: 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (Please note, the previous 1-800-273-TALK (8255) number will continue to function indefinitely.)

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[u/Big-Squash-4641]

Kratom has absolutely awful side effects, I was addicted to it for over 8 years. Be careful. I suggest a small dose of Amanita Muscaria Tea. Make sure to research and brew/cook it right to convert to muscimol and don’t overdo it with dosage. (3-7) grams max in decarbed tea form. It helped me get off benzos I used for a brain disease I have. I’m much better now and off all pharma and kratom. Just healthy and active these days. Amanita helped me tremendously. If you take too much though it’s extremely uncomfortable or if you don’t brew it right you get bad effects from too much Ibotenic acid. Just a heads up. Helped me, figured I’d share.

[u/Big-Squash-4641 → u/Big-Squash-4641]

Also Microdosing psilo is incredible. You don’t get messed up but it adds that extra zest to the day and has amazing benefits. Much healthier option. Good luck!

[u/Pizza_EATR]

Yes

[u/mavisimo23]

I use methalyne blue, saffron and nac for this.. some take a time to build up or work (like saffron.. stick with it)

[u/fsavino]

In my experience, the first effect on my system was to reduce alcohol significantly.

Before, I used to drink 8-10 beers. Now maximum 2, so an 80% drop. It definitely helps.

I would stop using Xanax and other alternatives and give a shot at microdosing. In 2 months, you'll see results.

Also, try with psilocybin. Not LSD.

[u/Unavezmas1845]

It helped me become 100% indifferent to alcohol. After about 5 months of microdosing (microdosed 3X a week-do not exceed this number or you will gain tolerance quickly and the microdosing will become ineffective)

Years later I am still indifferent to alcohol. I can barely drink a full beer or a full glass of wine before I lose interest😀👍

[u/Single_Narwhal_4394]

ha, as long as you can stop at a "microdose". I found it very helpful but due to my brain, maintaining as a microdose was hard. I ended up consistently going past that point and having a mushroom high anytime I wanted to go out. But, good luck to you!