For some people, magic mushrooms are a fun thing to explore and have fun, but for others, they are used to alleviate symptoms of various conditions. Some individuals use them to enhance cognitive functions, while others turn to microdosing to address specific mental health conditions.
When it comes to dosage, particularly in the evening, taking a large amount might not be the best choice. While you may want to relax and drift off to sleep, experiencing full psychedelic effects and being stuck on the couch is probably not what you are looking for.
This is where microdosing at night may be beneficial, as it offers the perfect balance between effective relief and avoiding an overly intense high.
The Science Behind Psilocybin and Sleep
While many people use psilocybin for its mind-expanding properties, its impact on sleep is a topic of growing interest.
How Psilocybin Affects the Brain
After being consumed, psilocybin converts into psilocin in the body, which attaches to the brain’s serotonin receptors. Your mood and quality of sleep may be affected by this serotonin activation. Remarkably, research has demonstrated that psilocybin increases slow-wave activity (SWA) as you sleep. Deep sleep, which is necessary for memory consolidation and emotional control, depends on SWA. Still, not all of psilocybin’s effects are beneficial. According to some research, it may result in strong and vivid dreams that make it challenging to get a good night’s sleep. Psilocybin and sleep have a complicated interaction that is still being studied.
Psilocybin’s Impact on Sleep Patterns
Psilocybin’s effects on sleep patterns are not entirely consistent. On the one hand, by raising slow-wave activity, it can encourage deep sleep. However, REM sleep latency, or the amount of time it takes to enter the REM period of sleep, might, be prolonged by taking psilocybin. This delay may potentially lead to insomnia and restlessness, as well as less restorative sleep. Although some users claim to feel more relaxed and calm, scientific research indicates that psychedelics can increase alertness, which makes it more difficult to fall asleep. These effects are probably going to depend on the dosage used. While it may be harder to fall asleep with higher doses, users rarely report such problems when microdosing.
Will Microdosing at Night Prevent You From Falling Asleep?
In today’s world, where cell phone addiction is out of control, anxiety and insomnia rates are skyrocketing, it’s amazing any of us manage to get any sleep at all. You might be wondering if microdosing psilocybin in the evening will make you more alert or, as is often the case with cannabis, leave you feeling drowsy.
Well, here’s some promising news. Psilocybin, the active compound in mushrooms, stimulates the dopamine and serotonin receptors in the brain. When microdosed carefully, users often experience enhanced focus, increased creativity, and a better overall mood. These effects can also be adjusted to promote relaxation and improve sleep by following specific microdosing protocols designed for nighttime, such as “The Nightcap Protocol.”
The Nightcap Protocol
In conventional microdosing protocols, the typical practice involves taking your dose in the morning and monitoring its effects throughout the day. However, the Nightcap Protocol offers a different approach. According to various online sources, taking a microdose before bed might help you fall asleep and, in some cases, even alleviate insomnia.
Nightcap protocol is pretty straightforward. Simply take your dose about an hour before you plan to go to sleep. This way, the effects set in while you’re in the depths of your nighttime rest, ideally leading to a more profound and refreshing sleep.
There are two ways to microdose under this protocol:
1. The first method follows the established Fadiman Protocol but with evening dosing. Take your dose every two days, starting on the first and ending on the fourth night. Continue this cycle for up to eight weeks, followed by a rest period of two to four weeks.
2. The second method involves dosing every other night. For example, microdose on the first night, skip the second night, microdose on the third night, and take a break on the fourth night. Repeat this cycle for four to eight weeks, and then take a break to prevent building up a tolerance.
Finding the right balance that suits you is the best way to unlock the true benefits of Nightcap Protocol. Make sure to keep a journal and monitor how does microdosing at night affects your sleep.
Drawbacks of Microdosing at Night
While microdosing does not typically cause adverse effects in healthy individuals, some medical researchers suggest it might carry a risk of misuse and addiction, although these claims lack substantial evidence and research.
When it comes to microdosing at night, the main concern for a restful night’s sleep is the “vivid dreams” that many people report experiencing. For some, vivid dreams can be enjoyable, especially for those who are active dreamers. However, others might find these dreams a bit overwhelming.
Another issue some people have reported is that microdosing before bedtime makes it harder to fall asleep. Individual reactions to psilocybin can vary, so while microdosing at night might be effective for some people, it could completely alter the desired outcome for others.
Tips for Managing Sleep While Microdosing
When microdosing to improve sleep make sure to create an environment that promotes deep relaxation and sleepiness. Engaging in supplementary activities that can relax you and make you prepared to hit the sack. Breathwork, gentle stretching, or meditation can be great additions to microdosing at night. Reading a few pages of a good book or playing white noise sounds can also be beneficial.
Make sure to listen to your body as it is one of the most important aspects of managing your nighttime routine.
Final Thoughts
While high doses of psilocybin can disrupt sleep patterns and negatively impact sleep quality, microdosing tends to have the opposite effect. With microdosing blends that contain psilocybin and valerian root, falling asleep will become smoother, leading to a more restful night’s sleep.