Microdosing Psilocybin Improves Psychomotor Skills in Over 55s

Microdosing psilocybin is growing in popularity. More and more studies are being published that correlate the practice with improved mental health, creativity and overall mood. This stellar reputation has encouraged many to add it to their wellness routines. It joins the stalwarts such as vitamin supplements, exercise and meditation / mindfulness. 

Who Are The Microdosing Generation?

However, not as much has been said about microdosing’s effects and benefits on different demographics. In fact — when you imagine someone who has welcomed microdosing into their life with open arms — it’s probably a millennial, or someone around that age bracket. Someone who grew up internet literate. Perhaps alongside a wellness doctrine that didn’t really exist in the same way for previous generations. (Did you know carrying around a bottle of water wasn’t really a ‘thing’ until the 90s?!) Always looking for a way to optimize, with the power of Google at their fingertips to wade through the maelstrom of false information that swirls around us. 

But what about the generations above? Many of them surely experimented with psychedelics at some point. But perhaps ended up being put off by the draconian laws or negative propaganda that shrouded the true possibilities of psychedelics. Maybe these same things put them off ever experimenting at all. 

Additionally, could it be that microdosing psilocybin has different benefits for different age groups? Well, a recent study points to…’YES’. 

New Study From University of BC Yields Exciting Results

The University of British Columbia published a study this year that confirmed many of the positive effects associated with psilocybin microdosing. However they also found some new exciting information. Published in Nature-Scientific Reports the study consisted of 953 people taking regular microdoses of psilocybin and 180 who were not.

All of the participants were asked to complete various assessments over the 30 day study period. These assessments were designed to evaluate mental health symptomatology, mood and measure cognition. One of these was a smartphone finger tap test, aiming to measure psychomotor ability. This same assessment can be used as a marker for Parkinson’s and other neurodegenerative diseases. 

Those who were given a microdose of psilocybin showed greater improvements in mental health, mood and psychomotor ability when compared with those who were not given psilocybin. 

The Largest Longitudinal Study of its Kind

Dr. Walsh who worked on the study explained its significance;

“This is the largest longitudinal study of this kind to date of microdosing psilocybin and one of the few studies to engage a control group. Our findings of improved mood and reduced symptoms of depression, anxiety and stress add to the growing conversation about the therapeutic potential of microdosing.”

Across the board those who were given a microdose self-reported far greater improvements during the one month study when asked about their mood, stress, anxiety and depression. However, the results of the psychomotor finger-tap tests showed the most significant improvement in the participants who were over 55 years of age. 

The ‘Stamets Stack’ Can Further Improve Results

This result was even more significant when the psilocybin microdose was paired with Lion’s Mane mushroom and niacin supplements. A whopping 40% improvement shown. You may recognise this combination as the ‘Stamets Stack’, a self-optimisation plan made famous by the mycologist Paul Stamets.  

Accordingly, Mr. Stamets shared his thoughts on the findings;

“The tap test results are interesting…the tap test results with microdosing combining psilocybin, niacin and Lion’s Mane over baseline, and in comparison to psilocybin taken with any other combination, stands out as a strong signal of significance for psychomotor performance. We are excited to test this clinically,”

As there are currently few effective treatments to mediate the symptoms of neurodegenerative diseases, this spark of potential is very exciting. 

The study continued to demonstrate the positive links between psilocybin microdosing and mental health, as well as discovering new possibilities. This is why paying attention to, and including, varied demographics is key to realizing the full potential of microdosing practices. Joseph M. Rootman who worked on the study stated;

“Considering the tremendous health costs and ubiquity of depression and anxiety, as well as the sizable proportion of patients who do not respond to existing treatments, the potential for another approach to addressing these disorders warrants substantial consideration,”

Sharing is Caring

So there you have it! The signs point to Yes! Do continue with your microdosing routine! And, why not introduce it to your older relatives too? Sharing is caring after all…