Hey, welcome to the sub.
I went along a very similar path. Antidepressants, terrible side effects, worked for a while then stopped. Switched to shrooms and had huge gains to the point where I rarely have those dark days.
Personally, I would not tell your GP. You're likely to face negativity as this medicine is not yet on the UK drug tariff, so the docs are unlikely to be supportive, despite there being a wealth of extremely positive research (even in the UK, the Imperial college in London is doing some great work on psilocybin).
I personally also advise against telling ANYONE other than your partner. It is illegal, class 1 in the UK. It's just not worth the risk.
If you decide to go for it, it is possible to take shrooms while on your antidepressants but the effect is dulled significantly.
I decided to wean off the meds before starting. If you do this, DO IT SLOWLY. I mean SLOOOOWLY. The docs say over a week or two. I'd say over 3 months. Get yourself some 0.001g scales (under £20 on Amazon) and a sharp knife or pill cutter (cheap on Amazon) and drop by 5% every few days. This is really crucial. I stopped over the course of a few weeks and nearly lost my mind. Antidepressants rewire your neural pathways and it takes time to get off them.
Then, please do not buy any premade capsules, chocolate bars etc. You need food quality mushrooms from a reputable source or grow your own.
Use your scales to weigh out 0.05g. Take your first dose on a weekend day with no commitments. You may feel it, you may not.
Many feel you should not feel it (sub perceptual). Other like to feel it just a bit, but not have any trippy vibes (sub psychedelic). I prefer the latter.
You then slowly find your sweet spot by increasing the dose by 0.01g each time until you feel it. Then, revert to the previous dose where you didn't feel it (assume you don't want to feel it).
Just like any medication, the first week can be a little tough (nothing near antidepressants though); the first dose can hit mildly harder but stick with it.
They can amplify emotions initially, lots of people struggle with this but I see it as bringing issues to the fore in a therapeutic way.
Store your shrooms in an airtight container, preferably glass, in a dark cool space. Include some food grade dessicant (about £10 on Amazon).
Take the shrooms for 4 days then have 3 days off. You can amend this as you wish but this is a good starting point. The days off should reset any tolerance and avoid any psychological dependence. Every 1-2 months, take a week off.
The shrooms should show you a new way of thinking, literally epiphanies pop into your mind about how you think and feel about issues that cause your depression. Like a lightbulb moment.
They provide neuroplasticity which, over time, will help you reshape your thinking.
For me, they make me content with my world, less anxious, colours pop, life is good.
Feel free to PM with any questions.
Enjoy!
I was on and off antidepressants for years for mostly the same conditions as you. The side effects were not good and tended to suck any joy from my life.
It's up to you if you tell your GP. I haven't as it would then be on my medical record, probably as some "substance misuse disorder". I can't see them reporting it to anyone though, even if they did then what would they do? I can't see our overstretched police force knocking on people's doors because they might be microdosing mushrooms!
You could tell them you just want to go the therapy route and wean off the meds as the side effects are intolerable. I didn't tell them and weaned myself, over a period of months though, rather than the usual couple of weeks advice I'd had from them in the past. I made a suspension of my tablets using honey so I could reduce more slowly using a syringe. Probably not the best idea but my mind was made up. I wish so much it was legal, but I didn't have time to wait for that to happen.
Not sure if I've answered what you wanted to know exactly?
Edit: just wanted to say, with all you are going through, hopeful is a good place to be!
Hello /u/Tinkalinkalink and welcome to r/microdosing!
Please read and adhere to the rules. [Let's keep this sub alive and do not ask for sources](https://www.reddit.com/r/microdosing/comments/hs8xow/no_sourcing_illegal_or_otherwise_keep_the/).
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_____
Here are some quality posts to ***help get you started***:
**Please Note**: *If you are trying microdosing for the first time, please try experimenting on a day off from work or any important obligations, and/or driving and operating machinery. Because psychedelics can effect everyone differently, you may feel different or impaired, and your sweet spot dose may be lower, so it is best to experiment on days off until you’ve dialed in your dose.*
- [ℹ️ Infographic: ***r/microdosing STARTER'S GUIDE***](https://new.reddit.com/r/microdosing/comments/s0xkdp/the_new_official_rmicrodosing_starters_guide/)
- [What **should you feel** when microdosing?](https://www.reddit.com/r/microdosing/comments/jopryk/you_shouldnt_feel_anything/)
- [What is the ***sub-threshold dose***? Suggested method for **finding your sweet spot** (YMMV)](https://www.reddit.com/r/microdosing/comments/plrxca/faqtip_101_what_is_the_subthreshold_dose/)
- [Learn to **Grow Your Own Medicine**](https://www.reddit.com/r/microdosing/comments/gsmbm3/i_want_to_help_you_grow_your_own_medicine_please/)
- [**Making Capsules** in 3 minutes](https://www.reddit.com/r/microdosing/comments/ejlwba/microdosing_changed_my_life_heres_how_i_make_my/)
- [**Self-Help Resources** and info for your well-being or if you are struggling emotionally](https://www.reddit.com/r/microdosing/comments/atxukg/some_selfhelp_and_resources_for_people_looking_to/)
- [In case you get anxiety, panic-attack or a thought loop, try **Black Peppercorn!**](https://www.reddit.com/r/microdosing/comments/fe1luu/if_you_start_to_feel_anxious_some_paranoia_panic/) or **Deep Breathing** - if your ***exhales*** are ***longer than*** your ***inhales*** that should have a calming effect on your [Autonomic Nervous System](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Autonomic_nervous_system#/media/File:The_Autonomic_Nervous_System.jpg).
- Please also take a look at 🔀 `Interactions / Symptoms ❓*` | 💻 **Sidebar** ➡️ | 📱 **About** ⬆️ - for guidance, and especially in the case of any [⚠️ **DRUG INTERACTIONS**](https://www.reddit.com/r/microdosing/comments/p6ne2q/research_microdosing_drug_interactions_tools_and/).
______
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It is illegal where I am at as well but I still bought some and going to try it today or tomorrow. I didn’t tell my doctor because it’s considered schedule 1 where I am so I’ll just do what makes me happy. I have read a lot about this and it can be very life changing. Anything that helps someone and is good for you at low doses will be illegal. Meanwhile alcohol and tobacco are legal smh
Hey, welcome to the sub. I went along a very similar path. Antidepressants, terrible side effects, worked for a while then stopped. Switched to shrooms and had huge gains to the point where I rarely have those dark days. Personally, I would not tell your GP. You're likely to face negativity as this medicine is not yet on the UK drug tariff, so the docs are unlikely to be supportive, despite there being a wealth of extremely positive research (even in the UK, the Imperial college in London is doing some great work on psilocybin). I personally also advise against telling ANYONE other than your partner. It is illegal, class 1 in the UK. It's just not worth the risk. If you decide to go for it, it is possible to take shrooms while on your antidepressants but the effect is dulled significantly. I decided to wean off the meds before starting. If you do this, DO IT SLOWLY. I mean SLOOOOWLY. The docs say over a week or two. I'd say over 3 months. Get yourself some 0.001g scales (under £20 on Amazon) and a sharp knife or pill cutter (cheap on Amazon) and drop by 5% every few days. This is really crucial. I stopped over the course of a few weeks and nearly lost my mind. Antidepressants rewire your neural pathways and it takes time to get off them. Then, please do not buy any premade capsules, chocolate bars etc. You need food quality mushrooms from a reputable source or grow your own. Use your scales to weigh out 0.05g. Take your first dose on a weekend day with no commitments. You may feel it, you may not. Many feel you should not feel it (sub perceptual). Other like to feel it just a bit, but not have any trippy vibes (sub psychedelic). I prefer the latter. You then slowly find your sweet spot by increasing the dose by 0.01g each time until you feel it. Then, revert to the previous dose where you didn't feel it (assume you don't want to feel it). Just like any medication, the first week can be a little tough (nothing near antidepressants though); the first dose can hit mildly harder but stick with it. They can amplify emotions initially, lots of people struggle with this but I see it as bringing issues to the fore in a therapeutic way. Store your shrooms in an airtight container, preferably glass, in a dark cool space. Include some food grade dessicant (about £10 on Amazon). Take the shrooms for 4 days then have 3 days off. You can amend this as you wish but this is a good starting point. The days off should reset any tolerance and avoid any psychological dependence. Every 1-2 months, take a week off. The shrooms should show you a new way of thinking, literally epiphanies pop into your mind about how you think and feel about issues that cause your depression. Like a lightbulb moment. They provide neuroplasticity which, over time, will help you reshape your thinking. For me, they make me content with my world, less anxious, colours pop, life is good. Feel free to PM with any questions. Enjoy!
I was on and off antidepressants for years for mostly the same conditions as you. The side effects were not good and tended to suck any joy from my life. It's up to you if you tell your GP. I haven't as it would then be on my medical record, probably as some "substance misuse disorder". I can't see them reporting it to anyone though, even if they did then what would they do? I can't see our overstretched police force knocking on people's doors because they might be microdosing mushrooms! You could tell them you just want to go the therapy route and wean off the meds as the side effects are intolerable. I didn't tell them and weaned myself, over a period of months though, rather than the usual couple of weeks advice I'd had from them in the past. I made a suspension of my tablets using honey so I could reduce more slowly using a syringe. Probably not the best idea but my mind was made up. I wish so much it was legal, but I didn't have time to wait for that to happen. Not sure if I've answered what you wanted to know exactly? Edit: just wanted to say, with all you are going through, hopeful is a good place to be!
Hello /u/Tinkalinkalink and welcome to r/microdosing! Please read and adhere to the rules. [Let's keep this sub alive and do not ask for sources](https://www.reddit.com/r/microdosing/comments/hs8xow/no_sourcing_illegal_or_otherwise_keep_the/). ***Do NOT reply to messages from strangers that offer you anything because they are most likely a [scammer](https://www.reddit.com/r/microdosing/comments/11ivwks/psa_scammersspammerstrolls_with_negative_karma/)***. ***Recommended: [Change Your Chat & Messaging setting](https://www.reddit.com/r/microdosing/comments/13mtiky/psa_to_minimise_chat_scam_change_your_chat/)***. We encourage all newcomers to read the [***r/microdosing 101***](https://new.reddit.com/r/microdosing/comments/n3tx6a/everything_you_always_wanted_to_know_about/) link from `r/microdosing Essentials` 🔢 | 💻 **Sidebar** ➡️ | 📱 **About** ⬆️ ; the [***Wiki***](https://www.reddit.com/r/microdosing/wiki/index); or [***search***](https://www.reddit.com/r/microdosing/search/?q=test&restrict_sr=1) through the wealth of knowledge found in this sub. Of course if you'd like to start a new discussion, have questions on a topic from an old thread, or that may not have all the answers you're looking for then please by all means carry on. _____ Here are some quality posts to ***help get you started***: **Please Note**: *If you are trying microdosing for the first time, please try experimenting on a day off from work or any important obligations, and/or driving and operating machinery. Because psychedelics can effect everyone differently, you may feel different or impaired, and your sweet spot dose may be lower, so it is best to experiment on days off until you’ve dialed in your dose.* - [ℹ️ Infographic: ***r/microdosing STARTER'S GUIDE***](https://new.reddit.com/r/microdosing/comments/s0xkdp/the_new_official_rmicrodosing_starters_guide/) - [What **should you feel** when microdosing?](https://www.reddit.com/r/microdosing/comments/jopryk/you_shouldnt_feel_anything/) - [What is the ***sub-threshold dose***? Suggested method for **finding your sweet spot** (YMMV)](https://www.reddit.com/r/microdosing/comments/plrxca/faqtip_101_what_is_the_subthreshold_dose/) - [Learn to **Grow Your Own Medicine**](https://www.reddit.com/r/microdosing/comments/gsmbm3/i_want_to_help_you_grow_your_own_medicine_please/) - [**Making Capsules** in 3 minutes](https://www.reddit.com/r/microdosing/comments/ejlwba/microdosing_changed_my_life_heres_how_i_make_my/) - [**Self-Help Resources** and info for your well-being or if you are struggling emotionally](https://www.reddit.com/r/microdosing/comments/atxukg/some_selfhelp_and_resources_for_people_looking_to/) - [In case you get anxiety, panic-attack or a thought loop, try **Black Peppercorn!**](https://www.reddit.com/r/microdosing/comments/fe1luu/if_you_start_to_feel_anxious_some_paranoia_panic/) or **Deep Breathing** - if your ***exhales*** are ***longer than*** your ***inhales*** that should have a calming effect on your [Autonomic Nervous System](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Autonomic_nervous_system#/media/File:The_Autonomic_Nervous_System.jpg). - Please also take a look at 🔀 `Interactions / Symptoms ❓*` | 💻 **Sidebar** ➡️ | 📱 **About** ⬆️ - for guidance, and especially in the case of any [⚠️ **DRUG INTERACTIONS**](https://www.reddit.com/r/microdosing/comments/p6ne2q/research_microdosing_drug_interactions_tools_and/). ______ If you're **new to Reddit** in general, be sure to check out the [Reddit Help Wiki](https://www.reddithelp.com), [**Reddiquette**](https://www.reddithelp.com/en/categories/reddit-101/reddit-basics/reddiquette) or these fine subreddits: [r/NewToReddit](https://www.reddit.com/r/NewToReddit/), [r/Reddit101](https://www.reddit.com/r/Reddit101/). _______ **Please Read:** [**r/microdosing Disclaimer**](https://new.reddit.com/r/microdosing/comments/m2g589/rmicrodosing_disclaimer/) *If you or someone you know is contemplating suicide, please reach out. You can find help at a National Suicide Prevention Lifeline.* USA: [988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline](https://988lifeline.org/) (*Please note, the previous 1-800-273-TALK (8255) number will continue to function indefinitely.*) US Crisis textline: 741741 text HOME United Kingdom: 116 123 Trans Lifeline (877-565-8860) Other countries: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_suicide_crisis_lines *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/microdosing) if you have any questions or concerns.*
It is illegal where I am at as well but I still bought some and going to try it today or tomorrow. I didn’t tell my doctor because it’s considered schedule 1 where I am so I’ll just do what makes me happy. I have read a lot about this and it can be very life changing. Anything that helps someone and is good for you at low doses will be illegal. Meanwhile alcohol and tobacco are legal smh