What are Microdose Gummies?
Over the past decades psychedelic and psychoactive substances have become increasingly popular. Not only is it used recreationally, but some have found medical benefits for the drugs to help with symptoms of debilitating mental health conditions. With the rise in use of these mind-altering substances, brands have created products containing substances such as magic mushrooms, THC and CBD with the intent of creating proportioned microdose gummies and other sweet treats. These products and brands are most often advertised on social media and can be purchased online or in dispensaries and vape shops. One company has recently been in the news for product contamination, sending out a recall notice for all products due to several consumers falling ill from their products.
Diamond Shruumz, a sub-brand of Prophet Premium Blends, is a Santa Ana, California-based company that sells a variety of psychedelic-infused candies and sweets. This includes gummies, chocolates and more containing varying amounts of THC, CBD and psilocybin (magic mushrooms). On June 27, the brand announced a recall for 22 products in total and all flavors of Diamond Shruumz products, which include infused cones, microdosing chocolate bars, microdose extreme gummies and mega-dose extreme gummies. The recall was due to a contamination of an ingredient called muscimol, which has been potentially linked to the illness of 48 people in 24 states.
Users reported feeling ill after consuming microdosing chocolate bars and gummies from the brand. Of the 48 reported illnesses, 46 people sought medical care, 27 people were hospitalized and one potential death is still being investigated. The products were found to have contained toxic levels of a chemical most often found in the amanita muscaria mushroom. People who fell ill after consuming the products reported symptoms such as seizures, agitation, involuntary muscle contractions, loss of consciousness, confusion, sleepiness, nausea and vomiting, abnormal heart rate and hypertension.
States in which users had reported falling ill from Diamond Shruumz products include Alabama, Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maryland, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota and Tennessee. After this outbreak and recall, public health experts are now urging officials to increase and intensify warnings of the risks of using unregulated psychedelic-infused products.
What is Mircodosing?
Microdosing is the act of taking regular, small and controlled amounts of psychedelic substances for the purpose of experiencing therapeutic effects to achieve subtle mental benefits without the full-on hallucinogenic effects. It has become popular for its potential to enhance cognitive creativity and reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression. Many who participate in microdosing are often searching for alternative ways to feel better and “gain more from life.”
A typical microdose falls between 2-5 milligrams of a typical substance such as THC, CBD or mushrooms. It can go as high as 10 milligrams for those who have a naturally higher tolerance to substances. In general, researchers consider a microdose to be about 5-10% of a normal recreational dose. The goal of microdosing is to take enough of the substance and experience the potential benefits of the drug without causing a high.
There are many ways to microdose.
- Two days of microdosing and two days without
- Microdosing every other day
- Microdosing Monday to Friday and skipping the weekends (Saturday and Sunday)
The potential benefits of microdosing include improved mood, lower anxiety, ability to think more clearly and focus, motivation, decreased substance use, and an increased sense of overall well-being. Despite its popularity, microdosing is fairly new and there is not enough research and clinical studies proving the safety and benefits of this method of usage. Psychedelics are still illegal substances in the U.S. The downsides and negative side effects of microdosing include difficulty paying attention and thinking clearly, low energy, low mood, increased anxiety, appetite changes, upset stomach, uncomfortable psychical sensations, difficulty in social settings and unwanted trips or hallucinations.
Microdose Gummies
The most popular way to microdose is with gummies, chocolates or other sweet treats. Brands such as Diamond Shruumz offer products such as microdose gummies, microdose mushroom gummies and other types of microdose chocolates. Mushroom chocolates and microdose mushroom gummies often come in colorful packaging featuring melting landscapes and come in a wide variety of appealing flavors. These products claim to provide an all-natural “trip” that can boost energy, increase mental clarity and boost cognitive creativity and focus. Some of the THC and CBD-infused microdose products are used as “natural remedies” for symptoms of mental health conditions.
Microdose Mushroom Gummies
In 2022, an estimated 12.3% of U.S. adults reported using psilocybin mushroom products. A 2023 report found that the U.S. spends about 1 billion on psilocybin products. Psilocybin has now surpassed Ecstasy as the most popular psychedelic substance and is mainly consumed in microdoses, according to a report from Rand.
Microdose mushroom gummies are typically made with compounds from psychedelic mushrooms offering a different and unique way to experience the effects of the drug. Advocates of microdosing mushrooms say the gummies can offer mental health benefits without the full-on hallucinogenic effects. Mushroom gummies combine the elements of magic mushrooms in an easy-to-ingest form like sweets. Eating and orally ingesting the substances also offers a quicker and more convenient way to experience the desired side effects of the psychedelic drug.
The effects of microdose mushroom gummies usually kick in between 20-90 minutes after initial consumption. The duration of the effects can last anywhere from 3-6 hours.
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The Effects of Microdosing Mushrooms
- It can change the way you hear, see and feel
- Vivid visions
- Sense of flying
- Talking to objects or people who aren’t there and who don’t usually talk back
- Mood swings
- Intense sense of relaxation
Amanita Muscaria
- Amanita muscaria is a legal magic mushroom that contains psychoactive ingredients and is often used in microdose gummies
- It produces vivid experiences that can alter a person’s perception and mood
- It is composed of ibotenic acid and muscimol
- Side effects include dizziness and nausea
- More commonly used recreationally and less commonly used in therapeutic settings
- There is a higher risk of overdose
- The duration of effects last anywhere from 5-8 hours
Psilocybin Mushrooms
- Psilocybin is illegal in many different countries
- Produces side effects such as euphoria, visual and auditory hallucinations
- It is most commonly used in therapy and during spiritual experiences
- There is a lower risk of overdose
- The duration of effects last anywhere from 4-6 hours
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State and federal health authorities are continuing to investigate the outbreak of illness stemming from the edible mushroom brand Diamond Shruumz. Currently, these types of products and other edible psychedelic products remain unregulated and have the potential to contain harmful synthetic chemicals. Because of this, there is no universal standard in manufacturing, producing or selling the products that can help keep consumers safe. Edible psychedelics are illegal at the federal level, but legal in only two states. The biggest risk in microdosing is the development of tolerance and addiction.
Hotel California by the Sea provides programs for those who may be addicted to psychedelic substances such as THC and magic mushrooms. We provide all levels of care including detox, residential, PHP and IOP. While enrolled in our program, clients will participate in personalized cognitive therapies including CBT, DBT and EMDR therapy. Hotel California by the Sea is dedicated to helping our clients achieve sobriety and overcome their addictions.
References:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/2024/07/03/mushrooms-psychedelic-edible-harmful
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/diamond-shruumz-recall-mushroom
https://www.goodrx.com/well-being/substance-use/microdosing
https://www.seattlemet.com/discover/magic-mushrooms/do-mushroom-gummies-make-you-trip/