Background:
Roughly 25% of autistics have significantly elevated serum/blood levels of serotonin. In fact, there is a suggestion that the higher the concentration of serum serotonin, the more severe the autism, and it could be used as a diagnostic marker. Interestingly, these same individuals also have low concentrations of serotonin in the cerebral spinal fluid (CSF). Which suggests there isn't a problem with production, but rather uptake. There are several genes involved with the brain's uptake of serotonin and it would appear that in certain individuals, mutations in these genes are, at least in part, responsible for low serotonin in the brain. Furthermore, it may suggest that there may be a feedback loop where the demand for serotonin triggers the gene transcription for production, hence the more impaired the uptake, the more production. This is a similar reaction that may occur with insulin resistance, metabolic syndrome, pre-diabetes, and diabetes where as the cells become more and more insulin resistant, the blood sugar levels rise in a failed attempt to compensate for intracellular glucose concentration.
Autism is also one of the "low dopamine neurological conditions". There are at least 3 known gene mutations associated with autistics that result in impaired dopamine metabolism. Serotonin modulates the gene transcription involved in dopamine production.
Psilocybin is a chemical produced by certain species of mushroom and are often referred to a "psychedelic" or "magic" mushrooms. Psilocybin in the blood (inactive) will be metabolized to psilocin (active compound). Psilocin mimics the chemical structure of serotonin and binds to the same receptor sites in the brain. Serotonin receptors, when activated, may trigger a wide range of reactions effecting the glutamine:GABA (excitatory:inhibitory) neurotransmitter balance, enhancing the dopamine production system, it diminishes the "gating system" that separates otherwise independent regions of the brain allowing them to communicate with each other (synethesia for example), it diminishes the inhibitory signals from the amygdala's (fear centers), etc.
How psilocybin may help in certain variants of autism:
1. Psilocin is able to bind with the serotonin receptors and activate the cascade of reactions that serotonin would otherwise perform.
2. It may improve or normalize the levels of serotonin and dopamine in the brain.
3. It may improve neurotransmitter balances.
4. It may improve mental clarity and cognition.
5. It may reduce anxiety.
6. It may improve social behaviors.
Legality:
In some countries, possession of psilocybin mushrooms is legal. In others countries, it is not. In the US, it is legal to purchase psilocybin mushroom spores and mycelia for "research purposes". It is also legal to purchase all the materials and grow mushrooms. It is not legal to possess psilocybin mushrooms. If you do choose to cultivate these mushrooms for personal use, do so discreetly. The companies that sell the spores and mycelia will not respond to questions regarding cultivation. There are many sources online as well as books for that purpose. Once you grow mushrooms to maturity, you can extract the spores, take tissue samples, etc. and use these to reproduce more.
In some areas of the country, psychologists may use psilocybin therapeutically, under supervision, to guide a person through an intense, full dose, "psychedelic experience" that has shown efficacy in alleviating PTSD symptoms and severe anxiety conditions, to stop smoking, and to stop other harmful addiction behaviors.
Microdosing and the Stamets Stack:
This is using about 1/10th-1/4 the dose that would trigger a psychedelic experience. You're using it as a medication, not for recreation. You should not be impaired in any way and you can go about your normal daily activities. Typically 3-5 days a week, the lower the dose, the more days, the higher the dose, the fewer the days. Dosing can vary from person to person, from the psilocybin concentration in the mushrooms, and from a developed tolerance. Studies of microdosing psilocybin mushrooms or synthetic psilocybin alone have not shown significant effects. However, mycologist Paul Stamets discovered that dosing psilocybin mushroom plus Lion's Mane mushroom plus niacin (flushing type) resulted in an additive effect, as he describes, a 1+1=3 response in the brain. The "Stamets Stack" has been proven to improve cognition, brain growth, social behaviors, and measurable improvements in neuro-motor skills. Lion's Mane and psilocybin have synergistic effects, the niacin (B3) acts as a vasodilator to improve absorption across the blood-brain barrier.
The 2024 PSILAUT study will be examining the effects of psilocybin therapy for autistic patients.
My anecdotal experience with the Stamets Stack: It works very well for me for improving my mental clarity and cognition, keeps me relaxed during the most stressful of work days, and improves my social behaviors significantly enough that others notice.
I am not suggesting that this will work for everyone. Not everyone will have the same genetic mutations associated with serotonin and dopamine metabolism. Chances are likely that some people will not respond the way that I do. To each, their own.
PM me if you want to learn more on the topic.
Roughly 25% of autistics have significantly elevated serum/blood levels of serotonin. In fact, there is a suggestion that the higher the concentration of serum serotonin, the more severe the autism, and it could be used as a diagnostic marker. Interestingly, these same individuals also have low concentrations of serotonin in the cerebral spinal fluid (CSF). Which suggests there isn't a problem with production, but rather uptake. There are several genes involved with the brain's uptake of serotonin and it would appear that in certain individuals, mutations in these genes are, at least in part, responsible for low serotonin in the brain. Furthermore, it may suggest that there may be a feedback loop where the demand for serotonin triggers the gene transcription for production, hence the more impaired the uptake, the more production. This is a similar reaction that may occur with insulin resistance, metabolic syndrome, pre-diabetes, and diabetes where as the cells become more and more insulin resistant, the blood sugar levels rise in a failed attempt to compensate for intracellular glucose concentration.
Autism is also one of the "low dopamine neurological conditions". There are at least 3 known gene mutations associated with autistics that result in impaired dopamine metabolism. Serotonin modulates the gene transcription involved in dopamine production.
Psilocybin is a chemical produced by certain species of mushroom and are often referred to a "psychedelic" or "magic" mushrooms. Psilocybin in the blood (inactive) will be metabolized to psilocin (active compound). Psilocin mimics the chemical structure of serotonin and binds to the same receptor sites in the brain. Serotonin receptors, when activated, may trigger a wide range of reactions effecting the glutamine:GABA (excitatory:inhibitory) neurotransmitter balance, enhancing the dopamine production system, it diminishes the "gating system" that separates otherwise independent regions of the brain allowing them to communicate with each other (synethesia for example), it diminishes the inhibitory signals from the amygdala's (fear centers), etc.
How psilocybin may help in certain variants of autism:
1. Psilocin is able to bind with the serotonin receptors and activate the cascade of reactions that serotonin would otherwise perform.
2. It may improve or normalize the levels of serotonin and dopamine in the brain.
3. It may improve neurotransmitter balances.
4. It may improve mental clarity and cognition.
5. It may reduce anxiety.
6. It may improve social behaviors.
Legality:
In some countries, possession of psilocybin mushrooms is legal. In others countries, it is not. In the US, it is legal to purchase psilocybin mushroom spores and mycelia for "research purposes". It is also legal to purchase all the materials and grow mushrooms. It is not legal to possess psilocybin mushrooms. If you do choose to cultivate these mushrooms for personal use, do so discreetly. The companies that sell the spores and mycelia will not respond to questions regarding cultivation. There are many sources online as well as books for that purpose. Once you grow mushrooms to maturity, you can extract the spores, take tissue samples, etc. and use these to reproduce more.
In some areas of the country, psychologists may use psilocybin therapeutically, under supervision, to guide a person through an intense, full dose, "psychedelic experience" that has shown efficacy in alleviating PTSD symptoms and severe anxiety conditions, to stop smoking, and to stop other harmful addiction behaviors.
Microdosing and the Stamets Stack:
This is using about 1/10th-1/4 the dose that would trigger a psychedelic experience. You're using it as a medication, not for recreation. You should not be impaired in any way and you can go about your normal daily activities. Typically 3-5 days a week, the lower the dose, the more days, the higher the dose, the fewer the days. Dosing can vary from person to person, from the psilocybin concentration in the mushrooms, and from a developed tolerance. Studies of microdosing psilocybin mushrooms or synthetic psilocybin alone have not shown significant effects. However, mycologist Paul Stamets discovered that dosing psilocybin mushroom plus Lion's Mane mushroom plus niacin (flushing type) resulted in an additive effect, as he describes, a 1+1=3 response in the brain. The "Stamets Stack" has been proven to improve cognition, brain growth, social behaviors, and measurable improvements in neuro-motor skills. Lion's Mane and psilocybin have synergistic effects, the niacin (B3) acts as a vasodilator to improve absorption across the blood-brain barrier.
The 2024 PSILAUT study will be examining the effects of psilocybin therapy for autistic patients.
My anecdotal experience with the Stamets Stack: It works very well for me for improving my mental clarity and cognition, keeps me relaxed during the most stressful of work days, and improves my social behaviors significantly enough that others notice.
I am not suggesting that this will work for everyone. Not everyone will have the same genetic mutations associated with serotonin and dopamine metabolism. Chances are likely that some people will not respond the way that I do. To each, their own.
PM me if you want to learn more on the topic.
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