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I’ve had ADHD since I was 7, and my parents have been saints in helping me cope with it. I’ve taken all kinds of meds (Ritalin, Focal In, Concerta), and I've had therapy forever. The medication pretty much works but it changes me so much. I didn't recognize myself. I’m very social, energetic and funny. But on the medication I would recognize situations where I’d normally respond in a certain way, but I didn’t. And it frustrated me so much. Anyway, I was not doing very well in school, until I took magic shrooms. My history grades changed from 3,4’s to 9,3’s and all my other grades raised at least one point. Eventually I almost graduated cum laude from high school, and I now study mathematics.
Tripping has created a certain calmness in my head. I’m a huge hesitator. I usually question everything (mostly about myself and how I come across) and I was always negative about myself. I always think everybody thinks I’m a bad/annoying person. My 4th trip was difficult. I completely re-experienced those feelings of being hated and feeling less worthy, but I talked with two good friends of mine who reassured me I was a good person and everything would be okay. Ever since then I realized that it was all in my head. So I moved (I had to for college) and started all over in a different city where I now realize I’m such a social bee. I still sometimes cope with the feelings, but I know they’ll go away in a while. I now take shrooms regularly because they cleanse my body of negativity and overthinking things and help me stay positive and concentrated. LSD has helped me realize who I am and what I need/what makes me happy, with an afterglow lasting at least 2,5 months. Tripping has helped me concentrate, learn and memorize better. I think without LSD and shrooms my (academic) future would have been so much smaller. It has also helped me overcome my uncertainty and (nearly depressed) negative overthinking. It’s just made me a happy and successful girl.
-Britt
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I had extreme difficulties concentrating during my first 2 years in academia, getting bad grades. After having a very deep experience when I was 20, with psilocybin mushrooms everything changed. I got my master cum laude now and still feel balanced and happier than ever. Without doubt these psychedelics played a major role in this process, but it must also be stressed that there are other factors at play as well. First, these concentration problems very mainly caused by a depression that haunted me for many years. The psychedelic experience resolved this depression - by seeing the roots of it - connected me with what what I LIKE and love in life, and thus resolved my concentration problems. Besides (very important), these changes all took place in a very supportive setting, with new friends, and an new exciting life.
-Manuela
-----
Regarding ADHD and LSD: I have an anomalous experience regarding curative effects of LSD on attention deficit disorder. The subject is my own experience. In the late 1960s I was failing academically, unable to focus or concentrate on the written word, and on mathematics. After a series of six LSD sessions, I had new motivation and I found I was able to read deeply and rapidly. Seven academic degrees later, I am reading in 5 languages. I went from a perpetually failing student to a ‘summa cum laude.’ My impulsivity was reduced and its energy seemed to be channeled into an academic and psycho-spiritual focus.
I know that the LSD experiences somehow either induced and/or supported a kind of “cure” of my attention deficit. It certainly boosted my academic potential, given what it was before any LSD experiences. I am wondering if there are others in this group who have had similar experiences. We now know the amazing creative influence and expansion of ‘intelligence’ that LSD and other psychedelics and entheogens have produced. With renewed interest in research into LSD and various medical and psychiatric disorders, I am wondering if anyone knows of specific literature on the effects of LSD on attention deficit disorder. It is a complex question, for LSD during and for usually a short time after can also make concentration difficult. But for me, somewhere in the space of 2 years and six sessions, I was cured of my ADD.
-Mikkal
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Let me start this off by saying the only mind altering substances I've done (besides my meds... I have ADHD) are LSD and mushrooms - no alcohol, weed, whatever. So I went into the first of those experiences having no clue what inebriation felt like. Luckily I had very experienced friends to help me through both trips, so my experiences were great.
The first trip (mushrooms) was one of the most profound experiences in my life. I remember sitting on the ground and my mind was QUIET! I could suddenly think without having thoughts race in and around my head and I was calm. I felt relaxed and I had the complete ability to focus on single things at a time and appreciate them without getting distracted. My body felt good and I felt good and happy with the world and my decisions.
Once I learned to control the visuals, LSD also quieted my mind. There was a long period of time where I was lying in my bed unable to speak, but able to have complete focus on the beautiful visuals. I'm on 70mg of vyvanse and I'm never able to have that much focus. Even though I had extensive babble sessions with friends, I didn't feel like I was having that scattered word vomit that I usually have when I'm off my meds.
For a month after taking mushrooms, my head was WAY clearer than normal. I felt like I didn't need to take my meds to effectively concentrate in school for the first week, and I lowered my dose for the next three. I got back on my normal dose once the month was done. My acid trip is (still) producing similar results. I feel clearer and far less fuzzy than normal. The effects have just about worn off, but it's been about a month, so that's expected...I guess?
I'm curious if anyone else with ADHD has felt similar results? I did a huge amount of research before I took both of these chemicals, but there is little information on how they effect those of us with ADHD. I would love to hear about other people's experiences, good or bad!
-sciencekitty
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I'm 36 now and I have since adopted regular LSD, Mushroom, DMT, and Ayauasca more recently and I’m a new man. I was diagnosed with ADHD at age 15. Since I opening my consciousness the first time I’ve lost 70lbs, I am starting my 5th company, and I've generated over 10,000 jobs with my start ups. I'm the happiest person I know, I make everybody around me better and I have success as a result. Thank the heavens for "the portals," as the indians call them….
-Sirmarksalot
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I have (had) ADHD. I didn't find out till my 20s. I took pharmaceutical amphetamines for a few years. Since the 2nd or 3rd time I drank ayahuasca I haven't taken any ADHD medicine(s). That was about 9 months ago. Now I feel better and less ADD'd out than when I was taking the pills. Aya fixed ADHD and anxiety for me. The difference has been noted by my employer. I've never been more efficient at work.
-BundleflowerPower
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LSD has helped me significantly; it alleviated my ADHD symptoms, and helped me get over my substance dependency issues over few low dose trips.
Psilocybin helped bring clarity, motivation in my life, love for nature, and helped purge out some negative emotions by crying.
Ayahuasca has been the most therapeutic; it allowed me to revisit very early childhood memories I'd completely forgotten about, which later helped my interactions with my family and friends. It also showed me why I was born, which helped give me a sense of direction, purpose in life.
-kurage
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I had ADHD before I took psychs. I don't have problems focusing any longer. I don't know if the psychs helped, or I just grew out of it (which is entirely possible too). What I do know is I feel so much more intelligent when I'm on CID. As for Shrooms... Well I feel like I'm not smarter, but with more compassion and commitment towards other's well being.
-FakePlasticSky
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I am a female college student with ADHD who had previously never taken any drug, so after doing extensive research on psilocybin and it's physiological/neurological/chemical effects I decided to take some. I was a bit nervous going into it, seeing as it was my first experience being inebriated in any sort of way, but the fact that I had gone camping with friends to a beautiful area and was with my boyfriend who has much experience with these sort of things, was able to calm me down.
Once the psilocybin kicked in, I have to say it was one of the most profound experiences in my life so far. I remember sitting on the ground and my mind was QUIET! I could suddenly think without having thoughts race in and around my head and I was calm. I felt relaxed and had the ability to focus on single things at a time and appreciate them without getting distracted. My body felt good and I felt good and happy with the world and my decisions. When the effects started to wear off, we all hiked back to our campsite and I was very pleased with my experience.
Yet, the lasting effects are what really struck me as exciting and wonderful. For a week after, I had little need to take my medication (I am on a very high dose too) and I felt like I was much happier with myself and my life. Since then, I resumed taking my meds to be able to focus in my classes and when I am working in my research lab. I have noticed that the crash at the end of the day is much much less of an issue and that I continue to feel not as ADHD-y on the weekends when I don't take my meds. I can't fully describe what exactly changed and how the experience helped my ADHD, but psilocybin is now a source of ongoing academic interest to me. I do strongly recommend not taking your medication the day you want to take the drug, and if possible, make sure you have a benzodiazepine with you just in case things start to go bad.
Overall, I saw only positive effects towards my ADHD after taking psilocybin and this is coming from someone with a very severe case of the condition. Hope this helped!
-snarkologist
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I had ADHD all through childhood. I was just somebody always always always thinking. That to me is ADHD. All through middle school and some of high school I was always getting
sent to the principal because I just couldn't sit still. Seriously, if I didn't get sent to the office going to school everyday...it was a miracle and my parents were so thankful. I couldn't control myself.
I couldn't ever shut off my mind...it was hard for me to find a sense of peace because I always viewed myself as 'never good enough' and had to always learn more and do more. First time I ever even heard of mushrooms (which was from Harold and Kumar) my obsession started immediately. Months later I had a small grow going on in my closet, I took my bike to all these different places to get all my supplies and had a few poor man terrariums and a shotgun terrarium too.
That first trip enabled me to see all these thoughts and realize my position in the world...just sitting outside for hours that day was the most blissful feeling ever because I just felt so connected to my true self. Something I needed so badly. To this day I use all sorts of psychedelics to deal with this "ADHD". It's actually what made me quit taking adderall and gave me something to center me for some time and look forward to every/every other week. Mushrooms truly are a beautiful thing...and definitely only for selected individuals... people who I believe are real thinkers. Pretty sure I read online somewhere there is a correlation between high IQ and people who use psychedelics.
-Jvells
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I was diagnosed with ADHD in 2002. I was taking psychiatric stimulant medication for a year or so. And then one day I journeyed with psilocybin mushrooms. I was so intrigued by my lapse in attentional problems that I stopped my medication, and journeyed with a psychedelic once or twice a year since then (mostly mushrooms, cannabis, but LSD once, and DMT and Mescaline this coming march). No relapses of attentional difficulties.
-Jason
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For about a month, I stopped taking my ADHD medication and started microdosing LSD. It helped me think differently. Everything was coated in a thin layer of significance. Then I went back o my ADHD meds. I compared my scores on my tests between the two months. They were about the same. But, honestly, I liked the LSD better. It didn't have as many nasty side effects.
-Matt
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ADHD is commonly treated with stimulants. Non-stimulant medications are available, however, they are less commonly prescribed. Stimulants and non-stimulants present side effects such as nausea, headaches, dizziness, dry mouth, moodiness, trouble sleeping and loss of appetite. Medications may cause underlying tics from childhood to resurface. Potential side effects such as these should raise questions on whether or not the risks associated with treating ADHD is worth the benefit.
Stimulant medications can be separated into two categories; methylphenidate-based medications such as Ritalin, Methylin, Concerta and Daytrana Patches, and dextroamphetamine-based medications such as Adderall, Vyvanse and Dexedrine. They work by increasing the levels of certain chemicals in the brain. It is difficult to judge the exact dose from person to person due to biological differences.
If the prescribed dose is too high, these chemicals reach levels that cause the brain to stress. This can result in negative side-effects including problems such as sleeping, eating issues, delayed growth and cardiac risks. The combination of multiple negative side effects can lead to depression and can actually worsen the symptoms of ADHD.
The actual labeling of a patient with a mental disorder can have negative health effects also. Telling an individual that they have a disorder that interferes with their life creates a stigma in their own mind and in the minds of their peers, which can lead to depression, in turn worsening the symptoms of ADHD.
Therefore, alternative treatment methods must be explored. Psychedelic substances such as lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), also known as acid, have been shown to treat symptoms of ADHD when consumed in microdoses. A microdose is calculated as half of the absolute threshold for psychoactivity. This means the amount of LSD consumed at a microdose does not cause any of the effects associated with recreational use.
Other psychedelics of the tryptamine group, such as psilocybin, also known as magic mushrooms, have been shown to treat symptoms of ADHD when consumed in microdoses. Also, sufferers of depression and anxiety have shown positive results when treated with psychedelic substances. Due to the limited ability to research these illegal substances, however, it is difficult to determine if they are viable substitutes to current medications.
Currently, LSD and psilocybin are labeled as Schedule I substances according to the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA). Criteria for Schedule I substances include the substance having no accepted medical use in the United States and a lack of accepted safety for use under medical supervision. The laws surrounding these substances must be reconsidered in order to further explore the medical benefits they provide.
Researchers have been unable to conduct experiments within the confines of a laboratory and have been forced to rely on the testimony of assigned subjects. Subjects are given instructions on how to properly microdose the substances and log the effects they observe in journals. Subjects report an increased ability to focus, increased productivity and energy boosts.
Psychedelics researcher Dr. James Fadiman reports, “People do it and they’re eating better, sleeping better, they’re often returning to exercise or yoga or meditation,” in reference to microdosing psychedelics.
These benefits show that psilocybin and LSD need to be considered for legalization for medical research. If medical research shows that these are alternative treatments, patients will receive relief from the possibility negative side effects of today’s ADHD medications.
-Logan Pearce
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I took Iboga at a center in Costa Rica with a traditional Bwiti Shaman. I went on two treatments over a week's period and it cured me of my depression and reduced my ADD to about 50% of what it was. My mind has seemed permanently clear and my fatigue is also gone since I took it several months ago. An amazing and relatively unknown treatment I recommend above all else!
-anon
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Microdosing and ADHD
The high pressure startup culture of the Bay Area leads many participants to view their bodies and brains as machines to be optimised using all of the tools available – meditation, yoga, Soylent, intermittent fasting, so-called “smart drugs” (including off-label ADHD and narcolepsy meds), microdosed psychedelics and legal nootropics.
The trend for using “smart drugs” can be traced back to schools, where Ritalin and Adderall prescriptions are rife, explains Anjan Chatterjee, a professor of neurology at the University of Pennsylvania. Children even at preschool age find themselves in competitive environments with dense schedules of study, tutoring, music lessons and sport.
Those who aren’t already prescribed ADHD medication can buy it easily; a series of surveys suggest that around 20 per cent of US college students have abused prescription stimulants. It’s something Lily, who has been prescribed ADHD medication since she was six, can relate to. At university she would share her prescription with friends seeking help focusing on assignments – something that she continued when she entered the working world. “It’s what fuels not just the tech community but any millennial trying to work really hard and make it,” she says.
At the start of her career working in a tech startup, she found Adderall useful. “It helped me launch a company. We went from three cities to over 30 in six months. I felt like a rockstar but I was being an *******,” she says. Lily started to research microdosing psychedelics after experiencing unpleasant side effects from the amphetamine-based drug. “My heart would be racing when I took it, and when I didn’t I’d experience withdrawal and feel really dumb – like my brain was slowing down.”
Even though magic mushrooms and LSD are illegal in many countries, Lily views them as safer than her legal meds. Not only are the doses small and infrequent, she has found no evidence that psychedelics are physically addictive. “I don’t think we’re going to find out that microdosing ****s up your liver,” she says.
Lily still takes her ADHD medication, but microdosing magic mushrooms has allowed her to substantially reduce her dose. “In a perfect world I don’t want to take Adderall at all,” she says.
-Tyler Durden
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1P-LSD vs Adderall
I am diagnosed with adult ADHD (the inattentive type). I am a college professor and had often been called "scatter-brained" or the "absent-minded professor". I have been on 20mg XR Adderall for about 1.5yrs. At times the effects diminish, yet I don't want to increase the dose. Instead, I will take days off or have 1/2 dose days. I have no other "serious" issues like bipolar or depression.
After reading this thread and others related to the therapeutic value of a microdose for ADD, I decided to give it a try. I have now tried it 5 times and think I have a general sense of its pros and cons. Overall I think there are pros and cons for 1P-LSD vs Adderall related to ADD and I plan on using both for different reasons.
1P-LSD advantages:
To my surprise, the microdose gave me increased energy and motivation that rivaled Adderall. As well, the microdose gave me focus and clarity, yet in a very different way than Adderall.
With the microdose, I was able to relate and organize things very well. For example, when I was making out my "To-do" list, I noticed how the list was scattered and I jump around doing unrelated tasks. It was so obvious that I could chunk together related tasks and budget time blocks to make things easier, more fun and efficient. I know this is probably "Time Management 101", yet with my scattered brain, I never saw this (even with Adderall).
I often avoid small tasks until I'm pressed on a deadline or the task is no longer relevant. On 1P-LSD these tasks seemed quite simple and easy (e.g. sending off a quick email to a colleague to promote a collaborative project, ordering a few reagents to get things moving forward in my lab, asking IT to install some software on a computer etc). As well as following up on these things.
An increase of inter-relatedness and creativity. Preparing class lessons is often engaging for me and it was lots of fun microdosing. It was more obvious how various concepts in the course inter-relate and where students were having difficulties. I created a fun mnemonic story to explain frog embryogenesis (including characters like "Debbie Disheveled", "The Mad Scientist" and "Boney Men Psychedelic"). It had a mostly positive student review. There was student engagement, laughter and one student asked in amazement "Where did you find all those photos? They are perfect for the story".
An increase in social engagement and empathy (also a negative at times). Quite often, I feel busy and students can seem like a hindrance. Sometimes advising is just about going through the motions to get schedules set as fast as possible and move on. Yet, on a microdose, I had music in the background, students became interesting, and I notice their image, their vibe. We talked about their extracurricular activities. I learned one of my advisees is bilingual and we spoke 30min in Spanish (I am learning Spanish). We had fun and were both smiling. I was more "in tune" with the needs of my students.
My normal procrastination escapes like playing Pokemon or reading political blogs are not as appealing.
1P-LSD disadvantages:
My ability to focus and analyze a single task was compromised. I had difficulty doing math and figuring out dilutions and molarity. I had difficulty reading primary literature, analyzing data and figuring out results. 1P-LSD was great for seeing the "big picture" and inter-relating things that I already knew and expressing those ideas. It sucked for a focused analysis.
The increased empathy included some distracting insights. I felt more "in tune" with others, yet not always in a way that is good for social interactions.
The set and setting is important for microdosing. On a busy day that included lots of structured tasks and grunt work that I wasn't into, I just became more irritable.
Some of those creative ideas while microdosing seem a bit silly later on.
Cumulative tolerance builds quick. After the above two weeks, I had to take a ridiculous amount of ETH-LAD + AL-LAD for a recreational effect.
Adderall pros: Adderall is better than 1P-LSD for sustained focus on a single task, especially if it is new, complicated material I am analyzing. I can tune out other distractions. Grunt work was worse with 1P-LSD and not so bad with Adderall. Adderall also gives me a considerable energy and motivation boost.
Adderall cons: After MDing, I realized there is much less color in life with Adderall. Often, I have no background music on. I have less of a desire to interact with others, to be outside, to appreciate life. It's almost like I am a machine doing whatever task is in front of me. With 1P-LSD, it was like I was doing what I wanted to do. With Adderall, it's easy to focus on whatever is in front of me - even if it is not important (like spending over an hour writing this essay). I've also realized that Adderall doesn't help my disorganization. On 1P-LSD it was so obvious how my disorganized office effects other areas of my life (wasting time looking for things, my office is not a great atmosphere for students to enter etc. I actually started organizing my office microdosing). Yet, with Adderall, I can enter my office, sit down at my desk and push piles of junk aside and focus on a computer task for hours - totally unbothered by a disorganized environment.
For me, there are pros and cons with both 1P-LSD microdosing and Adderall. I am structuring my days to get the maximum benefit of each. 1P-LSD is much better for days where I have more open/flexible hours with tasks that involve integrating ideas, creativity and some social interactions. Adderall is better for sustained machine-like sustained focus on specific tasks (including complicated tasks) and busy days with little flexible time. Ideally, I hope to create a weekly schedule of 2 days 1P-LSD and 3 days Adderall (and maybe a day of Modafinil).
-serotoninluv
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Having ADHD myself I've tried microdosing LSD and it works wonders! I feel like it's what I've always been looking for.
-standinghampton
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I was diagnosed with ADHD. I spent a month microdosing LSD. It was one of the happiest and most productive months I've ever had. Good luck!
-dakobah
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I have ADHD. I found mushrooms to be more foggy-headed and sedating, definitely not helpful. I have, however microdosed LSD many times and it works well.
It gives you a natural-feeling energy for 6-8 or hours and can increase focus and both creative and analytical thought.
-FreeManBeat
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I actually use microdoses of LSD (10-15ug) to treat my ADHD. It acts in a very similar way to Vyvanse or Adderall, without the side effects. It works wonders for me.
-cmg
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I've got ADD and I'm prescribed a stimulant, but I prefer microdosing LSD. It feels cleaner and more natural, and I don't feel drugged on it like with stimulants. And often
I can be crazy productive when I take it. In small doses it's pretty much the perfect drug for me.
-YeahButThatsNothing
I’ve had ADHD since I was 7, and my parents have been saints in helping me cope with it. I’ve taken all kinds of meds (Ritalin, Focal In, Concerta), and I've had therapy forever. The medication pretty much works but it changes me so much. I didn't recognize myself. I’m very social, energetic and funny. But on the medication I would recognize situations where I’d normally respond in a certain way, but I didn’t. And it frustrated me so much. Anyway, I was not doing very well in school, until I took magic shrooms. My history grades changed from 3,4’s to 9,3’s and all my other grades raised at least one point. Eventually I almost graduated cum laude from high school, and I now study mathematics.
Tripping has created a certain calmness in my head. I’m a huge hesitator. I usually question everything (mostly about myself and how I come across) and I was always negative about myself. I always think everybody thinks I’m a bad/annoying person. My 4th trip was difficult. I completely re-experienced those feelings of being hated and feeling less worthy, but I talked with two good friends of mine who reassured me I was a good person and everything would be okay. Ever since then I realized that it was all in my head. So I moved (I had to for college) and started all over in a different city where I now realize I’m such a social bee. I still sometimes cope with the feelings, but I know they’ll go away in a while. I now take shrooms regularly because they cleanse my body of negativity and overthinking things and help me stay positive and concentrated. LSD has helped me realize who I am and what I need/what makes me happy, with an afterglow lasting at least 2,5 months. Tripping has helped me concentrate, learn and memorize better. I think without LSD and shrooms my (academic) future would have been so much smaller. It has also helped me overcome my uncertainty and (nearly depressed) negative overthinking. It’s just made me a happy and successful girl.
-Britt
-----
I had extreme difficulties concentrating during my first 2 years in academia, getting bad grades. After having a very deep experience when I was 20, with psilocybin mushrooms everything changed. I got my master cum laude now and still feel balanced and happier than ever. Without doubt these psychedelics played a major role in this process, but it must also be stressed that there are other factors at play as well. First, these concentration problems very mainly caused by a depression that haunted me for many years. The psychedelic experience resolved this depression - by seeing the roots of it - connected me with what what I LIKE and love in life, and thus resolved my concentration problems. Besides (very important), these changes all took place in a very supportive setting, with new friends, and an new exciting life.
-Manuela
-----
Regarding ADHD and LSD: I have an anomalous experience regarding curative effects of LSD on attention deficit disorder. The subject is my own experience. In the late 1960s I was failing academically, unable to focus or concentrate on the written word, and on mathematics. After a series of six LSD sessions, I had new motivation and I found I was able to read deeply and rapidly. Seven academic degrees later, I am reading in 5 languages. I went from a perpetually failing student to a ‘summa cum laude.’ My impulsivity was reduced and its energy seemed to be channeled into an academic and psycho-spiritual focus.
I know that the LSD experiences somehow either induced and/or supported a kind of “cure” of my attention deficit. It certainly boosted my academic potential, given what it was before any LSD experiences. I am wondering if there are others in this group who have had similar experiences. We now know the amazing creative influence and expansion of ‘intelligence’ that LSD and other psychedelics and entheogens have produced. With renewed interest in research into LSD and various medical and psychiatric disorders, I am wondering if anyone knows of specific literature on the effects of LSD on attention deficit disorder. It is a complex question, for LSD during and for usually a short time after can also make concentration difficult. But for me, somewhere in the space of 2 years and six sessions, I was cured of my ADD.
-Mikkal
-----
Let me start this off by saying the only mind altering substances I've done (besides my meds... I have ADHD) are LSD and mushrooms - no alcohol, weed, whatever. So I went into the first of those experiences having no clue what inebriation felt like. Luckily I had very experienced friends to help me through both trips, so my experiences were great.
The first trip (mushrooms) was one of the most profound experiences in my life. I remember sitting on the ground and my mind was QUIET! I could suddenly think without having thoughts race in and around my head and I was calm. I felt relaxed and I had the complete ability to focus on single things at a time and appreciate them without getting distracted. My body felt good and I felt good and happy with the world and my decisions.
Once I learned to control the visuals, LSD also quieted my mind. There was a long period of time where I was lying in my bed unable to speak, but able to have complete focus on the beautiful visuals. I'm on 70mg of vyvanse and I'm never able to have that much focus. Even though I had extensive babble sessions with friends, I didn't feel like I was having that scattered word vomit that I usually have when I'm off my meds.
For a month after taking mushrooms, my head was WAY clearer than normal. I felt like I didn't need to take my meds to effectively concentrate in school for the first week, and I lowered my dose for the next three. I got back on my normal dose once the month was done. My acid trip is (still) producing similar results. I feel clearer and far less fuzzy than normal. The effects have just about worn off, but it's been about a month, so that's expected...I guess?
I'm curious if anyone else with ADHD has felt similar results? I did a huge amount of research before I took both of these chemicals, but there is little information on how they effect those of us with ADHD. I would love to hear about other people's experiences, good or bad!
-sciencekitty
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I'm 36 now and I have since adopted regular LSD, Mushroom, DMT, and Ayauasca more recently and I’m a new man. I was diagnosed with ADHD at age 15. Since I opening my consciousness the first time I’ve lost 70lbs, I am starting my 5th company, and I've generated over 10,000 jobs with my start ups. I'm the happiest person I know, I make everybody around me better and I have success as a result. Thank the heavens for "the portals," as the indians call them….
-Sirmarksalot
-----
I have (had) ADHD. I didn't find out till my 20s. I took pharmaceutical amphetamines for a few years. Since the 2nd or 3rd time I drank ayahuasca I haven't taken any ADHD medicine(s). That was about 9 months ago. Now I feel better and less ADD'd out than when I was taking the pills. Aya fixed ADHD and anxiety for me. The difference has been noted by my employer. I've never been more efficient at work.
-BundleflowerPower
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LSD has helped me significantly; it alleviated my ADHD symptoms, and helped me get over my substance dependency issues over few low dose trips.
Psilocybin helped bring clarity, motivation in my life, love for nature, and helped purge out some negative emotions by crying.
Ayahuasca has been the most therapeutic; it allowed me to revisit very early childhood memories I'd completely forgotten about, which later helped my interactions with my family and friends. It also showed me why I was born, which helped give me a sense of direction, purpose in life.
-kurage
-----
I had ADHD before I took psychs. I don't have problems focusing any longer. I don't know if the psychs helped, or I just grew out of it (which is entirely possible too). What I do know is I feel so much more intelligent when I'm on CID. As for Shrooms... Well I feel like I'm not smarter, but with more compassion and commitment towards other's well being.
-FakePlasticSky
-----
I am a female college student with ADHD who had previously never taken any drug, so after doing extensive research on psilocybin and it's physiological/neurological/chemical effects I decided to take some. I was a bit nervous going into it, seeing as it was my first experience being inebriated in any sort of way, but the fact that I had gone camping with friends to a beautiful area and was with my boyfriend who has much experience with these sort of things, was able to calm me down.
Once the psilocybin kicked in, I have to say it was one of the most profound experiences in my life so far. I remember sitting on the ground and my mind was QUIET! I could suddenly think without having thoughts race in and around my head and I was calm. I felt relaxed and had the ability to focus on single things at a time and appreciate them without getting distracted. My body felt good and I felt good and happy with the world and my decisions. When the effects started to wear off, we all hiked back to our campsite and I was very pleased with my experience.
Yet, the lasting effects are what really struck me as exciting and wonderful. For a week after, I had little need to take my medication (I am on a very high dose too) and I felt like I was much happier with myself and my life. Since then, I resumed taking my meds to be able to focus in my classes and when I am working in my research lab. I have noticed that the crash at the end of the day is much much less of an issue and that I continue to feel not as ADHD-y on the weekends when I don't take my meds. I can't fully describe what exactly changed and how the experience helped my ADHD, but psilocybin is now a source of ongoing academic interest to me. I do strongly recommend not taking your medication the day you want to take the drug, and if possible, make sure you have a benzodiazepine with you just in case things start to go bad.
Overall, I saw only positive effects towards my ADHD after taking psilocybin and this is coming from someone with a very severe case of the condition. Hope this helped!
-snarkologist
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I had ADHD all through childhood. I was just somebody always always always thinking. That to me is ADHD. All through middle school and some of high school I was always getting
sent to the principal because I just couldn't sit still. Seriously, if I didn't get sent to the office going to school everyday...it was a miracle and my parents were so thankful. I couldn't control myself.
I couldn't ever shut off my mind...it was hard for me to find a sense of peace because I always viewed myself as 'never good enough' and had to always learn more and do more. First time I ever even heard of mushrooms (which was from Harold and Kumar) my obsession started immediately. Months later I had a small grow going on in my closet, I took my bike to all these different places to get all my supplies and had a few poor man terrariums and a shotgun terrarium too.
That first trip enabled me to see all these thoughts and realize my position in the world...just sitting outside for hours that day was the most blissful feeling ever because I just felt so connected to my true self. Something I needed so badly. To this day I use all sorts of psychedelics to deal with this "ADHD". It's actually what made me quit taking adderall and gave me something to center me for some time and look forward to every/every other week. Mushrooms truly are a beautiful thing...and definitely only for selected individuals... people who I believe are real thinkers. Pretty sure I read online somewhere there is a correlation between high IQ and people who use psychedelics.
-Jvells
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I was diagnosed with ADHD in 2002. I was taking psychiatric stimulant medication for a year or so. And then one day I journeyed with psilocybin mushrooms. I was so intrigued by my lapse in attentional problems that I stopped my medication, and journeyed with a psychedelic once or twice a year since then (mostly mushrooms, cannabis, but LSD once, and DMT and Mescaline this coming march). No relapses of attentional difficulties.
-Jason
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For about a month, I stopped taking my ADHD medication and started microdosing LSD. It helped me think differently. Everything was coated in a thin layer of significance. Then I went back o my ADHD meds. I compared my scores on my tests between the two months. They were about the same. But, honestly, I liked the LSD better. It didn't have as many nasty side effects.
-Matt
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ADHD is commonly treated with stimulants. Non-stimulant medications are available, however, they are less commonly prescribed. Stimulants and non-stimulants present side effects such as nausea, headaches, dizziness, dry mouth, moodiness, trouble sleeping and loss of appetite. Medications may cause underlying tics from childhood to resurface. Potential side effects such as these should raise questions on whether or not the risks associated with treating ADHD is worth the benefit.
Stimulant medications can be separated into two categories; methylphenidate-based medications such as Ritalin, Methylin, Concerta and Daytrana Patches, and dextroamphetamine-based medications such as Adderall, Vyvanse and Dexedrine. They work by increasing the levels of certain chemicals in the brain. It is difficult to judge the exact dose from person to person due to biological differences.
If the prescribed dose is too high, these chemicals reach levels that cause the brain to stress. This can result in negative side-effects including problems such as sleeping, eating issues, delayed growth and cardiac risks. The combination of multiple negative side effects can lead to depression and can actually worsen the symptoms of ADHD.
The actual labeling of a patient with a mental disorder can have negative health effects also. Telling an individual that they have a disorder that interferes with their life creates a stigma in their own mind and in the minds of their peers, which can lead to depression, in turn worsening the symptoms of ADHD.
Therefore, alternative treatment methods must be explored. Psychedelic substances such as lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), also known as acid, have been shown to treat symptoms of ADHD when consumed in microdoses. A microdose is calculated as half of the absolute threshold for psychoactivity. This means the amount of LSD consumed at a microdose does not cause any of the effects associated with recreational use.
Other psychedelics of the tryptamine group, such as psilocybin, also known as magic mushrooms, have been shown to treat symptoms of ADHD when consumed in microdoses. Also, sufferers of depression and anxiety have shown positive results when treated with psychedelic substances. Due to the limited ability to research these illegal substances, however, it is difficult to determine if they are viable substitutes to current medications.
Currently, LSD and psilocybin are labeled as Schedule I substances according to the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA). Criteria for Schedule I substances include the substance having no accepted medical use in the United States and a lack of accepted safety for use under medical supervision. The laws surrounding these substances must be reconsidered in order to further explore the medical benefits they provide.
Researchers have been unable to conduct experiments within the confines of a laboratory and have been forced to rely on the testimony of assigned subjects. Subjects are given instructions on how to properly microdose the substances and log the effects they observe in journals. Subjects report an increased ability to focus, increased productivity and energy boosts.
Psychedelics researcher Dr. James Fadiman reports, “People do it and they’re eating better, sleeping better, they’re often returning to exercise or yoga or meditation,” in reference to microdosing psychedelics.
These benefits show that psilocybin and LSD need to be considered for legalization for medical research. If medical research shows that these are alternative treatments, patients will receive relief from the possibility negative side effects of today’s ADHD medications.
-Logan Pearce
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I took Iboga at a center in Costa Rica with a traditional Bwiti Shaman. I went on two treatments over a week's period and it cured me of my depression and reduced my ADD to about 50% of what it was. My mind has seemed permanently clear and my fatigue is also gone since I took it several months ago. An amazing and relatively unknown treatment I recommend above all else!
-anon
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Microdosing and ADHD
The high pressure startup culture of the Bay Area leads many participants to view their bodies and brains as machines to be optimised using all of the tools available – meditation, yoga, Soylent, intermittent fasting, so-called “smart drugs” (including off-label ADHD and narcolepsy meds), microdosed psychedelics and legal nootropics.
The trend for using “smart drugs” can be traced back to schools, where Ritalin and Adderall prescriptions are rife, explains Anjan Chatterjee, a professor of neurology at the University of Pennsylvania. Children even at preschool age find themselves in competitive environments with dense schedules of study, tutoring, music lessons and sport.
Those who aren’t already prescribed ADHD medication can buy it easily; a series of surveys suggest that around 20 per cent of US college students have abused prescription stimulants. It’s something Lily, who has been prescribed ADHD medication since she was six, can relate to. At university she would share her prescription with friends seeking help focusing on assignments – something that she continued when she entered the working world. “It’s what fuels not just the tech community but any millennial trying to work really hard and make it,” she says.
At the start of her career working in a tech startup, she found Adderall useful. “It helped me launch a company. We went from three cities to over 30 in six months. I felt like a rockstar but I was being an *******,” she says. Lily started to research microdosing psychedelics after experiencing unpleasant side effects from the amphetamine-based drug. “My heart would be racing when I took it, and when I didn’t I’d experience withdrawal and feel really dumb – like my brain was slowing down.”
Even though magic mushrooms and LSD are illegal in many countries, Lily views them as safer than her legal meds. Not only are the doses small and infrequent, she has found no evidence that psychedelics are physically addictive. “I don’t think we’re going to find out that microdosing ****s up your liver,” she says.
Lily still takes her ADHD medication, but microdosing magic mushrooms has allowed her to substantially reduce her dose. “In a perfect world I don’t want to take Adderall at all,” she says.
-Tyler Durden
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1P-LSD vs Adderall
I am diagnosed with adult ADHD (the inattentive type). I am a college professor and had often been called "scatter-brained" or the "absent-minded professor". I have been on 20mg XR Adderall for about 1.5yrs. At times the effects diminish, yet I don't want to increase the dose. Instead, I will take days off or have 1/2 dose days. I have no other "serious" issues like bipolar or depression.
After reading this thread and others related to the therapeutic value of a microdose for ADD, I decided to give it a try. I have now tried it 5 times and think I have a general sense of its pros and cons. Overall I think there are pros and cons for 1P-LSD vs Adderall related to ADD and I plan on using both for different reasons.
1P-LSD advantages:
To my surprise, the microdose gave me increased energy and motivation that rivaled Adderall. As well, the microdose gave me focus and clarity, yet in a very different way than Adderall.
With the microdose, I was able to relate and organize things very well. For example, when I was making out my "To-do" list, I noticed how the list was scattered and I jump around doing unrelated tasks. It was so obvious that I could chunk together related tasks and budget time blocks to make things easier, more fun and efficient. I know this is probably "Time Management 101", yet with my scattered brain, I never saw this (even with Adderall).
I often avoid small tasks until I'm pressed on a deadline or the task is no longer relevant. On 1P-LSD these tasks seemed quite simple and easy (e.g. sending off a quick email to a colleague to promote a collaborative project, ordering a few reagents to get things moving forward in my lab, asking IT to install some software on a computer etc). As well as following up on these things.
An increase of inter-relatedness and creativity. Preparing class lessons is often engaging for me and it was lots of fun microdosing. It was more obvious how various concepts in the course inter-relate and where students were having difficulties. I created a fun mnemonic story to explain frog embryogenesis (including characters like "Debbie Disheveled", "The Mad Scientist" and "Boney Men Psychedelic"). It had a mostly positive student review. There was student engagement, laughter and one student asked in amazement "Where did you find all those photos? They are perfect for the story".
An increase in social engagement and empathy (also a negative at times). Quite often, I feel busy and students can seem like a hindrance. Sometimes advising is just about going through the motions to get schedules set as fast as possible and move on. Yet, on a microdose, I had music in the background, students became interesting, and I notice their image, their vibe. We talked about their extracurricular activities. I learned one of my advisees is bilingual and we spoke 30min in Spanish (I am learning Spanish). We had fun and were both smiling. I was more "in tune" with the needs of my students.
My normal procrastination escapes like playing Pokemon or reading political blogs are not as appealing.
1P-LSD disadvantages:
My ability to focus and analyze a single task was compromised. I had difficulty doing math and figuring out dilutions and molarity. I had difficulty reading primary literature, analyzing data and figuring out results. 1P-LSD was great for seeing the "big picture" and inter-relating things that I already knew and expressing those ideas. It sucked for a focused analysis.
The increased empathy included some distracting insights. I felt more "in tune" with others, yet not always in a way that is good for social interactions.
The set and setting is important for microdosing. On a busy day that included lots of structured tasks and grunt work that I wasn't into, I just became more irritable.
Some of those creative ideas while microdosing seem a bit silly later on.
Cumulative tolerance builds quick. After the above two weeks, I had to take a ridiculous amount of ETH-LAD + AL-LAD for a recreational effect.
Adderall pros: Adderall is better than 1P-LSD for sustained focus on a single task, especially if it is new, complicated material I am analyzing. I can tune out other distractions. Grunt work was worse with 1P-LSD and not so bad with Adderall. Adderall also gives me a considerable energy and motivation boost.
Adderall cons: After MDing, I realized there is much less color in life with Adderall. Often, I have no background music on. I have less of a desire to interact with others, to be outside, to appreciate life. It's almost like I am a machine doing whatever task is in front of me. With 1P-LSD, it was like I was doing what I wanted to do. With Adderall, it's easy to focus on whatever is in front of me - even if it is not important (like spending over an hour writing this essay). I've also realized that Adderall doesn't help my disorganization. On 1P-LSD it was so obvious how my disorganized office effects other areas of my life (wasting time looking for things, my office is not a great atmosphere for students to enter etc. I actually started organizing my office microdosing). Yet, with Adderall, I can enter my office, sit down at my desk and push piles of junk aside and focus on a computer task for hours - totally unbothered by a disorganized environment.
For me, there are pros and cons with both 1P-LSD microdosing and Adderall. I am structuring my days to get the maximum benefit of each. 1P-LSD is much better for days where I have more open/flexible hours with tasks that involve integrating ideas, creativity and some social interactions. Adderall is better for sustained machine-like sustained focus on specific tasks (including complicated tasks) and busy days with little flexible time. Ideally, I hope to create a weekly schedule of 2 days 1P-LSD and 3 days Adderall (and maybe a day of Modafinil).
-serotoninluv
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Having ADHD myself I've tried microdosing LSD and it works wonders! I feel like it's what I've always been looking for.
-standinghampton
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I was diagnosed with ADHD. I spent a month microdosing LSD. It was one of the happiest and most productive months I've ever had. Good luck!
-dakobah
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I have ADHD. I found mushrooms to be more foggy-headed and sedating, definitely not helpful. I have, however microdosed LSD many times and it works well.
It gives you a natural-feeling energy for 6-8 or hours and can increase focus and both creative and analytical thought.
-FreeManBeat
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I actually use microdoses of LSD (10-15ug) to treat my ADHD. It acts in a very similar way to Vyvanse or Adderall, without the side effects. It works wonders for me.
-cmg
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I've got ADD and I'm prescribed a stimulant, but I prefer microdosing LSD. It feels cleaner and more natural, and I don't feel drugged on it like with stimulants. And often
I can be crazy productive when I take it. In small doses it's pretty much the perfect drug for me.
-YeahButThatsNothing
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