Why 25 Milligrams Isn’t Always 25 Milligrams

Draft for website publication

One of the most common questions we hear at Satya Therapeutics is: How much psilocybin should I take?

It is a simple question that rarely has a simple answer.

Psilocybin itself is a prodrug. The body rapidly converts it to psilocin, the molecule that crosses into the brain and binds primarily to 5-HT2A serotonin receptors. As concentration rises, the likelihood that more receptors are occupied at any moment also rises, increasing the experience intensity.

The Number on the Label Is Only Part of the Story

That part is well supported. What science has not yet directly quantified is how naturally occurring psilocin in mushroom products might alter subjective intensity at matched psilocybin doses.

Our experience across 1,650+ client sessions has consistently been that products containing measurable psilocin produce a stronger experience than products containing only psilocybin alone. That observation is shared by experienced operators throughout Oregon. It is also reflected in ongoing regulatory discussions between the Oregon Health Authority and licensed psilocybin operators about high-psilocin products.

We believe the topic deserves more study and education.

Melange X and Melange T in Comparison

Laboratory testing of Melange X and Melange T revealed markedly different psilocin levels.

A very technical breakdown looks like this:

• Melange T:
  • 25 mg of psilocybin is contained in 2.65 g of mushrooms.
  • 25 mg of psilocybin = 18 mg of psilocin.
• Melange X:
  • 25 mg of psilocybin is contained in 3.81 g of mushrooms.
  • 25 mg of psilocybin = 18 mg of psilocin.
  • 3.81 g contains 10.29 mg of psilocin.
  • The Mel X dose contains 28.29 mg of psilocin.

A 25 mg serving of Melange T contains 18 mg of psilocin.

A 25 mg serving of Melange X contains 28.29 mg of psilocin.

Twenty-five milligrams of Melange X is 57% stronger than 25 mg of Melange T.

In practice, facilitators often found that a 25 mg psilocybin dose of Melange X produces an experience comparable to what they might expect from roughly 39 mg of psilocybin from Melange T.

Psilocin content can make the product much more powerful. So it is very important to know the chemistry of the product you plan to take.

The Person Matters Too

The product is not the only variable. With medications such as SSRIs or certain antipsychotics, effects can be blunted. In those cases, we take a cautious, individualized approach, informed by the chemistry of the product, among other factors. The end decision may result in the administration of more product (psilocybin/psilocin), but not always.

In the end, the number on the label is only part of the story. The chemistry of the product, the biology of the person, and the experience they are hoping to have all matter.

The entire topic is very important, and it is also potentially confusing. Your facilitator can explain these concepts to you if you have any questions.

More isn’t better. Appropriate is better.