Mindfulness & Psychedelics
Mindfulness & Psychedelics he positive impact on the aging mind, aging mental health, and aging wellness for this population is being researched. Clinical trials in psychedelic aging research include exploring a number of challenges faced by elderly people. Some examples are existential distress, death depression from Parkinson’s, dementia, Mild Cognitive Impairment and Exploring the benefits of psychedelics for therapy for aging people may indicate the emergence of a new field that focuses on aging and senior psychedelic use and geriatric and elderly psychedelic users.
These clinical trials almost always involve a single high dose, in person, and usually at a university or clinical setting. Such highly controlled environments hold much promise for medical research and eventually for the general public. [1] This top-down approach will hopefully have a resounding positive impact on those in search of relief in their waning years.Mindfulness & Psychedelics
Psychedelic Preparation and Insights for the Elderly
Microdosing refers to taking a micro dose of a psychoactive fungi or plant medicine, such as psilocybin, that enhances well-being without hallucinations or impacting your ability to carry on normal daily activities. [2]
Mindfulness can be a useful addition to the microdosing process. To microdose mindfully begins with contemplating one’s intentions for doing so. Next, it should be determined if the senior who would be microdosing is a good fit. Seeking a qualified microdosing coach, educator, or knowledgeable doctor to screen for eligibility is crucial, even if there are no contraindications and the individual is prepared to proceed. It is highly recommended that one has a microdosing coach for guidance throughout the process. Coaches can offer specific instructions on dosing, quantity, substance, and other variables to set a safe foundation for the process. On-going feedback sessions between the coach and the microdoser help maintain safety while highlighting mindful awareness of any noticeable benefits, positive impacts, and potential challenges. With these parameters, mindful microdosing can become a powerful ally in the aging process.
Though aging microdosing seniors report a multitude of benefits, there are four that are seen most frequently. These can be examined through the acronym EASE
With an aging mind, forgetting a name or where the keys were put can be common occurrences. Cognition is not just working memory; it also refers to executive functions that include attention, planning and prioritizing, emotional control, and flexible thinking. Elderly microdosers notice improvement in one or several of these areas.odosing, however, he was reading for several hours at a time.
Anxiety Reduction
A commonly reported benefit of microdosing is the reduction of anxiety, which is especially relevant to seniors because anxiety and/or mild depression are oftentimes part of a medical condition. However, even without a condition, chronic pain, loss of friends and loved ones, approaching one’s mortality, and/or unresolved issues can bring on increased anxiety or mild depression. An individual in their late 70s who suffered from anxiety reported that after one cycle of low-dose microdosing, the grasp of ruminating thoughts loosened, and enjoyment in life noticeably increased.
Oftentimes, people inquire about microdosing for an elderly parent or partner. Interestingly, the caretaker, partner, or adult child ends up being more interested in microdosing. In these cases, they’ve reported a higher h tolerance and ease in their caring as well as a greater sense of joy, even if the condition of their loved one remains basically the same or worsens.
Sleep Enhancement
Getting a good night’s sleep is a common challenge elderly people face. Receiving enough REM and the need for the brain to get the rest it needs directly benefits functioning during the day. This has implications for longevity, too. Several seniors have reported that they fall into a deeper, longer sleep. As an added benefit, their partners express that they also sleep better.