Happy April! In this month’s issue, we’re covering a number of topics:
Psychedelics for children? Our executive director gives his thoughts and wants to hear yours!
Gas station gummies and more: We’ve got answers for magic mushroom questions from our Info Line.
How should you prepare for your next trip? Whether a beginner or experienced psychonaut, preparation is critical.
Policy check-in: We break down recent developments in Colorado, where the first psilocybin licenses in the state are being issued.
Matt’s Take
Matthew X. Lowe, PhD, Executive Director
A common argument against the use of psychoactive substances during adolescence is that this is a time of peak brain development. Substances such as psychedelics, cannabis, nicotine, or alcohol affect dopamine, serotonin, and systems which are crucial for mood, memory, and reward processing — and these systems are still stabilising in a developing brain. These substances can interfere with how synaptic connections are formed, which can lead to lasting cognitive or emotional effects. Early drug exposure is linked to poorer working memory, slower processing speed, and weaker impulse control later on.
However, contrary to popular belief that brain development stops around 21 years of age, recent research shows that brain development continues until age 30 and, in some cases, beyond. Does this mean that we should discourage the use of all psychoactive substances before our 30s?
Perhaps medical use of substances such as psychedelics and cannabis should be considered on a case-by-case basis for minors, especially when these individuals are treatment-resistant and have exhausted traditional forms of therapy or pharmacological approaches. For instance, take Unlimited Sciences’ co-founder, Heather Jackson, who’s son, Zaki, found success in the use of medical marijuana after failing treatment with 17 medications.
All psychedelic treatments should be considered through an individualized context, where each patient’s history is examined. With careful use within a medicalized and monitored context, perhaps psychedelic substances could benefit minors.
What do you think?
Did Matt get it right, or does your opinion differ? Click the button below to share how much you agree. The results may feature, anonymously, on our social media, blogs, or a future newsletter!
Asked on the Info Line
This month, our Psychedelic Info Line received a wave of questions about magic mushrooms, from typical dosage to those mysterious gummies popping up at gas stations. Let’s break down those questions!
What’s a common dose of dried magic mushrooms?
When we’re asked this question, we typically start by explaining that psilocybin dosing is not based on the user’s weight
Sensitivity to psilocybin varies due to factors like metabolism, brain chemistry, and individual neurobiology
So, dosing should be approached with caution based on personal experience and intention.
From there, we can share average dosages and the typical effects of each.
What kind of mushrooms are in gummies sold at gas stations?
The short answer: It’s impossible to know “proprietary mushroom blend” listed on the back of the package, short of testing it in a lab.
Take our advice and skip the gas station gummies!
Ironically, this question came in about a month after a published analysis of recreational psychoactive mushroom gummies in Oregon (Feb 2025). The study screened eight gummy products for psychoactive compounds.
Labeling was found to be highly inaccurate, with several products containing undisclosed psilocybin, psilocin, THC and 4-AcO-DMT.
Still curious about these questions, or have a question of your own?
The Value of Psychedelic Preparation
On our blog, we’ve recently been posting about the value of effective preparation ahead of a psychedelic experience.
While it’s important not to have rigid expectations, preparation is critical to starting your psychedelic healing journey.
Preparation encompasses a wide range of activities, like cleaning your room, adjusting your diet, or simply understanding the timeline of the psychedelic you’re taking. Whatever it may be, preparing to take any psychedelic plays a large part in ensuring an impactful, safe experience.
As our Director of Education, Katie Pickard, said on our blog, “a therapeutic psychedelic journey is more than just taking a substance.” View the blogs below to read how preparation is integral to your psychedelic journey.
Policy Watch: Psilocybin in Colorado
Following voter approval of psilocybin-assisted therapy in 2022, Colorado’s Natural Medicine Division has officially begun issuing licenses. This marks the biggest step yet toward psychedelic therapy in the state.
What's happening?
In 2022, Colorado voters narrowly (53% approval) granted people 21+ the ability to access state-regulated psilocybin-assisted therapy
After applications opened in January, licenses are slowly being issued for healing centers, business owners / handlers, cultivators, manufacturers, and testing facilities
A number of municipalities have pushed back, delaying the program or issuing zoning laws restricting where these centers can operate
Why is it significant?
While there still is much time to go, this is a huge step for legitimizing legal psychedelic therapy
Colorado is only the second state to take this step, so the outcome of the program will likely be used as an example for other states
The resistance of local groups and municipal governments has the potential to grow into larger movements against psychedelics, if people aren’t educated properly
Check your state’s psychedelic policy status with our policy guide.
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