Dreaming within a dream—that’s how many psychonauts describe the trip from the Lucid Gates mushroom strain.
Interestingly, while psilocybin naturally disrupts sleep, a discussion about narcolepsy has opened the door to shrooms as a possible treatment for its related conditions. The Lucid Gates strain could be one of the first to help reduce those effects.
Table of Contents
Key Takeaways
- Psychedelics may help narcoleptic patients deal with challenges like depression, cataplexy, and automatic behaviours.
- LG is known to have tight psilocybin concentrations that slightly outperform that of general cubensis strains, with a medium to high potency.
- Psilocybin’s antidepressant properties might be related to changes in sleep-related, co-existing conditions.Â
Narcolepsy: Rare and Unnoticed
According to an expert at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre in Toronto, about 1 in 2,000 Canadians have narcolepsy. They repeated that this disorder is underdiagnosed, which speaks for its non-recognizable nature among people who have it.
These quick surges of sleep can become frequent, and people with this condition might struggle to stay awake during activities. This makes it much scarier as it may heavily affect one’s quality of life without being noticed.
Sparking Discussions: Narcoleptic Comorbidities and Psilocybin
An article on Psychedelic Passage piqued psychonauts’ interest in how psychedelics are gaining popularity for narcolepsy therapy. The author discussed the common comorbidities of EDS being associated with mood disorders—a common sign of depression.
Psychedelics have shown promise in treating depression, one of the most severe mental health disorders. Clinical research also suggests they could help narcoleptic patients dealing with related challenges.
Psilocybin from hallucinogenic mushrooms, like Lucid Gates, was one of the highlighted drugs carrying properties that might reduce co-existing narcoleptic conditions.
Lucid Gates Magic Mushrooms 101
Dispensaries describe this cultivar as an “open gateway to the layers of consciousness” due to its high concentration of active compounds. It’s known for delivering intense visual and mental effects, which makes it famous among experienced users. That said, beginners can still enjoy it by starting with smaller doses.
Origins
LG was cultivated in the cold Oregon and Pacific Northwest climates. After a series of cultivations, Alan Rockefeller developed this cultivar and eventually spread it throughout the mushroom community and reached the market.
Physical Appeal
Much like any mushrooms in the Psilocybe Cubensis species, they have a:
- Broad bell-shaped, lightly golden caps
- Thick stems
- Dark brown to black gills
Similar to Blue Meanies, they have an outstanding exhibition of bluish bruising due to exposure to oxygen.
Genetic Lineage
Lucid Gates is a hybrid strain that can keep up with moderately potent shrooms. This is because its genetic potency roots from its parent strains:
- Strong Penis Envy mushroom
- Odd-looking Pearly Gates variant
PE Cubensis largely makes up its highly potent strength, and the peculiar aesthetics of the PG variant make up its entire appearance.
Potency
Known to have tight psilocybin concentrations, which slightly outperform those of True Albino Teachers. This strain’s mild to heavy-kicking nature appeals to both novices and skilled users. Additionally, it is said to peak fast, as quickly as 30 minutes.
Therapeutic Outcomes
This cultivar has been highly favoured for psychedelic studies and clinical trials because it possesses characteristics that meet the test’s requirements, which are:
- Standard psilocybin concentration
- Lab-tested to avoid contaminations
- Monitored effects and benefits
Clinical trials have garnered participants and generated positive outcomes from the study’s nature. Researchers who have delved into the symptoms of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) found that it reduces compulsive behaviours. Similar research was beneficial to patients with underlying mental health conditions.
Understanding Narcolepsy and Its Co-occurring Conditions
Sleeping during the day isn’t just the so-called 2 p.m. slump; for some people, it may be a narcoleptic disorder, also known as Excessive Daytime Sleepiness (EDS). This condition makes people very sleepy, sometimes surging with sleepy tendencies out of the blue during the day.
Diagnosed patients and people encounter daily challenges, from staying awake for long periods to finishing daily chores and tasks. It becomes cataplexy when it causes a sudden drop in muscle tone. Many symptoms are linked to this condition, and one way or another, they can be harmful.
Symptoms & Comorbidities
Despite being relatively rare, they can be harmful in the long run. Symptoms and co-occurring conditions may be unnoticeable initially, but worsen in the first few years. Over time, these issues can linger throughout life.
- Struggle to stay alert and sometimes fall asleep out of the blue, with episodes lasting minutes to half an hour.
- During tasks, brief slumber episodes may occur, and people continue the activity unconsciously. They can’t remember or perform the task well after waking.
- Intense emotions, such as laughter or fear, can trigger brief muscle weakness and slurred speech (cataplexy)
- When falling asleep or waking, patients can feel the struggle to move or speak for a few seconds due to REM parasomnia.Â
- Vivid visuals, sometimes terrifying images, can occur while falling asleep (hypnagogic) or waking (hypnopompic).
No matter how severe these issues and symptoms are, their unpredictability can make planning and sticking to activities hard. If an episode happens while driving, it poses an immediate risk of accidents.
Persistent daytime sleepiness and hallucinations can make it harder to focus, remember things, and think clearly. On top of that, the symptoms often overlap with other conditions, which can delay getting the right treatment.
Psilocybin Mushrooms in Narcoleptic Tendencies
The article discussed how psychedelics impact the complex patterns of the sleep cycle, highlighting a 2022 study. According to the study, psilocybin concentrations in LG primarily influence sleep. This offers a fresh perspective for those using antidepressants to manage narcoleptic symptoms.
The logic is that if psychedelics act as an antidepressant to treat issues directly, it can be a possible treatment.
The Study Findings
The researchers found that the psychedelic substance increased the time it took for participants to enter REM sleep. The total duration was slightly reduced, with no changes in NREM slumber.
The drugs did not affect brain activity during NREM or REM phases but reduced slow-wave activity (SWA) in the first sleeping cycle. While they didn’t find evidence of sleep-related neuroplasticity, factors like dosage, timing, or sleep regulation could influence their antidepressant effects.
Their study suggests that magic mushrooms’ antidepressant properties might be related to changes in rest.
How Lucid Gates Might Help
Much like any magic mushroom strain, LG contains the psychedelic compound called psilocybin, which is known to influence neural pathways that could address comorbidities.
One key mechanism is serotonin modulation. When compounds interact with the 5-HT2A, cognitive processing occurs. This mechanism could alleviate co-existing conditions associated with EDS, like depression and anxiety.
Additionally, Lucid Gates may enhance synaptic plasticity. This could support cognitive resilience, addressing the mental strain associated with narcoleptic issues.
Safe Integration of Lucid Gates Strain in Self-Treatment
- If you’re self-treating for mental health benefits, you could take microdoses to gauge sensitivity. Following Fadiman’s protocol, sub-threshold dosing can help you stay on track while receiving LG’s benefits.
- Take shrooms as a booster for the day. Psilocybin, like caffeine, can stimulate the brain to disrupt sleep. This can help you stay firm at work and avoid narcoleptic tendencies.Â
- Don’t take it with eszopiclone or anti-drowsy drugs. Concoctions of substances inside your body can impose intensified effects that can harm you physically and mentally.
Troubled to Find Balance in Slumber?Â
Psychedelic mushrooms cater to any disorders, including those sleep-related. Zoomies’ shrooms delivery is a platform home to many dried mushroom strains that suit therapeutic or recreational needs. Order the best cultivars, like LG, at our dispensary.
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes Lucid Gates different from traditional Narcolepsy treatments?
Lucid Gates may offer broader benefits than medications by improving mood and cognitive issues through serotonin and neuroplasticity pathways. It targets the root causes of brain-related problems, which research suggests is more effective. Further studies are necessary to confirm its effectiveness, especially for those with intricate patterns of mental health challenges or more sensitive stomachs.
Should I insist on therapy to address the comorbidities of Excessive Daytime Sleepiness (EDS)?
Yes, it’s better to consult a psychedelic professional for Psilocybin-assisted therapy (PAT) instead of trying self-treatment.
A trained therapist can assess your condition and ensure that the antidepressant effects of the shroom’s active compounds are properly integrated into your sessions.
Can Magic Mushrooms possibly reduce Cataplexy?
There’s no research on this effect right now, but if you think about it, a psychedelic experience involves changes in serotonin levels. This could help reduce laughter or stress that triggers cataplexy episodes. Plus, the brain’s ability to adapt and heal might improve, which could help manage how often muscle weakness occurs.
