Psilocybin is slowly coming out of hiding. This hallucinogenic drug, approved by Health Canada last January in the form of microdoses as part of therapy, remains illegal for recreational purposes. However, the trade in microdoses is gaining momentum on the Internet, and Quebecers are emerging as leaders in this field.
From Facebook ads to Google recommendations, microdoses are making their way into the algorithms of major platforms and arousing the curiosity of Internet users.
“It’s something you can see. On Reddit, memberships in microdosing forums have skyrocketed in the past few years,” notes Rotem Petranker, associate director of the Psychedelic Drug Research Program at the University of Toronto.
A Canadian company specializing in the sale of microdoses is taking advantage of this craze. Two years after its creation, the Instagram account of this firm whose name we will keep silent has reached the milestone of 40,000 subscribers.
The founder, Leon (fictitious name, because he fears reprisals), takes microdoses himself. Having little confidence in competing sites, he saw with his partners an opportunity to fill a void in this still illicit market.
“We thought that other people would find themselves in the same position as us. The brand image of the other sites was not good, their message unclear and the educational aspect absent, explains the 30-year-old. We wanted to fix that. We focus on the customer experience. »
Many Quebecers would have heard his message. According to Leon, Quebec is its second largest market, ex aequo with British Columbia and just behind Ontario, lists one that also sells microdoses in the United States.
This local interest will also have prompted people from here to jump in the wave.
“We are really in a resurgence of psychotropic drugs,” rejoices Joey, consultant for a group of Quebec mushroom producers. They launched their site about a year ago to target French-speaking consumers of microdoses.
From their polished web presentation to their certified local and organic products, almost nothing suggests that buying pills on these sites could lead to a cell. Purchasing is as intuitive as placing an order on an ordinary online store, with a few additional anonymity precautions.
Small dose, big benefits
On the banks of a small lake in Val-David, in the Laurentians, Eve talks enthusiastically about her passion for magic mushrooms. This 46-year-old woman, a follower of alternative medicine, has become a reference on Facebook for the consumption of microdoses.
“It is not because there are 50 Internet sites that the law has changed, warns the regular. It’s important to keep that in mind. Don’t let the popularity and benefits obscure the legal aspect. It’s important to remember that. It’s illegal. »
The microdosing allowed Eve to continue with her daily life. “It’s often a tenth of the normal dose. I find the concept of capsules interesting because we know exactly how much we have. It’s safer, ”explains the one who makes herself known under the pseudonym of Eve Manifesting.
Microdoses are part of her life, and she couldn’t see herself doing without them. Just like some would never do without their morning coffee, she explains. Microdosing is her way of getting the benefits of psilocybin, without the trip with a classic dose of magic mushrooms.
“Me, during my premenstrual syndrome, it helps me a lot. These are days when I’m more emotional, so that helps me,” she says. A ritual that gives him motivation, energy and concentration.
Growing interest
The microdosing of magic mushrooms for medical purposes has been authorized since January 2022 by Health Canada under a Special Access Program. As recently reported The dutya first Quebec patient with incurable cancer can now consume, under medical supervision, microdoses of psilocybin to soothe his anxiety.
At the same time, consumption for recreational purposes, which is still illegal, is gaining ground. Eve Manifesting, also holder of a bachelor’s degree in social work, has thus given herself a mission: to guide new followers in their discovery of microdoses. On Facebook and on the website that bears his pseudonym, his briefings are now open to the public and proudly displayed. However, it specifies on its platforms that it does not promote or sell illegal substances.
“I think availability has a big effect on popularity. There is notoriety now, it’s not just a subculture anymore, ”notes the enthusiast. It is this same recent enthusiasm that prompted her, a year ago, to open her informal courses to everyone.
“It travels fast on social networks. People find themselves a little lost in front of the offer on the Internet. But what is on the Web is “focussed” on sales, marketing, prices, presentation…”
Towards decriminalization
A user of psychedelic drugs for more than thirty years, Eve has observed a favorable change in attitude over time. Until recently, she would not have displayed herself so freely.
“Five years ago, if I had given information on microdoses, people around me would have told me not to do that, that it was risky. »
A phenomenon similarly highlighted by Jean-Sébastien Fallu, professor at the School of Psychoeducation at the University of Montreal and specialist in drug addiction prevention.
“As with cannabis before legalization, there is a decriminalization de facto. The police, the mushrooms, they don’t care. These distribution and consumption networks are not Mafia or Hells networks,” explains Mr. Fallu. He points out that mushrooms, unlike other drugs, are not addictive.
For the professor, it is only a matter of time before the recreational use of psilocybin is legalized. On one condition: better scientific research must first be carried out.
“A lot of studies are not very advanced. None have been done on large population samples. The microdose industry talks about it as if the progress of the studies is more conclusive than it really is. »
An observation shared by Rotem Petranker. In response to a lack of rigor and the biases of past research, the Toronto-based researcher will conduct the first major Canadian study on the effects of microdosing. An essential step in view of the possible legalization of magic mushrooms. The most frequently mentioned risk of using psilocybin, even in small doses, is psychosis.
“We want to have clear answers, to see if microdoses work for people without prior experience,” he says. You have to be able to follow them over a longer period of time. We currently have enough funding for 40 participants and we hope to be able to reach 100 participants. »
While waiting for this to happen, Eve simply wants to break down the remaining prejudices surrounding microdoses.
“I took one today, for this interview, she admits with a light laugh as an argument. If I was on the mush, it would be seen! Microdosing and magic mushrooms are two worlds. »