People who study psilocybin mushrooms often talk about the “power” of these organisms. This can be assessed in various ways. However, to assess something, you need a scale. This one was provided by Alexander Shulgin. For many, he was a visionary and discoverer who gave people the ability to effectively describe their experiences using psychedelics. If you want to learn more about this topic, I encourage you to read on.
Who was Alexander Shulgin?
Let’s start from the beginning, with who Alexander “Sasha” Shulgin was (we said goodbye to him in 2014). He was primarily a chemist and pharmacologist, but also an inventor whose passion was researching psychedelics. He is said to have discovered MDMA, although in reality he re-synthesized the compound (previously, in the early 1900s, Merck had done this). He certainly popularized it and conducted numerous studies on it. What’s more, he was the one who suggested it could be used as a psychotherapy adjunct.
And how did he start? Seemingly normal. With a PhD in biochemistry (he received his degree from the University of California, Berkeley in 1954), he worked for BioRad Laboratories and the Dow Chemical Company. He created, among other things, biodegradable pesticides, which was one of the reasons he was granted significant research freedom. In the 1960s, he began private research in his own laboratory, and his primary area of interest was psychedelics, including phenethylamines and tryptamines.
He gained fame among scientists and psychonauts (as people who experiment with psychedelic substances are called) thanks to his innovative method of synthesizing MDMA and the aforementioned promotion of this and other psychoactive substances as pharmacological support in psychotherapy. He also tested other new preparations he invented, and his research subjects included himself, his loved ones, and volunteers.
It’s worth noting that for a time he was an advisor to the DEA, the agency responsible for prosecuting crimes related to drug production and distribution. He also received a license from the company to possess psychedelics. However, he parted ways with it under rather turbulent circumstances when agents raided his laboratory. Not only did he lose his license, but he also received a fine.
Basic Information About the Shulgin Scale
His extensive research on psychedelics led not only to the development of new psychoactive substances. The Shulgin Rating Scale is also a part of his legacy. The Shulgin Rating Scale is a method for assessing the intensity of the effects of psychedelic substances, valued by the scientific community. Its range is relatively small, and there are significant differences in the intensity of the effects between the individual levels. Despite the lack of detail, many believe it is a sufficient tool for assessing the potency of psychedelics.
This scale is used both in laboratories and for “recreational” use of psychedelics. However, many believe that significant breakthroughs related to these substances would be impossible without this simple yet clear method of assessing their effects.
Learn more about the Shulgin scale
As mentioned above, each level of the Shulgin rating scale indicates the quality, nature, and potency of the selected psychoactive substance. Let’s take a closer look at the individual levels, and we distinguish 5 of them, including:
- +/- – this is the lightest level; this designates effects that are subtle, barely noticeable; this rating indicates the occurrence of only subtle effects, manifesting themselves in, for example, slightly sharper perception, improved mood, and changes in thinking.
- + – still subtle, but more clearly felt; perception begins to visibly change, as does mood; However, the test subject can still function relatively normally.
- ++ – this level indicates that the effects are moderate, and the test subject clearly feels the influence of the psychedelic; their normal functioning may be disturbed, and their perception begins to change significantly; marked changes in mood and thinking, along with potential deeper introspection.
- +++ – clearly intense effects, obscuring rational perception of reality; at this point, so-called ego death and its reconstruction may occur. This level helps to significantly (and permanently) change thought patterns and the way we view the world.
- ++++ – the least frequently indicated level, indicating very intense effects of the psychoactive substance; this level is usually accompanied by highly transcendental experiences; Some of the subjects indicated that their lives changed permanently upon reaching this level.
The Shulgin Scale and Psilocybin Mushrooms
This scale can be applied to various psychoactive substances, including psilocybin. It’s worth remembering that different compounds exhibit varying intensities of action, especially if some are “encapsulated” in natural preparations, obtained from mushrooms, for example. These substances tend to be distributed unevenly in specimens grown – whether in nature or in laboratories. Despite all this, the Shulgin scale for psilocybin mushrooms still allows them to be assessed in terms of “strength.” And so (assuming that “dry weight” is used):
- +/- – refers to microdosing, i.e., when no more than 1 g of dried mushrooms is taken,
- + – when 1 to 2 grams are taken,
- ++ – this level is achieved with a dose of 2-3.5 g,
- +++ – such strong effects are achieved when taking more than 3.5 grams of dry matter.
It’s important to remember that these are general guidelines, and the effects also depend on the individual’s level of susceptibility to psychedelics.
What’s worth remembering?
First and foremost, the Shulgin scale is an extremely useful tool that allows you to assess and compare the effects of selected substances and the ratio of quantity to the intensity of the effects. At the same time, it’s important to remember that research on such compounds should be left to authorized institutions. Nevertheless, it’s worth knowing that perhaps one day, thanks to this scale, it will also be possible to prove to decision-makers that psychedelic substances can be more than just drugs – for example, a lifesaver for people with depression, PTSD, and other mental disorders.