Microdosing, Macrodosing, and Mushroom Powders: A Longevity Reality Check

Published October 14, 2025
Authors: Maria Corlianò, PhD

We’ve spent the past few weeks unpacking dietary longevity levers, from everyday choices like water quality to hot-button topics like red wine and dark chocolate. If you missed any of it, you can catch up on our official Education page [LINK]. Now, as we wrap up this section on what you can consume, swallow, sip, or snack on for a longer, healthier life, we’re tackling a buzzy finale: psychedelics and “medicinal” mushrooms.

Headlines have promised a lot: psychedelics that “extend lifespan,” mushrooms that “boost cognition and immunity.” But what does science actually say? This article cuts through the marketing noise to ask one clear question: do psychedelics (psilocybin, LSD, DMT/ayahuasca) or popular medicinal mushrooms (Lion’s Mane, Reishi, Chaga) help people live longer, or live healthier for longer? We prioritize human clinical studies, adding brief animal data only when it clarifies the science, and offer this solely for education, not medical advice.

If you only have a minute, here’s the bottom line:

Psychedelics are emerging clinical tools for specific mental health and addiction problems, not validated longevity drugs. To truly know, we need better studies and if you’d like to help fund science to accelerate answers in this space, get in touch with us.
Lion’s Mane, Reishi, and Chaga are interesting, but current human evidence does not support lifespan extension, and safety issues exist (especially Chaga with kidneys and Reishi with liver).
If your goal is longevity, prioritize interventions with proven mortality and healthspan benefits; consider psychedelic-assisted care only within controlled clinical programs where it targets a diagnosed condition and risks are managed.

But if you want the full picture, keep reading. We unpack where the evidence is strongest vs. weakest, what the latest studies actually show, how dosing and product quality complicate mushroom claims, and the key safety flags to watch for behind the headlines.

Part 1: Psychedelics

What the strongest human studies actually show

Psilocybin for depression and alcohol use disorder (AUD): Multiple trials report meaningful, sometimes rapid symptom reductions in major depression when psilocybin is paired with psychological support. Effects typically last weeks to a few months; durability beyond that varies, and repeat dosing protocols are still being studied. [1–3] In a 93-person case study, psilocybin plus therapy reduced heavy drinking days more than an active placebo over 32 weeks. A recent study similarly suggested benefits in relapse prevention. These are promising but not yet standard of care. [4–5]

LSD for generalized anxiety disorder (GAD): A 198-participant trial found a dose-dependent reduction in anxiety after a single session, with the 100 μg dose performing best through 4-12 weeks. This is a significant milestone, but longer follow-up and replication are needed. [6]

Bottom line: For certain psychiatric indications under clinical supervision, psychedelics show therapeutic potential. That’s very different from proving “longevity.” None of these trials measured lifespan or hard aging outcomes.

Microdosing: small doses, big hype?

Claims that sub-perceptual (“micro”) doses improve mood, focus, creativity, or aging have been tested in placebo-controlled studies. Results range from inconsistent to no effect, and when people don’t know whether they took the real thing or a placebo, most “benefits” tend to disappear. A recent trial in adults with ADHD found that low-dose LSD is no better than a placebo; other controlled studies also question robust effects. [7–8,24]

Safety and who should not use them

In clinical settings, acute adverse effects (nausea, transient blood pressure increases, anxiety) are generally short-lived and manageable. However, important caveats apply: people with bipolar disorder may risk mania, and ayahuasca raises drug-drug and food interaction risks (e.g., hypertensive crises with tyramine-rich foods). These are not benign wellness products. [9–12]

Do psychedelics slow aging?

Aging-biology mechanistic claims are plausible but unproven in humans. New preclinical work reports psilocybin preserving telomeres (the wear-and-tear caps on DNA, potentially keeping cells “younger”) and extending cell and mouse lifespan; that’s exciting, but it’s cells and mice, not people. [24]

So, for longevity, psychedelics may improve conditions (depression, AUD) that are linked to higher mortality risk, which in theory could improve healthspan. But there’s no direct evidence yet that they extend human life or slow biological aging. [22–23]

Part 2: “Medicinal” Mushrooms

Lion’s Mane (Hericium erinaceus)

Cognition: A small, older trial in mild cognitive impairment (MCI) showed modest improvement that faded after stopping. A year-long Lion’s Mane mushroom study in mild Alzheimer’s reported some functional benefits, with mixed effects on cognitive tests. Newer small trials in healthy adults show inconsistent or task-specific effects, and one short-term study found no overall cognitive benefit. [13–17]

Takeaway: Signals are tentative and sample sizes are small. There’s no evidence that Lion’s Mane extends human lifespan or decisively prevents dementia.

Reishi (Ganoderma lucidum)

Cancer adjunct & immunity: A review concluded evidence is insufficient to claim survival benefits; some trials suggest possible immune changes and quality-of-life improvements alongside standard therapy. [18]

Safety: Despite a “natural” halo, hepatotoxicity cases exist (including with coffee products containing reishi). Use caution, particularly if you have liver disease or take hepatotoxic drugs. [19]

Chaga (Inonotus obliquus)

Antioxidant: Popular online, but clinical evidence in humans is minimal to none. Most data are cell or animal studies suggesting antioxidant or anticancer effects, not outcomes that translate to human longevity. [21]

Safety red flag: Chaga is very high in oxalates, natural plant compounds that can bind calcium and, in excess, raise the risk of kidney stones; multiple case reports link heavy, prolonged use to oxalate nephropathy (kidney injury), including progression to end-stage renal disease. [20]

So, for longevity, Lion’s Mane, Reishi, and Chaga do not show human evidence of lifespan extension. Claims about “immunity,” “neurogenesis,” or “anti-aging” are either small, mixed, or preclinical, and must be weighed against real safety considerations (especially for Reishi and Chaga). [13–21]

Connecting to Longevity (healthspan vs. lifespan)

Why even consider these for longevity? Because treating depression and addiction can plausibly improve healthspan and reduce mortality risk: depression is linked to higher all-cause mortality, and heavy alcohol use clearly drives early death. If a patient, in a clinical program, stops heavy drinking or recovers from severe depression thanks to a psychedelic-assisted therapy, their real-world health outlook could improve, even if the intervention itself never touches a “hallmark of aging.” That’s an indirect path to better longevity. [22–23]

Practical takeaways

Psychedelics

Evidence-supported for some mental health and substance-use indications in supervised settings.
Not proven to extend human life or slow human aging.
Risks & exclusions: bipolar disorder, certain heart conditions, pregnancy; drug interactions. Do not combine with medications or supplements without clinician oversight. [1–12]

Lion’s Mane, Reishi, Chaga

Lion’s Mane: A few small studies hint at memory or focus benefits, but results are inconsistent, and there’s no evidence that it helps people live longer.
Reishi: May nudge immune markers or quality of life when used alongside standard care, but hasn’t shown a survival benefit. Rare cases of liver injury are reported. Don’t take it casually, and stop if you notice warning signs (dark urine, yellowing skin/eyes, right-sided abdominal pain) or abnormal liver tests.
Chaga: There are hardly any solid human trials showing real-world benefits, and heavy use has been linked to kidney problems, especially risky if you’ve had kidney stones or kidney disease.

If you still choose to use a mushroom supplement, insist on third-party testing, avoid high-oxalate products (Chaga), and discuss with your clinician if you have liver/kidney issues or take anticoagulants. [13–21]

In any case, focus first on behaviors with proven longevity impact (sleep, physical activity, smoking/alcohol risk reduction, diet quality, blood pressure, and glucose control). Psychedelic-assisted care may help some people reach those behaviors by treating underlying psychiatric drivers, but it is not, itself, a validated longevity therapy. [22–23]

References

[1] Raison, C. L., et al. (2023). Single-dose psilocybin in major depressive disorder: Randomized clinical trial. JAMA, 330(9), 843–853. JAMA Network

[2] Metaxa, A. M., et al. (2024). Efficacy of psilocybin for treating symptoms of depression: systematic review and meta-analysis. BMJ, 385, e078084. BMJ

[3] Li, L. J., et al. (2024). Psilocybin for major depressive disorder: a systematic review of randomized controlled studies. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 15, 1416420. Frontiers

[4] Bogenschutz, M. P., et al. (2022). Percentage of Heavy Drinking Days Following Psilocybin-Assisted Psychotherapy vs Placebo in the Treatment of Adult Patients With Alcohol Use Disorder. JAMA Psychiatry, 79(10), 953–962. JAMA Network

[5] Rieser, N. M., et al. (2025). Psilocybin-assisted therapy for relapse prevention in alcohol use disorder: a phase 2 randomized clinical trial. EClinicalMedicine (The Lancet). The Lancet

[6] Robison, R., et al. (2025). Single Treatment With MM120 (Lysergide) in Generalized Anxiety Disorder: Phase 2b RCT. JAMA. JAMA Network

[7] Cavanna, F., et al. (2022). Microdosing psilocybin: Double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Translational Psychiatry, 12, 505. Nature

[8] Murphy, R. J., et al. (2024). Microdosing Psychedelics: Current Evidence From Controlled Studies. Biological Psychiatry: CNNI, 9(4), 339–356. ScienceDirect

[9] Yerubandi, A., et al. (2024). Acute Adverse Effects of Therapeutic Doses of Psilocybin: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. PubMed. PubMed

[10] Siva, J. B., et al. (2024). Interactions between classic psychedelics and serotonergic antidepressants. Journal of Psychopharmacology, 38(10), 1234–1246. PMC

[11] Halim, H. J., et al. (2023). Mania after psilocybin in bipolar II: a case report. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 14, 1221131. Frontiers

[12] Malcolm, B. J., et al. (2018). Ayahuasca: An ancient sacrament for treatment of contemporary psychiatric illness? CNS Neuroscience & Therapeutics, 24(7), 513–527. PMC

[13] Li, I.-C., et al. (2020). Prevention of Early Alzheimer’s Disease by Erinacine A-Enriched Hericium erinaceus Mycelia Pilot Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Study. Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience, 12, 155. PMC

[14] Mori, K., et al. (2009). Improving effects of the mushroom Yamabushitake (Hericium erinaceus) on mild cognitive impairment: a double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial. Phytotherapy Research, 23(3), 367–372. PubMed

[15] Docherty, S., et al. (2023). The Acute and Chronic Effects of Lion’s Mane Mushroom Supplementation on Cognitive Function, Stress and Mood in Young Adults: A Double-Blind, Parallel Groups, Pilot Study. Nutrients, 15(23), 5032. PMC

[16] Bizjak, M. Č., et al. (2024). Effect of erinacine A-enriched Hericium erinaceus supplementation on cognition: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled pilot study. Journal of Functional Foods, 115, 106120. ScienceDirect

[17] Surendran, G., et al. (2025). Acute effects of a standardised extract of Hericium erinaceus (Lion’s Mane mushroom) on cognition and mood in healthy younger adults: a double-blind randomised placebo-controlled study. Frontiers in Nutrition, 12, 1405796. Frontiers

[18] Jin, X., et al. (2016). Ganoderma lucidum (Reishi mushroom) for cancer treatment. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, CD007731. Cochrane Library

[19] LiverTox. (2024). Lingzhi/Reishi-associated liver injury. NIH NCBI Bookshelf. NCBI

[20] Kwon, O., et al. (2022). Chaga mushroom-induced oxalate nephropathy that clinically manifested as nephrotic syndrome. Kidney Research and Clinical Practice, 41(2), 239–244. PMC

[21] Lu, Y., et al. (2021). Recent Developments in Inonotus obliquus (Chaga mushroom) Polysaccharides: Isolation, Structural Characteristics, Biological Activities and Application. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 22(15), 7862. PMC

[22] Machado, M. O., et al. (2018). The association of depression and all-cause and cause-specific mortality: an umbrella review of systematic reviews and meta-analyses. BMC Medicine, 16, 112. BioMed Central

[23] Esser, M. B., et al. (2024). Deaths from Excessive Alcohol Use — United States, 2016–2021. MMWR, 73, 1101–1109. PMC

[24] Kato, K., et al. (2025). Psilocybin treatment extends cellular lifespan and improves survival of aged mice. npj Aging, 11, 77. Nature