Has Psilocybin Screwed Up My Heart?

The Truth About Microdosing and Heart Health

In today’s episode of Microdose U, I’m diving into a question that many of you have asked me: Do magic mushrooms, or similar psychedelics, affect the heart, particularly the heart valves and thickening of the heart wall? It’s a valid concern, especially because psychedelics like psilocybin and LSD act on the serotonin receptor known as the 5HT2B receptor. I’ll explain exactly what that means in a moment, but first, let’s talk about why this question is coming up.

The Concern: Can Microdosing Affect Your Heart?

The reason people ask if microdosing affects the heart is based on some light research and anecdotal evidence that suggests certain psychedelics may impact heart health, particularly in relation to the serotonin receptor I mentioned earlier—the 5HT2B receptor. This receptor plays a role in the effects of substances like psilocybin and LSD. In some studies, it’s been noted that these psychedelics can cause changes in the heart, particularly affecting the heart valves. However, there’s a significant lack of solid scientific evidence to support the idea that microdosing, in particular, can cause any serious heart issues.

I get this question occasionally, and to be honest, it’s something I take seriously. As many of you know, I’ve been a lifelong athlete. My heart is incredibly important to me, and I take pride in its condition. I don’t want to put it at risk in any way. So, this is a question that matters to me.

The Answer: I Took a Test to Find Out

Since this concern comes up from time to time, I decided to take a proactive approach and get to the bottom of it. I didn’t just want to talk about it—I wanted to know the truth for myself. So, I went ahead and had an echocardiogram, commonly known as an echo. This is a test that uses sound waves to create images of the heart and allows doctors to evaluate how well the heart is functioning, the size of the heart, and the condition of the heart valves.

I had an echo done about five years ago, and I was able to compare this recent echo with the results from that previous test. Why is this important? Because it allows me to see if there have been any changes in my heart’s structure or function since I’ve been microdosing psilocybin for the past three and a half to four years.

So, let’s dive into the results. I’m going to walk you through them and show you what my echo results say about the state of my heart after four years of microdosing magic mushrooms.

Key Echo Findings

Here’s what the report said:

Normal Left Ventricular Size
- My left ventricle, which is the chamber responsible for pumping oxygenated blood throughout the body, is normal in size. That’s a good start!
Mild Left Ventricular Hypertrophy (LVH)
- This is one of the key findings I want to point out. LVH means that the wall of the left ventricle is thicker than normal. The report notes that this is mild LVH. Now, I want to be clear: mild LVH is actually common in athletes who engage in long-term cardiovascular conditioning. Given that I’ve been an athlete for over five decades—running marathons, hiking, skiing, and doing all sorts of physical activities—this is not something that would be caused by my use of magic mushrooms. It’s a result of years of physical training. So, I’m not concerned about this at all.
Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction (LVEF)
- My LVEF is at 75%, which is above the normal range. The normal range for LVEF is 55% to 70%. At first glance, you might think, “Wait, 75%? Is that too high?” It’s important to note that my strong heart function, which is a product of long-term athletic conditioning, likely explains why my LVEF is above average. My research suggests that this is likely nothing to be concerned about, and definitely not something that could be caused by microdosing psychedelics.
Mild Diastolic Dysfunction
- This is another finding in my report. Diastolic dysfunction means that the heart’s ability to relax between beats is slightly impaired. This is something that can happen naturally with aging, and there’s no evidence to suggest that this is linked to psilocybin use. It’s common for people over a certain age to experience this, so again, it’s nothing alarming.
Normal Right Ventricular Size and Function
- The right side of my heart is functioning normally, with no issues here. This is a positive sign, indicating that the heart is balanced and strong.
Mild Aortic Insufficiency and Mild Tricuspid Regurgitation
- Aortic insufficiency and tricuspid regurgitation are common conditions that involve mild leaking of the heart valves. Both of these findings were present in my previous echo from 2020, and they have not worsened in the last five years. This is also quite normal for adults over the age of 50 and is not related to my use of psilocybin or any other psychedelics.
Mild Pulmonary Hypertension
- Pulmonary hypertension means that there is increased pressure in the blood vessels of the lungs. This is something that I’ve had noted in my previous echoes, and it’s mild and stable. I live in Salt Lake City, which is at 4,200 feet in elevation, and altitude can certainly contribute to this condition. However, it’s not something that concerns my cardiologist, and it is not related to my microdosing.
Mild Dilation of Aortic Root and Ascending Aorta
- This refers to slight enlargement of the aorta, which is common in taller individuals. I am 6’2” tall, and the size of the aorta is often correlated with a person’s height. There is no evidence to suggest that this dilation is related to psilocybin use. It’s been stable since my previous scan, and my cardiologist isn’t concerned about it either.
Normal IV C Size and Inspiratory Collapse
- This is a technical measurement that suggests I have a good fluid balance and normal pressure in the right side of my heart.

What Does All This Mean?

So, after four years of microdosing psilocybin, what did we learn? The bottom line is that my heart is in good shape. There are no signs of damage, and the changes I’ve seen over the past few years are either mild or consistent with normal aging and long-term athletic conditioning.

This is great news because, for those of you who may be concerned about the effects of psilocybin on the heart, my experience shows that there is no cause for alarm. Microdosing psilocybin has not negatively affected my heart.

Of course, this isn’t a medical study, and my experience is anecdotal. I’m not offering medical advice, and I encourage you to consult with your own healthcare providers if you have concerns about microdosing and your heart health. But, from my perspective, this is a huge relief, and I’m happy to share my results with you.

A Listener Question: Combining Lexapro and Microdosing

Before I wrap up, I want to address a listener’s question that I received recently on YouTube. Mohaned asked me about using Lexapro (an antidepressant) and combining it with microdosing psilocybin. He wanted to know whether it was okay to take a low dose of Lexapro and then start microdosing psilocybin for anxiety or depression.

This is a great question, and I’ve never been asked it quite in this way before. First off, if you’ve already been on Lexapro for a while, it’s usually fine to continue using it alongside microdosing. But in this case, since Mohaned has just started Lexapro and it hasn’t taken effect yet, I would recommend starting with microdosing first. The reason for this is that if you start both at the same time, it will be difficult to figure out which substance is actually helping.

If it were me, I would start with the psilocybin and see how that works. You can always add Lexapro later if needed, but it’s best to give one substance time to work before adding another into the mix.

I want to stress that this is not medical advice, but simply my personal experience. Please consult with your healthcare provider before making any decisions about combining medications with psychedelics.

A Heartfelt Moment

Before we end today’s episode, I want to share something incredibly powerful that I received in a recent comment. A listener wrote to me, saying that my podcast had likely saved their life. When I read this, I was at a loss for words. To think that something I’ve done has had such a profound impact on someone’s life truly humbles me. It reminds me why I do this every day and why I pour my heart and soul into each episode.

Thank you for your support. You mean more to me than I can ever fully express. Without you, there would be no show, and I’m so grateful to have you as part of this community.

Final Thoughts

To wrap up, today’s episode provided some important insights into heart health and microdosing. While I can’t speak for everyone, I can share that my experience after four years of microdosing has been positive, and my heart is in great shape. If you’re considering microdosing, take it one step at a time, and always consult with your healthcare provider if you have concerns.

And remember, I love you all. I truly appreciate you, and I’m here to help guide you every step of the way on your own journey. Keep going, stay healthy, and I’ll see you in the next episode.

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Nothing in this podcast is to be taken as medical advice. Please consult with your doctor before using psilocybin. Also, only use this medicine safely where it is legal or decriminalized.