I was 7 years old when I was first prescribed Adderall. I struggled with concentration and focus in school, and my parents wanted to help me succeed. At first, the medication seemed like a miracle cure. I was able to sit still and pay attention to the lessons. My grades improved, and my parents were proud.

But over time, I began to develop a dependency on the drug. I needed higher and higher doses to achieve the same effects, and before I knew it, I was addicted. For 18 years, I struggled with my addiction, feeling trapped and unable to escape the cycle. I was a high preforming, young adult in finance, and I felt that it was my only option to continue to succeed.

When I finally decided to quit Adderall, it was one of the most difficult things I had ever done. The withdrawal symptoms were severe, and I was battling chronic depression and anxiety, I could not stay awake for more than six or seven hours per day, and I gained over 100lbs in less then 10 months. I didn’t know how to function without the drug, and I felt lost and hopeless.

But then, I discovered microdosing. I had always seen studies and heard about the fantastic results people were having. What stopped me from this path was I had no help, no access to information. The concept of grinding up raw mushrooms, I got from a stranger, and taking them, seemed so inconsistent. You couldn’t gage how strong the mushrooms were going to be and had to prepare for the negative side effects of consuming food poisoning. I needed something that was undeviating. Then I came across psilocybin tinctures, the benefits were remarkable. I felt more in tune with my emotions, more productive, and more connected to the world around me.

Today, I am completely off all medications and feel better than ever. The journey was long and difficult, but I’m grateful for the lessons I learned along the way. I now know that I have the strength and resilience to overcome any obstacle, and I hope that my story can inspire others who may be struggling with stress, anxiety, depression, or other mental health issues to seek help and never give up.