The Basics of Microdosing: What You Need to Know
The popularity of microdosing psychedelics has skyrocketed over the last couple of years. A once obscure practice has become subject of bestselling books, countless mainstream news articles and YouTube videos… microdosing has gone viral. When actors, politicians and soccer moms are all talking about it, you know it’s popular.
And why wouldn’t it be?
Microdosing has been touted as a potential cure-all by many academics, researchers, and healthcare professionals. Not to mention many artists, actors, and pop culture icons. This relatively safe approach to treating a variety of health issues is showing promising results on multiple fronts. In contrast to many of pharmaceuticals currently being prescribed, psilocybin and most other classic psychedelics are considered non-addictive and relatively non-toxic.
This post will be focused specifically on microdosing psilocybin mushrooms. As someone who has guided hundreds of clients through the process, my area of expertise is in working with mushrooms. And I do personally consider psilocybin mushrooms a medicine, so that’s what I call it.
Ongoing clinical research is looking to psychedelics as a potential treatment for the following:
Anxiety and depression
PTSD
Neurodegenerative disorders like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease
Stress related symptoms
OCD
Migraines and cluster headaches
Alcohol addiction
As research continues, the list of potential benefits is sure to grow.
But what exactly is Microdosing?
Microdosing involves taking very small amounts of a substance, in this case, psilocybin mushrooms. These doses are so low that users are unlikely to experience any psychedelic effects. The most commonly microdosed substances are psychedelics like psilocybin mushrooms and LSD. Although psychedelics are usually the substances referred to when you hear the term “microdose”, technically any substance can be taken this way.
You might be wondering…
What is the point? Why even take a psychedelic if you’re not going to feel any of the psychedelic effects?
The goal of microdosing is to experience the potential benefits of the medicine while minimizing the intensity of the psychedelic experience. We want to enjoy the positive aspects like mood stabilization and increased neuroplasticity without having to visit a neighboring galaxy. Which brings us to our next question…
What exactly is a microdose?
A microdose is defined as 1/10 of a recreational dose of whatever substance is being consumed. This is typically 5-10 micrograms of LSD or 0.1 - 0.3 grams of psilocybin mushrooms.
The ideal amount will vary slightly from person to person based on prior experience using the substance and each individual’s unique body chemistry. We are all going to have a different level of sensitivity to the medicine and a different threshold for how much is too much.
"A microdose is supposed to enhance your experience, it’s not supposed to be the experience." - Anonymous former client
As a general rule, if you are experiencing visual effects, you’ve gone too far. Dial it back when the effects are at all distracting.
How often should I microdose?
There are two commonly used regimens that are good starting points for beginners:
The Fadiman protocol: taking a microdose every third day for a month.
Day 1: Microdose day
Day 2: Off day
Day 3: Off day
Day 4: Microdose day
Day 5: Off day
Day 6: Off day
The Stamets protocol: 4 days on with 3 days off per week.
Day 1: Microdose day
Day 2: Microdose day
Day 3: Microdose day
Day 4: Microdose day
Day 5: Off day
Day 6: Off day
Day 7: Off day
There’s no right or wrong way to do it. Like I said before, everyone is going to have a different preference and flow with their microdosing practice.
I elaborate further on dosage and frequency in this post where I cover more advanced strategies and techniques.
Is microdosing safe?
Microdosing is generally considered to be safe due to the small amount consumed and the relatively low risk of adverse effects associated with psychedelics. But because there has been little to no clinical research on taking psychedelics in this manner it’s impossible to accurately assess the risks.
While psychedelics are generally safe for most people, those with psychotic disorders or autism spectrum disorders are advised against using them under most circumstances.
The most commonly reported side effects of microdosing tend to be sleeplessness, heightened anxiety, nausea and drowsiness. Fortunately, these undesirable symptoms tend to dissipate quickly when the individual stops taking the medicine.
Although microdosing has few reported adverse reactions, the following medications should be avoided when taking psychedelics.
Lithium has been linked to people having seizures while taking psilocybin.
Tramadol poses a risk of serotonin syndrome when combined with psilocybin.
SSRI medications tend to reduce the effects of microdosing because both substances compete for the same receptors on our neurons.
MAOI medications pose an unproven risk of serotonin syndrome if mixed with psilocybin.
I am not a doctor, and this is not medical advice. The purpose of this post is to educate, inform, and provide a basic understanding of what microdosing is. Consult with your doctor or healthcare provider when deciding whether to try microdosing. Always use caution and common sense when working with psychedelics, this is especially true if you are coming off or taking antidepressants.
So… Is that it?
Those are the basics, in a nutshell. The information provided here should be a good starting point for anyone wanting a basic understanding of what microdosing is, how it’s done, and what to consider if you’re interested in trying it for yourself.
Check out this blog post: Optimizing Your Microdosing Practice: 9 Pro Tips for Experienced Users to level up your microdosing game.
If you are interested in going deep learning more about how to get the most out of microdosing check out my free guide.
An ancient technology to dissolve anxiety, rewire your brain, and unlock the full potential of your mind.
I’ve taken all the information learned over nearly 2 decades of personal experience, including the work I have done with hundreds of people, and distilled it down into a single, easy to read and easy to understand resource. The Manifesto is a deep dive into the subject and goes far beyond the where most guides end.
This is a MUST READ for anyone who is considering trying microdosing or for anyone who is currently microdosing and wants to get the most out of their practice.