Guide to Microdosing Magic Mushrooms
“Microdosing is trendy,” said Forbes in a 2020 article, “but does it work?”
They then proceed to answer their own question with a pretty emphatic yes.
It’s true: think of microdosing magic mushrooms as a key that unlocks all sorts of physical and mental benefits. If you want to learn how to reap its rewards, keep reading — because this is our guide to microdosing magic mushrooms.
TL:DR
What is microdosing magic mushrooms?
Microdosing is taking sub-perceptual amounts of magic mushrooms, resulting in no obvious change in sensory perceptions or physical feeling.
How much should I microdose?
Many people do great with a psilocybin microdose of 0.15-0.3 grams. Between 0.3 grams and a gram of magic mushrooms is a low dose, and 1-2 grams is a medium dose.
How often should I microdose magic mushrooms?
Once every three days: Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday. Alternatively, four out of every seven days: four days on, three days off.
How will microdosing ‘shrooms make me feel?
Many people find that microdosing creates a slight antidepressant effect, quickly leading to other positive changes.
How to microdose psilocybin mushrooms
When it comes to microdosing magic mushrooms, consistency is key. The best way to microdose is whatever makes your routine more consistent!
Other ways to microdose magic mushrooms
Besides capsules, consider magic mushroom tea or mushroom chocolate edibles.
What is microdosing magic mushrooms?
Microdosing is defined as taking sub-perceptual amounts of a substance. This means the person sees/feels no obvious change in sensory perceptions or physical feeling. One can microdose caffeine, cannabis, carbs, and so on. In this case, we’re unmistakably talking about microdosing psychedelic substances!
And yet the goal of microdosing isn’t actually to get high, experience visuals, or start talking to the spiritual world. Microdosing’s real goal is to expand your mind, bit by bit until you’ve become your genuine self. Magic mushrooms also have meaningful therapeutic benefits for people who suffer from depression.
Microdosing also relates to dosing frequency. To get the most out of microdosing, you’ll want to take your substance of choice several times a week (and maybe even every day). Microdosing embodies the idea of kaizen — getting 1% better daily — without any dramatic changes or crazy experiences.
Of all the substances you can microdose, microdosing magic mushrooms are one of the coolest possibilities of all. Even a sub-perceptual dose of psilocybin can have tangible brain-boosting effects, such as helping you change your mind, boosting your creativity, helping to open the doors to perception, and even helping you get past addictions and other self-defeating behaviours. When considering the potential benefits of microdosing, it’s worth exploring the option to buy magic mushrooms online, as it can provide a convenient and reliable source for those interested in harnessing the positive effects of psilocybin microdosing.
How much should I microdose?
There’s no easy answer to this one. Why not? Because everyone’s body is different!
Factors as simple as one’s weight and as complex as one’s biochemistry mean that different people will respond differently to the same dose of magic mushrooms.
That being said, many people do great with a psilocybin microdose of 0.15-0.3 grams. Between 0.3 grams and a gram of magic mushrooms is a low dose, and 1-2 grams is a medium dose. Here is the full range of doses:
Microdose: 0 – 0.25 grams
Low: 0.25 – 1 gram
Medium: 1 – 2 grams
Strong: 2.5 – 5 grams (for experienced users only)
Heavy/heroic: 5 grams and up (for experienced users only)
Many experts recommend starting low and slow before gradually working your way up. You can always increase your dose into the 0.5-1 gram range later after spending a few weeks getting orientated with what a beginner’s microdose feels like!
How often should I microdose magic mushrooms?
We’ll leave this one to the experts. In the “Psychedelic Explorer’s Guide,” Dr. James Fadiman gives some helpful hints about microdosing frequency. Fadiman recommends microdosing once every three days: Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday, for example.
The time of day matters, too. According to Fadiman, microdosing in the evening could mess with your sleep schedule, so try to take your microdosed shrooms in the morning. Then again, keep in mind just how important it is to find what works for you. If you only have time to microdose on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays, just stick to that!
Another microdosing plan involves taking tiny amounts of ‘shrooms for four out of every seven days: four days on, three days off. This plan is lovingly referred to as the ‘Stamets Stack’ — named after mycologist Paul Stamets — and features psilocybin alongside a B vitamin called niacin.
One thing to note: it’s not recommended that you microdose every day. Routinely taking days off can help you maintain your sensitivity to ‘shrooms. The way this works gets pretty complex, but researchers have found that taking psilocybin too often results in less sensitive serotonin 5-HT2B receptors.
Benefits: How will microdosing ‘shrooms make me feel?
In a few words – really good.
Dr. James Fadiman says that people who microdose have “really good day[s] … you know, that kind of day when things kind of work.” Getting into your zone/groove/flow state becomes more straightforward, as does avoiding the little distractions and mental hangups that bog down the entire day.
Many people find that microdosing creates a slight antidepressant effect, quickly leading to other positive changes. Just think: wouldn’t you be more creative, more motivated, and more productive if depression was gone? Probably so. We look at this vital shift below in more detail.
But just as important as all these potential benefits is paying attention to how you feel. If you’ve never tried microdosing, there’s no telling how it’ll affect you. You may notice a little difference, and you may notice a lot — you may notice nothing at all. Consider taking a day off work and laying low at home the first day you microdose. You might even want to keep a dosing journal to document what works for you. Checkout this YT testimonial on the positive impact microdosing has had on this person’s life
More Awareness
Microdosing can also heighten one’s awareness. Sci-fi writer Aldous Huxley used to compare the mind-expanding nature of psychedelics to the opening of a filter – a filter that previously wasn’t letting you see much. Indeed, many people who try microdosing find that it allows them to see things about themselves, others, and the outside world that they’d never noticed before.
In the long run, one of microdosing’s amplest benefits is improved creativity. Writers write better; musicians play better, and artists make better art. Even MMA fighters fight better when under the influence of a few tenths of a gram of ‘shrooms! Could it be that ‘shrooms increase what experts call proprioception, the connection between mind and movement? Only more research will tell.
The amazing science of microdosed ‘shrooms
Speaking of research, a 2019 study conducted at the University of Toronto was one of the first to clearly show the benefits of microdosing.
“While full-dose therapies include perception-distorting properties,” the researchers noted, “microdosing may provide complementary clinical benefits using lower-risk, non-hallucinogenic doses.” In other words, microdosing is like having your cake and eating it too. Only way healthier..and way more holistic.
How exactly does microdosing ‘shrooms benefit the mind?
Several studies have shown that microdosing magic mushrooms may boost the brain’s levels of BDNF, or brain-derived neurotrophic factor. This specialized protein encourages the growth and connectivity of new brain cells.
And these findings are just the start. Researchers, like some at John Hopkins University, have only started researching microdosing in the past few years, so new discoveries are still to come.
Other potential benefits of microdosing include:
- Increased problem-solving ability
- Increased motivation
- Reduced depression
- Reduced anxiety
- Increased sensation
- Enhanced productivity
- Enhanced motor function
- Improved exercise recovery
- Reduced dependency on substances
- Reduced food and/or sugar cravings
Granted, some of these effects are more theoretical than others, but new research is shedding more light on these matters.
Take this 2020 study, for example. It analyzed data from an online survey of 1,102 people, and its results were pretty impressive. 39% of participants said they were taking psychedelics to improve their mental health, mostly because more ‘conventional’ attempts had failed. And 44% of participants reported that microdosing had worked to “significantly” improve things.
How to microdose psilocybin
First thing first: when it comes to microdosing magic mushrooms, consistency is key. The best way to microdose is whatever makes your routine more consistent!
That caveat aside, our favourite way to microdose is with capsules. They’re convenient enough to make consistency easier — and even more than that, they allow you to customize your microdosing experience.
How? Our capsules feature different psilocybin blends alongside unique adaptogens and herbs, which lends themselves to other physical and mental effects. Need a powerful nootropic blend of Golden Teacher, Lion’s Mane, and niacin inspired by Dr. Paul Stamets’ research? We’ve got you covered. Need to keep calm and carry on, despite how crazy the world is getting? We can help with that, too. Other shroom blends may even help with immune support.
Other ways to microdose magic mushrooms
While microdosing with capsules is the personal favourite of many psychonauts, don’t think it’s the only way. Feel free to get creative with some less common delivery methods if you’d like!
One creative way to get your daily dose in comes in the form of mushroom tea. Making mushroom tea is super simple: boil a microdose of ‘shrooms, add honey, stir, let cool, and enjoy.
All you chocolate connoisseurs out there will be glad to know about the existence of psilocybin-infused chocolates. Said chocolate products make microdosing easy, practical, and fun. If nothing else, do it for the science: dark chocolate edibles may boost your body’s endocannabinoid and serotonin levels.
Of course, the quality of the ‘shrooms you choose matters. Some psilocybin is better for microdosing than others. We’re huge fans of the Golden Teacher variety, which, true to its name, has a gently uplifting effect that guides and teaches along the way. Click here for more resources on all things microdosing. Check out this CBS newscast on Microdosing:
Thomas Wrona is a writer, designer, and wellness coach who believes that nature’s wisdom provides an antidote to the stress of modern life. As a former pro athlete, he’s all about staying in motion! When he’s not writing you’ll probably find Thomas outside.
