Microdosing
The Practice of taking sub-perceptual doses of Psilocybin Mushrooms
Microdosing Psilocybin & LSD
The concept of "Microdosing" was introduced in 2011 by Dr. James Fadiman in his publication, The Psychedelic Explorers Guide, which is highly recommended for those interested in psychedelics. Dr. Fadiman characterized a micro-dose as approximately one-tenth of a standard hallucinogenic dose, specifically between 50mg and 250mg for Psilocybin mushrooms, and between 7-15ug for LSD.
Through years of self-funded research, he formulated "The Fadiman Protocol," which involves a regimen of one day of micro-dosing followed by two days off, a method that has gained widespread adoption for LSD microdosing. Subsequent studies have corroborated Fadiman's anecdotal reports that dosing psychedelics below the threshold of intoxication DOES yield much of the nootropic benefits associated with larger doses (most significantly neurogenesis and production of BDNF). Administering small quantities of Psilocybin OR LSD can also often enhance both convergent and divergent thinking, thereby improving cognitive abilities, flexibility, creativity, and problem-solving skills.
Although initial findings from existing studies are encouraging regarding the safety and effectiveness of micro-dosing for enhancing overall well-being and addressing various psychological disorders, further research with larger participant groups is essential to fully comprehend the potential advantages and risks associated with this practice. You might have the opportunity to take part in one of these research trials!
Click here for a list of ongoing and planned psilocybin clinical studies. We also encourage all individuals who engage in micro-dosing to anonymously share any information regarding their micro-dosing practices and its effects on them at https://microdose.me, which will be valuable for future research endeavors.
How does it feel to Microdose?
If properly dosed, a Microdose should help shift you into the zone of “me, but on a great day”. 1-2 hours after ingesting a micro-dose, you may notice an increase in creativity and a more positive mood/outlook. Many users also find improved focus and energy level, however these effects are often subtle and may not even be acutely noticeable.
While the effects of macrodosing are not always noticeable in the moment, Over time many people notice broader improvements in mood, experiencing overall stronger focus and memory, feeling more inclined to live a healthy lifestyle, becoming more engaged and present, and more — this list is very expansive.
On your dose days: The effect of a microdose is subtle yet noticeable. You should be able to go about your daily routine without any impairment. It’s common for people who microdose to report the following on dose days: music sounds better, they’re more empathetic, more energetic, they pause to think before they speak, they’re more aware of their surroundings (especially nature), their focus feels sharper and they are able to stay on-track.
On your non-dose days: Many microdosers report experiencing an afterglow the day immediately after a dose day. The introspective effects in particular tend to draw out into the next day. Conescutive days of non-dosing (which are recommended in any macrodosing protocol) will bring you back to baseline and from a pharmacokinetic standpoint will serve to reset any tolerance that has built.
How often should I
Microdose?
There are two commonly used microdosing protocols or schedules, both of which are supported by literature on the metabolism of psychedelics to offer maximum value to the user. It is worth trying both of them and seeing which works best for you, however we recommend the Stamets protocol when microdosing with psilocybin mushrooms.
#1. The Fadiman Protocol - Dose, Break, Break, Dose, Break, Break, Break
#2. The Stamets Protocol (recommended) - Dose, Dose, Dose, Dose, Break, Break, Break
How do I know if microdosing is working?
Since a true microdose is supposed to be non-psychoactive, it's difficult to measure its effects without being very self-aware. Self-reflection is often necessary to understand and quantify the differences you feel when microdosing. You can track the effects with this "Check Yourself" checklist. Most likely, you won't be affected in every area, but it's important to do a comprehensive review of the effects. Here are seven areas to track:
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Mental: Notice the thoughts running through your mind. Are they the same as usual, or are they different in nature? Are you having more or fewer thoughts than usual? In general, is your mind clearer or more cluttered?
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Creative: Are you finding new qualities in things, like stories in objects? Do you find your mind wandering in directions it doesn't usually go? Are you having more ideas than usual? Are solutions to problems coming more easily?
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Emotional: Are your feelings taking on different qualities than before? Are there more or fewer feelings being experienced than usual? How quickly do you process them before reaching a resolution and moving on?
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Social: How do you express your thoughts and feelings? Are there any changes in the pace, tone, or nature of your speech? What about your facial expressions? Do you smile more or less? How often do you agree or disagree with someone in a conversation? Do you speak differently with your colleagues, spouse, friends, and family? The barista at the local coffee shop?
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Body: Examine how aware (or unaware) you are of your body. Now zoom in on your body by closing your eyes and taking a few deep breaths. Slow down your mind and focus your full attention on all the sensations in your body. Have you noticed anything?
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Ability: Notice if you are more capable of performing certain tasks than usual. This can manifest as changes in attention span, physical/visual acuity, verbal fluency, problem-solving skills, empathy, different areas of consciousness, etc.
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Perspectives: Are you more positive or negative? More optimistic or pessimistic? More or less skeptical? More fearful and reserved, or open to possibilities? Feelings of unity, universality, truth, connection, love, or peace are also present in this area.
Should I Microdose
Psilocybin or LSD?
Microdosing with one or the other will be a personal preference and will depend on your goals. While microdosing with either substance has positive and beneficial effects for most people, some applications are better suited to mushrooms, and some applications are better suited to LSD.
When microdosing mushrooms, there may be more emotional volatility, introspection, and unprocessed trauma that comes to the surface. If your goals are personal growth, connection with yourself and others, or creativity, microdosing mushrooms will likely be better for you.
On the other hand, when microdosing LSD, you'll likely experience a boost of physical energy, sometimes to the point where you need to go for a run or walk. With LSD, if you prepare your set and setup correctly, you can easily enter flow states where you lose track of time and are completely immersed in the task at hand—increasing productivity and enjoying the process.
It may take some experimentation to find the substance and dosage best suited to your application. To get started, you can try either our LSD microdose solution or one of our many mushroom microdose blends. Also, check out the microdosing resources below, and don't hesitate to contact us if you still have questions about psilocybin mushrooms or LSD microdosing!
Ultimately, if you're unsure whether to microdose LSD or mushrooms, you should try both and see what works best for you.