What is Microdosing?
Are you curious about microdosing with magic mushrooms? The following is a general outline on how to microdose with magic mushrooms, and the potential benefits of microdosing magic mushrooms. Microdosing refers to the routine practice of taking low or “sub-perceptual” doses of psychedelic substances (psilocybin mushrooms, LSD, mescaline or other entheogens). Generally speaking, a microdose is typically 1/10 to 1/20 of a moderate “tripping dose.” As of late, microdosing has taken a shift from it’s days as the preferred “smart drug” of Silicon Valley biohackers, and now encompasses a wider circle of health & wellness enthusiasts, artists, and athletes who microdose for it’s widely studied benefits.
The “Psychedelic Renaissance” has been a hot topic of major media outlets, including The New York Times, National Geographic, Vice, Vogue, GQ, Rolling Stone, and The Hollywood Reporter,—to name a few—as well as the subject of books by noted authors such as Michael Pollan (“How to Change Your Mind”). Undeniably, the mainstream media attention is helping to break down the stigma surrounding psychedelics such as psilocybin mushrooms.
What is Psilocybin?
Psilocybin is a psychoactive molecule found in over 200 species of mushrooms, collectively known as Psilocybin mushrooms, magic mushrooms, or “shrooms” for short. Psilocybin is converted in the body to Psilocin, which in high dosages produces it’s mind-expanding hallucinogenic effects. These mushrooms have been used for thousands of years by numerous cultures and religions medicinally, religiously and spiritually. Some of the more commonly known varieties of psychedelic mushrooms found in the wild are Psilocybe cubensis, Psilocybe semilanceata, Psilocybe cyanescens, Panaeolus or Copelandia cyanescens and Psilocybe azurescens.
Microdosing with Psilocybin Mushrooms
The goal of microdosing with psilocybin mushrooms is to achieve any of the wide array of positive effects (physical, psychological and spiritual) which have been clinically studied and proven. Psilocybin mushrooms in small or large doses, induce the brain to become hyper-connected, creating increased communication between neural pathways.
Studies have shown that the psychoactive compounds found in magic mushrooms promote structural and functional neuroplasticity or neural plasticity, evidently making psilocybin mushrooms extremely beneficial for people who have suffered strokes, concussions and other types of head trauma. Moreover, psychedelics such as psilocybin mushrooms have been found to acutely increase various measures of variance and entropy in brain activity, especially in regions of the salience network.
The following is a short list of some commonly studied benefits of microdosing with psilocybin mushrooms:
- enhanced focus & concentration
- higher levels of creativity, greater access to “flow states”
- relief from depression, major depressive disorders, anxiety, ADHD & PTSD
- emotional openness, higher sense of empathy, communication & curiosity
- significantly increased energy & coordination
- support for addiction disorders: alcohol, cigarettes, coffee, pharmaceutical drugs etc.
- enhanced mood support & better overall sense of well-being
- cognitive benefits for the brain: promotes neurogenesis and neuralplasticity
- better rational awareness and problem solving
- helps to relieve cluster headaches & migraines
- relief from menstrual pain, PMS, & PMDD symptoms
- pain management
- heightened spiritual awareness, and likewise decreased anxiety in palliative care
Ways to Microdose with Psilocybin Mushrooms
Many people consult us on how to microdose magic mushrooms, and the most important advice is always to start small. Therefore, it’s a good idea to start with a low dose and see how your body reacts. A suggested first microdose would be a 50 milligram capsule, supplements of this strength can be found in our microdosing section, e.g. our 50mg Clarity Capsule. If all goes well, then you can take another capsule and see how you feel from there. Specifically, 100 milligrams of dried psilocybin mushroom is the sweet spot for most people.
On the morning of a day without any major obligations, take your first microdose capsule, and wait 45 minutes to an hour to see how you feel. Pay attention to your thoughts and feelings, and observe the experience on a somatic level. With time, you should notice whether or not it matches your initial goals.
Keep a written journal throughout the duration of the entire experience to keep track of how you feel, and any thoughts that cross your mind.
Did your dose create the desired result? If not, adjust accordingly. We offer both a 50mg and 100mg dosage of psilocybin in both our Tranquility, and Clarity Microdose capsules, and we can also customize a dosage for a client with irregular sensitivities. 50mg is a great capsule to start with, as you can take one to start your day and wait to see how you feel, midway through your day you can take a second. 100mg is typically considered the “sweet spot,” and many folks choose this potency to take care of their needs in one easy step.
How to Microdose Magic Mushrooms
Proceed with regular use. To start a regimen, follow any of the suggested protocols which work best for you and continue for up to 10 weeks. Consequently, take a break for a week or two. This will help to avoid building up a tolerance:
1. The Fadiman Protocol
The Fadiman Protocol (also known as the Beginners Protocol) is the most well-known microdosing protocol. It’s named after Dr. James Fadiman, who created this protocol to observe the effects of microdosing by clearly distinguishing between microdosing days and non-microdosing days. Dr. James Fadiman’s protocol is an excellent basis for a first microdosing experiment. It assumes a 3-day cycle, which you follow for four to eight weeks.
- DAY 1: 1st microdosing day
- DAY 2: transition day
- DAY 3: normal day
- DAY 4: 2nd microdosing day
- CYCLE: Continue this cycle for four to eight weeks
- RESET: Two to four weeks rest
Watch the video in which Dr. James Fadiman talks about the Fadiman Protocol.
2. Paul Stamet’s Protocol (Stamet’s Stack)
Paul Stamets, a world-renowned mycologist, author, and advocate for medicinal mushrooms, developed and tested a new microdosing formula; the combination of psilocybin, niacin (vitamin B3), coupled with the medicinal mushroom Lion’s Mane. This microdose stack method has a positive and lasting effect on the brain. Our Clarity Microdose Capsules are a variation to his popular stack, albeit niacin (vitamin B3), as the vitamin causes an uncomftorable “flushing” effect (redness of the skin, which may be accompanied by an itching or burning sensation).
- DAY 1-4: stacking days
- DAY 5-7: transition days
- DAY 8-11: stacking days
- DAY 12-14: transition days
- CYCLE: Continue this cycle for four weeks
- RESET: Two to four weeks rest
3. Utopia Protocol (5 Days a Week)
A few members of our collective adhere to this protocol as it’s incredibly easy to remember and stay consistent with, as it follows a simple 5 days on 2 days off schedule (Monday to Friday—or any 5 days you should choose). Follow for four to eight weeks, depending on your own somatic intuition.
DAY 1-5: microdosing days
DAY 6-7: transition days
CYCLE: Continue this cycle for four weeks
RESET: Two to four weeks rest
4. Intuitive Microdosing – “Listen to your Body“
Another great method of microdosing, and one which you can employ once youve had some experience, is to do it entirely intuitively—listening to your body on a somatic level. Always leave at least one day between the days you microdose.
5. Two-Days-a-Week Protocol
Important to note, unless you’re keeping a meticulous journal, this “two-days-a-week” protocol can be a little tricky to remember, and you might prefer a fixed scheme that matches with a weekly work or social routine. We advise choosing two fixed days in a week that fit your schedule best. Equally important, always keep at least one day between each microdosing days.
- DAY 1: 1st microdosing day on fixed day (e.g., Monday)
- DAY 2: transition day
- DAY 3: normal day
- DAY 4: 2nd microdosing day on a fixed day (e.g., Thursday)
- CYCLE: Continue this cycle for four to eight weeks
- RESET: Two to four weeks rest
Getting Started
In conclusion, be aware that self-diagnosed microdosing regimens with psychedelics should never replace proper medical attention or psychotherapy when dealing with severe levels of depression, anxiety, and / or addiction. Furthermore, if you struggle with any of the aforementioned, please consult with your doctor before starting on any sort of microdosing program. Generally speaking, most medical professionals are attuned to the potential health benefits of psychedelics such as psilocybin mushrooms.
Feel free to contact us anytime to discuss your microdosing needs or goals, apprehensions, or to ask us any lingering questions you may have—we would love to hear from you!
