Microdosing
What is Microdosing Mushrooms?
Microdosing means consuming sub-perceptual or very low doses of psilocybin. It is an old practice among psychedelic lovers which dates back centuries. Microdosing mushrooms helps people leverage the health and recreational benefits of psilocybin without being under its hallucinogenic influence.
Before psilocybin can be offered as a microdose, its psychedelic effects must have been subtly reduced to a certain level. It will be so low that you will be able to go about your everyday activities. Various anecdotal reports show that microdosing has a lot of cognitive benefits. This perhaps explains why the practice is growing in popularity across the world. For instance, a new poll shows that almost 60% of people approve of the use of psilocybin for treating mental illnesses in Canada.
Microdosing on shrooms helps many people get their day started and boost their productivity, vitality and creativity all day long. Psilocybin mushrooms or shrooms contain certain health properties that can help you achieve a higher level of physical and emotional wellbeing.
Apart from its cognitive and somatic benefits, microdosing is the best way to start out on psilocybin consumption, if you are a new user. Taking such low, subtle doses will help you evaluate its effect on you and make an informed decision on how often and what dosing you need going forward.
What is Psilocybin?
Psilocybin is a naturally occurring psychedelic compound obtained from certain mushroom species.
These types of mushrooms are believed to be indigenous to some of the subtropical and tropical regions in Mexico, South America, and the United States. Findings show that psilocybin is found in more than 200 species of mushrooms.
These mushrooms contain around 0.2% to 0.4% of psilocybin as well as some amount of psilocin, which is another psychedelic compound. Today, psilocybin mushrooms can be found almost everywhere in the world, including Canada. To different cultures and generations, psychedelic mushrooms have served several spiritual and medicinal purposes for thousands of years. Psilocybin is also known as magic mushrooms, shrooms, caps, buttons, and many other street names.
The effectiveness of psilocybin mushrooms in treating various physical and psychological conditions have also been documented in various scientific studies.
Substance addictions, OCD, PSTD, ADHD, depression, anxiety and various kinds of mood disorders are some of the cases that could be treated with psilocybe cubensis, the active compound found in ‘magic’ mushrooms. They also contain anti-aging effects, can help regulate cholesterol level, and boost vitamins B and D.
How Do Shrooms Work?
Studies have shown that psilocybin mushrooms contain properties that have the ability to impact the default network mode (DNM). The DNM is a large scale brain function that plays a role in your everyday self-consciousness. In addition, several scientific works have also demonstrated psilocybin effectiveness in improving the level of open-mindedness, dissolving of ego, as well as helping in smoking cessation. So, with these and many more highly beneficial effects, microdosing on shrooms is one of the best natural ways to maintain mental and physical fitness.
How to Microdose Effectively
Microdosing refers to taking one-twentieth to one-tenth of regular dose, depending on the user. Various factors will determine the appropriate dosage level for each user. Those factors include what effects you want to achieve from your dose, your weight, diet, metabolism, and experience (whether you are new or long-term microdoser).
As opposed to the mystical feelings associated with regular psilocybin dose, microdosing will not alter your mental awareness. Instead, you will become more focused and active mentally while the effects last in your system.
Tips for Microdosing
- Get your shrooms only from trusted sources.
- Talk with your doctor before beginning micro dosing with psilocybin. There are some pre-existing conditions that preclude the use of magic mushrooms.
- Check yourself to be sure you sincerely want to learn about the effects of psilocybin and that you’re not doing it to “fit in” or because others are doing it.
- Make sure to check the quality of shrooms and if they are lab tested to ensure highest quality.
Recommended Dosing Schedule
Dr. Fadiman’s Micro Dosing Method
Dr. James Fadiman recommends microdosing once every 3 days so you don’t develop a tolerance. According to Dr. Fadiman, “The first day you feel great. The second day you would feel half of that. And the third day you won’t feel anything.” To avoid this tolerance and to get the most benefits from microdosing, it’s best to stick to a plan.
- Week 1: Mon-Thu-Sun
- Week 2: Wed-Sat
- Week 3: Tue-Fri
- Week 4: Mon-Thu-Sun
Dosage Recommendations:
Paul Stamets’ Protocol
Find What Works Best For You
What Dose Of Psilocybin Mushrooms Should I Take?
Different doses of magic mushrooms have different effects. When deciding to take psilocybin mushrooms, you should put thought into how much you are taking as different doses will have contrasting results and are appropriate for different situations.
Larger doses of psilocybin mushrooms are more intense. A macrodose, moderate dose and megadose all lead to a psychedelic experience, or what is commonly known as “tripping”. At such doses, there is potential for huge breakthroughs, euphoria and insight. However, strong experiences may limit certain activities, e.g., working, etc.
With the trip commanding all your attention, there is little room for much else beyond the experience you are having. And as trips last between 4–8 hours, a whole section of your day (if not the whole day) will need to be devoted to the experience.
Because of this, stronger trips cannot be done on a regular, day-to-day basis, and you will want to remain in a calm, safe and controlled environment (for instance, at home or in a quiet park rather than a busy public area).
In contrast, a microdose and low dose are sub-perceptual. This means their effects are less pronounced and you won’t have visual distortions, allowing you to continue with day-to-day activities like work, socializing, exercise and hobbies.
This isn’t to say lower doses don’t do anything: the mushrooms are still working in the background to lift your mood, enhance your productivity, relieve stress and boost your creative flow. They just do so in a less pronounced way which won’t impact your ability to do normal activities.
As such, a microdose can easily be incorporated into your daily routine. How much you do varies from person to person, as tolerance is different for everyone. We recommend experimenting with the different microdoses and low doses as listed below (start at 50mg and slowly increase until you find the sweet spot).
Simply take a capsule or two with your morning coffee, pop a drop or two of tincture into a drink or chomp a tasty gummy. Then continue with your day, but with newfound energy, positivity and calm.
When Should I Microdose Psilocybin?
Whilst a big dose of psilocybin is something to be planned for, taken care over and given your full attention, a microdose can be done casually in the morning like any other supplement. While it works behind the scenes to improve your mood, focus, productivity and creativity, you can continue with your daily tasks.
However, it is not advised to microdose every day. This could result in building a tolerance, meaning you may no longer benefit from the positive effects of the compound. Instead, different dosing schedules are recommended.
The most popular dosing schedule is the Fadiman protocol, whereby you take one microdose of psilocybin every three days.
Another recommended schedule is five days on and two days off.
We suggest you experiment and see what routine works for you. Follow your chosen microdosing schedule for several weeks and keep a journal of your experiences to document the positive impact the mushrooms are having and to note the changes between doses.
Psilocybin Doses
Microdose: 50mg — 250mg
Perfect for beginners and adaptable to any situation, a microdose can be effortlessly incorporated into your daily life. A microdose is sub-perceptual, with no visual effects. But, that doesn’t mean it’s not doing anything! Far from it…
With a microdose, our shrooms are working hard behind the scenes to boost your mood, energy, focus, performance and senses. Meanwhile, you can continue with your daily life as your best self.
Effects:
- Motivation
- Focus and clearer thinking
- Improved memory
- Mood enhancement
- Alleviation of stress, depression, anxiety, ADD/ADHD and PTSD
- Creativity and flow
- Presence and peace
- Self-reflection, understanding and forgiveness
- Mindfulness and improved meditation
- Better exercise with improved performance, endurance and motivation
Potential negatives:
- Amplification of mood can be positive or negative
- Manic states — psychedelics are NOT recommended for sufferers of psychosis
- Increased neuroticism
Low Dose — 0.25–0.75g
A low dose is a more noticeable version of a microdose. Some may experience mild visual effects. Depending on the individual it may have similar effects as microdose, depending on tolerance level.
As a slightly stronger dose, you will feel all the positive benefits of a microdose, but more pronounced: mood enhancement, presence and mindfulness, creative insights, flow states and clearer thinking.
Effects:
- Mood enhancement, excitement and enjoyment of daily life
- Mindfulness and improved meditation
- Presence, calm and peace
- Self-reflection and understanding
- Flow states and creativity
- Clearer thinking and introspection
- Some mild visuals, if any
- Alleviation of stress, depression, anxiety, ADD/ADHD and PTSD
- Heightened sensory awareness
Potential negatives:
- Manic states — psychedelics are NOT recommended for sufferers of psychosis
- Difficulty focussing or completing certain tasks
- Anxiety, irritability or restlessness
- Uncomfortable in social situations
- Amplification of mood can be positive or negative
Macrodose — 0.5–1.5g
Also known as a “museum dose” due to the fact you can participate comfortably in public spaces, like museums, a macro dose has more pronounced effects without becoming a full psychedelic experience.
Expect euphoria and excitement, mild visuals, greater empathy and introspection, enhanced motivation, creativity and conversational fluidity. And a heightened appreciation for music and art (it is a museum dose, after all!)
Effects:
- Mood enhancement and euphoria
- Mild visuals
- Empathy
- Conversational
- Introspection
- Flow and creativity
- Heightened sensory awareness and appreciation for music and art
- Distorted perception of time
- Dilated pupils
Potential negatives:
- Amplification of mood can be positive or negative
- Difficulty focussing
- Manic states — psychedelics are NOT recommended for sufferers of psychosis
- Uncomfortable in social situations
Moderate Dose — 2–3.5g
At a moderate dose, you can expect a true psychedelic experience, including distortions of shapes, colours, time and depth. However, you’ll still be aware of your surroundings — they will just be perceived differently!
You can also expect introspective insights and flow states, “the giggles”, a heightened appreciation for music and art, amplified emotions and even synesthesia (where one sense transfers into another. For instance, “seeing” music.)
Those new to psychedelics may want a sitter, i.e. an experienced sober person to accompany them and guide them through the new sensations they are having. But, once accustomed to the experience, most people are happy venturing to quiet parks and outside areas to experience nature in a way they have never done before.
Benefits:
- Deep and life-changing insights and self-reflection
- Flow states, creativity and ideas
- Heightened sensory awareness and appreciation for music and art
- Greater amusement or interest in surroundings
- Visual effects such as patterns, “breathing” effects and enhanced colours
- Synesthesia
- Euphoria
- Dilated pupils
- Distorted perception of time
Potential Negatives:
- Amplification of mood can be positive or negative
- Yawning (psilocybin can have a drowsy effect, similar to marijuana)
- Disorientation due to changes in visual perception
- Difficulty completing cognitive tasks
- Dizziness and nausea
- Manic states — psychedelics are NOT recommended for sufferers of psychosis
Megadose — 5g+
For the more experienced psychonaut, a megadose takes tripping to a new level. With a megadose, users experience intense hallucinations, ego dissolution, mystical experiences and deep introspection.
Needless to say, megadoses are far more disorienting as you lose your sense of time and surroundings. But, with intense tripping can also come intense feelings of wonder, euphoria, and life-changing insights.
We recommend an experienced sitter be present and that you remain in a quiet, calm, controlled setting which is well-stocked with food and water to keep you comfortable during your trip.
Benefits:
- Mystical experience and feeling of spiritual connection and euphoria
- Deep and life-changing insights and self-reflection
- Ego dissolution — a feeling of disconnect from the self
- Strong visuals, both open- and closed-eye
- Synesthesia
- Loss of perception of time
Potential Negatives:
- Amplification of mood can be positive or negative
- Disorientation due to changes in visual perception
- Difficulty completing cognitive tasks and controlling motor functions
- Dizziness and nausea
- Manic states — psychedelics are NOT recommended for sufferers of psychosis
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