Microdosing and Macrodosing 101
Your Guide to Safe Trips with Magic Mushrooms.
Your Guide to Safe Trips with Magic Mushrooms.
Who should not microdose?
When you are younger than 18 years old
When you are pregnant or breastfeeding
In case of a mental or physical condition and/or illness
If you have color blindness
In extreme cases of situations in your life that are beyond your control (for instance: grief).
In combination with alcohol or other drugs
In combination with lithium carbonate
In combination with Tramadol
When in the process of tapering off from anti depressants or anti-anxiety medication..
What is Microdosing?
Microdosing is the act of consuming tiny, sub-perceptual (almost unnoticeable) amounts of psilocybin mushrooms or other psychedelics for therapeutic and performance purposes. The effects are subtle and users should be able to continue their day as usual. While the amounts are small, the effects can be profound, including less anxiety and depression, increased creativity, and improved mood. Microdosing works by activating areas of the brain that are not usually active. Users may feel an enhanced mood and more empathy.
To prepare for microdosing, it is important to establish a positive mindset and environment, known as “Set and Setting,” which involves creating a tidy and comfortable space, being with familiar people, and having access to emotional support. It is essential to start with a low dosage and gradually increase until finding the optimal dosage. However, not everyone should microdose, including those under 18, pregnant or breastfeeding, those with a mental or physical condition, those with color blindness, or those taking certain medications. It is also crucial to avoid consuming alcohol or other drugs while microdosing.
It is important to note that while many individuals have reported substantial improvements, it is possible to feel a placebo effect. Randomized controlled trials are ongoing to investigate the safety and efficacy of microdosing psychedelics. If you are new to microdosing, it is recommended to start with a low dosage and follow a dosing protocol that works for you while taking breaks to avoid developing a tolerance.
Discover the Power of Microdosing with Psilocybin Mushrooms to Elevate Your Mood, Creativity, and Overall Health
From easing anxiety and depression symptoms to unleashing your full potential, explore the benefits of this popular practice. New studies attribute this to the activation of serotonin receptors in the brain. Even though it’s possible to feel a placebo effect, many individuals have reported substantial improvements. Take control of your wellness and discover the world of microdosing.
Exploring the Possibility of Placebo Effect in Microdosing
You may have heard of microdosing – taking tiny amounts of psychedelic drugs to treat mental health concerns like treatment-resistant depression. While it seems promising, there’s still much we don’t know. Is it the actual drug creating benefits or just the placebo effect?
Research is still in its early stages, but initial studies show that microdosing can positively affect our mood, cognitive function, and divergent thinking. But we’re left wondering if these effects are due to the drug or just in our minds.
The placebo effect is when we experience perceived improvement in our symptoms simply from believing we’re receiving treatment, even if there are no active ingredients. In the case of microdosing, taking the drug itself creates anticipation and expectation, leading to perceived benefits unrelated to the drug’s chemical effects.
This raises important questions about using microdosing to treat mental illness. While some individuals have reported positive effects, it’s crucial to distinguish between the actual drug’s effects and the placebo effect. This can be difficult to do, especially if people self-administer microdoses in an uncontrolled setting.
How does it work?
Psychedelic mushrooms contain a compound called psilocybin
which is famous for its psychedelic effects when consumed in high doses. Microdosing Psilocybin Mushrooms activates areas of the brain which are not normally active. Psilocybin decreases activity in our Default Mode Network, causing parts of the brain that don’t typically communicate together to communicate with one another
How does it feel?
Microdosing effects are subtle yet powerful. A shift in your perception is common and typically won’t affect your usual interactions. You may feel an enhanced mood in a positive way and more empathy. Increased focus and creativity is also a common effect, while entering flow state becomes seemingly effortless.Â
How do I take it?
A microdose typically ranges from 25 to 250 milligrams. In certain instances, a higher microdose may be appropriate depending on an individual’s tolerance level and concurrent use of medications, such as SSRIs. It is advised for beginners to commence with a smaller dosage and gradually adjust until they identify their optimal dose, also called the “sweet spot.” Adhering to the golden rule of “Start Low and Go Slow” is of utmost importance.
Research has suggested that microdosing psychedelics may have potential therapeutic benefits for individuals with treatment-resistant depression and may also enhance cognitive function. However, it is important to note that the evidence is limited and further research is needed to fully understand the effects and potential risks of microdosing. Recent findings suggest that microdosing may lead to improvements in mood, creativity, and productivity,
How often should I microdose?
Below are a couple dosing protocols to use as a guideline. There are many dosing protocols that you can follow, find one that works for you or make up your own based on your own unique needs. Just keep in mind to remember to take breaks to avoid building up a tolerance.
If you are new to microdosing, we recommend starting with our Calm Shrooms. This Shrooms features 75mg of Golden Teacher Cubensis, Taking 1 capsule will have an onset time of 90 mins & 4 – 6 hours of duration. We recommend taking your dose on an empty stomach in the morning the first day, then evaluate how it feels the second day, and make adjustments by increasing your dosage until you find the perfect dose that works for you.
Preparation
Microdosing is all about mindset and creating an ideal environment for the magic to happen. Taking a moment to evaluate where your attention lies and shifting your perspective towards a positive goal or vision can be the difference between a life changing journey or a momentary high. This preparation is called Set and Setting
What is Set and Setting?
Set and Setting refers to the factors that influence your microdosing experience. “Set” is the environment of your mind –your personality, beliefs, mood, and perceptions. “Setting” is everything in your physical environment, such as the world that you interact with – the people, the music, the weather, the smells. All these factors play a huge role in shaping your experience.
how do i prepare?
Preparing your set and setting doesn’t need to be complicated, but it does play a huge role in how well you receive the microdose. Positive affirmations or mantras are a quick way to create your set and prime your mind for the experience ahead. Finding the right setting will vary from person to person since everyone’s preference is different. Here are a few key things to keep in mind:
Keep your environment tidy and organized:
Your mind is a reflection of your environment, a messy environment can lead to an undesired experience.
Be in a familiar place with familiar people:
Anxiety may sometimes occur while microdosing, especially when you are in an unfamiliar place with unfamiliar people around you..
Comfort and safety:
What things do you need to feel comfortable and safe? Who do you know that you can talk to if certain feelings or experiences arise?
For more support on creating your set and setting, connect with one of our psychedelic-friendly microdosing coaches or take a look at the online course created by our partners at the Microdosing Institute and find the support you need.
Taking your microdose
The best way to take your microdose is by getting started on a day without any obligations like work, family, or social events. We recommend taking your microdose in the morning and on an empty stomach. In some cases, microdoses may be taken in the middle of the day, but doing so may cause difficulties sleeping later on.Â
Microdosing is a promising area of research, and its effects on divergent thinking and cognitive function have gained significant attention in recent years. Still, it’s crucial to recognize that the use of psychedelic substances, even at a recreational dose, can have unintended consequences for mental health. It’s important to approach microdosing with caution, particularly if you have a history of mental illness or other mental health concerns.
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Keeping a Journal
If you’re a beginner, microdosing can feel like an experiment at first. To fully understand and get the most out of your experience, we recommend keeping a microdosing journal to keep track of your observations, feelings, and insights as you go about your day. Keeping notes will help you understand where the changes in your life are happening and possible ways to optimize it.
Why am I feeling anxiety?
Anxiety may occur if the dosage of psychedelic substances used in microdosing is too high, and this can cause mental health concerns for individuals who have an underlying mental illness or treatment-resistant depression. If this does occur, take a moment to do some breathing exercises, meditate, or take a walk outside. Remember that mental health concerns should be taken seriously, and seek professional help if necessary. This feeling is most often temporary and can last up to 30 minutes. It’s essential to reduce the dosage next time and always be mindful of any potential mental health concerns related to microdosing or the use of psychedelic drugs.
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Here are some things to keep track of:
Reset Days
Reset days, which involve abstaining from microdosing, can play an essential role in managing mental health concerns and optimizing cognitive function when using psilocybin mushrooms. By taking reset days, you can help prevent the development of tolerance, allowing you to experience the full benefits of microdosing over an extended period. Additionally, by alternating between microdosing days and reset days, you can observe and understand how your mind and body react to the effects of psilocybin, which can aid in identifying the optimal microdose for you. Overall, the practice of incorporating reset days into your microdosing regimen can support your mental and cognitive well-being and enhance the potential benefits of using psilocybin mushrooms.
Finding your “Sweet Spot”
Don’t Know Where To Start
Frequently Asked Questions
Microdosing is the practice of consuming tiny doses of psychedelic drugs (in our case, psilocybin mushrooms). In pharmaceutical terms, microdosing refers to the minimum effective dose, which is typically between 1/10 and 1/2 the average amount. Users consume the lowest possible dose to achieve the desired effects without triggering any negative side effects.  These small doses typically do not produce the hallucinatory or psychedelic effects associated with mushrooms, meaning the dose is “sub-perceptual.” Users microdose for a wide variety of psychological and physical benefits. These benefits may include higher productivity, increased energy and focus and boosted creativity, in addition to lower anxiety, stress, depression, and more.
Psilocybin is one of the safest substances you can find and much safer than alcohol, especially when taken in microdoses. Microdosing is proven to be safe and non-habit forming. We advise that you not exceed the recommended dosage and frequency. This is because you don’t want to extend beyond your limits and potentially experience some unwanted side effects, such as temporary loss of body function and/or muscle weakness. Keep in mind experiences like that are not common and will go away in a few hours. Just be sure to follow the dosage instructions.
When it comes to microdosing, we recommend starting at a very lose dose, preferably on a weekend, to see how your body responds. Two days later, dose again based on your initial experience, increasing very slowly. Once you get into a routine, the recommended schedule is to microdose in the morning and take two or three days off between doses. We’ve got a full breakdown on dosing that you can read here mindmend.co/dosing/. Do not microdose daily as you can build up a tolerance.
Possibly, yes. Exciting studies are ongoing to prove that psilocybin can helppeople quit smoking. There is reason to believe that psilocybin may have the potential to treat addiction to alcohol, cocaine, and other substances. Plenty of research is currently in the works, and psilocybin does indeed show the potential to offer an alternative option for addiction treatment.
