Microdosing is the practice of ingesting small quantities of psilocybin at regular intervals. Studies have shown that microdosing psilocybin shows promise in boosting cognitive function, fostering creativity, and alleviating the symptoms of moderate to severe depression and anxiety. Microdosing is helping people fall back in love with life by uncovering the joy of the little things courtesy of the matchless blessings bestowed by nature.
Visualize microdosing as an essential fragment of a larger mosaic: it is not meant to mask feelings. Instead, bringing the magic of psilocybin into your life with microdosing can empower you to embrace the present, heighten your awareness, forge connections, and nurture the motivation needed to take incremental steps in the direction that leads to your optimal life. Profound achievements result from patience and mindfulness, and this could be your starting point.
Microdosing is currently being explored as an assisted therapeutic intervention to help with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, anxiety and other mental health issues. When using microdosing for therapeutic benefits, it is recommended to work alongside a healthcare professional for support.
Microdosing is a practice where individuals consume low, generally sub-perceptual doses of a psychedelic substance such as psilocybin (the active compound in “magic mushrooms”).
The purpose is not to have a full psychedelic experience with hallucinations, but rather to experience slight changes in mood, creativity, focus, and well-being. Microdosing can help boost creativity, productivity, and emotional awareness.
Microdosing is done on a schedule to maximize benefits and prevent tolerance changes. A microdose is generally ingested three to four times weekly, depending on the individual’s specific dosing plan. This dosing plan is often recommended by a healthcare professional or based on user preference and can be anything from 3 days on and four days off to microdosing once every 2-3 days.
Macrodosing refers to consuming a larger, perceptual dose of a psychedelic substance such as psilocybin (the active compound in “magic mushrooms”). Unlike microdosing, where the aim is sub-perceptual to low-perceptual effects that have little impact on function, a macrodose is intended to induce a full psychedelic experience with pronounced hallucinations, altered perceptions, and profound insights. Macrodosing is also referred to as “Creative Dosing” or “Hero Dosing” depending on the amount and desired effect.
People choose to macrodose for various reasons, including spiritual exploration, self-discovery, and therapeutic healing. It’s important to approach macrodosing with caution and in a supportive environment, as the intensity of the experience can be overwhelming for some individuals. Additionally, integration and preparation are essential aspects of a safe and meaningful macrodosing journey.
A “micro” dose generally contains: 0.05g – 0.2g / 50mg – 200mg of psilocybin depending on your tolerance and personal preference.
This amount is intended to be a sub-perceptual dose, which means that you should not feel any psychoactive effects. Instead users often report more subtle effects such as: mood enhancement, sharpened concentration, and increased mental stamina.
- Enhanced Creativity: Users report increased creativity, problem-solving abilities, and greater access to novel perspectives on tasks or projects.
- Improved Focus and Productivity: Some individuals claim that microdosing helps them stay focused and boosts their productivity without causing significant cognitive impairment.
- Mood Enhancement: Microdosers often report improvements in mood, reduced anxiety, and an increase in a general sense of well-being.
Mindfulness and Emotional Awareness: Many users find that microdosing helps them become more present and emotionally attuned. - Cognitive Benefits: There are countless anecdotal reports of improved cognitive abilities (such as memory, focus, and mental clarity) although scientific evidence here is limited.
The benefits of psilocybin microdosing are currently being studied all over the world with very promising findings. Stay tuned for more evidence for the power of microdosing.
DefenderDays | 0MG psilocibin | No psychoactive effect whatsoever | Functional mushrooms: Protect against aging, strengthen immunity, improve cognitive function |
EasyDays | 60MG psilocibin | Sub-perceptual effect | Delicate mood enhancement |
FocusDays | 125MG psilocibin | Perceptual effect | Subtle shift in mood, increased connectivity, access to motivation |
BetterDays | 200MG psilocibin | Discernible effect | Moderately psychoactive, heightened senses, access to deeper connection |
DivineDays | 300MG psilocibin | Noticeable effect | Euphoric shift in perception, a general sense of softening, access to deep creativity |
PartyDays | 175-875MG psilocibin | Discernible to Hallucinogenic effect | Dose dependent: Energized, heightened senses, euphoric |
The frequency at which you microdose is completely up to you.
We recommend taking your dose every 2 to 3 days to avoid developing a tolerance to psilocybin. During the 1 to 2 day break between doses it’s beneficial to engage in activities like journaling so that you can track and reflect on any changes in lifestyle or emotional outlook. Self-awareness practices can be very helpful in understanding the impact of the substance on your overall well-being and also help to determine your optimal dosing schedule.
Some potential dosing methods:
- Intuitive Microdosing: You may feel called to experiment with your own microdosing schedule. It is recommended to have at least one full day of being completely sober between microdoses or reserve 2 consecutive days out of any 7 day period to remain sober.
- The Fadiman Protocol: Developed by Dr. James Fadiman, this protocol involves a 3 day microdosing cycle with a number of days off in between.
- The Stamets Stack: Developed by Paul Stamets, this microdosing protocol involves “stacking” several supplements to create a “nootropic stack” with psilocybin included.
Every person is different and your preferred psilocybin dose depends on a variety of factors. We recommend starting with our lowest dose products, Easy Days (60mg) and going up from there.
There is no evidence that body weight impacts the subjective effects of psilocybin.
Ideally, your first microdosing experience should be sub-perceptual. Starting with a minimal dose (0.05g – 0.2g / 50mg – 200mg), you should not notice much more than gentle mood enhancement, sharper concentration, and increased mental stamina. Related to this, most people report a positive, uplifting effect on their perception and disposition, as well as a general sense of greater well-being.
It is important to note that psilocybin can enhance all emotions – including the more uncomfortable ones. When these emotions surface in the context of microdosing and the pursuit of its benefits, it can be very useful to recognize the need for these emotions to arise and be released and allow them to be. There is nothing inherently wrong with uncomfortable or negative emotions, they are meant to be felt just as the positive ones are. Emotional discomfort is generally only temporary and can be effectively utilized to encourage the release of emotional blockages that may be holding you back in any number of areas in your life. Working through these more difficult feelings with meditation, prayer, yoga, or breathwork can be very helpful. However, it is important to contact a healthcare professional if you need help to manage these emotional ranges.
It is always best practice to set a positive intention before your microdosing experience. Ask that this incredible, natural tool be used to serve your highest and greatest good, to create not compete, in the spirit of non-resistance, love, and peace. Microdosing can illuminate a path to transformation. Ask to be shown what you are looking for.
In general, felt microdose effects will last between 4 to 8 hours. Although it is important to note that the effects will gradually lessen after 4 to 6 hours.
Most microdosers report they notice a gentle “afterglow” in the days following a microdose day. This “afterglow” is not psychoactive in any way.
Timing is essential when microdosing as it will influence your energy levels, stamina, cognitive functioning, and mood stability throughout the day.
You can optimize effects and elevate your overall experience by aligning your microdosing schedule with your body’s natural rhythm, as well as your work/life commitments, and personal projects. Microdosing can be done in the morning, afternoon, or evening, depending on your lifestyle and preferences.
Absolutely – This is sometimes referred to as a “nightcap.”
Some microdosers report that they sleep very well, have vivid dreams, and wake up feeling extra refreshed after a bedtime dose.
Please note that for some, taking psilocybin in the evening or at night can have the adverse effect of keeping you awake longer than you would like.
When experimenting with nighttime microdosing:
- Start with a very low dose.
- Actively wind yourself down with relaxing activities and low lighting.
- When timing your “nightcap” give yourself a couple of hours before you need to be asleep so that you can experiment and determine what best works for you without paying for it the next day.
Ideally, we recommend experimenting with your first “nightcap” on a night free of work or other responsibilities the next day.
Did you notice an “afterglow” feeling in the days following a large dose of psilocybin? Did you feel you had opened channels to creativity? Did you experience a general mood improvement? Did you find a greater perspective on your life and your worries?
Many people have expressed experiencing these benefits after a magic mushroom “trip.” Microdosing brings these same benefits to you in a gentler daily experience without interruption to function.
Please refer to our glossary of treatable conditions to get you started with the possibilities and narrow down some goals for yourself.
A microdosing regimen can be considered a gentler, longer-term “trip” – the journey itself being the destination.
This means that you are at the sub-perceptual stage of the journey. There may still be benefits to your overall well-being at this stage, but they may simply be so mild that you may not be aware of them. With time, these subtle changes may become more obvious if you keep track with journaling etc..
Consider if you would like to continue at this dose or if you would like to experience more perceptual changes and increase your dose. One way to increase your dose is to simply double it and take two capsules or chocolate squares or pieces. Or you could level up your product and try the next stage in our product rainbow, for instance moving from EasyDays to FocusDays.