Microdosing is the practice of taking such small amounts of a psychedelic that the dose doesn’t in fact cause hallucinogenic effects but still contributes to enhanced cognitive function and mood, thereby reaping the benefits of a hallucinogenic trip without sacrificing time and functionality. 

The most commonly microdosed psychedelic is psilocybin. Although there still isn’t a standard way to microdose psilocybin, a microdose – usually 100-300 mg of dried psilocybin mushroom – is usually about 1/10 of a hallucinogenic dose of psilocybin. It is typically taken a few times per week with varying patterns of consumption during a designated period of time.

Microdosing psilocybin, as well as consuming it in larger amounts, isn’t a new practice at all although its formal scientific study is. In Mexico, the Mazatec people have long used microdosing to heal physical ailments in addition to treating sadness, anger, envy, isolation, and agitation.

In addition to the uses of microdosing psilocybin that we have learned from the empirical knowledge of indigenous peoples, recent studies are finding a slew of therapeutic uses for this magical mushroom.

Many people microdose psilocybin as a form of therapy. In fact, studies have shown that microdosing might even be more effective than conventional treatments for different psychiatric symptoms. Microdosers claim that this therapy reduces their stress, improves their mood, and lessens symptoms of depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). 

In addition, a study published in 2021 found that, among the participants who struggled with substance dependence and mental health concerns, microdosers were less likely than non-microdosers to consume alcohol frequently and more likely to abstain from alcohol and tobacco completely. Regarding mental health concerns, microdosers had lower scores than non-microdosers on tests measuring anxiety, depression, and stress.

Even though the possibility of using psilocybin therapeutically is certainly exciting, don’t think that is its only use! Microdosing has also been found to increase both divergent and convergent thought, thereby enhancing creativity. Want to think outside the box? Take a microdose of psilocybin. 

As mentioned before, there is no standard way to microdose. However, let’s go back to 2011 when psychologist Dr. James Fadiman coined the term “microdose”. In his book “The Psychedelic Explorer’s Guide”, Dr. Fadiman recommended that a microdose of psilocybin be taken every three days since most psilocybin is metabolized within 48 hours of consumption. He reasoned that the serotonin receptors that bind with psilocybin would be completely flushed of psilocybin on the third day and would be ready for another dose on the fourth day.

Another microdosing schedule comes from mycologist and psilocybin advocate Paul Stamets. He proposes taking a microdose of psilocybin every day for four days and then resting for three.

These are good schedules to try, but feel free to experiment and do what works best for you and your body. Remember that each person is unique, and, therefore, each person will react differently to a microdose of magic mushrooms.