Disclaimer: This article is for information and harm reduction purposes only. Note that psilocybin is deemed a Schedule I substance under the United Nations 1971 Convention on Psychotropic Substances and are illegal in most countries. The publisher and author of this article do not condone the purchase, possession, sale, or consumption of any illegal substances.
Measurements of psilocybin mushrooms usually refer to dried whole mushrooms. One important fact about whole mushrooms is that the psilocybin content of caps is significantly higher than stems, per weight. For consistent doses, only stems (or only caps) should be used for microdosing.
Finding the Right Dose
Different Approaches to Dosing
When it comes to dosing, start low, then gradually increase to higher doses. However, as those new to psychedelics have mentioned, it can be hard to notice the effects of a microdose as a newbie without experience of a full dose.
For practical purposes, we suggest an alternative. Take a slightly higher dose than a microdose, perhaps on the weekend or a day with lower stakes, so as to guarantee a noticeable effect. Then, slowly work your way to the lowest dose you can take while still feeling an effect. That is your minimum ‘threshold’ dose. Then experiment with different doses from your threshold, week by week.
Dosage Ranges
For reference, typical dosage ranges are included for each substance below.
Mushrooms:
Microdose: 0.15–0.3g
Creative dose: 0.5–1g
Typical party dose: 2–3g
FAQs
Should I microdose or take regular doses?
Microdosing is best for gradual improvements over time. It will have immediate benefits, but you may not notice all of the effects until much later, in retrospect. This is best done when you’re looking to keep a stable daily routine.
Microdosing is best for gradual improvements over time. It will have immediate benefits, but you may not notice all of the effects until much later, in retrospect. This is best done when you’re looking to keep a stable daily routine.
Regular doses of psychedelics are best taken during vacation, sabbatical, or other transitional periods, because the insights gained will help sort out your highest priorities and values, and will often cause major shifts in perspective. This is better when you don’t have a routine holding you back, or are ready for a major personal transformation that will impact all parts of your life. I will cover regular doses of psychedelics in future posts.
Will I be ‘tripping’?
No. Because the effects of microdosing are very different in nature than those experienced during a full dose, you will not be ‘tripping’. Some individuals don’t even notice it at first if the dose is very low, which is why I usually recommend a slightly higher dose for beginners.
No. Because the effects of microdosing are very different in nature than those experienced during a full dose, you will not be ‘tripping’. Some individuals don’t even notice it at first if the dose is very low, which is why I usually recommend a slightly higher dose for beginners.
Will people notice? Will I be able to go to work?
Yes, you can go to work. Most people won’t notice anything different unless you tell them. You will have control over your behaviors and may even become even more aware than before, so the chances of causing something detrimental at work are unlikely.
Yes, you can go to work. Most people won’t notice anything different unless you tell them. You will have control over your behaviors and may even become even more aware than before, so the chances of causing something detrimental at work are unlikely.
How long do the effects last?
With moderate to large doses of psychedelics, the effects range from 6–8 hours with mushroom, but microdoses seem to last a shorter period of time. Based on n=1 data, microdoses of mushrooms last around 4 hours.
With moderate to large doses of psychedelics, the effects range from 6–8 hours with mushroom, but microdoses seem to last a shorter period of time. Based on n=1 data, microdoses of mushrooms last around 4 hours.