Microdosing Guide for Beginners

Microdosing mushrooms can enhance daily functioning, creativity, and emotional well-being. Begin your journey with our guide.

What is microdosing?

Microdosing involves consuming sub-hallucinogenic doses of psilocybin—the primary active compound in psychedelic or “magic” mushrooms—to potentially enhance focus, creativity, and overall well-being. Unlike macrodosing, the effects of microdosing are subtle and don’t significantly alter your immediate perception or behavior. The general rule is: if you’re tripping, you’re not microdosing.

When psilocybin is metabolized in the body, it binds to and stimulates 5-HT2A (serotonin) receptors in the brain. This stimulation creates new neural pathways, potentially improving cognition, learning, and memory. Long-term microdosing has been reported to enhance cognitive function, emotional balance, and even physical health. Microdosing is a personal journey, however, and individual responses may vary.

microdose capsules

What are the benefits of microdosing?

The benefits of magic mushrooms are extensive. Some of the most commonly documented positive outcomes from microdosing include improved mood, focus, creativity, energy, pro-social behavior, mental clarity, and relational skills. Microdosing may also help reduce the frequency and intensity of undesirable feelings associated with mental health conditions, such as depression, anxiety, ADD/ADHD, PTSD, addiction, and psychosomatic issues.

 

What are the effects of microdosing?

Microdosing gently shifts you into a state of “me, and I’m having a great day.” The effects last between 4 to 6 hours, with an afterglow often experienced the following day. 

  • On dose days: The effects of a microdose are subtle yet noticeable. You should be able to go about your daily routine without impairment. You may also experience sharper focus and better ability to stay on task. Many who microdose report that music sounds better, they feel more empathetic and energetic, and they become more aware of their surroundings, especially nature.  For those who have taken full doses of psychedelics before, this experience may feel like the onset or the initial moments before a full psychedelic journey.

  • On non-dose days: Many microdosers experience an afterglow with lingering introspective effects on the day immediately following a dose day. After two non-dose days, your tolerance will typically return to baseline.

  • Long-term use: People who microdose report noticing improvements in mood, focus, and memory over time. They often feel more inclined to live a healthy lifestyle, becoming more present and engaged.


🍄  Psilocybin and flow states

 

Ever been so absorbed in a project that you lost track of time? You were likely experiencing a flow state.

A flow state is a mental state of complete immersion in a task, often described as being “in the zone.” It’s characterized by intense focus and a sense of timelessness, where hours can pass without you realizing it.

Studies have shown that psilocybin increases serotonin levels and can cause alpha oscillations in the brain similar to those seen during flow states. It may quiet the default mode network and enable unique connections between brain areas that don’t typically communicate, which can be crucial for accessing flow states.

Since low to moderate doses of psilocybin can induce flow-like effects in the brain, a regular microdosing regimen may help shift awareness towards flow.


What is your dose?

A standard microdose is typically between 0.05 to 0.3 grams of dried psilocybin mushrooms. Finding the right dose is an essential part of starting your journey. The goal is to enhance daily functioning, creativity, or emotional well-being without experiencing a full psychedelic trip.

neuroheal’s microdosing capsules are formulated with carefully measured doses of psilocybin and adaptogens. Each capsule is suitable for adult intake regardless of weight, so there is no need to compute for your dosage. You can enjoy a safe and convenient way to explore the benefits of microdosing with our products.

Curious about our microdose blends?

How to find your protocol?

In microdosing, a protocol is a systematic plan for safely and effectively consuming psilocybin mushrooms. It specifies dosage, frequency, and timing to maximize benefits and minimize risks. Popular protocols include Dr. James Fadiman’s 1-day-on, 2-days-off routine, and Paul Stamets’ 4-days-on, 3-days-off regimen.

For beginners, it is recommended to follow the Fadiman protocol to help monitor the effects of the microdose. You may choose 2 to 3 days in a week to microdose (e.g. Monday and Thursday mornings), and take 2 days off in between intake (e.g. Tuesday and Wednesday). You can increase the frequency of your dosing days as you go through your journey. Exploration and flexibility are highly encouraged.

To start, consider taking your first microdose on a day with fewer responsibilities (like a Sunday) to explore the effects in a relaxed environment. It is also advisable to take a break after a month of microdosing to assess any changes in your experiences.

Check out our recommended microdosing protocols or intake schedules below:

How to begin your microdose journey?

Before starting your microdosing journey, clarify your goals. Do you want to be more mindful of habits, improve your mood and energy levels, or enhance focus? Your reasons will be unique to you.

It’s essential to follow your regular routine while microdosing. This means continuing with your usual activities, such as work, exercise, and socializing. Keeping the same routine can help you gauge how microdosing impacts your daily life.

Journaling can be an excellent tool for tracking your microdosing journey. It helps you record expected and unexpected effects, as well as differences between dose and non-dose days. Many users report additional benefits like improved sleep, increased motivation for healthy habits, reduced anxiety, and a more positive outlook on challenging situations.

 

What are the risks of microdosing?

Microdosing has been shown to be safe in recent studies, with new findings emerging regularly. For a deeper dive, you can explore the full results from the 2021 Global Drug Survey, where mushrooms are discussed starting on page 25.

Have more questions about microdosing?

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Learn more about the magic of mushrooms:

Microdosing Benefits

Discover some of the benefits of microdosing.

microdosing protocols

Microdosing Protocols

Explore microdosing schedules that work for you.

Macrodosing Guide

Ready for a macrodose? Check out our tips for beginners.