In case you hadn’t noticed, the microdosing movement has gone mainstream.

Because countless scientific reports point toward the multitude of benefits microdosing offers, from enhanced creativity to increased mental agility to improved focus and productivity, even better sex! Microdosing has helped thousands of people develop a more positive outlook on life.

But perhaps you’re still unfamiliar with the concept. We’re here to help!

What Is Microdosing

Microdosing is the act of consuming sub-perceptual amounts of psychedelics. By sub-perceptual, we mean that you don’t really feel any effects. Think of it like drinking a coffee or taking an aspirin. Taken this way, a microdose allows you to access some of the benefits brought on by a full dose but in a softer and more controlled way.

Usually, a microdose is equal to 1/10th to 1/20th of a normal “macro” dose. For example, when it comes to psilocybin, a microdose could be between 0.1 and 0.3 grams. With LSD, a microdose would fall between 5 and 15 micrograms.

A Brief History of Microdosing

Microdosing has been used by our ancestors as aphrodisiacs, appetite suppressants, analgesics, treatments for gout and syphilis, and to instill courage. But it wasn’t until Dr. Albert Hoffman, the man who discovered LSD, began experimenting with really small doses that the modern story of microdosing started.

James Fadiman: The Father of Microdosing

Fast forward to 2011, when we had a reawakening of microdosing. James Fadiman in his book The Psychedelic Explorer’s Guide: Safe, Therapeutic, and Sacred Journeys explored microdosing as a sub-topic of psychedelic use. Dr. Fadiman’s book awakened millions of people to the potential of microdosing, providing practical information about how to microdose for healing and transformation.

The real microdosing boom arrived in 2015 when James Fadiman was interviewed by Tim Ferriss on The Tim Ferriss Show. Soon thereafter, journalists started writing articles about microdosing, leading to greater cultural awareness and interest.

The Science of Microdosing

So, what happens in the brain when we take psychedelics? In general, two things:

1. A serotonin receptor called 5-HT2A is stimulated
2. Activity in the brain’s Default Mode Network (DMN) is dampened

5-HT2A

The 5-HT2A receptor is an important serotonin receptor concentrated in the brain’s prefrontal cortex. When psychedelics stimulate this receptor, two significant things happen: the production of brain-derived neurotrophic factors increases, stimulating neuronal growth, and the transmission of glutamate, responsible for cognition, learning, and memory, is increased throughout the brain.

Default Mode Network

The DMN is a set of brain regions activated when individuals are focused on their internal mental-state processes such as self-referential processing, introspection, autobiographical memory retrieval, and imagining the future. Psychedelics are possibly the most immediate and profound way to reduce the control of the DMN over the mind. Neuro-imaging studies have consistently shown that psychedelics like LSD and psilocybin significantly reduce DMN connectivity.

Making Your Microdoses

When microdosing psilocybin mushrooms, remember that two equally sized pieces may contain very different amounts of psilocybin. For that reason, it’s essential to blend or grind your dried psilocybin mushrooms to create a homogeneous mixture.

To make a batch of microdoses, follow these general guidelines:

Step 1: Dry your mushrooms to a cracker dry moisture content using a food dehydrator. Then grind them to a fine powder with a coffee grinder.

Step 2: Measure each dose with a scale that measures to the hundredth of a gram (0.01g).

Step 3: Distribute the dried mushroom powder into a capsule dispenser so that your dosage per capsule fits into the microdose parameters mentioned above.

Want to grow your own mushrooms for microdosing? Our Online Mushroom Cultivation Course teaches you everything from spore to harvest — including psilocybe cubensis and medicinal species.

Scheduling Your Microdoses

The two most popular schedules, created by Fadiman and mycologist Paul Stamets:

Fadiman Protocol

The Fadiman protocol is based on taking a microdose once every three days, because our body develops resistance and tolerance that could affect the microdoses’ effect.

Day 1: Microdose
Day 2: Reflect
Day 3: Pause — REPEAT

Stamets Protocol

The Stamets protocol aims to re-shape your brain and improve neuroplasticity. You microdose four days per week:

Day 1: Microdose
Day 2: Microdose
Day 3: Pause
Day 4: Microdose
Day 5: Microdose
Day 6: Pause
Day 7: Rest — REPEAT

Stamets advocates adding Lion’s Mane (Hericium erinaceus) and Niacin (B3) to enhance the effects of microdosing — a combination sometimes called the Stamets Stack.

Getting Started

1. Set an intention — Why do you want to microdose? Do you want to improve your mental health? Increase flow states? Develop your spiritual connection?

2. Source your mushrooms — Make sure you use a trusted source, or better yet, learn to grow your own with Fungi Academy’s Online Mushroom Cultivation Course.

3. Choose a protocol — With your intention in mind, decide which schedule works best for you.

4. Start slow — It’s best to start slow and take a one-week break each month. Remember to enjoy the process and journey.

Keep Learning & Going Deeper

Microdosing is just one doorway into a much bigger world of intentional mushroom use. Here’s where to go next:

• The Ultimate Lemon Tek Guide — when you’re ready to explore full-dose experiences, lemon tek is the most popular preparation method.
• How to Make Mushroom Chocolate Bars — a popular and precise way to prepare and dose your microdoses.
• Sacred Mushrooms and Mental Illness — the science behind psilocybin for anxiety, depression, and more.
• Lion’s Mane Mushroom — Complete Guide — the key ingredient in the Stamets Stack; learn how to grow and use it.
• Herbal Allies for Homemade Mushroom Medicine — combining mushrooms with plant medicine for deeper effect.

Ready to grow your own supply and take your practice seriously? The Mushroom Membership gives you access to live Q&As, expert masterclasses, and a global community of people exploring mushrooms for healing and growth. Or if you’re ready to go deep with a curated group, the Mushroom Mastermind is where transformation happens.

Resources

1. Riedel, Platt & Micheau (2003) DOI:10.1016/S0166-4328(02)00272-3
2. Vollenweider & Kometer (2010) DOI:10.1038/nrn2884
3. The Guardian — Psychedelics as antidepressants (2016)
4. Carhart-Harris et al. (2016) DOI:10.1073/pnas.1518377113
5. Sambataro et al. (2014) DOI:10.1017/S0033291713002596