Microdosing mushrooms is an amazing therapy. People are experiencing a wide range of benefits from increased focus and creativity, to a deeper sense of peace and calm, to reduction in symptoms of anxiety, depression and PTSD. But how often should you microdose, and is it safe to do so daily?
What Is A Microdose of Mushrooms?
So first let's dive into what exactly is a microdose of mushrooms? A microdose of mushrooms is when an individual consumes a very small quantity of psilocybin (magic) mushrooms. Generally this is anywhere from 50mg to 200mg.
A microdose should be felt very much in the “background”. Think of it similar to a single drink of alcohol. You can still function. You can basically do anything you would normally have been able to do, however you feel a slight shift in your consciousness. This is the golden zone you are trying to achieve with your microdose.
How Much Should You Take…
Finding the right dose is key to a successful microdose experience. If you take too much, it can be harder to focus on daily tasks. You may feel a bit “spacy” or simply “zenned” out, unable to operate in the mundane… But If you take too little, you won’t notice any effects and likely will not see much or any improvements in your state of being.
We recommend people start with 100mg doses. If it is too strong, take 50mg. If it is not strong enough, try 200mg. As you progress on your microdosing adventure, you may find you need to adjust your dose slightly higher or lower depending on your plans for the day, or how your tolerance may change.
Some people experience a tolerance that builds, meaning they need to increase their dose. However some people (although this is far more uncommon) find that they become more sensitive to the microdoses over time. Just be open to all the possibilities, and keep track of how you feel on a day-to-day basis.
How Often You Should Microdose…
To experience the best benefits from microdosing, we recommend the 5 days on, 2 days off protocol. This means you will consume 1 microdose capsule 1 or 2 times daily, for 5 days in a row. Then take 2 days without any microdoses.
Another popular option is to take a microdose once every 3 days. This means if you microdose on Monday, you will not take any capsules Tuesday or Wednesday, and you will take your next microdose on Thursday. We find this protocol is a bit more difficult to keep track of, and less effective for creating new habits and patterns in one’s life.
In order to truly transform and shift your state into a new way of being, we recommend a minimum of 3 months of microdosing. Some people choose to microdose indefinitely. Others choose to take a 2 to 6 week break after they complete their first 3 month protocol.
Why Microdosing Daily Is Not A Good Idea…
Often people start microdosing and they feel amazing. They have more energy, more creativity, they feel connected to the world around them in a new way, and their anxiety and depression is gone or is significantly reduced.
It seems great, and if it works, why not do this everyday? I mean, you take an antidepressant or other medications / supplements everyday, why not a microdose?
One simple word. Tolerance.
Tolerance Is Key
Psilocybin can build up in your system, and your body can build a tolerance to it. Too much of a good thing can sometimes be just that: too much. Once you build a tolerance, the positive effects begin to taper off quickly.
That is why it is so important to take days off. This allows your body and mind to live a few days without the effects of microdosing, which will effectively prevent building a tolerance and give you time to integrate your experiences.
If not, then after a few months people often find themselves doubling or even tripling their starting dose! Or they just simply stop microdosing as they believe it is no longer effective for them.
But this is not the case! It is simply that your body has built a tolerance and is no longer able to receive the same benefits.
Tolerance Can Build Even With Days Off
Some people report after 3-6 months of 5 days on and 2 days off of microdosing, they still find themselves building a tolerance and needing a higher dose. If this occurs, you may consider taking one to two weeks off, or switching to the “once every third day” protocol for 2-4 weeks. This should allow your body and mind time to detox the psilocybin from your system and rebalance itself.
Why Taking Time Off Is Not JUST About Tolerance…
Taking those few days off is not just about tolerance. It is also about taking time to integrate and rebalance yourself.
Ultimately the reason you are microdosing is to achieve a new state of being - ideally one that is a better or more positive version of your previous self. And ultimately, you want to reach a point where you do not “need” to microdose in order to feel your best, or to embody the “ideal” version of yourself.
Taking those precious days off gives you time to come back to yourself. Think of it like training wheels. The 5 days of microdosing is helping you learn a new way of being in the world (training wheels). Then those 2 days off is like taking those training wheels off, so you can learn to ride this new way of being all on your own.
This effectively will boost your confidence and prevent building a codependent relationship with the microdosing. Instead, you will see the interdependent connection you are building with them. They are teaching you how to live your best self, with or without them.
Oftentimes people actually find these days off to be extremely impactful. Sometimes realizations, clarity and epiphanies will occur. Other times it gives people a chance to feel gratitude and reverence for the medicine. Regardless, these days can be precious, so enjoy them!
What To Do If You Have Built A Tolerance
So let's say you have already built up a tolerance, and you are looking to reduce your dose to a more reasonable level. There are two options here. The simplest is to take 2-4 weeks off. However if you are taking microdoses for your mental health, this could feel like a stretch.
Another option is to follow this protocol...
Let’s say you started at 100mg, and now you are up at 300mg daily.
Take 2 days off.
On the 3rd day, take your dose but reduce it to 250mg.
Take 2 days off.
Continue at 250mg for one day.
Take 2 days off.
Then do one day at 200mg
Take 2 days off.
Continue at 200mg for one day.
Take 2 days off.
Reduce to 150mg for one day.
Take 2 days off.
Continue at 150mg for one day.
Take 2 days off.
Reduce to 100mg for one day
Take 2 days off.
Continue at 100mg for one day.
Take 2 days off.
Now you can resume your regular 5 days on / 2 days off with 100mg daily.
Adjust this protocol as needed, depending on your current dose.
If you are uncomfortable at the thought of only consuming your microdose once every 3rd day, you can try doing a 4 days on / 3 days off protocol rather than the 5 days on / 2 days off. To do this, simply follow the above guideline to reduce your dose every 7 days.
Are There Any Dangers of Microdosing Everyday?
Beyond building a tolerance to the mushrooms, are there any dangers to microdosing daily?
Well research is still in early stages, however it appears there are no significant dangers in microdosing daily. However, one thing to keep in mind is that the higher your tolerance, the less you are “micro” dosing.
Let us explain…
Let’s say that you start at the standard dose of 100mg everyday, and you gradually build your tolerance to the point of needing 500mg to achieve the same results you were getting at 100mg. Now you are consuming ½ gram of mushrooms everyday.
This is actually a significant quantity of mushrooms. It is not unheard of for people to take a “party” dose of mushrooms at 1/2gram to 1 gram. By “party” dose, we mean the kind of dose that you feel significantly altered, but you are still able to socialize and engage with a potentially intense setting like a party.
So, if you are taking ½ gram of mushrooms every single day, then we do not actually know if there are long term consequences. This is fine for a short period of time, but over the course of months or years, we just do not know. You are now entering guinea pig territory…
Why Microdosing Everyday Is Disrespectful…
Nature demands respect. If you disrespect the fire, you get burned. Everything in nature is living and breathing, and has a sentient spirit. The mushrooms are no different. They have an amazing and powerful spirit. Indigenous and traditional cultures around the globe knew this, and so they developed powerful ceremonies and rituals to honor this spirit.
When we lose sight of the spirit of another being, it is easy to be disrespectful. This is often unconscious and unintentional, but nonetheless, disrespect is disrespect.
What do we mean by this?
Well what makes someone a good friend or a good partner? They are kind, considerate, and caring for the other. On the flip side, a “bad” friend or partner is self-serving and will use people primarily for their own benefit.
No one likes to be used. If you have ever had a friend that only wants to be around you because you bring some kind of benefit to their life, then you know the sting of this experience. Well the mushrooms and nature are the same.
When you take mushrooms everyday, it can be easy to forget that you are not entitled to their help and support, and that they actually desire an interdependent relationship and connection with you. They are like your little friends.
When you take those 2 days off, you have the opportunity to miss your “little friends”, to realize the benefit they bring to your life, and to experience gratitude for what they are offering. In short, you feel gratitude for the mushroom spirit, and you learn to respect them.
Generally, all nature needs from us is gratitude. This is how we show respect for the earth (and our “little friends”), and this is how we give back for all that is given to us.
