So you are ready to start your microdosing journey! But you may be wondering… how long does a microdose last, and what can I expect from the results?
Well let’s jump on in.
So when I first started microdosing, I scoured the internet… Forums, blogs, articles… Everything available so I could prepare myself for the adventure I was about to embark on.
I found lots of great information. The main thing I discovered though, is that I had to just jump in and discover how the mushrooms interacted with my body!
That being said, I am going to outline general pointers that you can keep in mind that will prepare you for your experience.
What To Know Before You Begin…
So let’s review some key points to keep in mind before you begin your journey.
The Amount of Mushrooms You Should Start With…
First, and foremost a microdose should be a small amount of psilocybin. Large enough that you do feel something. Small enough that you can still do all anything you would normally do in day-to-day life, like driving, working, or taking care of your family.
The idea here is that microdosing is meant to bring upliftment, balance and a sprinkle of “magic” to your day, without taking you away from regular life. I recommend that you start with 100mg dose of mushrooms. Some people need more, some less, but 100mg is a really good and safe starting dose.
That being said, I suggest that you take your first dose on a day off (unless you are feeling confident and brave in your relationship with substances and psilocybin). This is a day that you can be present with your microdosing experience, and so you can gauge what dose works best for you. On this day, take time to meditate, walk in nature, create art, etc.
This “day off” creates some wiggle room, so if your dose is a bit too high, you aren’t at work or needing to take care of potentially stressful circumstances. Of course “too high” of a dose is relative. Even at our highest dose of 200mg, this is still a microdose. But if you take more than what works for you, you may simply find it hard to be fully present with your daily “mundane” tasks. Likely, you will rather be off daydreaming, frolicking in the forest, or creating some magical creation…
So How Long Can You Expect Your Microdose to Last, & How Long Does it Take to “Kick in”?
When You Should Expect To Feel Your Dose…
Well, we recommend you start by taking your dose with intention on an empty stomach first thing in the morning. Most people feel their dose kick in within 1 hour. Sometimes it can be as quick as 20 minutes. Keep in mind, if you dose up with a meal, the effects tend to be more subtle and will take longer to feel.
If you are at the 1 hour mark and you still do not feel anything, be patient. Sometimes it can take a bit longer depending on your metabolism. If after 2 hours you still do not feel any effects, then you’re safe to dose up with more! Try taking 50mg to 100mg more, depending on how adventurous you feel.
How Long Your Microdose Will Last…
So in terms of length of time, this varies greatly depending on your metabolism, tolerance and sensitivity.
Generally speaking, people feel the effects of the microdose for 4-8 hours. The “height” of the experience is generally for 2-4 hours. After the 4 hour mark, the experience tends to be more subtle.
Some highly sensitive people report feeling a subtle difference in awareness and consciousness even the day following their microdose. Although this is uncommon, it is not unheard of. Keep in mind though that these prolonged effects are very subtle compared to the first 4-6 hours.
But to put it simply, expect your microdose to last about 4 hours at its strongest point. In total, the effects are usually felt for about 8 hours, but some people report as much as 12-24 hours.
Due to this “8 hour window”, some people choose to take a second dose halfway through their day.
How Long A Microdose & Psilocybin Stays In Your System…
So what about the length of time that a microdose will actually stay in your body? Like, in terms of showing up on a drug test…
Well, keep in mind that a microdose is such a small amount of psilocybin, especially if you are taking 50-100mg, that it may not even register on a drug test.
That being said, psilocybin generally leaves your system within 24 hours. Sometimes, psilocybin can take up to 3 days to clear from a person’s body but this is on the unusual side. Psilocybin could show up in your hair for up to 90 days though.
