So you have heard of microdosing mushrooms, but you have no idea where to start… Well look no further! We are going to outline the microdosing basics, so you can go into your experience with confidence and ease…
The sad thing is, many people never end up taking the “dive” into microdosing because they have too many concerns to make it worth their effort…
But here’s the thing… Many of these fears and anxieties never end up coming true… Especially with the proper guidance!
Let me explain…
For a lot of people, microdosing is kind of like jumping into a big lake, but they have no idea the temperature or depth of the water… All sorts of fear starts to bubble up…
Is the water going to be freezing?
Will I ever be able to warm back up again?
What if the water is really deep, and there’s some strange creature swimming below me?
The thing is, it’s just a regular lake… Nothing unusual lurking in its depths, and it only takes a few minutes to acclimatize… In fact once you get used to the temperature, it’s better in the water than out!
That being said, we’re going to go into greater detail so you can really get a feel for microdosing before you begin… This will lay your mind to rest and ensure you have a smooth and graceful microdosing experience…
Why Microdosing Is Like A Cup Of Coffee… But Better…
Ok so what exactly is a microdose? How do you know if you have taken too much, or not enough? How do you find the right dose for your unique body and mind?
A microdose is meant to be subtle, but still offer a shift in perception… So think of it like a cup of coffee…
If you’re a coffee drinker, then you likely enjoy your morning coffee because it lifts your mood, gives you a little “buzz” of energy, helps you focus, and is an enjoyable social experience… for lack of a better word, you are slightly “altered”... But you can still function. You can drive, go to work, take care of your children, and pretty much do anything you could do without a cup of coffee… Except for sleep of course…
This should be the general “strength” of a microdose… Of course the effects of Microdosing will be different… One bonus is that unlike coffee, your body won’t become addicted or dependent on microdosing! In fact microdosing can help you kick your caffeine habit! But more on that later…
Just like with coffee though, everyone is different… Some people can only handle half a cup, whereas others will drink a whole pot of coffee throughout the day… That is why it is important to find the ideal dose for your body!
Finding Your Sweet Spot… (Proper Dosage)
So now you know the general “strength” you should be aiming for… So how do you know the right quantity of mushrooms to consume?
Well, generally people will need anywhere from 50mg-200mg of whole psilocybin mushroom. 50mg is on the low end, whereas 200mg is on the high end… But even up to 300mg or 400mg can be considered a microdose, depending on the effects they have on an individual.
As a general rule, I recommend people start off with 100mg (or 0.1grams) of whole mushrooms. If this dose is too strong, simply cut it in half to 50mg. If it is not strong enough, try adding 50mg each day until you reach your desired results.
The Microdose “High”... (Benefits, Effects, and Things To Watch For)
So what exactly are the results you should be on the lookout for? Well microdoses don’t actually get you “high”, but many people do experience a slight buzz…
This looks different for everyone but let’s outline some general effects and benefits people commonly experience…
Increased awareness of self and others
Increase in focus, creativity and creative thinking
Decrease in anxiety, depression, irritability and other emotional disturbances
Reduction in PTSD and other serious mental health symptoms
Colors and sounds are brighter and more vivid
Deeper connection to self, others and nature
Stronger sense of “self”
Supportive for those who are highly empathic
Often this can be felt right away, however sometimes it can take several weeks of microdosing to begin seeing these benefits…
Finding Your Ideal Schedule…
Most people do well with taking one capsule in the morning on an empty stomach… Remember to be mindful of your intention as you take the medicine!
If the effects are too strong, some people prefer to take the microdose with a small meal. Some people also enjoy a second dose in the afternoon. People often experience a burst of energy and inspiration when they take a microdose, which can make sleeping difficult for some. We do not recommend microdosing in the evening unless you are a night owl!
So how often should you microdose…?
Well this subject is still in debate, and honestly you have to find what works best for you! But we like the 5 days on and 2 days off protocol. This means you will microdose for 5 days out of the week, and you will take 2 days off to rest, integrate and prevent building a tolerance.
Remember that whatever schedule you choose, it is important to take some days off from microdosing… Often on these off days, people will experience insights, realizations and epiphanies that enhance their quality of life, and support them in their evolution and growth. Time away from the medicine is just as important as time with the medicine!
Other popular protocols you may consider trying…
4 days on, 3 days off
Microdosing every other day
Microdosing once every 3rd days (1 day on, 2 days off)
Microdosing 2 days of the week
We personally like the protocols that revolve around 7 days… This makes keeping track of your microdoses far simpler!
How To Source Your Mushrooms…
Psilocybin is still illegal in most countries. This makes sourcing difficult for many people… And a concern for many.
However where there is a will, there is a way.
If you live in Canada, there are many online shops that now sell mushrooms - both whole mushrooms and microdosing products… And as we have spoken of before, as the buyer you have nothing to worry about when buying your mushrooms online…
But what about if you do not live in Canada…?
Have no fear! In terms of legality, it is of course a liability to purchase and carry psilocybin mushrooms. However, the amount you will need to begin microdosing is small… So small that even if you were to be caught with them, you would more than likely just get a slap on the wrist… Not to mention once you get them to your home, you will be grinding them into an unidentifiable powder…
I would suggest you begin by researching psychedelic meet up or support groups in your local area… Look for ceremonies, circles, or talking circles that are open and supportive to psychedelics. You may not be able to purchase mushrooms directly from these people, but there is a high likelihood someone in these groups will be able to connect you with a reputable supply.
Other places to go include… Ecstatic dances, sound healings, plant medicine ceremonies, festivals, conscious gatherings, and other “spiritual” or “conscious” community events… The people who you will meet here will more than likely be able to help you find a safe supply of mushrooms…
And once you buy them, just bring them straight to your home if you’re worried about the long arm of the law…
Making Your Own Microdoses…
If you live outside of Canada, you may want to consider making your own microdoses… There is an initial investment that you will need to make, and a bit of a learning curve, but once you get the hang of it, it is quite simple…
That being said, we recommend just buying directly from a Canadian shop if possible… This ensures quality control of dosage and ingredients.
But if that is not possible, you will need the following ingredients…
“00” vegetable or gelatin capsules
A capsule filling machine
A jeweler’s scale, or “mg” scale
This is important. You need a scale that can go read in milligrams… Otherwise you may not have an accurate read on dosage
Psilocybin mushrooms
Any other ingredients you would like to include…
You can purchase your capsule, your capsule filling machine, and your scale on amazon… Make sure that your capsule size matches the size of your capsule filling machine…
Now choose a blend. The stamet's stack is a popular blend, and it includes niacin, lions mane and psilocybin. You may wish to include other ingredients like ashwagandha, cacao, reishi or other adaptogenic / nootropic herbs.
So the blend would look something like this…
Each “00” capsule holds about 400mg
For a 100mg blend, each capsule would contain:
100mg Psilocybin Mushroom
100mg Niacin (B3)
200mg Lions Mane
You can substitute out lions mane and Niacin for other ingredients. If you want more or less psilocybin in each capsule, be sure to adjust the quantity of other ingredients. Multiple the mg of each ingredient by the number of capsules your machine fills.
What To Do If You Feel Worse…
In some cases, people feel worse from microdosing, especially after a few weeks or months. This is normal and should not be cause for concern, unless symptoms are severe. Generally, this is due to the healing properties of the mushrooms.
Mushrooms help to uncover what is dormant in our unconscious minds. Therefore, experiencing “negative” or “unpleasant” symptoms is a natural part of healing. Just stay present and try to sit with whatever discomfort is arising for you. Be compassionate, patient and kind with yourself, and reach out for support if you need it!
Ways To Get More Out Of Your Microdose…
To get the most out of your microdose we suggest you implement the following…
Clear and daily intention setting
Meditation or other contemplative practices
Regular time in nature
Breathwork, dance, yoga, tai chi, and other somatic practices to move stagnant or stuck energies
Daily / regular journaling
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