Many people turn to microdosing mushrooms because they are seeking out the nootropic benefits… Things like increased mood, creativity, focus, and sustained energy…
But a strange thing can happen to some individuals… Some people experience an increase in fatigue and tiredness, as well as some other unpleasant side effects!
So let’s talk about why this happens, and what you can do if you are experiencing tiredness, fatigue or other undesirable effects from your mushroom microdose!
Expecting the Unexpected (The Reality of NATURAL Medicine…)
If you have ever experienced a full psychedelic trip with psilocybin, or other entheogens, then you know to expect the unexpected… Once you take that handful of mushrooms, anything can happen…
Of course there are ways to “steer” the ship in a certain direction, and there are ways to recover if the trip goes south… But ultimately, you are in the hands of the medicine, and your capacity for control is greatly diminished… And that is not a bad thing…
Often in the unexpected is where we can receive that which we need the most! Because honestly, if we truly “knew” (and thus expected) the best outcome for us… we would not need entheogens to begin with…
So when it comes to microdosing… The same applies but in a very “micro” way…
Be Careful What You Ask For… Because You Might Just Get It!
You are asking for help with a specific intention and purpose… Let’s say you are asking for more energy from the microdose. Well as soon as you set that intention, the medicine gets to work… So expect the unexpected.
The reality is that most people in the modern world are overworked and overstressed. They are burning the candle at both ends and running on caffeine and stress hormones!
Not enough sleep, not enough downtime, and not enough time to simply “be”... Not to mention all the other stress of our modern world like toxins, poor diet, unnatural living environments, and the general state of fear and chaos in the world…
Sorry it’s getting a bit depressing… But it’s better to see the world from an honest view, so we can adjust our lives accordingly…
Here's The Answer To Your Low Energy…
Basically… The modern world is a perfect storm for fatigue and low energy! So as soon as you ask for better energy levels, well the mushrooms are going to assist you with that… But they are not some magical pill that gives you unlimited energy. Those are called stimulants and they come at a cost!
If mushroom capsules could do this, everyone in the Western World would be microdosing…
The mushrooms are going to help you to balance and recalibrate so you can naturally produce sustained and lasting energy levels… They will help you to see what you need to do to increase your energy…
This means they might make you more aware of how tired your body actually is… Maybe you need to rest and to take it slow so your adrenal glands can take a much needed vacation…
What happens for a lot of people is that their nervous system is stuck in fight or flight… They are locked in go-go-go mode!
So here’s what is actually happening for those who feel fatigued or tired from microdosing… The mushrooms are simply relaxing their nervous system into rest and digest mode…
Well, when this happens, all those stress hormones that are sustaining you go away… And you realize how tired you actually are!
The best way to get more energy is to slow down… Rest… And reassess your lifestyle. If you aren’t ready to do this (even in small baby steps), then maybe microdosing is not for you.
The Same Reason Meditation Makes You Fall Asleep…
I remember when I began meditating for longer periods of time, something strange began to happen… I would go so deep into that black void within myself, that my neck would stop working, and my head would fall forward!
I would get shaken out of my meditation, only to realize that I had just drifted off to sleep! I also noticed that throughout the rest of my day, I would be fatigued and down right exhausted…
Well, naturally I figured that I must be doing something wrong… So I asked my meditation teacher about it… And his answer shocked me!
He was ecstatic! He congratulated me on my progress… And he explained that this was not me falling asleep… my meditation practice had reached such a deep point, that my conscious mind could no longer sustain itself… I was diving into the deepest places of my unconscious mind.
Microdosing can have a similar effect. As the microdoses drop deeper into your unconscious mind… You may begin to feel tired and fatigued. This is normal and after a few weeks, you should notice improvements. Try to meditate more often to acclimatize to this new state of awareness.
Other Reasons Your Microdoses Are Making You Tired…
There are other reasons you may be experiencing fatigue from microdosing… If you notice fatigue and tiredness from microdosing beyond 2 weeks, then you may need to make some changes!
Your dosage is off…
A common reason people feel tired from their microdose is because they are simply taking too much. Try reducing your dosage by 50mg to 100mg. So if you are taking 200mg, try taking 100mg. If you are taking 100mg, try taking just 50mg. Play around with your dose and see if that helps.
Microdosing too often…
Everyone’s body, mind and lifestyle is different. As we talk about on our site, we suggest people do the 5 days on 2 days off protocol… This means you will take a microdose 5 days in a row then take 2 days off.
However this may be too frequent for you. Try playing around with a different protocol such as 4 days on 3 days off, taking a microdose every third day, or taking a microdose every other day. Switch it up for one week and see if that helps.
Another option is to stop microdosing for one to two weeks entirely. This will reset your system. Then start your protocol again and see if you notice any changes.
Not microdosing enough…
As we talked about above, it can take time for some people to adjust to the new state of consciousness that mushrooms provide. If you are microdosing too infrequently or sporadically, you may need to be more consistent with your microdosing. Try choosing a protocol outlined above for at least 2 weeks to see if this helps. Your tiredness may be a wall you need to “break through”.
Stuck emotional energy can be thick, heavy and tiring…
This is especially true for pent up grief, anger and trauma. As microdosing breaks down the walls between your conscious and unconscious mind, you may begin to become aware of stuck or suppressed emotions… Before they fully present themselves to your mind and heart, they may show up in a physical way… Such as fatigue, tiredness, pain, anxiety, or digestive issues.
Pay attention to any new or worsening symptoms! Breathwork and body movement is an amazing way to clear and let go of stuck emotional energy.
The strain of mushrooms may not be right for you…
Just like cannabis, there are many different types of psilocybin mushrooms. They are all quite similar, however some will have slightly different effects… It is possible that the strain you are using for your microdoses may not be right for you. Try switching up the strain.
When it comes to psychedelics, set and setting are key to a “good trip”...
And Sometimes this is true for microdosing as well…
I say “Sometimes” because the intention of microdosing is to integrate it into your daily life… But what is your daily life?
If you are working in front of a computer, or your job is boring and unsatisfying… It is possible your fatigue is the mushrooms (and your spirit) screaming out for change! Try microdosing in a more natural environment like on a hike or at the lake and see how you feel…
The bottomline is that fatigue is a message.
It is a way for your body, mind and spirit to communicate something to your conscious mind. It is also a way for the spirit of the mushroom to talk with you. When you experience Fatigue or tiredness from microdosing it is time to listen.
Sit down, meditate, and begin an internal process of inquiry. Ask your heart (and the mushrooms) why you are tired… and listen very carefully for the answer! Be sure to write it down…
Maybe microdosing just doesn’t work for your body…
Everyone is different, and mushrooms are a specific type of medicine… It is possible that this medicine is just simply not for you… Or at least not at this time in your life.
Of course before you give up entirely, make sure you try the above suggestions… Play around with the microdoses. If you think they are not for you… Try taking 3 - 6 months off, and then come back to them. You may be surprised!
