People are microdosing psilocybin mushrooms for a variety of reasons. In fact, it’s becoming a popular practice amongst a broad range of individuals. So why are people microdosing mushrooms, and why should you (or shouldn’t you) start microdosing?
What Is A Microdose of Psilocybin?
Let’s start with the basics… A microdose is a tiny dose of a psychedelic substance. By tiny dose we mean anywhere from 1/10 to 1/100 a regular dose. Technically you can microdose any substance you would normally take in a larger dose, such as LSD, marijuana or MDMA. For this article, we are only going to talk about microdosing psilocybin mushrooms.
For mushrooms, a microdose is generally between 0.05 grams to 0.2 grams of whole mushroom. A macrodose (or a psychedelic dose) is generally between 2.5 grams to 5 grams of whole mushroom. We have found most people do well with 0.1 grams, with some sensitive individuals preferring 0.05 grams, and others preferring a stronger dose at 0.2 grams. That’s why we offer 3 strengths of our microdosing products: 0.05 grams, 0.1 grams and 0.2 grams.
Generally speaking, you should be able to feel a very subtle effect from a microdose, but you should not be overwhelmed or unable to function normally.
How To Microdose Psilocybin
Microdosing is a very individual experience, and you have to find what works best for you and your lifestyle. Our general recommendation is this:
Find the strength that works best for you (We suggest starting with a 0.1 gram dose). Take your dose first thing in the morning on an empty stomach for 5 days in a row, and then take 2 days off to integrate and prevent building a tolerance. Continue this protocol for a minimum of 3 months so you can establish new neural pathways, states of being and habits in your life. Some people choose to microdose indefinitely.
We recommend you set a clear intention before you begin your journey. Do you want to find more creativity? Overcome anxiety or depression? Need more focus? Perhaps you want to find a solid sense of groundedness? Whatever your desired outcome is, write it down and imagine your ideal state of being after the 3 month protocol.
Each time you take your microdose, speak your intention out loud or silently, and ideally spend a minimum of 10-20 minutes in meditation or in nature. Journal daily about your experiences and what you are noticing. The positive and the negative. Put particular focus on any habits, patterns and beliefs that are keeping you stuck. Dissect them as best you can, and replace them with healthier ones.
What Should I Expect From A Microdose?
Well, it’s best to go into your microdosing experience without any expectations… Beginner’s mind. This leaves room for any possibility to unfold. That being said, let’s go over some reasonable expectations, and things to look out for.
Firstly, the proper strength of a microdose is intended to be a very background experience. Think of the strength of a cup of coffee or a single drink of alcohol. You can still drive, you can still function normally, however you feel a slightly altered state of awareness. The “buzz” helps you break out of your normal routine and experience a fresh perspective.
The same goes for microdosing. If you are unable to do what you would normally do any other day of the week, then your dose is too high. We suggest taking your first microdose on a day that you have nothing else going on, so you can see what strength works best for you. Consider spending the day in nature, meditating or doing something creative at home. Take note of any subtle physical, mental or emotional experiences that you have. And keep a keen eye out for any shifts in awareness and perception. Consider keeping a journal at hand.
Reasonable Expectations From Your Microdoses
Things to look out for from a microdose include…
Heightened awareness of yourself and your surroundings
Colors appearing slightly brighter and more vivid
A deeper connection to yourself, to others, and to nature
A lift in mood, creativity, and focus (feelings of inspiration and euphoria)
Feelings of tiredness or heaviness (sometimes if you are stuck in fight or flight, the mushrooms can put you into rest and relax mode, which can feel like a heaviness or tired feeling)
Reduction in anxiety
A Microdose Should NOT…
Cause hallucinations
Make you extremely ungrounded or “out of body”
Be so strong that you are unable to fulfill regular tasks
Cause anxiety (expect in certain circumstances)
Why Microdosing Mushrooms Is A Good Idea
Microdosing Mushrooms can help you return to your natural state of balance and equilibrium. We believe a human being’s natural state is to be content, fulfilled, relaxed and in a state of joy and love. Chronic stress and mental health challenges are not part of our innate design. They are a by-product of the modern world.
When you look at the modern western world, it is clear that we are experiencing a mental health crisis. About 20% of the United States population reports having an anxiety disorder. That number is likely much higher, as many people experience low grade, daily anxiety but discount it as just the stress of life. Not to mention those suffering from PTSD, depression, sleep disorders, chronic stress, and other emotional/mental issues.
In the Western World, people are safer than ever before in human history, and yet we are also more stressed and unhappy than ever before. Why is that?
There are many factors - people are overworked, eating unhealthy foods, exposed to chemicals and other toxins, and with the current pandemic, people are more isolated than ever before. In short, humans are more disconnected from nature, themselves and each other than ever before.
Ask yourself, how often do you suffer from unhappiness, discontent, anxiety, depression, loneliness, lack of motivation, or general stress? Be honest and truthful. Likely the answer is you are suffering more than you would desire. Well if you desire better, then you know better is possible, and it starts with a choice.
Microdosing isn’t a magic pill that will fix all of your problems and bring you to a state of enlightenment. Well, I guess they are “magic” mushroom pills… and anything is possible! But it is highly unlikely that mushrooms will instantly heal you and free you from suffering. If it was that easy, everyone would do it. BUT microdosing is a GREAT starting point, or a great accompaniment to your current mental health protocol.
They are safe and effective. There is little to no risk involved. If they don’t work for you, then you simply move on with your life. But it is entirely possible that microdosing could open a whole new world for you to discover - one that is brighter and more fulfilling.
Why Mushrooms Are So Good For Your Mental Health
The Science…
It can be tricky to answer the “why” to this statement. This is because in our modern world, we look to science to answer all of our “whys”. Science is yet to have definitive answers as to why psilocybin mushrooms are so healing and beneficial.
It appears mushrooms help primarily through the nervous system, and the nerve cells of the body, helping them to work optimally, to heal, and to regenerate. The brain and nervous system are considered to be dynamic and can change and heal remarkably fast when given the proper environment and support.
Remember that humans have 3 “brains” - the gut, the heart, and the literal brain. When the 3 of these brains can work in harmony and balance, then your emotional and mental states of being will reflect that. It appears mushrooms can support this state of harmony and balance.
The Spiritual…
It is impossible to take the “spiritual” out of psilocybin.
If you have ever had a psychedelic experience, then you know that it opens a doorway of perception to the unseen, spiritual dimensions. Often people have divine revelations during and after psychedelic experiences, and can even find a faith and belief in something greater than themselves - in something that can not be seen or defined in a definitive way.
Call it what you want - God, The Creator, The Universe, Chi, The Force… It is the energy and light that moves through all space, time and matter. This energy is within you, and it is within all things. Mushrooms have a remarkable capacity to help us feel, see and experience this energy; reminding us of our interconnectedness with all of creation.
This feeling of interconnectedness is a state of being that is natural to being human, and it is the way our ancestors lived for 1000’s of years. When we lose touch with it, we naturally become anxious, depressed and stressed.
If you study mushrooms, you will find that their effects are similar to their role in nature. A Mushroom’s mycelium is literally the roots of the forest. They connect all of the plants, trees and soil, helping them to communicate, share information, and even share vital nutrients. They maintain the interconnected web of life. This is also how they help humans spiritually.
Just as the roots of mycelium live underground in the unseen world, mushrooms help us to see the unseen parts of ourselves. They offer a window into our unconscious. Through this window we can identify the thoughts, beliefs, and patterns that keep us stuck - and they also help us to reprogram our unconscious mind with thoughts, beliefs, and patterns that are beneficial and healthy.
Although this effect is more pronounced with a large psychedelic macrodose of psilocybin, microdosing affects us in a similar but more subtle way.
Why Microdosing May Be Better Than A Macrodose
Often people will take a macrodose (psychedelic journey) of psilocybin and they will touch the divine. They will experience love and joy in new ways. They will see all that is out of harmony in their lives, and they will know their place in the world.
Then the journey ends, they return to life, and somehow all those revelations dissolve and disappear… And permanent change does not occur. In other words, there is no integration or grounding of the experience, and it is more like an eye-opening movie than an embodied transformation.
This is where microdoses come in. When you are microdosing, you are consuming mushrooms on a regular basis (we suggest 5 days on, and 2 days off). Although the immediate effects may not be as profound, the effects of the mushrooms can be more easily integrated on a daily and habit forming basis.
This is especially true if you incorporate mindfulness, meditation, journaling, time in nature, and intention setting. If you just pop a pill and go on with your life, you will most likely not see the shifts you desire. The mushrooms are allies in your journey, and they will meet you halfway. You also need to do your part to see the magical effects in your life.
Of course this takes time. We recommend a minimum of 3 months to really see a shift in your perception, beliefs and ways of being.
That being said the most effective method is to combine micro and macro doses. This is because microdosing is especially helpful to integrate a macrodose. If you are planning to go on a psychedelic journey, consider microdosing for the weeks and months leading up to as well as afterwards to ground your experience and integrate the transformational shifts in awareness. One protocol that can be helpful is to macrodose once or twice during your 3-month microdose protocol.
To Conclude, Here’s Why Microdosing Is So Effective
The source of happiness and unhappiness are actually quite similar. They reflect our internal landscape. Your beliefs, thoughts, patterns, and habits often dictate if you will generally be a happy or unhappy person.
Microdosing opens a doorway into your unconscious mind, so that you can identify the limiting beliefs, thoughts, patterns, and habits that are holding you back from living as your best self. Not only can microdosing support you in identifying these, they also can support you in letting them go, and replacing them with more beneficial beliefs, thoughts and habits.
To put it simply, microdosing gives you the power to rewire your brain, your heart, your gut and your nervous system (your mind and your emotions). In a subtle yet profound way, it can help you to expand your awareness, and to remember your interconnectedness with all of creation.
Not only that, but microdosing is generally extremely safe, and nontoxic. There’s really no harm in trying! That being said, if you are suffering from a serious mental or physical health problem, and you are currently taking pharmaceutical drugs, we suggest you speak with a healthcare professional before choosing to microdose.
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