LEARN TO DOSE WITH CONFIDENCE:
MICRODOSING 101
What is Microdosing?
Microdosing is the act of regularly consuming sub-perceptual amounts of psychedelics, such as LSD or Psilocybin Mushrooms. Sub-perceptual means the effects are subtle but can have a noticeable influence on your life. Taking microdoses of a psychedelic drug means taking only a fraction of a dose that is required to have a full-blown psychedelic experience, or “trip.”
Typically, individuals integrate sub-perceptual doses into their weekly routine.
Why microdose?
Individuals and studies have reported several reasons for microdosing, some of which are to:
Treat depression
Decrease anxiety
Heighten spiritual awareness
Enhance creativity
Increase social engagement
Enhance the senses
Increase confidence + motivation
Improve overall health + wellbeing
Current and former microdosers scored lower on measures of dysfunctional attitudes and negative emotionality and higher on wisdom open-mindedness and creativity when compared to non-microdosers. [1]
How to start Microdosing
Once you’ve decided that you’re ready to begin, plan to start your microdosing protocol on a day when you have little to do, where you can be in a place that doesn’t trigger your anxiety. While the dose you’ll be taking will be sub-perceptual – meaning it is unlikely to affect you in a way that prevents you from going about your day-to-day – it may cause certain emotions or feelings to arise, and so it is best to be in a comfortable, safe place, where you can process these emotions in peace. Your environment and intention can have a profound impact on your experience. Some prefer to microdose at home, while others might find solace in nature.
We recommend that microdoses are taken on an empty stomach, preferably away from any caffeine. Caffeine may increase anxiety in some individuals. Eating around the time of your dose won’t completely nullify the effects, however, dosing with fattier foods will increase the length of time it takes for you to feel them.
Individuals who are taking SSRIs should leave a buffer of a minimum of three hours between a microdose and their medication.
Beyond spacing your dose away from food, caffeine, and medication, how you consume is up to you. Some individuals prefer to microdose in the morning, while others find they prefer to take it before bed. Others still consume two or three times per day to help keep their mood lifted and mind sharp. This higher frequency increases tolerance however.
Some protocols recommend 1 dose each day for 5 consecutive days, followed by 2 consecutive days off; some prefer to start slow with 1 dose every 3 to 4 days. Depending on your weight, you may require a higher dose.
After the first few days of microdosing, your body will quickly build a tolerance and you’ll have a better idea of when and how much to dose. Some individuals might find that after they build a tolerance, they might require an increased dose. Others have found that after building a tolerance, they eventually become more sensitive.
Listen to your body and, if you’re inclined, keep a journal to note the changes in the size of your dose, when you’re taking it, and how it is affecting you.
Once you’ve become comfortable with the dose, you can safely integrate microdosing into your daily routine and lifestyle.