Microdosing
A comprehensive guide to sub-perceptual dosing
Traditional Microdosing
Understanding Traditional Protocols
The term traditional microdosing refers to the process of calculating a microdose based on the total dry weight of the mushrooms in your intended dose. Traditional microdosing protocols include the use of 0.1g to 0.3g of dry mushrooms daily dose at varied intervals that include non-dosing days. With microdosing, the aim is to dose in small amounts that do not induce psychedelic effects. The psychedelic effects begin to be noticeable at doses around 1/2 a gram of mushrooms depending on your body weight.
Precision Dosing Based on Body Weight
The Church is working to better define dosing based on micrograms of pure psilocybin and individual body weight. Read Potency to learn more about potency differences and variation between mushrooms.
If you have lab results available for the mushrooms you plan to consume, please refer to our Dosage Guidelines and Dosage Calculator to determine your appropriate dose in micrograms.
Microdosing for Spiritual Growth
Magic Mushrooms allow us to reduce the separation between our body and spirit. They further our connection with what exists inside us beyond this physical realm. Both the common and micro doses can support your spiritual journey.
The transformative effects of mushrooms come from your true self. If you seek to deepen focus, meditation, creativity, mindfulness, and inner peace, microdosing can be a great introduction to the path of becoming a more evolved version of yourself.
Protocols
Six Basic Microdosing Schedules
There are six basic microdosing protocols. There are several reasons why you might want to use a different schedule. We recommend that you keep a journal to track the effects.
1. The Fadiman Microdosing Protocol
One of the most well-known protocols for microdosing is the ‘Fadiman protocol’. Its creator, James Fadiman, says that this protocol is primarily intended to help you to observe the effects of microdosing. It is a 3-day cycle, 1-day-on, 2-days-off, which you follow for 4 to 8 weeks.
Schedule: Day 1: Microdose | Day 2-3: Normal Days | Repeat every 3 days for 4-8 weeks
2. Two Fixed Days a Week
Some people prefer a fixed scheme that matches your weekly work or social routine. If that’s your case, choose 2 fixed days in a week that fit your schedule best. Keep at least 1 day between dosing!
Schedule: Choose 2 fixed days (e.g., Wednesday & Saturday) | Every 3-4 days for 4-8 weeks
3. Every Other Day
Simply put, 1-day-on, 1-day-off for one month.
Schedule: Alternate days for 1 month
4. Paul Stamets’ Protocol
A 7-day cycle, 4-days-on, 3-days-off, which you follow for 2 to 4 weeks.
Schedule: Days 1-4: Microdose | Days 5-7: Normal Days | Repeat for 1 month
Stamets’ Stacking: According to Paul, the combination of psilocybin, niacin (vitamin B3), and Lion’s Mane medicinal mushroom have a positive, lasting effect on the brain. He calls the use of these three components ‘stacking’.
The Stamets’ Stack: Lion’s Mane, psilocybin, and Vitamin B3/Niacin.
See our Functional Additives guide for details on Lion’s Mane, Niacin, and other additives commonly combined with psilocybin.
5. Intuitive Microdosing
Another way of microdosing is to do it entirely intuitively. Take one when you feel like it. The only rule being you always leave at least one day between the days you take a microdose.
6. ‘Nightcap’ Microdosing
The ‘Nightcap’ protocol can be used with any microdose protocol, with the only difference being that the microdose is consumed before going to bed. Some people experience fatigue while microdosing mushrooms during the day. To prevent that, they take their microdose before bedtime and enjoy a good night’s sleep. With the Nightcap it’s recommended to take the microdose at least an hour before going to bed. People who microdose according to this protocol indicate that their dreams are more vivid. They wake up more rested and brighter than before they started microdosing.
Dosage Ranges
How Much Is a Microdose?
With traditional dry gram dosing methods, most microdose protocols start in the range of 0.05 gm (1/20th of a gram) to 0.1 gm (1/10th of a gram). Based on effects, the dosage can be adjusted up to 0.3 gm (1/3rd of a gram) per dose. If you experience visual effects on a microdose, you have taken too much.
The Church is working to improve dosage accuracy for all doses by lab testing mushrooms for potency of pure psilocybin and incorporating the data into an interactive dosing calculator. To better define the exact potency of a microdose, the Church is developing new dose ranges based on micrograms of pure psilocybin and bodyweight.
For a person weighing 100 lbs, a microdose falls within the range of 50 mcg-1000 mcg pure psilocybin. For a person weighing 200 lbs the dose range would double based on their body weight.
If you have lab results available for the mushrooms you plan to consume, please refer to our safety guides and Ambrosia (Public) Dosage Calc dosage calculator to determine your appropriate dose in micrograms.
Tolerance Management
Reset / Tolerance Break
For all microdosing protocols, schedule 2 to 4 weeks of rest after you have completed a 4 to 8 week microdosing journey. This break or reset is essential to prevent tolerance and maintain the effects of the mushrooms.
Crisis & Support Resources
Fireside Project: (623) 473-7433
Trained peer support for difficult psychedelic experiences. Free, confidential, available 24/7.
Suicide Prevention Lifeline: (800) 273-8255
Emergency: 911. Call immediately for any medical emergency, risk of harm to self or others, or if someone is unresponsive.
Continue Your Journey
Explore Safe Sacred Use
Learn about precision dosing and other safety protocols for intentional psilocybin use.
